Inpatient Treatment

A lot of you know my story. I'm a 23 year old recovering drug addict. Before I got clean I was taking about 400mg of oxy every day. I have been clean now for over 14 months, thanks to AA/NA programs.

Here's my question: A lot of people on here (I was one of them when I first started surfing the forum ages ago) know they have a drug problem and are addicted, but have ruled out the possibility of going to an inpatient facility to detox and begin recovery. We feel like we have too much responsibility, too much going on, or don't want others to know whats wrong, etc etc.. I fought rehab for 3 months before I went, thinking that I was strong enough this time, to do it on my own. I finally sought help in May of 09 and went to treatment, which turned out to be the best choice I ever made. I think it would be good to share some of our success stories about going to inpatient facilities in order to dispell some of the stigma attached to it. So, if you went to an inpatient facility, how did it go?

I know for me, it worked wonders. It had multiple benefits. First, there was the safety of being in a place where I couldn't get drugs even if I wanted to. People try to rely on will power through the worst of the WD's, but 9/10 times, willpower fails addicts.

Secondly, there was an amazing staff of addictionologists, addiction counselors, and patient aides to help me with any questions I had about what was going on, and to help plan out my recovery.

Third, I was immersed in a culture of recovery. We had 2-3 AA/NA/CA meetings a day, informative classes and lectures about brain chemistry, addiction, and what we do to recover.

Also, we had process group recovery sessions where we would really get to the bottom of why we used, and the underlying emotions/experiences that caused us to run to the drugs/alcohol in the first place.

I just know that I couldn't  have asked for a better experience going to treatment, it got me to the place where I could get out on my own and maintain my sobriety in society. So please, before you rule out inpatient treatment for reasons of pride, money, or time consumption, keep in mind that it may just save your life!

[dominosarah]

This is a VERY good post.......sara

[el_em_en_oh]

PaRC (Houston) was the single best thing to happen to me. I can't say enough about the inpatient treatment that I received there.

I thought, prior to going in for the month that I was there, that everything would fall apart around my ears while I was in, but as it happens, life goes on without me (contrary to what I thought). My office found a way of surviving. My wife found a way of taking care of all our 'crap'. Life went on... and 30 days later, I came out a shadow of my former self (in a good way).

Inpatient treatment is something, that if you have the means (insurance or other), I HIGHLY recommend. The habits that you form. The friends you make. The care that you receive. The people that you meet. The meetings you attend. The counselors that you have access to. The doctors that you have at your disposal. All of these things have helped me walk the path to my own personal recovery.

I'm EXTREMELY grateful that you've brought this up. People don't say enough about inpatient treatment centers, and the role they play in getting sober, maintaining sobriety, and staying sober long after you've left.

Great topic Htownnofrown... great topic.

[sway1]

great post! in 93 i entered a long term rehab. sent my kids to my sister's house half way across the country. she's a saint. it was a work therapy house. we did all the cooking, cleaning, maintenance, grew veggies. all the counselors were recovering addicts. we all had to take care of our legal messes, dept of motor vehicles stuff. some, myself included, went to see psychologist for the really deep seeded ugly stuff that was out of the realm of knowledge of the couselors. meetings in house for the first few months, then off property later. psychotherapy, candlelight therapy, art, poetry. we did everything. speakers, good ones, brought meetings to us. it was great! i finished in ten and a half months what normally took eighteen months. they make sure you are already working after about 9 months, school if that's what you wanted to do. a place to live that was deemed satisfactory. everything! i did great had new training in a new field. got my kids back and moved to the country. stopped working my program, relapsed, and went in circles for another 16 years. am finally clean again. i will never let my program slip away again. the price is just too high. peace, sway

[Jebs317]

I think this is a great point to bring up.  The first time I was "found" out I went to an inpatient detox.  It was a hospital and I stayed for 5 days.  It was an incredible experience for me.  I learned so much about the problem that I had and didn't even realize.  I also found out that there were so many other people who had the same problem.  Some had a different DOC but at the end of the day, we were all there because we were addicts to something.  I met people from all walks of life....doctors and lawyers and police officers as well as homeless people.  By the end of our 5 days we had become a family.  We cried together, learned about ourselves and most of all accepted each other.  That was the biggest part for me as I had totally isolated myself and my abuse for so long that no one knew.  My family suspected, but no one really knew the whole truth.  
I was in there in August of 2009 and that was the beginning of my journey to get clean.  I relapsed 30 days out and then again.  If I hadn't gone there last year I know that I would still be taking pills....by now I can't even imagine how many I would need in a day.  I am so grateful for the people who work there.  The most amazing part was that 90% of them were recovering addicts....and they truly saved my life.  The really sad thing is that in January of this year the hospital that housed that detox program closed.  

[Htownnofrown]

Yeah thats soo cool that you went to the PaRC in Houston, thats where I went. It was amazing. I mean don't get me wrong, I don't wanna go back lol but it changed my life. I let so many things get in the way of getting to treatment, but a lot of it was that I didn't want to admit that I needed help. But as I soon found out, when it gets bad enough, we ask for help no matter how weak we think it makes us look. It sure would have been nice if I had been able to swallow my pride a few months before I actually went, would have saved me a truck and a lot of family heartbreak.

[jewlz2626]

soooooo, how much (without insurance) does impatient run ya??? just curious

[Jebs317]

I have no idea about inpatient...but when I went to outpatient and found out that my insurance wouldn't cover it.....they quoted me "about $1,000 a day".  That's the moment I realized it was time to "put on my big girl pants" and just do it.  It was hard, but I am so glad that I did.

[Htownnofrown]

Just depends on how long you stay, it could be as much as 30k if you don't have insurance for certain places, but there are others that are much less. Salvation Army is an option if money is low. I know for me, my inpatient treatment cost around $14,000. Which is about half of what I spent on drugs the last year of my addiction lol. It's a large amount, but its the biggest and most imporatant investment I have made so far, and it was most definitly worth it.

[catmagnet]

Inpatient detox was $8,000 for 10 days around here...the aftercare I have gotten has been free so far. NA/AA meetings are free, some addictionologists and therapists will write the cost off for some patients in dire need. (Not a guarantee though, you need to talk to them first) If I hadn't gone, though, I definitely would not be around today...

[Htownnofrown]

I feel the same way, I know I wouldn't be here if I hadn't gone. It truly was a lifesaver.