You Have Options To Get Sober!?

Medical and Living Arrangements for people getting sober

For me — participating in a Treatment Program was not an option, when I got sober. It wasn’t all that long ago (21 years) but for whatever reason, I did not know what a rehab was. Not that it mattered, my denial was so thick, I wouldn’t have gone anyway. In any case, I got sober the “old-fashioned” way – one drunk helping another.

Today if you need to get sober and you want a formal environment there are options galore.

Detoxification

Detoxification, is sometimes necessary for someone who is a heavy user. Stopping drinking or drugs (abruptly) can literally kill you. If you are in this category, a medical environment is necessary.

Depending on which substance you have been abusing and how long you have been using it, will determine whether medical or non-medical detoxification is needed. Most treatment centers do an assessment to figure it out. Detoxification is usually between 4 and 10 days depending on the person.

Rehabilitation Center

Residential Treatment/ Hospitalizations is commonly called “Rehab”. This is a popular treatment option. Patients live at the treatment facility while undergoing intensive treatment during the day.  It’a structured environment in a private, home-like setting. It is well monitored and safe. A typical day consists of group sessions, counseling and recovery meetings. People normally stay for 30 to 90 days.

Partial Hospitalization
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is another option. The treatment is four to six hours per day, allowing folks some flexibility. This way they can spend time with their family, in the evenings. I think this is great for people who have young children.
There are a variety of day programs available, they can include family therapy, individual therapy, skill-building, medication management, recreational therapy, and group therapies. These programs usually meet, seven days a week and offers the same level of care as inpatient programs.

Sober Living

The SLE (sober living environment) movement began on the West Coast in the United States and has spread around the country. SLEs provide much more than other transitional living environments. Many of them are structured around 12-step programs and similar recovery methods.
Many are also certified by Sober Living Coalitions or Networks. It is common for the residents to be required to participate in 12-step meetings. It is also typical to take random drug tests. They need to  show that they are taking important steps to ensure long-lasting recovery (like finding a job).
A sober living house is a short stop on the path to sobriety. People can live in a supervised place with rules, mandatory curfews, chores and meetings.

In many cases, long-term sobriety requires you to alter everything about their previous lives. This could include changing jobs, eliminating friends and even abandoning loved ones who are toxic or unsupported.

The Obamacare enrollment period started yesterday. I have read that everyone who enrolls in the Affordable Care Act is 100% covered for alcohol and drug treatment. I am interested to see how this unfolds. Requiring health insurance companies to cover drug abuse, alcoholism and mental health the same way they cover other diseases, is a big move.