Substance Abuse Treatment Resources

In Patient- In patient substance abuse treatment is a more intensive process than others. The recovering abuser lives on location at the substance abuse treatment facility. This gives structure and support to provide long term recovery from drug and alcohol abuse. For many, inpatient treatment seems to be a last resort, a place to go when all else fails. In reality, inpatient substance abuse treatment offers a place of hope and rejuvenation, it is a place where miracles happen and lives begin to make sense again.

Out Patient- Out patient treatment can offer a tremendous amount of support for those who need help and have a brief history of drug or alcohol abuse. This form of treatment encompasses a wide variety of programs for patients including individual or group counseling. The recovering abuser meets at a center on a regular scheduled basis but does not live on location such as in the in patient treatment programs. The ultimate goal is to provide long lasting abstinence and the ability to function in the day to day world.

Sober Living-Alcohol and drug-free houses (also known as sober living) play an important role in supporting treatment and recovery services in a community by helping recovering persons to maintain an alcohol and drug-free lifestyle. What is important about these houses is that all have three things in common. First, they make sure that a person who is in recovery lives in a place that is free from alcohol and drug use. Second, the residents themselves reinforce their recovery through support with other recovering persons. Finally, the residents are free to voluntarily pursue activities to support their recovery, either alone or with others.

Halfway Houses- These houses offer chemically dependent men and women a carefully planned program of challenges and growth experiences. Their goal is a lasting and satisfying recovery. Halfway houses continue the work begun during the resident's previous treatment experiences. They build on that foundation, reviewing work that might have been missed, and moving toward a new level of understanding and commitment. The substance abuse treatment industry adopted the term halfway house and began setting up and supporting independent halfway houses as a way for the newly discharged client to establish roots, secure gainful employment, stay connected with the treatment center, and NOT return to a life of drug use. Halfway houses usually have strict guidelines for all residents, including curfews and mandatory, random drug testing. These facilities can be profit or non-profit companies.

Counseling- Counseling (individual and/or group) and other behavioral therapies are critical components of effective treatment for substance abuse. It is considered to be a time-limited approach to drug recovery. In counseling, patients address issues of motivation, build skills to resist drug use, replace drug-using activities with constructive and rewarding non drug-using activities, and improve problem-solving abilities. Behavioral therapy also facilitates interpersonal relationships and the individual's ability to function in the family and community.

Meetings- Don't feel alone anymore. Meetings are a great way to share your experiences on recovery and can add hope and happiness to your life. The two most common kinds of meetings are open meetings and closed meetings. Open meetings, as the term suggests are open to recovering drug abusers, their families, and their friends. A closed meeting is limited to those recovering from drugs or alcohol only. They provide an opportunity for those recovering to share with one another problems related to substance abuse patterns and attempts to achieve stable sobriety.