The Benefit of Inpatient Admission to Rehabilitation Centres

So many individuals struggle with the idea of seeking help within a rehabilitation centre such as Rustenburg Addiction Care. The idea of inpatient admission to rehabilitation centres can be daunting and anxiety provoking. This article will help you understand the benefit of being admitted as an inpatient to a rehab centre, as opposed to receiving outpatient therapeutic care. We will also help you understand how an inpatient treatment program can help you become the best version of yourself.

Types of treatment programmes

The life-changing decision to alter your relationship with drugs/alcohol is the first step to a healthy life and recovery. The road to recovery is, however, a process. One that is driven by that all important first choice of which programme to follow. There are different types of treatment programmes, and it is important to choose one that works best for you.

Some examples of treatment programmes are detox programmes, individual therapy, group counselling, and outpatient and inpatient admissions. The programme that you follow will be specific to your needs. A team of professionals will help you determine which therapeutic approach would be best suited to your individual needs.

Inpatient treatment

While equally focused on providing support and rehabilitation as any other approach, inpatient care provides an intensive, residential treatment programme. Inpatient admission to rehabilitation centres is designed to support you holistically. These treatment programmes provide you with a safe environment in which to deconstruct your current struggles while working on finding healthier coping strategies in a community environment.

An inpatient treatment programme provides their patients with the opportunity to work on themselves within a supportive structure. This can prove vitally important when facing the all-important road to recovery. Inpatient treatment programmes require you to book yourself into a structured environment, such as Rustenburg Addiction Care in Cape Town.

Once admitted, you will need to stay within the facility for 24-hours a day for emotional, medical and psychological support. This is to ensure that you focus on your own journey, away from the distractions posed by everyday life. This also means that you will follow a carefully structured daily schedule, crafted by the resident psychiatrists, psychologists, and counsellors. Your schedule will be specifically chosen to meet your individual needs while exploring your struggles in a safe, structured environment.

A typical inpatient treatment programme will include: 

• Daily individual sessions with your psychologist or counsellor
• Group therapy sessions with other like-minded individuals
• A balanced meal plan
• Physical exercise measured to the individual 
• A social setting in which to practice new coping strategies

Generally, the length of a typical inpatient programme in rehabilitation centres can be anywhere from 21 days to three months.

What makes inpatient admissions possibly daunting?

When considering inpatient admission to rehabilitation centres you may be feeling unsure and anxious. These feelings, as well as the accompanying questions or concerns, are completely normal.

Admission into an inpatient programme has been coloured with stigma and various misconceptions for many years. Many have a false perception of what an inpatient treatment programme looks and feels like. These false perceptions are the result of fear driven misconceptions and the stigma attached particularly to mental health. All of these misunderstandings could keep you from receiving the necessary help.

The truth is, people struggle with admitting that they have a problem, but also with accepting the help they need. Asking for help requires you to offer up a certain measure of control, which is often uncomfortable for many people. While in rehab, the professional team will need you to engage with the programme completely. Letting go of defence mechanisms and knowing that the team has your best interests in mind is part of the recovery journey.

It is important to know that rehab inpatient treatment programmes provide a safe and welcoming environment. A team of caring professionals are all waiting to catch you and help you back onto your feet.

How do I know inpatient admission to rehabilitation centres is for me?

Simply put, an inpatient treatment programme in rehabilitation centres provides you with a safe and supportive environment that you would not have in other programmes, such as outpatient treatment. An inpatient treatment programme is definitely for you if you need an environment that caters to your specific needs. This treatment also provides a safe community-like setting in which to receive support.

In addition, an inpatient treatment programme in rehab understands the importance of involving the family in the healing process. This means that in addition to a specifically tailored individual programme, you will also have sessions with your family. This is important because social and familial support plays a vital part in a successful recovery.

Things to consider about outpatient treatment

The following are some important aspects to think on when considering an outpatient treatment programme:

• While undergoing treatment you will need to return to your home every day, an environment which may be part of the problem.
• You will need to create a supportive environment for yourself at home which will be vitally important. However, this may be difficult. Your family may not understand or be supportive of the changes you need to make.
• Other times, your family’s concern may drive you to need space away from them where you can focus on yourself. This is not necessarily available when having an outpatient treatment programme.
• Often when getting to the root of the problem, you may want to engage in old patterns of behaviour. This is part of a defence mechanism that protects the individual from the pain they have been holding inside. Without the necessary supportive space, this may feel overwhelming when going home.
• You may struggle with urges such as cravings when struggling with a substance use disorder.
• Showing up for sessions will need continuous internal motivation. This may prove difficult when you struggle with anxiety, low motivation, procrastination, and a fear of the unknown.
• You will not have 24-hour care, and will have easier access to substances, which may be detrimental to your recovery.
  

Things to consider about inpatient treatment

Both outpatient and inpatient treatment is designed to provide you with support, and prepare you for a life in recovery. However, an inpatient treatment programme provides a more intensive programme in a safe and supportive environment. The following are some important considerations regarding the benefit of an inpatient treatment programme in a rehab centre:

• An inpatient treatment programme provides you with a sober environment, free of the stressors from everyday life.
• It provides you with a structured programme that focuses on all aspects needed to live a life in recovery. We look at social, financial and psychological factors, amongst others.
• You are always provided with support from caring staff members, which often helps with anxiety and a sense of uncertainty.
• Medical attention is available 24 hours a day. This is especially important when needing a detox or when taking prescribed psychiatric medication.
• You are included in a community of like-minded individuals who can provide support to each other.
• An inpatient treatment programme provides 24-hour monitoring for instances where withdrawal would be a concern. This is especially important for individuals struggling with severe substance use disorders.
• Co-occurring conditions, such as psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders, are better treated in an inpatient setting. A dual diagnosis facility, such as Rustenburg Addiction Care, where both disorders can be monitored, is essential.
• There will be group sessions where you can share your struggles and receive valuable and constructive feedback from your peers.
• You will have reduced exposure to outside triggers, until you can face these triggers with a healthier mind-set.
• You will have a balanced meal plan, as well as a structured physical exercise routine, catered to each individual’s abilities.
• An inpatient treatment programme in a rehabilitation centre provides you with a higher likelihood of a successful recovery process

Things to consider before inpatient admission to rehabilitation centres

Admission to an inpatient rehab programme certainly has some drawbacks. It is important to consider that:

• You will have limited access to the outside world, 
• There may be need to take some time off from work, home, or studies/ responsibilities 
• You will need to trust the team of professionals implicitly

However, it may be the best decision you ever make. 

Reasons to seek inpatient care

It is so important to choose your treatment programme carefully. If you are seeking help for emotional struggles or for substance abuse or other addictive behaviours, this choice is crucial. Thus, it is important to weigh up the aspects of each programme and decide which one fits your individual needs.

Consequently, here are some questions to ask yourself that may help with your decision to seek inpatient care:

• Does your environment expose you to stress, triggers, drugs or alcohol?
• Is your home environment stable and supportive of sobriety and/or your recovery process?
• Do you have family members who engage in unhealthy behaviours, drink or use drugs around you?
• Can you take temporary leave from your employment, studies, or home duties for a specified period of time?
• Do you have strong support networks that will motivate you to stay committed to your process and/or stay sober?
• Do you have co-occurring struggles, such other medical or mental health issues in addition to a possible substance use disorder? If so, you may require a specialised treatment programme in a dual diagnosis facility, such as Rustenburg Addiction Clinic. 

With the help of an inpatient treatment programme, recovery can be one step away!

If you need a supportive environment where you can work towards recovery, an inpatient treatment programme may be for you. You will have a dedicated clinical team, experts in approaches such as the 12-step programme and others. Together we can help you rebuild yourself to who you want to be. So trust the process and take a risk. Take the first step today and contact Rustenburg Addiction Care.