How to Know When It’s Time to Go to Inpatient Rehab

If you have found yourself in a struggle with drugs or alcohol, it may be difficult to know what to do next. Recognizing that you have a problem is the first step but knowing how much of a problem it is takes some honest self-assessment. Understanding the signs of addiction and facing the consequences of your addiction can help you determine if it’s time to go to inpatient rehab.

How to Know if You Have an Addiction

Only a professional can make a formal addiction diagnosis, but you can evaluate yourself using the definition of addiction, also known as substance use disorder, that professionals use. Substance use disorder is formally defined in the Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. This definition has 11 criteria that determine whether a substance use disorder is present.

1. Using drugs or alcohol more than intended or for longer than intended
2. Wanting to reduce or stop alcohol or drug use but not being able to
3. Spending excessive amounts of time using drugs or alcohol or recovering from using
4. Feeling cravings for drugs or alcohol
5. Failing to live up to responsibilities due to drug or alcohol use
6. Having relationship problems because of drug or alcohol use
7. Giving up activities that you enjoy in order to drink or use drugs instead
8. Engaging in risky behaviors like driving while under the influence
9. Continuing to drink or do drugs in spite of negative consequences like health issues
10. Needing more alcohol or drugs to get the same effects
11. Having withdrawal symptoms when you are not drinking or doing drugs

Having two to three of these symptoms indicates a mild substance use disorder, four to five is considered moderate, while six or more is severe.

Any level requires treatment, but your level will indicate the intensity of the treatment that you need.

Assess Your Addiction Consequences

Assessing the consequences of your drug or alcohol use is an even more powerful way to determine if you need help. Facing these consequences can open your eyes to just how severe your problem may be.

Legal Consequences

Many people who abuse drugs or alcohol have legal consequences, such as driving under the influence charges, public intoxication charges, or drug possession charges. Some even engage in other criminal activity to support their drug or alcohol use, such as theft of some kind.

Physical and Mental Health Consequences

Addiction can lead to a variety of both physical and mental health risks and consequences. Physical consequences can include:

• An increased risk of injuries while under the influence
• Skin issues or infectious diseases from sharing needles
• Lung problems from smoking substances
• Cardiovascular issues
• Liver disease
• Gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea or constipation
• Insomnia

Mental health consequences can include:

• Cognitive impairment
• Anxiety or depression
• Mood swings
• Anger
• Hyperactivity
• Confusion
• Paranoia

Relationship and Family Consequences

Addiction can lead to a host of relationship and family issues. People may experience conflict, or frequent arguments with family members or a partner due to the addiction or their behaviors. This can lead to a complete breakdown of these relationships. People with children may have difficulty parenting, mistreat their children, or put them at risk. This can lead to intervention by Child Protective Services.

Job/School Consequences

It’s very difficult to handle a job or school when you have an addiction. It can lead to poor work or school performance, job loss, or disciplinary issues at school.

Do You Need Inpatient Rehab?

If you meet the criteria for a substance use disorder and have had any of the negative consequences of addiction, inpatient rehab is probably your best option. You can come to this conclusion on your own, or you can get an assessment and diagnosis from a mental health professional. A professional can recommend the right treatment option for you.

What to Expect in Inpatient Rehab

If you have come to the conclusion that you need inpatient rehab, you still may have trepidation about it simply because you don’t know what to expect. You can find a few treatment facilities and give them a call. They should be happy to answer your questions and give you information about the daily schedule, the types of therapy you’ll receive, and anything else you’re wondering about.

In general, you can expect to first go through a period of detox, in which you’ll be medically supervised as you experience withdrawal. You may receive medications to ease your withdrawal symptoms.

Depending on the substance you use, detox can take from a few days up to 10 days. During this period, you’ll also begin therapy. Most of your time will be spent in group therapy, with some individual therapy.

The types of therapy you’ll receive may include:

• Motivational Interviewing: This approach involves helping you to set personal goals for your recovery, and to build your motivation to achieve those goals. This increases your willingness to engage fully in your treatment plan. It works by exploring how substance abuse has disrupted your life, and what will drive you to get better, whether it’s your children, your health, or some other aspect of your life.
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT focuses on changing negative or irrational thought patterns into positive, reality-based thoughts. It also teaches healthy coping strategies.
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): DBT is similar to CBT but focuses on accepting negative emotions and learning skills to change negative behaviors. It also involves learning mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance.
• Relapse Prevention Therapy: This approach involves identifying specific relapse risks and triggers, meaning situations and emotions that put you at risk of relapse. It teaches you how to handle those risks, both with your thoughts, and with specific behaviors.

You’ll have some free time aside from mealtimes, during which you might choose to read, journal, sketch, socialize, or participate in any activities that the facility offers. Some facilities have ping pong, pool, or other games.

During group therapy and your free time, you’ll likely develop friendships with some of your peers. You’ll find that these relationships will be mutually supportive and beneficial and can be very helpful as you navigate treatment.

The most important thing to remember is that nothing in inpatient rehab should scare you. You’ll probably find it to be a wonderful experience and a new beginning.

In Closing

A thorough self-assessment can help you to determine if you need inpatient rehab for addiction. You have to be honest with yourself and face the consequences that have come from your drug or alcohol use. Inpatient rehab should not scare you, but instead give you hope. Bridges of Hope is here to help you on your journey by assessing you and recommending a personalized treatment plan. We are committed to providing comprehensive, compassionate care that can help you get back on the right path. Give us a call today to learn more.