Should I go to INPATIENT Rehab or Intensive OUTPATIENT???

[lilly1307]

I really need some input on what I should do that would be most effective in dealing with my addiction.  Like I have said in other posts, I have been addicted to opiates for about 10 years (18 years old to present).  Like a lot of people I started with percocet and moved up to oxycontin, morphine, methadone, and now I am on fentanyl.  I have quit methadone cold turkey, done rapid detox, and basically self detoxed many times only to relapse.  I have been able to get through the physical withdrawal, but the mental withdrawal always kicks my ***.  My family has spent so much money on trying to help me get clean.  Anyways, I am presently cheeking about 75 mcg of fentanyl every two days.  I have been tapering but know that I need more help.  I was wondering what would be more helpful: Inpatient Rehab or Intensive Outpatient rehab.  I am in a foreign country right now so I have to wait about two months until I can begin whatever treatment I end up choosing.  I am so ready to get clean.  It so very hard to taper myself off when I have basically an unlimited supply.  I know I need to do something.  I am lucky enough to have great parents who have told me that I can go to any type of treatment anywhere I choose.  I have been talking to my mom about treatment centers and maybe a sober living facility after.  I have a two year old daughter and I do not want to leave her for four months of treatment, but then again I would rather be gone four months than be gone forever from overdosing.  I need to learn how to function sober and how to deal with my triggers without using.  I have always hated emotions and really liked how I was able to numb myself at first, but now I just want to feel something, even if it is painful and scary.  I would really appreciate some input, advice, and your personal stories.  I welcome all of your opinions and advice.  Thank you so much.

[Pat1956100]

Oh how I wish I had that choice.  So many times during my detoxes I wish I was in an inpatient facility instead of home alone.  To be able to receive the help that you really need to beat this is a godsend and one that you really need to take advantage of.  
I don't even think there is a question here.  Inpatient all the way.  If you don't want to go, I will lol.

[SharingSecrets]

inpatient

[Dane74]

Hi Lilly, i think inpatient is the way to go!!!  You are very fortunate to be able to go to a rehab, i would take ever opportunity and get yourself in.  I went away for 30 days and i will tell you it was the best decision of my life, i needed it to detox but most importantly during those 30 days i was in group and in private sessions with therapists and they taught me the skills and tools that i needed to stay clean.  Like you said, the physical part is achievable its the mental that kicks our A$$E$!  Good luck to you, and let us know what you decide.

[YesLife4Me]

If you can't trust yourself to stay away since it is so readily availa le, inpatient is the better way to go.  They give you tools all day everyday to help fight the mental aspect when you get out with outpatient treatment follow up.   My experience with inpatient is that they give you meds to help withdraw you off your drug.  However long it takes to get you physically better, then they want you there for 4 weeks after with 6 months to a year of aftercare where they drug test you.   I was told if you failed a drug test, insurance could opt not to pay for any treatment, so I didn't want to get stuck with a bill!   Good luck with your decision and merry christmas!

[IBKleen]

Hi Lilly,

I know that you have been struggling with this so treatment may be an answer for you. I have been to three treatment centers so I will share my experience.

The first time I went to an actual hospital--psychiatric hospital that had a addiction abuse treatment center within it. They accepted patients who were detoxing because they were able to provide medical care if needed but they gave me only Clonidine so I had to ct all the way through it. It was pretty rough. The second treatment center offered help with detox but I would have to stay in the detox ward for a period of time and I would have to extend my stay because they wanted me 30 days in general housing.  I opted to go cold turkey once again. The 3rd center, and what I pray was my last, offered a small detox unit for a 3 day stay only for monitoring purposes and then you were sent to your section. I opted for ct again.

What I am trying to tell you is it is rare that you will find a treatment center with any sort of detox facilities except for Suboxoe and do not suggest that you do that.

Your best bet is to call around and have questions ready. Find out what each facility offers. It think it would be great for you to get into.

Outpatient treatment is usually done with Suboxone and they monitor you. I again do not recommend it.

Keep going forward like you are. You are doing great. Let us know how you make out.

[JephWyte]

First off I would like to say you have the right idea about leaving your daughter. I have seen so many people justify leaving rehab early because they didn't want to spend more time away from their kids. However the sad truth of it is, even if you don't overdose, you'll still be gone forever mentally and spiritually even if you are still there physically. Take as much time in treatment as you can so you can return as an actively involved parent who creates cherished memories with your daughter.

  Now inpatient treatment is typically more effective because you are in their care 24 hours a day but it might not be required for all people. Look at your situation and be honest with yourself. Do you think you could get by in a place that just requires you to check in for a few hours a day then spend the rest of the day on your own without using? For most people (myself included) this is a no. If anything, try an inpatient for a while then when you finish take a step from there into an intensive outpatient. This will help slowly integrate you back into society. But this is based on what you realistically think you can handle. No shame in admitting your not capable of certain things in early recovery.

  My personal experience involves going to a hospital on April 7th 2012 and spending 7 days doing a medical detox from heroin on the psych ward. Then I went to a crisis/detox center for 30 days, from there I went to a 28 day inpatient rehab, and from there went into a 6 month sober living program. I got kicked out 2 1/2 months in for talking to/flirting with the ladies but by this time I was r4eady to be out in the world on my own. However, I believe I needed every day of treatment that I got. Today, I know it is absolutely vital that I continue to hit 5 AA and NA meetings a week, talk to me sponsor, and work the steps because my recovery is a life long process. I really hope this helps.
     Best wishes,
        Jeff