| Substance abuse treatment is the only real | | | | solely at those addicted to alcohol. Issues |
| option for many people addicted to alcohol or | | | | around detoxification are addressed and |
| drugs. Treatment can be done on an inpatient | | | | medication can be prescribed which lowers |
| or outpatient basis and there are advantages | | | | ones risk of drinking again. There are even |
| and disadvantages to both types of treatment. | | | | medications that control the urge to drink. |
| Some programs are restricted to alcohol or | | | | Alcoholics can come together to discuss |
| other drugs, while other programs incorporate | | | | issues related to their alcohol use and are |
| both alcohol and drugs into the same program. | | | | encouraged to attend AA and find a sponsor. |
| | | | Many patients are asked to attend alcohol |
| Inpatient substance abuse treatment is more | | | | treatment by a judge after they were arrested |
| intense than the outpatient programs. The | | | | for a DWI or DUI. A court ordered alcohol |
| inpatient program can last for 30 days or can | | | | treatment doesn't share the same success as |
| extend indefinitely, depending on the funding | | | | voluntary treatment. |
| of the patient. People live in a confined | | | | |
| setting and are monitored for detoxification. | | | | There are some who believe that narcotic |
| They are often prevented from leaving the | | | | substance abuse treatment should be separate |
| program and they attend group and individual | | | | from alcohol treatment because the issues are |
| therapy during the day. They may have | | | | so different. Narcotic users can be given |
| recreational programs but these are not part | | | | medication to help with cravings. Users of |
| of the actual treatment. Inpatients work hard | | | | other drugs have their own issues with |
| on their issues and try to find out the | | | | withdrawal and learning to stay away from |
| underlying problems that have contributed to | | | | drugs. Those who use drugs, particularly |
| their substance use. If they graduate from | | | | narcotics, can transition into NA as an |
| this type of program, they often go to | | | | outpatient to get as much support for staying |
| outpatient therapy, AA or NA programs. | | | | clean as possible. |
| | | | |
| Outpatient substance abuse treatment is | | | | The goals of substance abuse treatment are |
| appropriate for those who don't expect to | | | | (1) the detoxification of the patient from |
| have any problems with detoxification and who | | | | their drugs of choice, (2) managing |
| have a strong family support. Many outpatient | | | | withdrawal symptoms, (3) learning new coping |
| programs are day programs, with the bulk of | | | | methods around drug abuse and (4) |
| the day spent in various group therapies, | | | | reintegrating into society without drugs. If |
| family therapies and sometimes individual | | | | the person doesn't have a stable living |
| therapies. AA or NA is often part of | | | | situation or has a lot of friends who use and |
| outpatient programs and the individual is | | | | abuse drugs or alcohol, it will be more |
| encouraged to find a sponsor. Outpatient | | | | difficult for the individual to recover |
| programs can last for up to a month as well | | | | completely from substance abuse. This is why |
| but it depends on the program and the funding | | | | inpatient therapy is sometimes better for |
| of the abuser. | | | | those who don't have the family or other |
| | | | support they need. |
| Some substance abuse treatment is directed | | | | |