Depending on the specifics of the addiction, drug or alcohol addiction treatment can take many different forms. The exact treatment used depends on the severity of the problem, the length of time that the addiction had its hold and any family or personal history specifics that make impact the case. A treatment plan is customized with those variables in mind.

facts about alcoholism and drug addiction research show that if you are addicted to one of the so-called “hard drugs,” such as heroin or cocaine, a stay in a residential drug rehab facility is virtually a necessity. Only a residential drug rehab program will provide you with the constant medical surveillance and care to appropriately and safely withdraw physically from your drug of choice. Many residential drug rehab stays are quite short-term, just long enough to ensure your physical well-being. This type of inpatient drug rehab or alcoholism treatment is quite often covered by your regular medical insurance. If you do not have insurance or your insurance will not pay, do not let this dissuade you from seeking a medically necessary inpatient drug rehab program. Some programs offer sliding scale rates based on your ability to pay.

If your drug of choice is safe to physically withdraw from without medical assistance, you may be able to avoid an inpatient drug rehab program altogether. If your insurance or sliding-scale program covers only a short-term emergency stay, you will be out of residential drug rehab very quickly. In either case, you will then need to choose from among the available outpatient drug addiction treatment choices.

Regardless of whether your drug addiction treatment occurs on an inpatient or outpatient basis, your treatment course will follow a basic pattern. You will meet with a drug addiction counselor, usually a licensed therapist with specialized training in addictions. He or she will conduct your intake interview. This interview will be long and complicated, as the counselor attempts to determine the details of your specific addiction, any history of drug addiction in your family, other psychological disorders that may exist and your general medical history.

Based on the data gathered during the intake interview and the policies of the company, you may be scheduled for appointments with other specialists. These specialists may include a psychiatrist, nutritionist, therapist and/or peer counselor, in addition to nurses and other support staff. The various specialists that assist with your drug addiction treatment are collectively known as your treatment team. Your treatment team will work together to design and implement your plan for recovery, which is known as your individualized treatment plan.

Under the older medical model, the “experts” were presumed to know best. The client was not often involved in decisions that affected his or her treatment. Now, however, the client is considered to be the most important member of his or her own treatment team. You should be involved in all major decisions and changes to your treatment plan. Some experts still practice the older model, however, so be prepared to speak up for your rights.

The customizable drug treatment plans are becoming more and more popular, as people start to take charge of their healing process. With education and insight, drug addicts are more than capable of making their own treatment decisions. They are living the addiction, so they should be experiencing the drug addiction treatment process with hands-on involvement.