What is Short-Term Inpatient Rehab?
Short-term inpatient rehab is any program providing residential services for 28 to 60 days. The facility may provide detox, counseling, behavioral therapies, and other treatment approaches. The client resides at the facility for the duration of the program.
For every short-term inpatient rehab program you contact in your state, consider asking the following questions before admission:
- How long does the program last?
- How extensive are the therapy and counseling, and what does it entail?
- What are other supportive services offered within the timeframe of the program?
- Are there any additional costs?
- Is there an option for an extended stay if required, and at what cost?
Short-term inpatient rehab programs may provide a detox option, but not always. If none is provided, ask them to help arrange detox or begin contacting detox centers in your state. Generally, programs are tailored to individual needs, and extensive therapy is compacted into a short time.
Is a Short-Term Inpatient Rehab Program the Better Option?
Short-term drug rehab usually lasts between 28 and 60 days and is a good option for most people with substance use disorders. However, lengthier programs have proven to be more successful in integrating a client into society. Consider some of the following information:
- Most individuals agree to short-term inpatient rehab because the programs are not as long as long-term inpatient rehab.
- These programs offer group and individual counseling and therapy yet may lack aftercare support resources besides peer support meetings.
- It tends to be the better option when someone cannot commit to a three to six-month program.
- It is not always effective in helping someone with a long history of addiction and struggling with chronic relapse issues.
- Short-term inpatient rehab is more affordable and covered by more insurance providers when compared to lengthier programs.
When deciding if short-term care is the better option, our experts recommend considering addiction severity, past treatment, and history of relapse.
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What is short-term inpatient treatment?
Short-term inpatient treatment is a form of drug and alcohol rehabilitation where the patient lives at the facility while receiving treatment for around 28 days until treatment is complete. Short-term inpatient programs are among the most utilized types of treatment for substance abuse and are what most people think of when they consider rehab.
When should someone consider short-term inpatient treatment?
Short-term inpatient treatment should be considered when the person is actively abusing substances and hasn’t been to treatment multiple times previously. Most people’s first experience with rehabilitation is the short-term inpatient model because of its ability to address most forms of addiction. There are levels of care above and below short-term inpatient treatment that are better suited for people with extensive histories of relapse or those who aren’t actively using substances.
What happens after short-term inpatient treatment?
After a person completes short-term inpatient treatment, they usually enroll in outpatient services. Outpatient treatment services allow patients to live at home while attending regular treatment sessions, either by commuting to a facility or online. These sessions provide support to those who are transitioning after completion of inpatient treatment, and frequency may be decreased as they progress.
What does short-term inpatient treatment consist of?
A short-term inpatient treatment program usually begins with detox. Patients dependent on substances typically need several days of assisted abstinence to become drug-free and through any accompanying withdrawal symptoms that would prevent treatment progress. After detox, the patient usually begins attending group counseling and support group meetings. They may also receive individual counseling and other therapeutic process designed to help them overcome addiction and prevent relapse.
Want to know more?
The questions from Addicted.org’s “Learn from our Experts” are answered by Michael Leach, CCMA. If you need further clarification on any of the questions above or have any other questions you can contact him directly at [email protected].
Tips when Searching for Short-Term Inpatient Rehab
- Consult our directory for short-term drug rehab in your state or call or contact us for a callback.
- Contact your local Medicaid office or health insurance provider; find out what short-term rehab options are covered by health insurance.
- Contact more than one short-term rehab program in your state. Ask about payment options and what insurance is accepted. Ask about waitlists, and if there is a waitlist, place a name on it.
- Consider short-term rehab outside of your community. Ideally, it is best to go through treatment in a non-stimulating environment. Yet do not rule anything out if help is needed immediately and a program is available.
- List the top-three choices that fit finances, treatment needs, and availability. When available, addiction assessments with qualified professionals help make the best choices.
- Begin the admission process as soon as possible.
