by Jami Wright

Created on: May 16, 2009   Last Updated: May 20, 2009

Rehabilitation starts with admitting you have a problem. Once you have come to terms with this the next step is seeking medical help. There are some things to consider when you are going in for rehabilitation and this article will help you sort through the major points to make the important decisions with your doctor when the time comes.

Detoxification:

This is a type of quitting cold turkey concept that helps to break the physical addiction that your body has on the harmful substance. Detoxification is usually about 3-10 days depending on the substance you are addicted to and the length of time you have been taking this substance. There are a lot of side effects that happen in detoxification which include minor effects like the shakes, and headaches to major effects like hallucinations, convulsion, or worse, death. It is important to have medical supervision of some sort while going through detoxification.

Inpatient or Outpatient Care:

Inpatient care consists of moving to a facility where you will have structure, guidance, and constant support around the clock. You will be able to meet and live with other people who are experiencing the same or similar problems and form solid friendships with these folks that will most likely last for years to become. Inpatient care is great for people who do not have a strong support system at home, need more structure in their daily lives, are able to leave the life they know for a short time so they can focus on getting better, and/or have had relapses from previous treatments for drugs or alcohol.

Outpatient Care is treatment you get while still living at home. This usually consists of pharmaceuticals taken to help alleviate the craving for drugs or alcohol, multiple group and individual counseling sessions a week, and coping strategies that your doctor prescribes. Outpatient care is not the easy road, you need to have a solid support system at home, strong will, and drive to follow the guidelines that your counselor set you on.

There are benefits to either inpatient or outpatient and the decision is really up to you and your doctor. This is not a decision taken lightly and usually your doctor will do an assessment and make a recommendation on which would be most beneficial to your success. Other factors that go into making this decision is; work, cost, and length of time.

Long-term or Short term Care:

There are three things that every treatment needs; keeping the patient

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