About Treatment

A Consumer's Guide to Alcohol & Drug Addiction Treatment

Detoxification | In & Outpatient Treatment

Any effective treatment program should address an individual’s physical,
psychological, emotional, and social problems. 

Services that are appropriate for people’s age, race, culture, sexual orientation,
gender, pregnancy status, and parenting status increases their chances of
success.

• If someone cannot stop drinking or using drugs even for a few days. 
• If a person shows signs of withdrawal (for example, shaking, sweating, irritability,
  agitation).
• If a person has other medical problems that would need monitoring when all
  substance use had stopped.
  

Both outpatient and inpatient treatment usually include individual and group
therapy, couples or family therapy, education about the nature of addiction,
medications when indicated, and 12-step programs.


Long-term treatment yields the best results with drug addiction.  To learn
more read, Long-Term Treatment Yields Greatest Drug-Use Reductions.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment takes place at a hospital or a treatment facility.  The person
remains living at home and attends the program during the day.  Most provide about
2-6 hours per week of care.

People in outpatient treatment need to be prepared to face the "real world" during each
day of treatment.  Although people in treatment still face challenges, the day-to-day
“tests” of their recovery may actually strengthen their resolve and coping methods.

Outpatient treatment may be the best option if the person

• Wants or needs to continue going to work everyday, since there is no job interruption with outpatient treatment.
  

• Does not have the means to pay for it – outpatient treatment is considerably
  less expensive.
  

• Wants to be with their family.
  

• The situation at home involves support and assistance for attending the program and will be free of exposure to drinking and drug use.

A partial hospitalization program is a more intense form of outpatient treatment.  People live at home and attend treatment during the day for 3-12 hours per day for 3-7 days a week.

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment requires staying for a period of time at a treatment facility.  The
first phase of recovery can be intense, so being away from home gives people the time
and space they need to start their recovery.

Inpatient treatment may make the most sense if the person has

• Already tried outpatient treatment and it didn’t seem to work.

• Medical problems such as heart problems, liver problems, digestive problems, infections, intense depression, or anxiety that require more than the usual attention.

• A chaotic home or social situations that undermine recovery.

• A home so far away from an outpatient treatment program that regular attendance
  isn’t practical.

Inpatient care has its drawbacks. People who travel far from their communities to receive
treatment have to work harder to connect to aftercare services and self-help group
support once they return home.  Their treatment program should help them make those
connections before they leave.

Alcohol and Drug Services of Gallatin County can make referrals for inpatient care.
 

Youth Substance Abuse Indicators| About Substance Abuse 
Other Options for Restoring Health | Other Considerations 
Programs Offered by ADSGC

This information is courtesy of: 
Join Together, a project of Boston University School of Public Health

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