Hospitals and other drug abuse rehabilitation centres provide treatment for patients in an outpatient setting. This usually includes drugs that reduce the craving for the addictive drug and counselling on the root cause to address the problem.

However, there are worse cases of drug abuse that call for 24-hour observation and treatment. This is usually true for people who abuse potent drugs for a long time and whose victims have isolated themselves from society and their families. To effectively address these conditions, a residential drug abuse treatment is needed.

Two types of residential treatment

Depending on the situation, the patient may be recommended to stay for short-term or long-term residential treatment.

A short-term program involves intensive treatment based on a 12-step approach – the same principles used to treat alcohol abuse. For three to six weeks, patients are treated with medication and counselling. This is followed by self-help group meetings and follow-up medical consultations.

A residential program may extend into six to twelve months of long-term treatment. In this setup, addiction is treated as a disease with the combined methods of medication, counselling and life coaching. A patient is exposed to other patients in his or her support group, medical communities. Most patients who require long-term residential treatment are special cases—individuals who have co-occurring mental illness and have symptoms that result in violence and criminal involvement. They have gone so far into this addiction that a more comprehensive and fully invasive intervention is needed.

Programs include resocialization activities that prepare patients to return to be with their family, friends, and the office. These activities address addiction in its social and psychological contexts and can sometimes be confrontational because they are intended to allow patients to examine harmful beliefs and concepts. In the setting of resocialization, cases are also rehabilitated to make them for practice, providing them with the necessary opinions and attitudes to sell with rivals.

When choosing a facility or centre, consider a few important factors. The first is the centre’s philosophy on substance abuse. How a centre views the condition decides what kind of program they will use to rehabilitate the patient.

Studies show that rehabilitation programs that approach treatment from a more holistic approach tend to be more successful. They deal with the patient through medication, counselling and family support. Some centres go to the root cause of the problem and from there to solve the situation. Drug abuse can stem from problematic family life, undisciplined lifestyles, and financial concerns. It helps if the centre you choose has a broader perspective and understanding of drug abuse  Nasha Mukti Kendra in Punjab.

It is also better to choose a centre specializing in the treatment of conditions related to the substance to which you are addicted. Their experience and expertise will go a long way in helping you get more effective treatment. They may also have designed programs in post-treatment monitoring and continued counselling and support.