Addiction Treatment

Drug addiction is a chronic, progressive condition referring to compulsive drug use regardless of consequences. People who struggle with drug addiction find and use drugs no matter what the cost, whether it’s their job, education, family, or worse. It also causes both short-term and long-term changes in the brain.

One of the most important characteristics of drug addiction is the possibility of relapse. Although people can stop using drugs with ongoing support, there is no cure for addiction. Relapse is a common problem for those who struggle with addiction, no matter how long the person has been clean.

Addiction treatment is the practice of helping people who struggle with addiction to not only stop using drugs but to stay stopped. Since drugs become the central focus for someone with an addiction, they often struggle in other areas of life.

Effective addiction treatment also teaches newly-clean individuals how to be productive at home, at work, or at school. They learn how to reintegrate into everyday life without needing drugs to get by.

There are a few different methods used to treat addiction, including:

Addiction treatment facilities use different combinations of these methods in varying levels of care. Treatment usually takes place in one of five types of care below.

People who use drugs for a period of time develop a dependence on the substances they use. They use to the point that their body needs these substances to function properly, despite the harm they cause. If they separate from the drugs for long enough or stop using them entirely, they experience withdrawal symptoms.

Detoxing from drugs involves getting through the withdrawal period. There are both physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. The severity of symptoms depends on a few factors:

Some withdrawal symptoms are dangerous and life-threatening if not handled under medical supervision. Drug detox exists to help addicts get through the withdrawal period safely and to relieve some of the effects of drug withdrawals.

Inpatient drug rehab is often the next step after drug detox. Inpatient programs often take place over the course of 30-, 60-, or 90-day programs. Clients attend programming during the day then stay overnight in these facilities.

Each client works with a case manager to determine their goals during their time in treatment. They learn more about the nature of addiction and how to navigate life without needing to use drugs. People who attend inpatient rehab benefit from the community aspect in their early recovery. They are surrounded by others who share similar goals and have the same focus.

Inpatient rehab consists of behavioral therapy at both the individual and group level. Some facilities utilize alternative therapy methods such as animal-assisted therapy or holistic approaches.

Partial hospitalization programs, or PHP for short, similar to inpatient rehab but without the overnight stays. PHP offers the same amount of daytime programming with the same focus on staying drug free and developing necessary life skills. Some programs offer off-site housing in a sober living to keep clients in a safe and sober environment.

On its own PHP is oftentimes a more affordable option than inpatient rehab due to the lack of a necessary residential component. Clients still receive the same support at both an individual and group level throughout the week but can return home if they choose to.

Intensive outpatient programs, also referred to as IOP, usually follow treatment at an inpatient rehab or PHP. These programs offer less treatment hours during the week and focus on integrating clients back into everyday life.

Many IOP programs offer 3 to 5 hours of programming, 3 days per week. Clients further develop coping skills and relapse prevention methods to navigate life without using drugs. They are also encouraged to either return to work or look for a job, work through strained familial relations, and finish up school.

Drug counseling is an ongoing option for people who complete inpatient rehab, PHP, or IOP. People in recovery are most at risk for relapse during their first few weeks and months of clean time. Drug counseling gives clients the option to check in with a counselor once a week to remain accountable and track their progress.

Counseling isn’t recommended as a first step for drug addiction treatment. It’s most effective as an ongoing support system after working on and developing coping skills for staying clean.

Medically Supervised Detox at Hawaii Island Recovery
Anytime your body develops a chemical dependency on alcohol, opiates, benzodiazepines, methamphetamine, cocaine, amphetamines, or any other substance, the first step to recovery is detox.

Detox at Hawaii Island Recovery

Not everyone who uses drugs needs to go to addiction treatment. Although drug use is never safe nor recommended, some people are capable of recreational use. There are also people who abuse drugs but stop after a period of time.

Do you think that someone you know might need addiction treatment? How do you know who needs addiction treatment? First, understand that there is a difference between drug addiction and drug abuse. While they might seem the same on the surface, people with drug addiction cannot stop using drugs.

If the person in question shows signs of compulsive drug use despite the consequences, they might benefit from addiction treatment. There are various signs of drug addiction that you can look out for if you’re concerned about someone’s use.

The most important thing to remember, though, is that no one will stop using unless they want to. They might stop using while they are in treatment but they will likely return to using as soon as they are out. If they don’t want to get clean, addiction treatment will get them off drugs but it won’t keep them clean over the long-term.

How do you know when you need addiction treatment? It’s similar to understanding who needs addiction treatment above. If you sit down and are honest with yourself, you’ll know whether you are capable of quitting entirely.

If you aren’t able to stop using drugs on your own, or you can’t stay stopped, you need addiction treatment. You’ll learn about the effects of drug addiction and methods to replace old behaviors and stay away from drugs.

Although it might seem scary at first, attending addiction treatment is the best decision you can make for yourself. You don’t need drugs to get through life and treatment will teach you exactly how to do that.

Addiction affects a larger portion of the population than you might realize. An estimated 8.1 million people over the age of 12 had a substance use disorder involving at least one illegal drug in 2018. This means that 3 percent of the population in the United States struggled with some form of drug addiction last year.

Drug addiction is a progressive disease and there is no known cure at the moment. It’s a relapsing disorder, meaning recovering addicts are at risk of returning to drugs even after a period of clean time.

This is where addiction treatment comes into play. Attending treatment gives people the understanding and support they need to separate from drugs. Long-term recovery isn’t as simple as just not using drugs; addiction often takes over a person’s entire life. They need to learn to live without relying on substances to get by.

People with a full-blown substance use disorder are not the only people who qualify for treatment. Some individuals who abuse drugs benefit from the support of addiction treatment as well.

About 21.2 million people qualified for substance use treatment in 2018, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. In other words, 1 in 13 people ages 12 and older would benefit from treatment for their substance use.

Not everyone who could benefit from treatment is able to get the help they need, though. Of those 21.2 million people, only about 17 percent, or 3.7 million, were able to attend addiction treatment.

Addiction treatment gives people the chance at a new life free from drugs and alcohol. It offers people another opportunity to press the restart button and try again. They receive the support necessary to dive into a new way of living.

While treatment is not the only way to overcome addiction, it provides a helpful environment to focus only on recovery. Alternatives like 12-step programs or other recovery-based programs offer another option to separate from drugs without going to treatment.

It’s important to consult with a doctor before deciding to quit using drugs without going to treatment, though. People who use large amounts of drugs, mix substances, or used for a long period of time are at risk of going into drug withdrawals.

Withdrawals can be dangerous or life-threatening if not treated with the appropriate medical care. The factors mentioned above determine the severity of possible withdrawal symptoms. Medical professionals can determine whether detox or medication-assisted treatment is necessary.

It’s difficult to determine the overall effectiveness of addiction treatment due to the wide range of factors at play. First of all, every person is different. They have their own individual story that brought them to where they are. Some drugs are more difficult to quit using than others. Not everyone has access to the same type or length of treatment that others do.

There are numerous ways to treat addiction, including therapy, medication, and other experiential forms of treatment. It’s impossible to group every type of addiction treatment method together to determine a single statistic for effectiveness.

Relapse is an acknowledged possibility when living in active recovery from a substance use disorder, though. Even people who attend addiction treatment are at risk of relapsing at some point. One study puts the rates of substance use disorder relapse between 40 and 60 percent.

This doesn’t mean addiction treatment isn’t an effective approach, though. People who live with other conditions or disorders, such as hypertension, have relapsing disorders as well. Relapse does not mean that a person failed. As long as they make an active effort to separate
from drugs again and get back on track, they can continue making changes in their life.

Treating addiction involves much more than getting a person to stop using drugs. Those with severe drug addictions often have little left outside of their using habits. They center their lives around the pattern of finding money, buying drugs, and getting high. After a certain point they cut most everything from their life that doesn’t relate to their drug use.

Some individuals damage not only themselves but their relationships with family and friends. Their use might have affected their performance and reputation at work or in school. They may face court cases as a result of disrupting their community. There are many aspects to recovery aside from quitting using drugs.

Treatment centers must take these circumstances into consideration in order to treat drug addiction effectively. Facilities also look at the extensive damage people do to their bodies, both physically and mentally. Successful treatment incorporates the person as a whole rather than looking solely at their drug use.

Effective addiction treatment facilities work with each person on an individual, case-by-case basis. They look at all aspects of each client that comes into their care. Case managers work with their clients to develop and outline a plan of action to carry out while in treatment. The ultimate goal for every person who attends treatment is successful reintegration into society.

Not every person responds to treatment modalities in the same way. Every individual has their own unique story that led to their present circumstances. There is no one-size-fits-all template when it comes to treating drug addiction.

Facilities take this into consideration and offer various types of addiction treatment therapies. People respond differently to different types of treatment so offering a range of options gives clients a better chance at successful rehabilitation.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT for short, is a classic therapy approach used to treat many different mental disorders. CBT operates on the idea that a person’s thoughts, or cognitions, influences their behaviors. If they have negative, unhealthy, or incorrect thought patterns they act out in negative or unhealthy ways.

Clinicians use CBT with clients to address and work through these unhelpful and often deeply-rooted thought patterns. As people look at and correct their negative cognitions they often see an improvement in behavior over time.

Dialectical behavior therapy, often referred to as DBT, is a specific subtype of cognitive behavioral therapy. It’s intended for high-risk clients, such as individuals who cope with borderline personality disorder or drug addiction.

DBT focuses on the difficulties people have in processing painful emotions that lead to unhealthy behaviors and conflict in their relationships. Individuals who turn to drugs to cope with their feelings struggle with appropriate emotional regulation.

Dialectical behavior therapy equips them with healthy alternatives to manage their feelings and deal with stress. Clients develop effective coping skills that limit the supposed need to turn to substances to work through difficult times. Eye Movement Reprocessing and Desensitization Therapy (EMDR)

Eye movement reprocessing and desensitization, usually called EMDR therapy, is a form of treatment that focuses on trauma. It’s intended to work with clients who never had a proper opportunity to process their traumatic memories. As a result, these memories often impact their ability to function to the best of their ability.

EMDR helps a wide range of people affected by trauma, from those with a single difficult memory to those who lived through years of traumatic events. Clinicians walk clients through the memories along with the feelings and beliefs associated with those memories. Clients often see effective results in reprocessing these memories through EMDR therapy.

Contingency management therapy incorporates positive reinforcement through the use of a reward system. Facilities determine a set of guidelines clients must follow to receive special privileges or other incentives. For example, clients might be eligible when they remain free of drugs, participate in therapy or group, or take their medication.

Motivational enhancement therapy is an approach that aims to engage and make use of a client’s motivation. It’s intended to inspire a client to take action towards quitting drugs by encouraging their own internal sense of motivation. Clients work with a counselor to set specific recovery goals and adjust their behavior as necessary to meet them.

Family therapy incorporates members of the client’s family into the therapeutic process. This often focuses on their parents or spouse, but it may also involve siblings, children, or members of their extended family. It offers a safe space to process and work on difficult or strained
relationships with family members. Both the client and members of their family get the opportunity to speak on where they’re at with the help of a therapist as a mediator.

Depending on the facility, addiction treatment is available on either an inpatient or outpatient basis. Some treatment facilities offer both types of services while others offer one or the other. Those that offer both options usually start clients out in inpatient care then transfer them into
outpatient care after a period of time.

The main difference between the two is inpatient offers care around the clock, with clients staying overnight either in the facility or at offsite housing. Outpatient treatment, on the other hand, takes place during the day then clients are free to reside where they choose.

Addiction treatment programs take place on either an inpatient or outpatient basis. Inpatient addiction treatment is one of the two main types of drug addiction treatment programs. These are intensive treatment programs with a residential component, meaning clients are required to stay overnight.

Inpatient addiction treatment is considered the most intensive treatment type. It’s meant for those with serious substance abuse or dependence problems. Inpatient treatment is a great option for people who can’t stop using drugs despite the consequences they might face.

Instead of trying to quit using drugs in the middle of their stomping grounds, inpatient treatment essentially provides a “time out” from everyday life. It removes addicts in early recovery from the day-to-day temptations. They spend every single day in a recovery-focused environment surrounded by others with the same goals.

The downside of inpatient addiction treatment, though, is the cost. Most inpatient programs cost more than outpatient alternatives. The residential aspect creates a supportive environment for early sobriety but significantly raises the price of treatment.

Thankfully, most inpatient addiction treatment programs accept insurance. Whether someone is eligible for inpatient treatment depends on their insurance policy. Some facilities offer alternatives for individuals who truly need treatment but can’t afford it.

Inpatient addiction treatment is an intensive program that most often takes place over the course of 30, 60, or 90 days. Some programs last up to six months or longer. The length of treatment depends on a few factors, such as the severity of the substance use problem, time commitments, and insurance coverage.

Those who attend inpatient treatment must commit to stepping away from their everyday life for the length of the program. They need to be able to take time off of work or school, or away from their family, in order to attend treatment.

Some people choose to attend an inpatient program near where they live in order for family to visit. Others select a facility farther from home to get them away from the temptations of daily life. There is no right or wrong choice when it comes to distance; each person must decide what works best for their situation.

Clients work with a case manager to develop an individualized treatment program tailored to provide them the help they need. The majority of programming in inpatient addiction treatment facilities takes place eight hours per day, five days per week. Each hour of the day is planned and accounted for, especially during the first few weeks of the program.

There is both individual and group therapy as well as educational components to treatment. Some programs offer holistic or alternative treatment modalities, such as art therapy or animal-assisted therapy. Many facilities also take their clients on group outings.

The ultimate goal of inpatient addiction treatment is to integrate clients back into their lives, without relying on drugs to get through their day. Although it provides an excellent place for clients to first separate from drugs, inpatient treatment isn’t a realistic test of their recovery.

Inpatient addiction treatment often comprises the first portion of treatment then clients move into follow-up phases. These usually involve transitioning them into a partial hospitalization program (PHP) or intensive outpatient program (IOP). They attend less treatment programming and instead focus on integrating back into work, school, or home

Outpatient addiction treatment is the other main option for drug addiction treatment. Some people choose to attend outpatient addiction treatment from the beginning. Others transition into outpatient after first attending an inpatient treatment program.

Outpatient addiction treatment programs offer a more affordable alternative to inpatient addiction treatment programs. They don’t include the residential aspect that inpatient does which significantly lowers the cost of treatment.

It also involves less of a time commitment than inpatient treatment. Instead of the full-time programming and staying overnight, outpatient treatment usually takes place 3 to 5 hours per day, 3 to 5 days per week. It makes treatment accessible to those who can’t completely step away from work or school to get the help they need.

Although outpatient addiction treatment offers fewer hours than inpatient treatment, that doesn’t mean those hours aren’t planned out. In fact, fewer hours of treatment means less time to accomplish the same goal.

There is an educational component to outpatient treatment. Clients learn more about the science behind addiction and why they respond to substances the way that they do. Knowledge isn’t everything when it comes to addiction recovery, though, so this is only a portion of programming.

Outpatient addiction treatment also includes both individual and group therapy as the core of the program. Individual therapy gives clients the opportunity to process things on a one-on-one basis with a dedicated therapist. Then group therapy allows clients to process things at a group level and receive input and experiences from their peers.

Clients work with their therapist, and often a case manager as well, to set goals and remain on track during treatment. The overall goal is to remain in their everyday environment without relapsing on their drug of choice. Still, smaller, individualized goals are also set up and taken into consideration during treatment.

After treatment, some clients choose to transition into drug and alcohol counseling. This provides long-term accountability once they move on from the regular support of their outpatient addiction treatment group.

Again, fewer hours doesn’t mean less intensive treatment. Outpatient addiction treatment ensures clients receive the help they need while still remaining a part of their day-to-day responsibilities.

Oftentimes outpatient addiction treatment groups become a safe place for clients. They have a balance between their daily life and their recovery life. The group understands and relates to their struggles in a way many people might not understand.

There are often take-home aspects of outpatient treatment that clients practice at home then return with their findings. This might mean they try out a new activity or hobby, or engage in a difficult conversation with a family member. They come back to the group during the week and process their assignment both with their therapist and the group.

There are a few reasons why only 17 percent of people who needed treatment received it, but the cost might be the biggest reason of all. Addiction treatment is known for its often high pricing.

But despite the price of treatment, it’s one of the best possible investments to make. If addiction treatment is the thing that helps your loved one get clean, can you truly put a price on that?

Most people looking into addiction treatment are curious about whether facilities accept insurance. There is no requirement that an addiction treatment program accepts insurance policies. Some choose not to accept insurance policies and instead work only with clients who pay for treatment in cash.

Not all addiction treatment facilities require clients to pay cash to receive treatment. Instead, most facilities accept insurance and work with a variety of companies and policies. If you’re concerned about the price of addiction treatment, call your insurance company first. They can
give you an outline of what your policy covers, such as the type or length of treatment.

Since the rates of substance abuse and dependence show no signs of slowing, insurance companies take this into consideration. Most policies offer some type of comprehensive addiction treatment portion and allow you to pay for drug rehab with insurance.

There is no guarantee your policy will cover the entirety of treatment. They might only cover in a PHP or IOP. Others offer a wide range of options for people seeking help with their substance use disorder. The best way to find out whether your insurance policy covers addiction treatment is to call them and receive a breakdown of your coverage.

Most state-funded insurance policies also offer some type of addiction treatment coverage. While it might not cover the entire cost of treatment, or place you in the best facility available, it helps get your foot in the door at a program.

Reach out to your insurance company before making any assumptions about coverage. It’s best to contact them before you look for treatment programs as they might offer you suggestions based on your policy’s coverage.

Treatment sometimes comes with a high price tag attached to it but it’s one of the best investments a person can make. Addiction treatment programs give people the opportunity to get their life back. They separate from drugs and alcohol, develop necessary coping skills, and reintegrate into life as a functioning member of society.

One of the biggest barriers to addiction treatment is the cost that comes with getting help. And if you don’t have insurance this barrier looks even higher. Considering attending addiction treatment without insurance might feel overwhelming at first. Some people believe it’s impossible to find a treatment center that can help them.

You don’t have to have insurance to attend addiction treatment, though. Thankfully, there are a few different options for people who don’t have an insurance policy. There are facilities that find ways to work with those who need it.

Nearly every addiction treatment facility offers the option to pay out-of-pocket, meaning without an insurance policy. This choice isn’t available to everyone due to the high price of attending a high-end or luxury rehab without the help of insurance.

For those who are able to cover the bill, though, paying out-of-pocket allows people to attend addiction treatment without insurance. Some facilities offer a lower cost to individuals who pay out-of-pocket, too, so it’s a good idea to research programs before deciding which to attend.

State-funded addiction treatment in Hawaii makes it easier for people to get the aid they need. Finding addiction treatment without insurance can feel like a daunting task. The state-funded programs available in Hawaii give those who don’t have insurance the opportunity to attend treatment.

These programs might not offer some of the amenities available at luxury rehabs but they do provide the main purpose of treatment: helping people get clean and sober. The ultimate goal of any facility is to teach people to live free from drugs and alcohol and state-funded facilities have this same goal in mind.

There are a variety of state-funded addiction treatment programs located throughout the islands of Hawaii. Many programs take place on an outpatient basis but there are a few that offer inpatient treatment or other residential services.

Programs that offer sliding-scale payment options provide a middle ground between paying out-of-pocket and attending a completely state-funded program. Certain facilities have a sliding-scale model, meaning those who can afford to pay a higher amount for treatment. This helps the facility offer treatment at a lower cost to those who can’t afford as high a price.

Sliding-scale payment models make it easier for people to attend addiction treatment without insurance. There are some high-end facilities that operate on this model in order to give more people access to their treatment program.

Researching facilities online will help you create a list of possible locations to attend treatment. You can call their admissions department to find out more about their payment options and whether they offer a sliding-scale option to pay for treatment.

Hawaii is regarded as one of the most beautiful places in the world, a vacation destination for millions every year. Could there really be any place better to get sober? The incredible landscapes of the island surround you, from the glittering ocean waters to the towering tropical mountains.

Attending addiction treatment in Hawaii lets you step away from everyday life so you can focus all your energy on your recovery. Finding a facility on the island, such as Hawaii Island Recovery, places you in a soothing environment unlike any other treatment program in the country.

Hawaii offers a distinct way to experience addiction treatment with some aspects available only on the islands. How is addiction treatment in Hawaii different?

People dream of visiting Hawaii for its soft, sandy beaches, clear waters, and lush tropical surroundings. Addiction treatment in Hawaii places you in the middle of this natural, serene environment where you can soak up all the island has to offer.

Activities and excursions at treatment facilities make use of all the beauty the island has to offer. Nature hikes in Hawaii are unmatched by those anywhere else. Imagine hiking through a stunning green environment and up a winding trail until you find yourself looking over the endless Pacific Ocean.

Snorkeling in the waters around the island place you in the middle of all kinds of marine life you might have never seen. Tropical fish and turtles are only a few of the amazing kinds of creatures that are native to Hawaii.

Hawaii offers a unique way to experience some alternative therapy methods. For example, animal assisted therapy is common in many treatment facilities throughout the United States. Most programs incorporate animals like horses, dogs, or rabbits in their animal therapy.

At Hawaii Island Recovery, dolphins are the animal of choice for our animal assisted therapy programs. You can get in the water and spend time with these joyful, majestic animals. Dolphin assisted therapy is an amazing way to process while connecting with nature on an entirely new level.

Yoga is another common aspect of addiction treatment. But practicing a flow on the lawn while surrounded by the beauty of the island adds a special feel to the process. Meditation takes on a different feel when you’re listening to the island’s soft rains.