If you are seeking treatment for a drug or alcohol addiction, you may have considered an inpatient treatment facility. With this type of rehab center, residents live at the facility during the duration of their treatment, which typically lasts around 30 days. During this time, their recovery is monitored closely by professionals.
If you are thinking of an inpatient facility, consider the following pros and cons:
Pros:
• Help through the hard parts. The first step of a rehab program is the detox period, in which you wean yourself off of the substance that was addictive. This period of time is considered the most difficult, as it is physically and emotionally draining. An inpatient facility provides constant monitoring by professionals during this time, making it easier to deal with.
• Difficult to get access to substances. Inpatient treatment centers control and monitor the center and anyone coming and going to ensure drugs and alcohol are not allowed on the premises. Removing this temptation makes it easier to get through the treatment program.
• Support 24 hours a day. The beginning of any addiction recovery program is difficult. An inpatient program offers support and medical assistance around the clock.
• Better environment to recover in. The support of peers and counselors, as well as a structured environment free of temptation and access to substances, makes it a much better environment to recover in.
A few of the cons of an inpatient facility include:
• Cost. Some rehabs cost tens of thousands of dollars. What’s more, many insurance companies don’t cover this type of treatment program, so it must be paid for with loans or out of pocket.
• Confining. Some residents may feel like they are being too closely monitored or “punished” for trying to get help by taking away a sense of their freedom. With a negative attitude towards rehabilitation, it makes it harder to recover.
Knowing the pros and cons can help you make a better decision regarding inpatient treatment.