North Carolina

Using substances can lead to psychological addiction and physical dependence. Your brain and body adjust to the presence of substances after a period of exposure. You develop a tolerance and use higher amounts to get the same effects. If you stop using a substance at this point, you’re likely to experience physical symptoms. This is known as withdrawal.

Withdrawal can be not only a physical but also an emotional challenge. While detox isn’t a treatment for addiction, it is a key first step for most people.

During medical detox, clients can receive medical care and treatment. There are medications available that can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and substance cravings.

A medical detox sets the stage for clients to have a clean slate as they begin the rest of their treatment plan.

Beyond a medical detox, the most intensive treatment for many clients seeking substance abuse treatment in North Carolina or elsewhere is inpatient rehab. Inpatient rehab is residential, with clients living on-site for a period of time.

While it can be scary to step outside of your comfort zone, many benefits come with an inpatient program.

First, you’re supported by caring addiction professionals who staff the facility, but you also have the support of other people who are receiving care.

Inpatient treatment provides stability, security, and safety during the earliest days of your recovery journey. You can leave behind triggers or things in your environment that might create stress and focus exclusively on your treatment program.

There are varying levels of outpatient care available. Some clients will begin treatment with outpatient rehab, especially if they have a commitment that won’t allow inpatient treatment or have a milder or shorter-term substance use disorder.

For most clients, however, outpatient rehab is something they step down into as they’re ready after completing residential treatment.

Two of the more intensive outpatient rehab programs are partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs.

Partial hospitalization is a lot like residential rehab in terms of participation in a full therapeutic day, usually five days a week. Intensive outpatient programs require a time commitment of several hours a day, a few days a week for most clients.

Outpatient programs offer a sense of connection to the treatment center and support, but clients can explore their daily lives without substances. They can return home in the evenings, continue to meet their responsibilities to their families or at work, and they can put into practice the coping skills they’re developing.

Aftercare is a broad term. It can refer to anything part of a treatment plan after a client completes inpatient and outpatient treatment. Sometimes it might include supportive housing, also known as sober living houses.

Aftercare can also include connections to community resources. For example, if you left the state and you’re ready to return home, you might then be connected with a North Carolina drug and alcohol rehab center near your community that has helpful resources.

Aftercare planning can also include participation in 12-step support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA).