When a person is experiencing substance use or another mental health disorder, going to a residential treatment center is like going to another country. Rehab is a process of fixing the things that have come undone. While inpatient treatment can feel daunting at the onset, you’ll feel comfortable quickly with others who are experiencing the same problems. While it’s okay to be nervous, simply be open-minded and ask a lot of questions. It’s important to understand about what happens in residential care, as well as the do’s and don’ts.
What is Inpatient-Residential Treatment?
Residential-inpatient treatment is a healthcare setting where patients reside on the property (or same building) and receive all their addiction and mental health disorder care. It is a growing, popular level of care for individuals struggling. In 2022, nearly 1.3 million Americans were treated on an inpatient basis for behavioral health problems.
Daily Schedule for Inpatient Treatment
Whether you’re experiencing problems with alcohol or bipolar depression (or both), the daily schedule is about the same. Here’s a glimpse at a daily residential schedule:
- Healthy Eating: Patients are provided with chef cooked meals three times a day that focus on balanced nutrition that tastes great.
- Individual Therapy: Rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy, individual sessions pinpoint the patients pain points and carry out a collaborative plan for recovery.
- Group Therapy: One of the primary tenets of treatment where patients share their experiences and relate to one another for vital support.
- Medical Support: Medical treatment and supervision is necessary during an addiction detox phase of the recovery. At the same time, patients with mental health problems are carefully monitored by a psychiatrist.
- Activity Therapy: Patients are exposed to alternative therapy that helps them handle stressors, reactions, teaches mindfulness, and strategies to prevent dangerous relapse.
- Physical Activities: Exercise is an integral part of recovery. Whether it’s relapse prevention or coping with major depression, research shows that being physically active releases endorphins, controls anxiety and improves mood.
- Free Time: While inpatient treatment is rigorous, it doesn’t go on for eight hours a day. In fact, most residential programs provide strategic down-time for patients to relax, process their treatment, read a book, or watch a movie throughout the day.
The Importance of Therapy in Residential Care
Psychotherapy is the very heart of inpatient treatment. A number of types of therapy are used to treat the complex nature of behavioral health disorders including:
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Trauma Therapy
- Exposure Therapy
- Mindful Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MCBT)
Most importantly, utilization of medication-assisted treatment is more beneficial when combined with cognitive-based therapies. While medicine is important, it works best in tandem with regular individual and group therapy.
FAQs About Inpatient Care
Q: How is inpatient different from outpatient?
A: Most treatment modalities can be incorporated into both inpatient and outpatient care. However, inpatient is geared toward patients with long-term addiction or mental health disorders. Also, the comradery of residential care is an intangible game-changer as peers become inspired by others.
Q: Do you have participate in outside support groups?
A: No but consider the fact that Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous offer daily meetings in over 100 different countries all throughout the week. They are FREE to attend. Smart Recovery is also an option in Florida.
Q: How long does treatment last?
A: Depends on your specific situation. However, most research indicates that patients who stay in treatment longer have substantially higher positive outcomes. That said, we encourage a minimum 30-day stay or longer.
First Week of Residential Treatment
The first few days that people spend in inpatient addiction rehab can be awkward as most patients are not used to being out of their comfort zones. Most behavioral health disorders thrive in isolation, recovery is a team sport. Here’s what usually takes place:
- Medical / Clinical Assessment: The initial assessment of each patient is performed to determine appropriateness for the program. It also is the foundational development of treatment plans that drive each patient’s recovery.
- Detox: A medically-supervised detox may be required depending on substances used and history. Detoxification can range from several days to two weeks especially with alcohol and Benzodiazepines.
- New Patient Orientation: New patients are introduced around the campus, the program schedule, and the conforming policies. Most residential programs operate on a first name basis for patient comfort.
Step-Down Outpatient Programs (After Residential)
Beyond inpatient treatment, there are down-stream levels of care that helps patients maintain their sobriety or solidify a mental health recovery program. Here’s what you can expect from a comprehensive residential treatment center:
Partial hospitalization is one step-down level from residential treatment. Patients live independently while attending 5-day a week recovery program. In Florida, this is a popular level of care that typically offers a sober living or halfway house for patients to ease themselves into the community.
Intensive Outpatient/Outpatient
IOP care is the next step down. It balances structure and 3-day a week treatment while acclimating as a newly sober individual. Patients start back to work or school and join a 12-step support group. Outpatient is essentially the same as visiting a therapist once-a-week. They can check-in with their primary therapist, attend to medication management, and participate in group therapy.
About Celadon Recovery
Celadon is comprehensive addiction and mental health treatment center located along the shores of the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers, Florida. With a full-continuum of care including detox, residential, and outpatient programs, we are committed to quality substance use and dual diagnosis care. Call us today at 239-266-2141.
