Methamphetamine Rehab: Inpatient vs. Outpatient vs. PHP

by | Last updated Jul 31, 2023 | Published on Jul 17, 2019 | Methamphetamine | 1 comment

Preparing to go to Meth Rehab

Going to meth rehab is a huge change up from everyday life. To put it honestly, going to inpatient rehab is a stressful time until you start to see the benefits. You’ll want to be as prepared as possible for these changes.

First, you need to bring your things! Pack up your favorite comfy clothes, exercise clothes and general lounge clothes. Bring toiletries and perhaps a book or two. Leave your phone at home. Cell phones and social media add to emotional stress. It will be put away in your inpatient facility if you decide to bring it.

Next, tell your loved ones what they can expect from you while you’re gone. They might decide to see you, but many people probably don’t. However, know that they are proud of you for seeking treatment options. While they will miss you, they will see you again soon.

https://youtu.be/DjXytCPO_ME

Focus On Yourself and Your Healing

After this, part ways with people who are meth abusers. This is a really emotional, sad thing to do. These people, however, have provided you with a drug addiction that is not healthy for your mind and body. They have their own mental health struggles. But, you have to focus on sober living and health. The risk of relapsing through these unhealthy friendships is very high.

Last, prepare your mind. Give yourself some love. You looked into treatment options, and you chose to get rid of crystal meth addiction. This is one of the hardest drug addictions to shake, but it’s so rewarding when it happens. You have chosen a smart recovery by moving into a treatment center.

The Rehab Facility Itself

Before going to group therapy or individual therapy, a patient must be comfortable where they live. Since a medical detox typically comes first, the prescription drugs and detox symptoms are going to be tiring. Being comfortable in the actual rehab facility will make medical detox a lot easier to go through. But, it will also make patients comfortable opening up to their treatment team.

There are different amenities in a rehab facility that all have one purpose: to make you feel at home. Sober living will be easier when patients live in a clean place with lots to do. This is a kind of relapse prevention. When there is an example set for how patients should be living, they become less likely to continue meth abuse.

Here are some of the amenities offered at Amethyst Recovery Center:

  • Massage therapy
  • Nutritionist
  • chef/ kitchen to cook for self
  • Salad bar
  • Xbox
  • Art, music, movie rooms
  • Outdoor games

Because addiction is all about the mind-body connection, it is important to have a clean place with a lot to do. This will ensure that the rehab center is a safe haven to continue to explore mental health. Click here to see photos of Amethyst and how we have designed our residential treatment rooms. The rehab center focuses on making patients feel soothed.

What Am I Going to Do All Day?

Meth-Residential-Recovery-Detox-Hope

At our recovery center, we understand that meth addiction is serious. We also understand that you or your loved one, as an addict, needs options. Some might need to learn about meth before they dive into the abuse and addiction side of things.

A solid treatment plan uses therapy. It is usually some kind of behavioral therapy that helps patients figure out how their drug addiction started. Here are the different kinds of therapies at Amethyst:

  • Recovery Philosophy- educational group on mindfulness and commitment to becoming clean and sober
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy- helps drug addicts to rethink the way they react to problems
  • Expressive Arts- the use of art and music as a form of expression, a creative and healthy way of relapse prevention
  • Relapse Prevention- learning and understanding triggers and how to avoid substance abuse
  • Anger Management- learning to change behavioral health to avoid anger-driven problems
  • Addiction Education- learning the addiction signs, what a dual diagnosis is, how to recognize the signs and symptoms
  • Psycho-education- learning about psychology and how it relates to meth addiction or any other addiction
  • Medical and Nursing Groups- treatment program taught by medical professionals to help drug addicts understand the changes in their body

It is evident that there is a lot of learning involved in going through a treatment program. This education is for your benefit. Each day, there is an opportunity to wake up and to learn.

You can learn about why your meth abuse turned into a meth addiction. You can learn about what makes methamphetamine addiction different from other drug addictions and alcoholism. An addiction center is more than a place of healing, but also a place of learning how to redirect your life.

Can You Get Rid of Meth Addiction Without Rehab?

Statistics prove just how hard recovery from meth is without rehab. After one year, only 5% of people who didn’t go to rehab were still sober after a medical detox. On the other hand, going to rehab for meth addiction can reduce relapse rates.

Meth-Rehab-Detox-Recovery-Opioid

Choosing not to go to rehab means a few things. One, “medication management” is left in your hands. This means that substance abuse is likely and possible. Two, you have access to the drug whenever you have cravings. Three, there is little to no attention paid to how to change your behavioral habits.

But going to meth rehab creates a whole new sober life for you, by providing a safe, sober environment that combines medically supervised medications with a group and individual therapies in order to help you find freedom from meth addiction.

Meth Treatment Options

There are different levels of care when it comes to meth rehab treatment options. Each one provides a different kind of intensity, structure and environment.

Inpatient rehab is the most intense of treatments. Being that it is residential treatment, smart recovery is on the patient’s mind at all times. There are medical professionals, addiction specialists and a variety of therapists that are pretty much in the rehab facility 24/7.

Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient rehab is best for people with a serious drug addiction and a dual diagnosis. These are people with co-occurring mental health issues that make life extra hard to navigate. Because of the daily stress of life, people with mental illness often abuse crystal meth.

A Partial Hospitalization Program or PHP is the next step down in the levels of care. It is not a residential treatment option. Patients stay at the rehab center for 5-6 hours each day of the week for intensive therapy and medical meth detox. After this, they are to go home and practice being clean and sober.

A PHP is best for people who have some degree of control over their behavioral health. These people have formed relapse prevention skills to make sure they can be comfortably at home after a day of drug addiction treatment.

Outpatient Rehab

Outpatient rehab consists of different kinds of treatment programs. It is not a residential treatment option. Patients come into the treatment center for some hours during the day and then continue to go to work, take care of families and carry out other responsibilities.

Day programs for outpatient treatment require the patients to be in the rehab facility all day. They discuss their crystal meth addiction and it’s causes to other drug addicts and therapists.

Intensive Outpatient Program

In an Intensive Outpatient Program or IOP, 9 hours of treatment at a minimum is required of patients going into the recovery center. Patients discover new behavioral health needs with a group activity scheduled multiple times a week.

A good candidate for outpatient rehab is someone who can commit to showing up to the rehab facility or other activities. They have a plan for relapse prevention and a treatment plan for if they need more serious help. Patients who have mental illness that makes them a possible harm to them self or others should be in a residential treatment program.

What makes a good candidate for a Partial Hospitalization Program?

A good candidate for a PHP is someone who has already been to inpatient treatment. These patients still need guidance and addiction treatment, but they are safe to sleep at home at the end of the day.

Most of the time, meth addiction and other drug addictions are co-occurring disorders with a mental health illness. This means that drug abusers are more likely to continue using drugs if they do not get help with mental health issues. Here are some disorders that are usually co-occurring with meth addiction, other drug addiction and alcoholism:

  • Eating disorders
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Borderline personality disorder
  • Obsessive compulsive disorder
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder

If you feel that inpatient treatment has given you the relapse prevention and behavioral health tools that you need to stay safe, a PHP is great for you. If you feel that you are a danger to yourself and that substance abuse is likely without supervision, consider more inpatient treatment.

What do you do in a Partial Hospitalization Program?

A Partial Hospitalization program consists of different treatment options depending on which rehab facility you’re in. Usually, there is different therapy sessions that patients attend as the day goes on.

Some therapy sessions are in groups. This is a time to talk about really anything you need to from withdrawal symptoms to how you’re feeling about mental health. Sometimes, these group sessions have structure to them and focus on relapse prevention skills and behavioral skills.

A lot of the therapy given in treatment centers is focused on mindfulness. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the standard for addiction treatment. It is centered around changing how you think so that meth abuse is not the answer to problems you may be having.

Different Forms of Therapy

In addition to group therapy, there is individual therapy and family therapy. Individual therapy in meth rehab is very important. Unlike other substance abuse problems, the withdrawal timeline for crystal meth addiction is more psychologically crippling rather than physically. That means that meth rehab is a lot more mental health based.

Family therapy is a time for loved ones and friends of patients to come together and learn more about meth addiction. It is also a time for patients to mend any broken relationships and speak up about their abuse treatment, their past and their plans for sober living and improvement.

Do PHP’s offer a medical meth detox?

Meth-PHP-Recovery-Program-Happy

Similar to substance abuse treatment in an inpatient facility, PHP’s also offer a medical detox. This is a key and common feature across the board. It helps patients with mental illnesses regulate their mood so that they can focus on recovery.

Unlike medical detox for alcoholism and other drug addiction, there is no prescription drug that directly mimics the effects of meth. This means that treatments for methamphetamine addiction are heavily monitored. The withdrawal is intense.

Help with the Effects of Withdrawal

There are, however, drugs that help a lot with meth withdrawal. Here are some common signs and symptoms of meth detox symptoms:

  • Mood swings
  • Depression
  • Oversleeping
  • Increased appetite
  • Muscle aches and pains

Medication management is just as much a part of a partial hospitalization program as therapy is. Meth addiction comes with a very painful set of signs and symptoms. This requires prescription drugs in the early stages.

Can I stay in residential treatment if I am feeling unsafe?

Because of the name, lots of patients think that Partial Hospitalization Programs are only “partial” help. This is not the case. The name refers to how much time you spend in the treatment facility.

If you feel that you are unsafe, you are allowed to go back into residential treatment. The signs and symptoms of withdrawal for meth users, as mentioned, are extremely psychological. It is important and necessary to voice your needs.

A Non-Linear Approach to Treatment

With or without a dual diagnosis (co-occurring mental health illness) meth treatment is not linear. This means that some days are going to feel really hard and some days are going to feel amazing. You’ll go through weight loss, mood swings, detox symptoms, making new friends and other huge life changes.

Treatment centers are understanding of this and will be happy to accommodate any changes you might need.

When It’s Time to Leave the Treatment Center

When it’s all said and done, your time in residential treatment will feel like it went by fast. Each day, there is a focus on saying goodbye to meth abuse. There is so much to do in your free time that it won’t feel similar to being at a boarding school.

A really important part of going to a treatment center is continuing care after being in inpatient rehab. You will make friends that you want to continue talking to. They will go through substance abuse and addiction recovery together.

Outpatient Meth Detox: Am I Safe?

There is a never a time that you should feel unsafe during a medical detox. Some people have felt uncomfortable doing an outpatient meth detox because there is less supervision on their actions.

Outpatient meth detox is effective. You are helped with medication management and can always stick around if you’re feeling nervous about the outside world. That being said, because crystal meth addiction is so heavy, it’s a lot more effective to stay in residential treatment.

Relapse is likely when you have meth withdrawal symptoms because there’s no prescription drug to make an addict feel like the drug is still there. It’s a cold turkey process and requires serious attention from medical professionals.

Am I a good fit for an outpatient treatment center?

This is entirely dependent on what you feel you need when it comes to addiction treatment. Some patients have more intensive needs than others and require residential treatment. This allows for more supervision and help as they go through the detox symptoms.

An outpatient rehab facility is certainly helpful. But, if you consider yourself to have a dual diagnosis, you might want more intense coverage for your methamphetamine addiction.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Dual diagnosis treatment is very serious and requires special attention. Typically, meth addiction is a co-occuring disorder with mental illness. This could be a personality disorder, an anxiety disorder or intense depression. A mental illness makes it harder to quit a serious drug addiction.

If you feel that you are a danger to yourself and that substance abuse might be hard to avoid, you may be a better fit for residential treatment. If you feel that you have learned enough relapse prevention skills and can rid your surroundings of drugs and alcohol, then outpatient treatment is perfect for you.

Is there a medical detox in outpatient rehab?

This also depends on which treatment center you go to, but usually there is a medical meth detox. This medical detox might be in a detox center that specializes in just the physical side of drug addiction. Or, it could be in the outpatient rehab facility.

A medical detox is extremely important if you’re choosing to go to outpatient. Here are the signs and symptoms of methamphetamine withdrawal:

  • Mood swings
  • Depression
  • Muscle pain and spasms
  • Increased appetite
  • Increased sleep
  • psychosis

In comparison to other drug detox and alcohol detox, you’ll notice that these symptoms are a lot more psychological than physical. Because outpatient therapy means that patients do not stay the night, having them go home feeling unhappy or unsafe with their mental health symptoms could mean that meth abuse is coming.

It is essential to have prescription drugs to help recovering meth addicts if they are going to be going home each day. These prescription drugs will help with feelings of depression, anxiety and psychotic feelings. They are the first form of relapse prevention that a treatment program should teach an addict about mental health coping skills.

What are the positive outcomes of outpatient meth rehab?

Meth-Outpatient-Rehab-Clinic-Sign

Outpatient meth rehab is certainly helpful. The benefits include increased free time, a good work life balance, constant support and new community.

Because outpatient rehab is not residential treatment, free time will be more cleared up for patients who have a family. There will also be more free time in the evenings and mornings to focus on the tips learned in treatment. This can be a great way to relax and keep from talking about your methamphetamine addiction during the day, which can be tough at times.

Keeping a Steady Balance

A good work life balance is another thing that lots of patients enjoy about outpatient treatment. Being a drug addict does not mean that a person is not functioning in the workplace. This is a common misconception. In fact, lots of meth users are people who need a way to stay up for long hours to get various things done.

Going to outpatient therapy and also working allows working patients to relearn their behavioral health skills while still doing what they love and making money. They will now have the relapse prevention skills they need and be able to put them into practice.

A Consistent Amount of Support

Constant support is another great thing about any treatment for meth addiction. Regardless of the fact that outpatient rehab is not residential treatment, there is still people there for you at all times.

You will make friends during your days and be able to hangout with them in the evening. This is a great way to adjust to your new life after recovery. You will also carry these friendships throughout life and hopefully help other recovering drug addicts find their way.

Last but not least, the addiction treatment world provides patients with a great community of strong, dedicated people. Whether it’s another drug addiction, alcoholism or someone also struggling with meth addiction, everyone usually bands together so that no one feels alone. This team mentality provides anyone that needs mental health help with a sense of belonging.

How Much Does Rehab for Meth Cost?

Because this drug is extremely potent, meth users usually need to stay in an inpatient treatment center following completion of detox. Together, detox and treatment can be expensive, however necessary— but many clients will have private insurance plans that cover all if not some of these costs.

If private insurance does not cover full or at least partial costs of treatment, many treatment centers will work with you to figure out a financial plan that will work for you. After all, having a clean and sober life is priceless, so cost should never keep anyone from getting much-needed treatment.

How to Get Meth Rehab Help for Yourself or Family

Meth-Rehab-Recovery-Opioid

Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth or crystal meth, is one of the most addictive and dangerous illicit drugs. Meth, like cocaine, is a stimulant. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the number of meth users age 12 and older has increased by over 50% in recent years.

This is concerning, considering the ease with which an addiction to meth can occur. addicted. Once you start, it’s hard to stop, which makes rehab critical to successful recovery from meth. This article will explain why and will provide answers to commonly asked questions.

Written by: Justin Kunst

Written by: Justin Kunst

As a member of the Amethyst Recovery Center marketing team, Justin Kunst dedicated his time to curating powerful content that would reach and impact individuals and families who are struggling with substance abuse.

1 Comment

  1. Thomas Peterson

    You made a good point that therapy can help with relapse prevention. My sister in law is in rehab for opioid use and she has relapsed a couple of times and it’s been really hurtful to see her do this to herself. Maybe at home relapse prevention could help her fight the urges to use and give her comfort in a place she trusts.

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