Inpatient Rehab: The First Step to Recovery

Alcohol and drug misuse is the third leading cause of illness, disability, and death in the United States? It accounts for more than 78,000 deaths each year. Each day, 20 Americans die from prescription drug overdoses. Still, even with these sobering statistics, only approximately 10% are treated in an inpatient rehab setting.

Recovery is a long process, and inpatient rehabilitation is where you focus on your addiction for a set period. Inpatient treatment is a residential program offered at some addiction treatment facilities. Inpatient programs may also include recreational therapy to help keep residents busy and active while in treatment and sometimes even after they get back home. The ability to live at the facility allows patients to receive care around the clock, increasing the effectiveness of their treatment.

This type of treatment includes:

  • Medically supervised detox 
  • Regular counseling
  • Group and family therapy sessions
  • Support groups. 

What Is Inpatient Rehab?

Inpatient rehab can be an intensive, focused way to break a drug or alcohol addiction cycle. It involves a process of long-term medical management and treatment for the disease of addiction. Inpatient rehab is necessary for people suffering from severe consequences of their addiction, who have lost control over their drug use, and need medical attention to recover.

Offering patients the opportunity to leave behind the life that has led them to substance abuse and focus on recovery, inpatient therapy provides a fully immersive experience where patients can explore the realities of their addiction through multiple perspectives.

Inpatient rehab programs tend to be more expensive than other drug rehabs, but some believe that this investment is worth the cost for those who need the more rigorous structure and environment 24 hours a day. Inpatient rehabilitation facilities require that you stay at their rehabilitation center for a defined period. These periods may vary from 30 days to 90 days or more. The length of treatment is likely dependent upon the severity of your addiction.

Benefits of Inpatient Treatment

The benefits of inpatient treatment are wide-ranging. Inpatient treatment is often the last resort for self-destructive disorders and addictions. It’s possible that the patient has tried other options and simply needs a more intense solution to deal with the substance abuse or self-destructive behaviors.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health data, the number of Americans who went to inpatient rehab in 2013 was 782,029.

Some of these benefits include an increased chance of maintaining recovery after the outpatient programs, reduced risk of relapse, and a reduced risk of entering back into an alcohol or other drug abuse program. Below are the main benefits of inpatient addictions treatment that help addicts kick their drug and alcohol use:

  • Inpatient Detoxification

Inpatient Detoxification is a program for people with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, need medical supervision as they detox from these substances. It provides a safe environment where medical staff closely monitor clients during the detoxification process. Inpatient facilities usually provide medical detoxification, including medications to relieve alcohol withdrawal symptoms and medications to reduce cravings while undergoing behavioral treatment.

  • Success Rate

Inpatient rehab programs are a great option for individuals who have faced a particularly challenging type of abuse. These programs are most often recommended to people who have relied on drugs or alcohol for a very long time and may have engaged in criminal behaviors to procure supplies. 

These programs will provide patients with the tools they need to live without drugs or alcohol. It is essential to realize that treatment is much more beneficial for an inpatient rehabilitation program than therapy as an outpatient or home-based recovery situation. 

  • Reduced Risk of Relapse

The inpatient care offered at drug rehab centers can reduce the risk of relapse. Particular aspects of addiction treatment provided by rehab facilities include the ability of staff to stabilize patients, implement alcohol and drug tests, practice counseling and therapy, and provide education to patients regarding the physiological aspects of addiction.

Compared to other countries, a relatively high percentage of Americans drink alcohol. Attendance at inpatient rehab treatment centers for alcohol-related issues is also pretty high, with up to 6,000 people per day attending various addiction and substance abuse facilities around the country. In 2014, 423,000 individuals underwent treatment for substance abuse issues, and an additional 57,000 attended inpatient rehab.

Knowing how many people attend rehab can help you follow your own or family members’ progress through the treatment process.

Inpatient Rehab for a Pregnant Woman

Inpatient rehab for women is specifically tailored to the needs of individuals struggling with addiction during pregnancy. Using drugs or alcohol during pregnancy exposes a woman and her developing fetus to potentially serious long-term effects. 

Both health care and mental health considerations have to be kept in mind when treating addiction during pregnancy.

Treatment centers that work with pregnant patients are often structured as women-only rehab to promote a more effective and comfortable recovery process. 

When a woman is pregnant and seeking addiction treatment, there are unique considerations to look for in a program. Treating addiction during pregnancy is more complex, and most need care at specialized inpatient rehab centers. 

When someone is pregnant and addicted to drugs, particularly opioids, they can’t stop cold turkey in most cases. Stopping suddenly can be harmful to a mother and her unborn baby. The same can be true with alcohol.

Since detoxing while pregnant can be dangerous, a woman needs a treatment team that understands the unique risks as part of the treatment plans overall. 

For example, there are medication-assisted treatment options that can often be safe for pregnant women in addiction treatment programs. 

Is Residential Treatment Most Effective?

Inpatient rehab for pregnant women does tend to be the best and most effective long-term approach to addiction. 

The Journal of Substance Abuse published a study with more than 300 women. The women were enrolled in a residential treatment program specifically for pregnant and parenting women. The level of functioning was looked at before and after treatment at a drug rehab center. 

Women showed improvement in many areas, along with reductions in substance use.

They also had improvements in employment, fewer legal issues, fewer mental health symptoms, and a more positive attitude toward parenting.

Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Treatment

Both inpatient and outpatient care can be very beneficial for individuals struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction. While each program has its benefits, the type of program individuals are most likely to succeed in depends on their unique needs, professional opinion, and current life situation.

Inpatient treatment is comprehensive and generally provides the most structured, intensive level of treatment. This type of care immerses the patient in a healing environment for a specified period and includes medical and psychiatric support 24 hours a day. Outpatient services involve far more limited periods in a facility with fewer resources; however, the same basic therapy methods are used. 

Outpatient treatment is not always available and can be limited by state. Outpatient treatment programs allow patients to travel home whenever necessary when they are offered. Inpatient care is often more convenient for individuals who cannot take time off work or need around-the-clock supervision. This should not be overlooked when evaluating your loved one’s needs.

Depending on your treatment option and insurance coverage, your recovery plan could be either an inpatient or outpatient treatment program. Both offer advantages to recovering from drug or alcohol dependency; the key is to choose the plan that suits you best.

Find the best Inpatient mental health facility in The Bay Area, CA.

At Silicon Valley Recovery, each inpatient mental health facility is designed to focus on safety, comfort, and therapeutic needs. We focus on the well-being of patients at all levels of care, from children to their families and staff members. From emergency services to long-term care, we’re always striving to improve the care experience for everyone. 

Our unique inpatient mental health services combine holistic and evidence-based practices with a core focus on the interdisciplinary treatment of the whole person. We offer various effective therapies to help every individual we treat to heal from addiction, trauma, or an array of other mental health concerns.

Contact Silicon Valley Recovery today to learn more about how we can help improve access to inpatient medical treatment. Speak to a care coordinator now at 408-547-4089.

The Professional’s Guide to Addiction Recovery

There are unfortunate misconceptions we have about addiction. For example, when it comes to who we envision as an “addict,” it may not be the high-performing professional. In reality, people in high-pressure, high-stress jobs who may appear to have it all together are sometimes most affected by addictive substances.

When you’re in a high-profile or demanding position, you can feel a sense of shame about your addiction. In other instances, it might feel like an accepted part of your industry or corporate culture. One of our biggest priorities is helping you realize it’s not shameful. Addiction is a chronic disease requiring proper treatment.

The good news is that when you seek help from an addiction recovery center like ours that understands your particular needs, you can live a fulfilling and productive life. You can find clarity, make your family members proud, and rebuild relationships in addition to having a great career. 

Receiving comprehensive treatment for any other mental health issue and your substance use disorder is integral to a healthy life. 

What Industries Have the Highest Addiction Rates?

Below is a brief overview of some industries and professions with the highest addiction rates, and they’re likely to surprise you.

  • Health care professionals and doctors: We’ll delve into this a little more below, but doctors and medical professionals have an estimated rate of around 10% for substance abuse. Medical professionals are more likely to abuse prescription drugs than their patients.
  • Lawyers and legal professionals: When you’re a young lawyer, in particular, you face long hours, job stress, and potentially high debt payments from your education — around 29% of lawyers in their first ten years of practice reporting problematic drinking or alcohol abuse. 
  • Executives: High-level employees are plagued by substance abuse problems, whether in tech companies or other industries. Prescription drug abuse is prevalent among these professionals.

We’ll explore these professions and addiction among high performers a little more in-depth below. 

People in recovery enjoy better career performance and overfall fulfillment. Participation in a 12-step program like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous can help you maintain your recovery after treatment once you return to your career. 

Health Care Professionals

Health care professionals, including doctors and nurses, have some of the highest addiction rates in the entire workforce. The pandemic has probably worsened those trends, but it may be years before we can see the full impact.

People who work in health care are most likely to abuse narcotics, which are prescription opioids, including Fentanyl and Oxycodone.

Reasons people in health care are prone to developing substance use disorders include:

  • They work in a very demand, high-stress environment where their decisions quite literally are life-or-death in their daily life 
  • Medical professionals have to stay awake for long hours and often work all day or overnight
  • There are emotional, painful decisions and outcomes to deal with regularly
  • People working in health care have access to powerful prescription drugs

Unfortunately, the effects of addiction when you work in the medical field can be especially devastating. 

While being a healthcare professional can sometimes be thankless and heartbreaking, long-term recovery rates after treatment are high for people in this field who develop an addiction to prescription medications, other drugs, or alcohol.

Lawyers and Legal Professionals

Lawyers work long hours and deal with tremendous stress. In younger lawyers, the pressure may be particularly high since they’re also probably trying to pay off student loan debt and juggle financial responsibilities while working their way up the ladder in their careers.

Along with drug and alcohol addiction, many lawyers have a co-occurring mental health condition. For example, more than 45% of attorneys have co-occurring disorders like depression at some point in their careers. Around 12% of those lawyers reporting depression or a similar mental illness experience suicidal thoughts at least once.

Around 21% of lawyers may be problem drinkers or have an alcohol use disorder, and some estimates put the number as high as 36%. Approximately 9% of attorneys may struggle with prescription drugs. Stimulants are also an issue, helping attorneys stay awake for long hours, maintain high energy levels and potentially work more daily. 

Executives

Executives in all industries, including the tech industries, have higher rates of substance abuse than you might expect. For example, one study found nearly 20% of tech professionals abuse or have an opioid addiction. 

There’s also an alcohol culture in the tech industry, where it can be seen as acceptable to drink in work environments. For example, 53% of tech employees said they’d participated in a team bonding event with alcohol in one survey, and 35% said their employers sponsor happy hours.

Why Are High-Performing Professionals Likely To Abuse Substances?

Whether you’re working at a hospital, a start-up, or a high-profile established company, why are you, as someone who’s seen as a significant achiever, more likely to need a special level of care for substance abuse treatment?

There are a few factors that likely play a significant role.

  • When you’re a high-level employee or in any position of stress at your job, it’s demanding. Your schedule is packed, and you may start early in the morning and work late into the night. Everything you do has the potential to affect many other people. Executives and professionals may turn to drugs or alcohol to relax after challenging days, help them sleep, or as a coping mechanism. 
  • When you work in a stressful job, you may dedicate so much of your time and attention to it that your relationships suffer. You could find yourself struggling to connect with people on a personal level. Social support is critical to mental health, and without it, you could be more likely to turn to drugs or alcohol.
  • Many executives and professionals with substance abuse problems are high-functioning. They appear “normal,” and no one would assume they have a substance use disorder. 
  • These are people who may simultaneously make a lot of money and have disposable income, which in some cases can also fuel addiction more.
  • When someone struggles with drugs or alcohol and has a high-profile or stressful job, they may be apprehensive about the stigma of not just their substance use but the potential of going to an addiction recovery center and taking time from work.

Finding a Recovery Program 

If anything above sounds like you, the most important thing to do, once you realize that you have a problem, is find addiction treatment that will address your needs to help you start the recovery process through effective treatment options and behavioral therapy. 

The needs of someone who has the weight of other employees and a company on their shoulders will differ from someone in another profession on their path to recovery. 

Executive addiction treatment centers in California, like Silicon Valley Recovery, will create an individualized dual diagnosis treatment plan, with your career in mind. You have to work on identifying underlying causes for your addiction. You may also need treatment for a co-occurring mental health disorder like anxiety or depression, essential for your quality of life and relapse prevention

Realize you aren’t alone, and drug addiction recovery is possible and can work in your life. So many people in America are striving to drive their careers forward and maximize their productivity. You can’t do that to the detriment of your mental and physical well-being.

We encourage you to call 408-547-4089 and contact the team at Silicon Valley Recovery to learn how we can help you change your trajectory and get evidence-based treatment for the disease that keeps on taking. We’ll share details about our admissions process, medically assisted detoxification, exclusive support groups, executive treatment programs, and how our holistic approach can meet your unique needs as a professional. 

Drug Abuse Statistics: The Numbers Behind the Epidemic

We often hear about the opioid epidemic, which we will discuss below, but the United States faces more than just a problem with opioid use. We’re in the midst of a drug abuse epidemic in general. Indicators show it seems to be getting worse.

It’s likely as we learn more about the impact of the pandemic, we’ll also find that it significantly worsened the issue of substance abuse in the United States We already see some of the pandemic-related drug and alcohol use numbers, and they’re difficult. The illicit drug abuse epidemic impacts social and economic well-being and public health.

So what’s the reality behind the substance use disorder statistics, and how did it all happen?

Drug Abuse Statistics

According to national survey results, illegal drug use has been increasing across generations, demographics, and genders in the U.S.

It’s incredibly challenging even to know the full scope of people with a substance use disorder. Even based on what we do know according to self-reporting and overdoses, it’s alarming.

Along with deaths from the pandemic, 2020 appears to have been the deadliest ever in American history for drug use and drug addiction.

Related drug abuse statistics include:

  • The number of overdoses in 2020 hit record highs.
  • Oregon saw a 40% spike in drug deaths. Opioids were one factor, but there was a significant uptick in using other substances like meth. Cocaine deaths went up by 57%, and fentanyl contributed to 92% of these drug deaths.
  • Virginia is another state dealing with the fallout from record deaths related to drug abuse. More than 2,030 deaths occurred from overdoses in 2020, well over the state’s previous record of 1,626.

The states above are only examples. Most other states had similar issues.

We understand some of the reasons that 2020 was a particularly tragic year regarding substance abuse and associated deaths. People were isolated and dealing with declines in mental health because of the pandemic and its ripple effects.

Along with rises in substance abuse deaths, suicides have also been soaring.

Mental illness stemming from stress, financial insecurity, anxiety, depression, and poor coping mechanisms can lead to people abusing substances to self-medicate.

It’s unfortunate because there was a brief decline in overdose deaths from 2017 to 2018. The decline was modest at 4.1%, but still, it indicated to many that maybe things were turning a corner until the year 2020 began.

  • Overdoses went up more than 18% from the 12 months that ended in June 2019.
  • In 2020, there were 81,000 reported drug overdoses, the highest ever recorded.
  • While we talk primarily about overdoses because they’re a metric that can be quantified, even when someone doesn’t overdose, they may still be using drugs.
  • According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, at least 11.7% of the population was actively using drugs in 2018—a number that’s likely higher now.

The above statistics don’t even consider heavy drinking and alcohol addiction, also on the rise.

The Most Commonly Used Drugs

Popular drugs as far as abuse include:

Marijuana

Marijuana is also called cannabis. While marijuana isn’t legal federally, it is legal for recreational and medicinal use in many states despite its potential for abuse.

A national survey on drug use and health shows that attitudes toward legalization and marijuana use are changing, but it’s not a drug without consequence.

This common drug can trigger psychosis in people vulnerable to the condition. The use of cannabis can also impair learning and memory and damage the lungs. People who begin using it as teens are anywhere from four to seven times more likely to develop a marijuana use disorder than adults.

Prescriptions and OTC Medications

Prescription and over-the-counter drugs are among the deadliest and most misused drugs in the country and contribute to numerous drug overdose deaths.

Prescription opioids fall into this category, as do stimulants like Adderall.

There are also central nervous system depressants that are part of the problem with prescription drug abuse. Benzodiazepines such as Xanax have exceptionally high abuse rates, and there is a potential for addiction and physical dependence, even when you have a prescription.

Heroin

Heroin is a highly deadly, illicit opioid. In 2016, around 948,000 Americans reported they’d used heroin in the past year.

The age group driving that trend most appears to be young people between 18 and 25. At one point, heroin was predominantly in urban areas.

Now heroin use is seen in rural and suburban communities.

Methamphetamine

For a while, methamphetamine use was going down in the United States, but that’s a trend that appears to, unfortunately, be reversing.

Meth-related deaths are rising across the country, despite the country focusing primarily on the opioid epidemic.

Among minority groups and, in particular, native populations, the rates are going up even faster. Among American Indians and Alaska Natives, deadly meth overdoses have more than quadrupled in recent years.

Black Americans are also experiencing an increase in meth-related deaths. These trends are being seen across all Americans too, but at a lesser rate, as meth increasingly becomes a drug of choice for some.

The Opioid Epidemic

While the use of drugs like meth is going up, the opioid epidemic remains the most troubling issue regarding drug abuse statistics.

Since 1999, more than 841,000 people deaths have been the result of a drug overdose. In 2019, more than 70% of overdose deaths included the involvement of an opioid.

Opioids include prescription pain relievers like oxycodone and hydrocodone. Heroin is an opioid, as are synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Fentanyl is especially problematic right now because even a minuscule amount can be fatal.

Drug Abuse

Drug Abuse Statistics: Behind the Epidemic

Teenage Drug Abuse Statistics

Teens certainly aren’t immune to the damaging effects of drug abuse and addiction. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adolescents most often use alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco. For young people using drugs or other substances, the risks can be exceptionally high.

  • The teenage brain develops until we’re in our 20s. Teen substance abuse may lead to adverse effects on brain development and even brain damage.
  • Teen drug abuse also contributes to physical health problems later in life, such as heart disease, sleep disorders, and high blood pressure.
  • When they begin using substances and experience the influence of drugs or alcohol, the younger a teen is, the higher the chances they develop a substance use disorder and ultimately become addicted.
  • Statistics show that 12th graders and even kids aged 12 and up report trying illicit drugs like heroin, in addition to alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco. That use among high school seniors and younger students increases the potential for full-blow addiction, like an alcohol use disorder, as well as drug overdose deaths.

Why Do Drug Abuse Statistics Show Increasing Use Rates?

One reason that drug abuse rates seem to be going up is one we talk about above, which is the pandemic. However, the trends were moving upward even before COVID-19.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Mental Health Services Administration, it’s likely a complex situation with many factors contributing.

Economic disparities, a lack of access to health care, and accessibility maybe some of those factors. It also seems that mental health disorders are on the rise in the U.S., like anxiety and depression.

Mental disorders tend to occur more prevalently in people who use substances, although it’s sometimes unclear which comes first. If you have a mental health disorder, you could use illegal street drugs, prescription drugs, or alcohol as a coping mechanism. The effects of substances themselves can also trigger mental health disorders.

While the above picture can be dismal regarding the rates of substance use and even teenage drug addiction, and there are large-scale factors that may be out of our control, we can take control of our lives and our health. If you’d like to explore substance abuse treatment options or speak to an addiction specialist, call 408-547-4089 and a care coordinator from the Silicon Valley Recovery team will answer your questions, and talk more about effective treatment programs.