Drug rehabs have much to offer the recovering addict, with the full extent of possibilities depending largely on the type of program chosen. There are outpatient, inpatient, long-term care and self-help groups. Each program is different, just like each individual recovering addict’s needs are different. However, there are some basic features that characterize each type of program. All drug rehab programs offer the chance to get a fresh start in life in a drug-free, positive and supportive environment.

Outpatient facilities offer patients the chance to return home each day at the end of treatment. These are also among the most affordable of all drug rehab facilities. The treatment at this type of facility is often going to be less intense and in-depth than at an inpatient or long-term care facility. Sometimes patients only visit an outpatient facility twice a week. It is ideal for people with less severe addictions to milder drugs. People may prefer this option if there are pressing family or work obligations they must tend to. However, the home life to which they will be returning each night should be stable, supportive, and substance-free.

Inpatient facilities offer patients a very intensive drug rehab experience. It often involves life skills educational classes, individual counseling and group therapy. This type of facility will also usually provide medical supervision around the clock. This feature can be particularly important during detoxification, the initial process of ridding the body of all toxins built up during the addiction. This facility can be considerably more expensive than outpatient treatment, but is usually regarded as a necessary tool in quitting harder addictions like cocaine and heroin.

Long-term rehab facilities offer the same basic services as inpatient facilities, but over a longer period of time. Patients can stay in long-term care for anywhere up to a year or more, whereas regular inpatient care is a few days to a month. There are also self-help groups, also known as “12-step programs.” These are often used primarily for recovering alcoholics, although there are support groups targeted specifically at people recovering from certain drugs like meth or cocaine. The narcotics recovery self-help groups are often used as a supplement to a drug rehab program, like during the follow-up phase.

That follow-up phase is where drug rehab facilities can be particularly helpful. Many programs provide aftercare, where ongoing counseling or therapy is provided to ensure that patients adjust capably to daily life without relying on substances. This can help with ongoing accountability, something that will already exist to a great degree with the friendships that will have been formed in drug rehab. These friendships can last a lifetime, as it can make all the difference to have a few close friends who truly understand the drug rehab experience first-hand and can offer encouragement. These friendships can also be useful in re-establishing oneself in society after rehab. This can be particularly helpful if a person has a drug-related felony conviction on their record. This devastating occurrence can make it very difficult for a person to get back on their feet, particularly when it comes to finding gainful employment. Whether it be a car, home, or job, the connections formed in drug rehab could actually help meet that need.