Recovery from a substance use disorder is a process; it doesn’t happen all at once. This is why Desert Cove Recovery’s treatment center in Arizona is designed to help people get sober, stay sober, and maintain their recovery for years to come.
This model of addiction treatment typically takes place in stages, known collectively as the “continuum of addiction care.” Each stage of the process is dedicated to helping people with certain aspects of recovery. From the initial substance use withdrawal period to transitioning back home and beyond, we care for you.
The Continuum of Addiction Care
The addiction continuum of care refers to the multiple stages of treatment offered through rehab in Arizona. Typically defined by The ASAM Criteria, this continuum is designed in such a way that people with varying levels of addiction severity or personal challenges get the appropriate intensity of treatment for their needs.[1]
The 3 Stages of Addiction Treatment
Each stage of treatment at an alcohol and drug rehab center focuses on a different aspect of overcoming a substance use challenge. The first stages typically focus on immediate, short-term difficulties — such as drug and alcohol withdrawal. Later stages of treatment focus on building long-term behavioral changes that can help maintain recovery for years to come.
1. Medical Detox
The first stop in the addiction treatment continuum is often a short stay in a medical detox facility. This level of care is focused on using evidence-based strategies to help people overcome drug or alcohol withdrawal, usually through targeted medication options that can reduce or eliminate withdrawal symptoms.
Medical detox is essential for people struggling with an alcohol or benzodiazepine addiction. Withdrawal from these substances is not only intensely uncomfortable but can also often lead to life-threatening consequences. These dangers can be vastly reduced through medical intervention.[2]
While other substance use disorders may not have the same life-threatening effects of withdrawal, medical detox nonetheless makes the process of achieving abstinence much easier. For example, targeted medications can lessen the symptoms of opioid withdrawal, methamphetamine withdrawal, and cocaine withdrawal.[3]
2. Inpatient Treatment
Following medical detox, most people will enter into inpatient treatment. Instead of focusing strictly on the physical challenges of achieving sobriety, inpatient treatment emphasizes mental health and behavioral health treatments. This is critical to resisting relapse, overcoming cravings, and learning new and healthier methods of coping with life’s challenges.
This could include starting evidence-based treatment options such as:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- A 12-step facilitation program
- Relapse prevention
- Dual–diagnosis treatment
The professionals at the facility will be able to determine which options can benefit you the most.
Inpatient rehab facilities have a few other critical components that can help people on their path to recovery as well, including:
- Clients live on-site at the recovery center
- Clients participate in group therapy with other people seeking recovery
- Structured schedules for treatment and therapy
- Treatments are delivered in an intensive format, often several hours each day
These factors create the ideal environment for building foundational recovery skills. Essentially, an inpatient treatment program helps prepare people for returning home, resisting relapse, and achieving a higher quality of life in recovery.
3. Outpatient Rehabilitation As Your Treatment Center in Arizona
After graduating from an inpatient treatment center, outpatient treatment programs are the next step. During outpatient rehabilitation, clients no longer live at their treatment facility. Instead, they live at home or in supportive recovery housing and travel to their treatment center several times a week to receive addiction care.
Outpatient treatment is designed to help provide support and accountability during this transition period. Moving out of a rehab facility can often be a nerve-racking event for people still in early recovery, and many people face cravings or triggers upon making this transition.
Working with an outpatient treatment program provides clients with active support for any challenges they face when returning home or starting their new lives in recovery. While inpatient treatment helps prepare people for this next step, outpatient treatment allows people to stay the course and achieve their goals in the face of adversity.
Start Your Path to Sobriety at Desert Cove Recovery’s Treatment Center in Arizona
At Desert Cove Recovery’s treatment center in Arizona, our team is committed to helping people achieve sobriety through every stage of the addiction recovery process. With personalized treatment options, several levels of care, and a compassionate team of addiction professionals on your side, you can break free from a substance use disorder once and for all.
Our experts can answer your questions, help you find the treatment options that work for you, and support you throughout your journey to recovery. Call our team or fill out our online contact form today to get started with treatment.
Sources:
[1] https://www.asam.org/asam-criteria/about-the-asam-criteria [2] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441882/ [3] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526012/