RWJ University Hospital Hamilton

Mental health often overlooked, but it’s a critical component of addiction treatment and recovery. Mental health disorders can significantly impact your quality of life, relationships, and ability to function on a daily basis. Mental health conditions - depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder - and addiction require specialized treatment just like any other physical illness. When people have a mental health disorder and an addiction simultaneously, dual diagnosis treatment is essential.

Outpatient rehabs enable clients to receive a full continuum of care while continuing to live at home. They’re often ideal for clients who are stepping down from inpatient care but some clients may prefer to transition into outpatient treatment immediately after completing detox. Many outpatient facilities also offer ambulatory medical detox for low-risk clients. Outpatient treatment generally includes psychotherapy and life skills training. Clients in opioid and/or alcohol recovery may also receive medication assisted treatment (MAT).

Clients who are exiting inpatient rehab, those who are experiencing crisis, and those who prefer to live at home while in treatment typically enroll in intensive inpatient programs (IOP). These programs feature frequent and robust care, generally requiring clients to participate in at least nine hours of care weekly, though many intensive outpatient rehabs offer up to 20 treatment hours per week. IOP services typically combine individual, group, and family counseling with recovery education and holistic therapies.

Residential treatment programs are those that offer housing and meals in addition to substance abuse treatment. Rehab facilities that offer residential treatment allow patients to focus solely on recovery, in an environment totally separate from their lives. Some rehab centers specialize in short-term residential treatment (a few days to a week or two), while others solely provide treatment on a long-term basis (several weeks to months). Some offer both, and tailor treatment to the patient's individual requirements.

A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a short-term form of intensive rehab, usually for those with acute symptoms that are hard to manage but don’t require 24-hour care. PHPs have structured programming (i.e. individual and/or group therapy), and usually meet 3-5 days a week for around 6 hours (i.e. 9am-3m). Some PHPs are residential (patients sleep on site) and some are not, so patients sleep at home. PHPs can last from 1-6 months, and some offer transportation and meals.

Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.

Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.

In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.

Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.

In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.

In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.