Recover Today
a loved One's Guide to the Addiction Treatment Process
Get help for addiction and find treatment resources.
Contents

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Stepping Up to Help Your Loved One
Healing the whole person and not just the addiction should be the main goal when investing in long-lasting treatment. With relapse rates so high, having comprehensive treatment changes the person’s perspective on turning to drugs to solve his or her problems.
Having professionals evaluate patients addictions ensures they are receiving the proper treatment. A Better Today Recovery Services believes this level of care must be life-changing and individualized.
Having options like inpatient and intensive outpatient program (IOP) is important, because each person’s experience with addiction is different. A Better Today Recovery Services understands that considering and investing in substance abuse treatment is not cheap.
That is why we want to help you find care that ensures the level of care is an investment that encourages long-lasting recovery.
Whether you choose an inpatient or outpatient program, the important thing is that your loved one gets the help they need.
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After a 90-day treatment program, patients were 129% more likely to be entirely abstinent from drugs and alcohol.
Helping Your Loved One Before Rehab
What Types of Treatment Programs Are Available?
Addiction treatment can vary and range from self-help programs to inpatient or residential care facilities, depending on the individual’s needs.
On a more basic level, there are about 6 levels of Addiction care available: detox, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, outpatient programs, and outpatient addiction counseling.
For more extensive information visit levels of care.
Do Rehabs Normally Have a Waiting List?
Yes, many drug and alcohol rehabs have a waiting list due to the high demand for rehabilitation services. However, this depends on several factors including how you’re paying for treatment, where you’re going for treatment, and what level of care a patient needs.
Availability is usually limited by the resources at a particular facility, meaning that if more people are attempting to access care than can be served within reasonable time periods, a waiting list must be imposed.
While frustrating and difficult to accept, waiting lists are an important way to ensure that everyone who needs assistance will eventually get it.
If you’re concerned about a waiting list, please give us a call and we can direct you to getting help for your loved one as soon as possible.
How long will my loved one have to stay in rehab?
The length of an individual’s stay in rehab can vary greatly depending on the specific reasons for seeking treatment.
Detox can last up to 2 weeks. Inpatient rehab stays range anywhere from 30 days up to 90 days; however, individuals may need to stay longer if there is a complex and deep-rooted history of addiction or mental health issues.
Each person is different and has unique circumstances, so their treatment plan must be tailored accordingly. The recovery process is most successful when an individual takes the necessary time to create meaningful change.
What are the best credentials and qualifications of rehab staff?
Rehab staff are critical for successful rehabilitation programs and the best staff have an impressive combination of qualifications.
They must possess both formal education – such as a master’s degree in counseling or psychology – as well as practical experience.
In addition, its important that rehab staff understand the unique mental health issues that challenge their clients and can provide advice and comfort when needed.
Further, they should be certified in CPR, First Aid and other emergency relief procedures to ensure they can take prompt action if necessary.
Above all, skillful rehab staff should have a genuine care and passion for helping those suffering from addiction – a trait you simply can’t teach!
What are the rules in Rehab?
Addiction may be a disease that requires treatment. However, it’s important for those dealing with an addiction to understand the rules and regulations that come with the road to recovery.
Depending on a person’s placement in an addiction treatment program, there could be restrictions on how many visitors they can have, what types of activities are allowed, such as unsupervised outings, and other guidelines, such as attendance at regular support group meetings.
Knowing these rules can go a long way in making sure your loved one feels supported while they focus on their recovery.
Ultimately, understanding the rules of conduct for the treatment center will ensure everyone knows what’s expected throughout the journey ahead.
How often will my loved one have access to family and friends?
Addiction treatment can be a challenge for everyone involved. Family and friends must stay in touch with the individual in treatment, offering support and encouragement as they progress.
Every treatment center is different, but typically, one or two visits per week are allowed by friends and family under certain conditions.
It’s also important that visits are conducted in an environment appropriate for the treatment process. Finally, visitors are often advised not to bring surprises, such as cards or gifts, without clearing them beforehand with the facility.
Helping Your Loved One During Rehab
What resources are available to help me understand my loved one's addiction?
Understanding addiction can be a difficult and daunting task, but with the right resources, it is entirely possible. A great starting point is to speak with friends and family who may have gone through similar experiences or are knowledgeable about addiction.
Additionally, many online resources provide helpful information about understanding addiction and coping with substance abuse. To search all of the resources available, visit our addiction and recovery guides.
Our guides include articles, blogs, videos, and other materials that explain the nature of addiction, various types of treatment programs, support services, and more.
There are even some mental health professionals that specialize in providing education and guidance on topics such as substance abuse disorders.
Finally, attending an intentional support group such as Al-Anon can greatly help broaden our understanding of how to cope with addiction in both ourselves and those we love.
How can I best support my loved one's recovery while they are in rehab?
Supporting a loved one undergoing rehab can be challenging, but it is an essential part of their journey to recovery.
One of the best things you can do for your loved one is to act as an emotional support system.
This means being available to listen when they need someone to talk to and reminding them that they are not alone in their struggles.
Sometimes simply reassuring them of your love and commitment can make all the difference in their recovery process.
Additionally, encourage your loved one to participate in as many structured activities as possible in their rehab program – these will usually involve communal or team-building activities that can be great ways to help boost confidence and form new connections with peers on the same path to wellness.
Above all, always remain positive and patient throughout their journey; they may have some difficult moments, but ultimately, participating in a rehabilitation program will set them up for lasting success.
What can I do to help my loved one when they are feeling discouraged?
One of the hardest things while in rehab is feeling discouraged. When dealing with addiction issues, discouragement, and hopelessness can be very common.
If your loved one is struggling with these feelings, there are a few things you can do to support them through this difficult time.
It is important to let your loved one know that recovery is possible no matter how bad it feels and that consistent effort will help bring positive changes into their life.
Because addiction treatments can be full of ups and downs, remind them to stay focused on their goals and reward themselves for their successes.
When it’s feeling tough, please encourage them to take breaks from therapy sessions or exercises, which can provide a needed respite.
Finally, reminding your loved one they have strong support behind them goes a long way in aiding their recovery process – show up, listen actively, and be an active part of their journey towards sobriety.
According to a study conducted in 2011, nearly 23 million people are in need of treatment for chemical dependency.
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Staging an Intervention
Should I Stage An Intervention For My Loved Ones?
What are the Signs an Intervention is Needed
What are some signs of Addiction?
Why Can't My Loved One Just Stop Using Drugs?
When experimentation with a substance becomes an addiction, your loved one cannot just stop all of a sudden.
When your brain becomes dependent on a substance, the chemical composition changes, forcing the body to need the substance just to operate on a normal level.
When someone stops all of a sudden, it leaves the body vulnerable to dangerous side effects.
If someone stops using cold turkey, the absence of the drug can cause them to go into withdrawals. This means they can have hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, and intense seizures.
Depending on the drug of choice, they may become suicidal due to the disrupted brain chemistry.
Sweating, shivers, and convulsions could cause them to do anything to get the drug, and organ failure can occur depending on the drug of choice.
This bodily function breakdown has made the strongest of people cave in and give their addicted loved ones cash to calm the withdrawal symptoms. No one wants to or likes to, see their loved one suffer.
Many struggle with withdrawals, and each time they cave in; it makes it harder to get clean and sober the next time. The fear of the pain from withdrawals will keep many people from abusing drugs and alcohol; some feel defeated and hopeless, no matter their efforts.
This is why we highly encourage going into a medical detox center, rehabs with a detox facility, or a hospitalized detox.
We also recommend watching the video that talks about the addicted brain to get a better understanding of everything.
Paying for Rehab
Should I Pay for My Loved One's Rehab?
Paying for a loved one’s drug and alcohol rehab is an important way to show your support and help them get the best possible chance at success.
Investing in a high-quality rehab program can provide them with access to experienced professionals and a range of treatment approaches that can help them work through the underlying causes of their addiction and build the skills and strategies needed for a successful recovery.
It can also provide the structure and support needed to prevent relapse and create a strong foundation for long-term recovery.
Ultimately, investing in a loved one’s rehab is an investment in their future and can help provide them with the tools and resources needed to live a healthy, sober life.
What are My Options for Paying for Rehab?
Insurance Coverage
Not many people really know what is covered and what is not because the insurance policies that people sign up for are often confusing or littered with medical jargon.Insurance Companies are Required to Provide Rehab Coverage
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 states that group health plans and health insurance companies must provide the same level of benefits for mental and substance abuse treatment services that they do for medical and surgical care. The Affordable Care Act expands the MHPAEA’s requirements by guaranteeing that qualified plans cover many behavioral health services and treatments.Financing
With the right budgeting and support from family and our addiction specialists, treatment centers can find a way for your loved one to get treatment and start living their life again. No one should have to spend his or her lifetime feeding an addiction. Talk to one of our addiction specialists to explore financing options.Support Groups for Family Members
Nothing is more difficult than watching a loved one spiral downwards as a result of addiction. The frustration and pain can be almost too much to bear. For the family members of someone stuck in the devastating cycle of substance abuse, the future can seem bleak.
You are not alone. Many people struggle with addiction and for each addicted person, there is an entire family that may be enduring their own struggle. 12-step programs have chapters that cater specifically to the friends and family members of those struggling with substance abuse.
Al-anon, Nar-anon, and others all center around helping family members and friends cope with the dysfunction and pain of addiction in a loved one. These support groups teach members such invaluable lessons as healthy coping skills, boundaries, how to avoid enabling behaviors and other things that prevent the drama and hurtful nature of addiction from spreading throughout the family.
Talking to others who are going through the same turmoil that you are can make an enormous difference. Knowing that you are not alone always helps alleviate the burden. Here at ABTRS, we understand how difficult it can be to have a loved one who struggles with substance abuse. That is why we also provide services and information to friends and family members – to ensure that all recover from the traumas of the past.
Resources and Links
- Get Your Questions Answered Today
Stressing about blame, relapse, and triggers hinders healing for the whole family. - Finding Treatment for Co-occurring Disorders at A Better Today
Providing treatment for both substance abuse and co-occurring disorders is what ABTRS is all about. - Substance Abuse Treatment in Las Vegas, NV
Find the treatment you need today in Las Vegas, Nevada. - Inpatient Treatment in Scottsdale, AZ
Find happiness and purpose with drugs or alcohol in the most livable city. - Residential Care in Phoenix, AZ
Embrace a new beginning is a safe and comfortable environment away from your triggers. - IOP Treatment in Portland, OR
Find the type of drug and alcohol treatment to be a better you today.
Saving Your Loved One’s Life Starts with Reliable Resources
Realizing that your loved one has a drug or alcohol abuse problem is nerve-wracking. When put in that situation, people tend to feel powerless to help their addicted loved one,; the only way to help them is through learning. Knowledge is power, and when it comes to substance abuse treatment, the only power we have over their need for their drug is to educate them.
Getting knowledge from reputable sources that are unbiased and proven to be effective in the scientific or psychology community is vital. A Better Today Recovery Services takes pride in offering knowledge from reliable sources that are up to date and relevant in helping you convince your loved one they need to get clean in rehab. Check out the list below to learn more about where we sourced our information.
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Brief Interventions and Brief Therapies for Substance Abuse. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 34. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 12- 3952. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 1999.
NIDA. (2018, January 17). Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition). Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition on 2019, February 12
Medically Reviewed Articles & Resources

Addiction and Codependency: Are You Helping or Hurting Your Partner?
Reading Time: 7 minutes If you are currently in a relationship with someone who struggles with addiction, it’s may be a relationship with codependent attributes.


What is Alcoholic Neuropathy? [Guide]
Reading Time: 6 minutes Alcoholic neuropathy is nerve damage that occurs in someone who drinks alcohol excessively.


How to Get Help After Losing Your Job to Addiction
Reading Time: 7 minutes Published: 12/16/2022Updated: 3/9/2023 One of the biggest fears many individuals have is getting fired from a job due to substance use. Whether you use it