If an addiction sufferer makes the decision to stop using and seek help, it’s incumbent on them to be willing to admit they are powerless over their substance of choice. Once they can do that, they will experience a kind of resolve that will lead them to ask for help. Once the addiction sufferer commits to getting treatment, they will immediately be faced with some important decisions.
First and foremost, they need to select a rehab facility as quickly as possible. If they have stopped using their drug of choice, there will be a sense of urgency as withdrawal symptoms begin to set in. After getting into treatment, the addiction sufferer will likely spend the first five to seven days going through a detox program.
That should give them ample opportunity to detox is an environment that’s comfortable and safe. As soon as the detox process has been completed, it will be time for the rehab facility’s staff to decide on the best course of treatment. Assuming this is you going through this process, you’ll have to decide whether or not you can submit to an inpatient treatment program. If for any reason you can’t, you’ll hopefully get an opportunity to go through an outpatient treatment program. For your information, here’s some of the most common reasons people can’t go through inpatient treatment:
- They lack insurance and the financial resources to cover inpatient costs
- Inpatient care would interfere with the individual’s ability to support their family
- They have responsibilities at work or school that prohibit them from missing time
- They have primary responsibility for the care and welfare of others
- They have medical conditions they need to tend to on the outside
All of these are valid reason for someone to push for outpatient treatment. Assuming you fall into one of these categories, it’s likely your counselor will put you in an outpatient treatment program to facilitate you getting the treatment you need. For your edification, there’s three common outpatient options with each one designed around the amount of time a client is required to spend in the treatment facility to undergo therapy. The three options include:
- Partial hospitalization (5 to 7 days a week, 6 to 8 hours a day)
- Intensive outpatient (3 to 5 days a week, 4 to 6 hours a day)
- Standard outpatient (1 to 2 days a week, 1 to 2 hours a day)
This would be a good time to discuss what is expected of you in rehab.
What is an outpatient drug and alcohol counselor looking for?
The main focus of outpatient treatment is going to be intensive individual therapy with an occasional group therapy session thrown in for good measure. When you start working with your outpatient counselor, you’ll enter into an unwritten contract. They will expect you to be open and honest about your past and the circumstances surrounding your addiction. If you can do that, they’ll work hard to help you develop the coping and life skills you’ll need throughout your life to help protect your sobriety. With the contract in place, you can start working on your issues.
The focus of your therapy will likely be trying to uncover the driving force behind your addiction. This is exactly where honest communication with your counselor is going to give you the best chance to learn the truth about why you feel the need to use drugs or alcohol. When you finally dig out the truth, you’ll likely feel a great sense of relief. That’s what your counselor really wants for you. From that point on, you and your counselor can start working on your line of defense against your triggers. That line of defense is going to consist of the coping and life skills you can develop while in rehab. Once you get back out into society, your recovery will get tested. Hopefully, you’ll know exactly what to do when that time comes.
Your counselor’s expectations will ultimately set the framework for what you’ll do during therapy. If you are ready to come in for treatment, we’ll be there to welcome you to the door. Through our work together, there’s every reason to believe you can walk out of rehab and never fall victim to your addiction disease again. If you want more information about our facility and outpatient services, you can call one of our representatives at 800-411-8019.