For many people dealing with an addiction or other mental health disorder, choosing between inpatient and outpatient rehab for their recovery can be daunting. Both options have pros and cons, depending on each individual’s unique needs.
Here we look at seven benefits that residential/inpatient rehab treatment can offer and why it might be the best choice for you or a loved one.
1. A supportive change of environment
Making significant life changes and taking the steps necessary towards recovery requires focus, dedication, time, and the support of experienced professionals. Staying at a residential rehab center offers a change of scenery and an escape from the stresses of everyday life, which may be a contributing factor to your addiction or mental health disorder(s).
Being in a new, nurturing environment can positively impact brain chemistry, help you distance yourself from the day-to-day triggers at home, and be a healthy catalyst for a change in perspective.
2. Personalized care, support, and supervision 24-7
Inpatient programs provide constant medical supervision along with intensive, personalized therapy delivered by a well-coordinated team of experts. This can contribute to a safer, quicker, and more effective recovery.
For those seeking help for addiction, inpatient care can be particularly beneficial where extensive support and supervision are needed for medical detox. Attempting to detox on your own can be dangerous and is not recommended. Instead, inpatient rehab treatment provides constant access to help in a safe environment, where medical professionals can monitor your progress and ease many of the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
Studies show that those completing detox through an inpatient rehab treatment program have a far higher success rate than those opting for outpatient treatment.
3. Time to focus entirely on yourself
Stepping away from your daily life by entering a residential rehab center removes all distractions and creates the breathing space and time needed to fully focus on yourself and your recovery.
It is an immersive experience that provides a wide range of therapies, tools, and treatments to cater to the specific needs of each individual. With your personalized plan and the right support network, you can begin to access, explore and heal all parts of yourself to ensure your long-term recovery and prevent relapse.
4. A structured schedule
If you are struggling with addiction and/or a mental health disorder, it’s likely that your daily schedule is often disrupted, which can contribute to engaging in unhealthy habits and behaviors.
Inpatient rehab provides a scheduled treatment plan, including individual therapy, group sessions, complementary therapies, and recreational activities. These are all designed to help you focus on yourself and your recovery, reducing ‘down time’ where you might slip back into old habits or thought processes.
The structure and routine of your personalized residential rehab treatment plan provide a stable foundation from which you can entirely focus on your recovery and be productive in making the changes needed.
5. Access to a broader range of therapy options
Inpatient rehab centers have highly specialized teams, including multidisciplinary professionals covering all aspects of recovery – meaning you have access to comprehensive, coordinated care and a far wider range of treatment options.
Most inpatient rehab centers include medical detox, evaluation and treatment planning, medication management, individual therapy options, group/community therapy, family therapy, recreational therapy, and complementary therapies, such as yoga, massage, and meditation.
They will also feed you well! This ensures that your body is well nourished through a healthy, balanced diet to support your recovery and help you gain the mental and physical strength needed to sustain your recovery.
6. A valuable sense of connection through peer support
Inpatient rehab centers offer a beneficial support system of people that know and understand the struggles of addiction and/or mental health disorders – both the staff and patients.
Being part of a social network is essential for any recovery and offers wide-ranging benefits that can only be fully attained in a residential setting. An inpatient rehab environment fosters a valuable sense of connection that provides you with much-needed comfort and support on your recovery journey and can also prove empowering.
7. Ongoing support through an aftercare plan
Some people worry that when they leave residential/inpatient rehab they will revert to their old ways and be unable to adjust to life in ‘the real world.’ However, it’s important to remember that during your stay you will learn a lot about yourself and your disorder(s) and develop a complete toolset of healthy strategies that you didn’t have before.
In addition, inpatient rehab centers offer comprehensive aftercare programs designed to support you as you readjust to everyday life. This is an essential component of any treatment plan – proven to be one of the best indicators of sustained recovery.
Aftercare can include continuing individual therapy, joining community support groups, medical support, life skills groups, family therapy, and ongoing mental, emotional, and physical health monitoring.
There are numerous advantages to choosing residential/inpatient rehab and, for many, it can be the perfect respite to receive the treatment they need for recovery. Studies have shown that inpatient rehab can significantly reduce the likelihood of relapse and improve the chances of a long-term, sustained recovery.
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction and/or mental health issues, you can explore a range of residential/inpatient rehab centers and treatment options here.
