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For the majority of addicts, some form of alcohol or drug treatment is necessary in order to overcome an addiction. Whether you are considering treatment for yourself or a loved one, it's helpful to understand the treatment process.

Types of Treatment
There are a wide range of substance abuse treatment programs that treat drug addiction and alcoholism. Below are brief descriptions of common types of treatment:
  • Detoxification (detox) programs help men and women addicted to alcohol or drugs to go through the withdrawal process under the supervision of a medical professional. Duration will vary depending on the drug of choice — it may be two days or two weeks. In many detox programs medication is prescribed to ease the symptoms of withdrawal. Detoxification alone is not enough for most people to maintain a sober, healthy lifestyle — detox should be accompanied by or followed by outpatient or inpatient treatment.

  • In-patient / Residential programs can be short- or long-term. Short-term programs are generally 21 or 28 days. Long term programs can last for up to two years. Treatment may be in a hospital or an independent facility, and the doors may be locked or unlocked.

  • Therapeutic Community Treatment is based on the concept of mutual self-help: residents take an active part in their recovery, and accept the support and sanctions of their peers. Phoenix House is the nation's largest non-profit provider of TC treatment. To read more about our method, click here.

  • Outpatient programs offer emergency help, evaluation and referral services, and short-term treatment for clients who are living at home.

  • Maintenance programs are specifically for people addicted to opiates, like heroin. Methadone, a legal drug, is dispensed to clients on a daily basis under the supervision of a medical professional. Treatment is often accompanied by counseling, medical care, and other services. Some programs are now using new medications such as buprenorphine and naltrexone to treat opiate addiction.

  • 12-step programs are ongoing, anonymous, self-help group meetings for people with similar problems (e.g. Alcoholics Anonymous) who get together to talk about their experiences, hopes, challenges and next steps.

  • Counseling for individuals, groups or families can help both addicts and their friends and families.

  • Family Support Groups are for families of alcoholics and drug abusers. These groups do not focus on the individual with the alcohol or drug problem, but on family members who have been affected by these problems. Examples include Al-Anon and Al-Ateen.

What happens in Treatment?
There is more to recovery than quitting drugs. Effective treatment works on many aspects of a person's life: self-esteem, family relationships and friendships, learning problems, criminal behavior and more. Through counseling, education, social activities and group meetings, individuals can re-learn how to be honest, responsible and drug-free.

In order to stay clean, addicts need to examine their past, and identify triggers that may lead them back to substance abuse. Men, women and teens in treatment are asked to identify people, places and things that they associate with their addiction.

How long does treatment usually last?
Every program is different. However, research has shown that the longer a person is in treatment, the more successful they will be in getting and staying clean and sober. Successful treatment helps individuals develop the skills and support systems needed to lead fulfilling, drug-free lives.

Generally, for residential or outpatient treatment, participation for less than 90 days is of limited effectiveness. Many treatment programs, such as Phoenix House last significantly longer — up to two years. For methadone maintenance, 12 months of treatment is the minimum, and some opiate-addicted individuals will continue to benefit from methadone maintenance treatment over a period of years. Men and women in recovery often continue to attend support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous for many years.

Get Help
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, click here to find out more about our treatment programs, ask for a referral or get a professional assessment. If you find yourself in an emergency situation, call 911 immediately.


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