Author: Jim Sugel

Who is Best Suited for Residential Addiction Treatment?

people outdoor in recovery sitting on the grass

Who is Best Suited for Residential Addiction Treatment?

Today, an estimated 16,000 rehab centers deliver addiction treatment services to millions of Americans. On average, some 4 million of us go to rehabilitation every year. However, with dozens of choices in treatment type and style, it can be difficult to decide what’s right for you. Here, one of the biggest first choices is whether you’re attending inpatient or residential addiction treatment or outpatient treatment.

Both treatment options have pros and cons. And, residential treatment is definitely the best fit for some people and outpatient treatment for others. Therefore, making that decision will mean reviewing your needs and possibly talking to a consultant to help you decide what’s right for you. However, this article will help you get started with an overview of who’s best suited for residential addiction treatment.

Those with a History of Relapse

If you’ve tried to quit before and ended up relapsing, you likely go into rehab with a mindset that it isn’t going to work and you’re just going to fail. That can mean that you don’t even try – not even to get clean and sober to begin with. Going to a residential treatment facility means you’re forced into being clean and sober because you have no access to drugs and alcohol over the duration of the program. That duration can be 28, 30, 90 days or even longer. This means you’ll have plenty of time to detox and recover physically from your addiction – without having to navigate the hurdles of being able to just buy something and get drunk or high whenever you want.

However, if you do have a history of relapse, it’s important to talk about it with your counselor. That may result in preventive steps like ensuring you go into an aftercare program after you graduate, extra checkups, or a MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment) maintenance program to ensure you can’t relapse once you’re back on your own.

People Without a Stable Home Situation

Addiction treatment relies on you having a comfortable routine and a good basis to build your life on so that you can work to rebuild your life and your behaviors. This means that if you have a tumultuous situation at home, if your friends and family at home also use, or if you don’t currently have a stable living situation, it’s better to go to an inpatient rehab facility.

Residential treatment can also vary from clinical settings to home-like settings with small groups brought together for treatment. They can offer all of the comfort and most of the privacy of home, although you will be asked to participate in social behavior, which typically means sharing a room, communal eating, and communal activities.

In addition, you can often move out of residential programs and into sober homes or halfway homes to benefit from that same level of stable home situation so you can maintain your recovery after you graduate the program.

Those Who Need Privacy

Many people don’t attend rehab or treatment because they’re afraid that other people will find out. In some cases, it’s important to learn to talk about your mental health and your substance abuse issues. In other cases, doing so could actually hurt your career or your study. In the latter case, it’s usually a good idea to travel to rehab and to attend treatment with full privacy. While that will cost more, it may be an important step for your career and your long-term well-being.

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Anyone in Need of Intensive Care

Residential treatment gives you the benefit of 24/7 medical monitoring and care. You also get more contact with nurses, doctors, therapists, and counselors, because they are working around you all the time. Therefore, while outpatient treatment can be as effective as inpatient treatment for those with a light to moderate addiction, anyone in need of intensive care is normally recommended into residential treatment.

Residential treatment also normally means you get more personalized care, because your therapist is better able to see your progress, gauge your reactions, and adjust your program to you and with your progress. This can mean you get support for dual diagnosis, that you get extra help with something specific you’re struggling with, or that you have the full program tailored to your needs rather than being put in a general recovery program. In each case, it can and does improve outcomes.

Who needs intensive care? In most cases, anyone with a predisposition to substance abuse (e.g., family history of, family history of abuse, family history of trauma), co-occurring mental health disorder, repeated history of treatment and relapse, high substance abuse (e.g., blacking out using alcohol, risking overdose with drugs), etc. Of course, there are many other reasons you might need intensive care and personalized treatment, so talk to your doctor.

Getting Help

If you’re struggling with a substance use disorder, it’s important to keep in mind that any help is better than no help at all. If you can’t afford or can’t make time to go to residential addiction treatment, it’s better to go to an outpatient program and see what you can learn from it. Outpatient treatment can also add significant value to your recovery and may be enough to help you quit drugs or alcohol for good.

However, it’s also a good idea to talk to your doctor and your counselors to determine what is a best fit for you and your needs. People are often recommended into residential treatment when:

They have a long history of drug or alcohol abuse
They are heavy users
They have no stable living situation
People in their close friends and family also use
Their family life is tumultuous
They experience a high amount of stress in daily life
They have significant complicating factors such as a dual diagnosis
They have specific career needs that could negatively impact treatment
Medical or mental health complications require extra medical or therapeutic attention

In each case, you don’t have to tick the boxes to benefit from residential treatment. Anyone can benefit from stepping away from day-to-day life and focusing fully on treatment and therapy. However, if this profile does sound like you, you are likely best suited for residential treatment.

Eventually, the best option is to get help. If you talk to a counselor at a treatment center or to your doctor, they can help you make the right choice to get the help you need. Good luck.

If you or your loved-one struggles from alcoholism or other substance abuse please contact us today and speak with one of our experienced and professional intake advisors about our detox, partial hospitalization, and residential treatment programs. 10 Acre Ranch also has specialty tracks like our pet friendly drug rehab and couples substance abuse treatment programs. We’re here to help you recover.

What Does the Bible Say About Addiction?

What Does the Bible Say About Addiction?

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, turning to your faith and the Bible can be a powerful factor in recovery. But, what does the bible actually say about addiction and recovery? The bible was written thousands of years before modern medicine and our modern understanding of addiction, does it even talk about it at all?

The answer is yes, and in ways that may be inspiring for you or for your loved one. Depending on where you are in life and in your spirituality, there are also many different references to addiction and substance abuse in the bible. Addiction is just one more challenge that God put on earth for us to navigate, so of course His book talks about it. Here are some references to addiction in the bible.

1 Peter 5:8

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”

Addiction is a temptation and it will tempt you and it will overcome you, but if you are careful and invest in learning and vigilance, you can avoid the trap of addiction and relapse and stay on the path of recovery. That means long-term care and staying aware of the potential for relapse, so that you can take care of yourself.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

For ye are bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Your body is a temple and it is your responsibility to care for it in a way that fits your faith and your love for God. That means working to overcome addiction and substance abuse and putting the same love and care into your body and your self that you would give to any other child of God.

Thessalonians 5:6-8

“Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.”

It’s important to always take steps to invest in yourself, your sobriety, and your body. Approaching recovery as a proactive thing, and one that requires contemplation and deliberate choice is important. And, you can do so from the standpoint of caring for yourself and using your spirituality and faith as a guiding light.

John 16:33

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

You can overcome any tribulation that is here for you on earth. It may not be easy, but you can do it, and God has given you the tools to do so. All you have to do is look for them, put in the work, and keep your mindset where it should be.

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1 Corinthians 10:13

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

You can overcome any tribulation that you face, including addiction. It won’t be easy, but God has put the means to recover on earth for you and there will be no challenge you cannot overcome. It may not seem that way, but that is God’s promise.

Proverbs 20:1

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”

Addiction can seem tempting, drugs and alcohol can seem like they make you feel better, but eventually they deceive and get in your way. Finding better coping mechanisms is important for living in a Christian way.

Ephesians 5:18

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit”

Turn to God for help with trouble, for feeling good, and for dealing with the tribulations of life, not to drugs and alcohol. That can be harder than it sounds on paper, but going to your community and church and asking for support and love will always yield better results than drinking or using and trying to escape from those same problems.

Romans 5:3-5

“And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

You can overcome anything God puts in your path. However, it will require patience, hard work, and dedication. You must invest in faith and hope and continue to dedicate yourself to your path towards recovery – because it will not be an easy road – but with patience, you will get there.

James 5:15-16

“And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

Talk to your peers and your community, ask for help, and offer help where you can. People do not become righteous, clean, or sober on their own. You have help available to you, getting help and sharing is the way to recovery.

If you’re struggling with drugs or alcohol, it’s important to reach out and get help. God put temptation and struggle in your way but he also gave you tools and people to help you overcome those tribulations. Getting treatment and therapy, learning how to navigate your life without drugs and alcohol, and investing in a life of sobriety and self-care.

Good luck with recovery.

If you or your loved-one struggles from alcoholism or other substance abuse please contact us today and speak with one of our experienced and professional intake advisors about our detox, partial hospitalization, and residential treatment programs. 10 Acre Ranch also has specialty tracks like our Christian drug and alcohol rehab and pet friendly drug rehab programs. We’re here to help you recover.

What Happens to My Pet If I Go to Rehab?

young man hanging out with his dog at the rehab center

What Happens to My Pet If I Go to Rehab?

Going to rehab can be an important step in getting your life back on track. Substance use disorder treatment can give you the tools to get clean and sober, to cope with cravings in the future, and to manage the underlying causes of substance abuse so that you don’t need drugs or alcohol to cope with life. At the same time, for many of us, stepping away from responsibilities like jobs, homes, and pets can be challenging.

If you have a pet and you live alone, that can be especially pressing. What does happen to your pet when you go to rehab? Depending on your situation, there are multiple options and all of them have different pros and cons. This article will discuss what those are and will help you to make a decision.

Leaving a Pet with a Friend or Family Member

Even if friends and family members aren’t particularly happy with you as a person, they are unlikely to ignore a request to help care for a pet while you’re gone. If your friends and family can be trusted with your pet, this can be the most affordable option. However, it is understandably not an option for everyone. For example, if you’re not on speaking terms with anyone, if those people aren’t trustworthy around pets, or if they have too much on their plate already, you may not have this option.

Another option here is to try to break up the work across several friends. For example, your pet stays with one person for a week and then someone else picks them up, and so on. This means less constant work for someone who may not want a pet for 30-90 days. However, this option also means the most stress for your pet.

Paying For Professional Kennel Care

Professional kennel care means taking your pet to a professional pet boarding center and leaving them there for the duration of the stay. This option can be expensive. For example, pet boarding rates average about $500 per month. This does mean your pet will stay in a professional care center with someone to watch them, take them out, and offer play or walking.

Unfortunately, most professional care is available for dogs and cats. If you have a bird, you’ll probably have to seek out and travel to a professional center. This can mean added hassle and expense, which means the option isn’t for everyone.

If you do have a dog or a cat and you want to ensure that your pet gets the best possible care without you having to worry about anything, paying a professional kennel to care for your pet is a great option.

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Pet Sitters

Pet sitters are friends, family, or professional sitters who come and stay at your home for the duration of your treatment. Pet sitters may also drop by to exercise, play with, and feed your pet. This second option is the cheapest. For example, it may cost from about $20 per day to have someone walk and feed a dog. That still costs more than many kennels. However, it reduces the amount of stress your pet is under and is suitable for smaller mammals and fish.

Pet sitters will need access to your home, which means getting them keys, organizing when they will be there, and ensuring they have everything they need to provide for your pet while you are away. Often, that means choosing pet sitters who are licensed and bonded or choosing people you know. In each case, it will require organization and ensuring that you trust the person in question to continue doing the job while you are gone.

Choosing a Pet-Friendly Rehab

Pet-friendly rehab centers like 10-Acre Ranch allow you to simply bring your pets with you when you get treatment. This option offers the most peace of mind, because you know what care your pet is getting because you see them every day. In addition, the rehab center offers daily pet care, so you don’t have to watch or mind your pet while going to therapy or treatment. Plus, many therapies can work very well with having a pet, which means that your pet can actually take part in your recovery with you.

Pet-friendly rehab centers vary in offering from establishments that allow you to have a pet in your room to establishments that offer kenneling and care for your pet during the day, which you can access when not in treatment. In most cases, you should be able to keep your pet in your room – although that will be at the discretion of your roommate as well.

In addition, keeping your pet with you at rehab usually doesn’t cost more than going by yourself- although you may have to pay a small fee for boarding your pet and you may have to pay for pet-food acquired by the rehab center – as it’s unlikely you’ll be allowed to go shopping on your own.

Making a Choice

There are plenty of care options for people with pets who need to go to rehab. However, choosing an option normally depends on your situation. For most of us, keeping our pets with us in a pet-friendly rehab center is the best option because it reduces worry and stress. On the other hand, if your rehab center doesn’t allow pets, you’ll want to prioritize for either affordability, reduced stress for your pet, or professional care. Depending on which you choose, family care, kennel care, or a pet sitter may be the best option.

Going to rehab is important for your health and well-being. Luckily, having pets doesn’t have to get in the way. Often, you can just bring your pet with you and enjoy the company of your companion while you work to improve yourself and your health.

If you’re looking for a pet-friendly rehab, 10-Acre ranch offers substance use disorder treatment in a setting where you can bring your pets. However, it’s always important to get in touch and discuss your needs upfront. Good luck going into treatment.

How to Tell if Someone is on Meth

thoughful man struggling from meth addiction

How to Tell if Someone is on Meth

If you expect that a loved one is abusing methamphetamine, it can be difficult to verify. For example, most people won’t be truthful if you attempt to sit down and have a conversation. Instead, drug abusers lie, throw back accusations, and use deception, even to the point of deceiving themselves. Yet, some 2.5 million Americans use methamphetamine, and an estimated 1.6 million of those are addicted to the drug. With almost 1 in 100 Americans using meth, it’s not unlikely that your suspicions of drug abuse are founded on something – so you can look for symptoms and take steps to get your loved one help.

Importantly, if your loved one is abusing drugs, it’s important to be gentle, non-judgmental, and caring. That starts with your investigation into whether they’re using or not. Your loved one should always be treated as a person with an illness, not someone making bad decisions or someone deliberately doing the wrong thing. The more you use judgment and anger, the more likely it is that you’ll have trouble getting them into treatment.

In most cases, you can start with three basic things. Looking for symptoms of your loved one being high, looking at long-term side-effects of meth, and looking for paraphernalia and other signs of drug abuse.

Symptoms of Being High

Methamphetamine is a stimulant which rapidly acts on the body, resulting in increases in energy, alertness, motivation, and mania. Normally, these symptoms last for about 12 hours or more, with a defined “manic” period followed by a crash. Initially, people act like they are suddenly excited and full of energy, are agitated, breathe more heavily, and may have dilated pupils. These symptoms can kick in within 15 minutes of taking a dose and can result in a period of being agitated and energetic that lasts up to 36 hours. Afterwards, people tend to crash, sleeping for tens of hours at a time and sometimes for a full 24-hour period.

That after-effect or “Crash” also often comes with cold and flu symptoms like redness around the eyes, runny nose, fatigue, and depression. They might be unable to sleep, but while being tired. And, that will happen cyclically, every time they use and crash.

Of course, people with manic disorders tend to have similar symptoms, minus the cold and flu symptoms. That’s also problematic considering people with bipolar disorders tend to struggle with substance abuse. So, it can be much harder to notice methamphetamine use in someone who already has manic episodes.

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Understand the Symptoms of Long-Term Meth Abuse

The longer your loved one uses methamphetamine, the more noticeable the side-effects will be. Methamphetamine has a significant effect on users, with an estimated 18% of all users and up to 70% of regular users suffering from psychotic episodes and psychosis. Unfortunately, longer-term symptoms can be difficult to notice, because they often happen gradually. People don’t go from one state to the next but instead gradually slide into being worse and worse. You might look up one day to realize that your loved one is doing really badly, even if you’ve been seeing them every day.

That’s a natural result of being around someone everyday and gradual change. You just get used to it. But, if you notice the following symptoms affecting your loved one, they are symptoms of meth use.

They have difficulty feeling happy or showing happiness at things they used to like. They might just not be excited for anything or they might be “meh” at everything. This is known as emotional blunting and happens when serotonin and dopamine channels are overloaded and the brain stops or reduces producing both.
They have out of character periods of depression, which might last for weeks at a time. That’s especially true if the first few days of this always come with cold and flu symptoms. However, this could also be a symptom of bipolar disorder or depression.
They struggle to sleep or maintain a healthy sleeping schedule. For example, they might sleep for several days at a time and then not sleep for several days.
They start to show physical symptoms of meth use such as tooth decay, muscle tics, or jumps.
They start to be paranoid or irrational behavior and may think people are out to get them, may take hunches to extremes, and may jump at every shadow.
They might start to be more manipulative, even showing completely different personality traits. For example, they might deliberately lash out and try to hurt you. They might also deliberately try to manipulate you to feel bad so you stop asking questions. They might guilt trip you, lash out, or use righteous anger to make you feel bad. And while those reactions and behaviors can be justifiable in some circumstances, in others, they are not. People who are abusing methamphetamine will likely to start to use them indiscriminately to get what they want.
They lose a significant and worrying amount of weight, to the point where they look unhealthy. They might also lose hair and teeth if they lose enough weight. This can be difficult to tell, especially if they were overweight, but sudden and rapid weight loss without dramatically changing diet and exercise is unlikely without an illness or drug abuse.
They show symptoms of psychosis like hallucinations, talking about things that aren’t there, having trouble telling what’s real or not, itching or scratching at things crawling on their skin, having irrational beliefs, etc.
They show increases in aggression and irritability and may lash out at even small provocations.
They have memory problems and might not be able to clearly put an event together, even if it was a day or two ago.
They “tweak” or stay awake for extremely long periods, sometimes as long as 2 weeks, with agitated and jerky movement, extreme irrationality, and difficulty functioning.

Methamphetamine can be subtle in small doses. However, heavy abusers often change so drastically, physically and psychologically, that the people who love them barely recognize them. They can become aggressive, mean, paranoid, manipulative, and irritable. They might have memory problems, they might not show love or excitement for anything, and they might even look completely different. But, when that happens, your loved one is very obviously and very heavily addicted to meth.

Physical Signs

There are always going to be non-health and behavior related signs of drug use. Here, you can actively look for some of the following:

Paraphernalia such as glass pipes
Needles
Ropes or hoses
Unexplained blood
They constantly run out of money or things happen that require money
They manipulate you to get money
Things go missing or are stollen

If you find drug use paraphernalia, it’s a pretty strong sign your loved one is using. That’s true even if they deny it or say that their friend was using and they did not.

Getting Help

Millions of Americans use stimulants like methamphetamine. Unfortunately, these drugs are never safe and run high risks of physical and psychological harm, with up to 70% of methamphetamine users experiencing significant psychosis. The sooner you quit, the less likely you are to have lifelong side effects and problems.

Unfortunately, it can be extremely difficult to talk someone into going to treatment and therapy. That can take time, building trust that you really want to help. And, it can mean convincing that person that life is better without meth. Good luck getting your loved one into treatment.

Celebrity Drug Deaths 2022

Most of us are well-aware of the lifestyles of the rich and famous and they glamorize drugs and alcohol. Yet, even people with wealth and access to the best medical care in the world suffer because of drug and alcohol abuse. While the numbers are unknown, celebrities struggle with drug addiction, mental health problems, and physical health problems as a result of substance abuse.

And, every year, with 99,017 people dying of alcohol-related causes, and in 2022, nearly 110,000 people died of drug-related causes including overdose. Celebrities are not immune, and in 2022, 5 well-known celebrities died as a result of drug abuse.

These tragedies are a stark reminder that even people with access to the safest drugs and the best medical care suffer as a result of drug abuse. And, if you or a loved one is using, it’s important to get help when you can and before it’s too late.

Celebrity Drug Deaths in 2022

In 2022, five well-known celebrities died of drug-related causes, most of which were fentanyl related. However, this list only includes individuals whose autopsy reports were publicized. This means there may be additional drug deaths which are not listed here – but their families have chosen to opt for privacy. There were also 5 celebrity deaths in 2021, 5 in 2020, and 3 in 2019.

Taylor Hawkins

Foo Fighter’s Drummer Taylor Hawkins was announced dead on March 25^th of 2022. An ambulance was called at his hotel after he complained of chest pains, but by the time emergency services arrived, Hawkins was unresponsive.

The toxicology report later revealed that Hawkins had taken a large number of prescription medications as well as THC. These included opioid pain pills, benzodiazepines, and antidepressants. His heart was also twice the expected size, following what doctors expressed as prolonged substance abuse. It is unknown if Hawkins had a prescription for his medications or not.

Hawkins died at the age of 50, leaving behind his wife and three children. His death rocked the music and entertainment industry, resulting in an outpouring of love, with memorials and tribute concerts in his honor.

Dwayne Haskins

Dwayne Haskins, NFL Quarterback, died on April 9 of 2022, pronounced dead after being hit by a car while crossing a road under the influence. Haskins was driving to training in a rented vehicle when he ran out of gas. He stopped by the side of the road, called his wife, and then crossed the interstate where he was struck by a dump truck and died. His blood alcohol level at the time was .24 and he tested positive for ketamine. Haskins did not die as a direct result of drug use and drugs may not have contributed to his death. However, Haskins tragic death was under the influence and his crossing the interstate may have been influenced by ketamine usage.

Jamal Edwards

Jamal Edwards, DJ and television platform owner, died in February of 2022 after a heart arrythmia. His sudden death was first reported as a heart attack – but toxicology reports later found that he had ingested significant quantities of cocaine prior to the arrythmia. His tragic death occurred in the middle of a project to reopen youth centers in London, using his platform of SB.TV and funding from Google to help kids turn to music and performance instead of drugs.

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Coolio

Artis Leon Ivey Jr., artistically known as Coolio, died on September 28 of 2022, following an overdose on fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine. The artist was found in a friend’s home in Los Angeles, on the bathroom door and was pronounced dead by the first responders. An investigation was opened, later showing the cause of death to be an overdose. The artist is most well-known for his single “Gangsta’s Paradise” but was in the middle of recording a new album at the time of his death.

Aaron Carter

Aaron Carter, singer and teen-pop star, died in November of 2022 following an overdose and accidental drowning in his tub in Lancaster California. The 34-year-old was found by his housekeeper in the tub. It was later found that the singer had passed out after inhaling difluoroethane, an inhalant drug used for aerosols, and taking alprazolam, which he may have had a prescription for. His death was ruled as accidental – as he liked passed out because of the difluoroethane.

Stephan Bonnar

American mixed martial artist Stephan Bonnar is most well-known for his UFC fights and wrestling. The wrestler died on December 22 of 2022. It was initially reported that he had died of a heart attack. However, the toxicology report showed that the 45-year-old had died of a fentanyl overdose. This followed multiple run-ins with the law including several DUIs. He left behind his wife and son.

Getting Help

Anyone can be vulnerable to drug addiction. It doesn’t matter how well your life is going, drugs are addictive and can cause you to lose control when using them. That puts you at risk of mental health problems, physical health problems, and overdose. Like the celebrities on this list, you are always at risk of overdose and death when using drugs. Even “Safer” drugs like cocaine and ketamine can result in heart attacks, decision-making that leads to death, and organ damage that can cause significant long-term reductions to quality of life. And, with street drugs including pain pills and Xanax now containing traces of fentanyl, risks of overdose are higher than ever.

If you or someone you know is using drugs or alcohol, you are at risk of overdose. People often use to feel better, self-medicate, and to fit in. No matter what you’re using for, you can still lose control and you are still at risk. If you need help, it is there, and modern rehab and substance use disorder treatment works to help you uncover the underlying causes behind substance abuse so you can improve quality of life, improve how you cope with things, and work to build skills and strategies to make your life better. The goal of recovery is not to get your old life back but to build a new one where you don’t need drugs.

Will I Fall Behind in College if I Go to Drug Rehab?

Will I Fall Behind in College if I Go to Drug Rehab?

If you’re struggling with drug and alcohol abuse in college, you’re far from alone. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse Monitoring the Future Report (which assess drug and alcohol use in adolescents and young adults, primarily in secondary education) shows that 51% of students use alcohol, 42% use drugs like cannabis, and 7.2% use stimulant drugs like Adderall without a prescription. Millions of Americans use drugs and alcohol to cope with the stress and anxiety of college, heavy workloads, and changing social lives around the pandemic – meaning that a significant amount of college students end up with symptoms of substance use disorder, known as addiction.

The answer to addiction is to go to rehab. But, if you’re facing a busy college schedule, it can be difficult to set aside the time to go to rehab now. Many of us are tempted to go “I’ll finish college and go to rehab later”. But, continued drug abuse actually reduces your chances of graduating, harms your grade, and puts you at risk of physical and mental health disorders. Getting help and as soon as possible is the best option for your health and your future – but will it mean you fall behind in college?

The short answer is, “not necessarily”, but it may. And, that might be okay if it means you graduate as a happier and healthier version of yourself.

Options to Go to Treatment While You Study

Outpatient treatment is a type of rehab where you go to addiction treatment during the week and spend your days at home or in your dorm. Here, you typically have an evening schedule, where you’ll show up to the rehabilitation clinic at 4 or 5 PM and stay until 9 or even 10 PM. You’ll have a daily course of treatment including therapy, group therapy, and counseling. However, you’ll also have the opportunity to continue going to college at the same time.

Outpatient rehab can be a great option because:

It’s as effective as inpatient care if you have a light or mild drug abuse problem
You can study during the day and attend your classes and then go to therapy at night
Outpatient care takes up your social time, so you don’t hang out with people who use or drink

It also has a significant number of disadvantages:

Outpatient care is much less effective because patients are three times less likely to finish treatment, because it’s too easy to drop out.
It reduces time you have to study
You’ll have to split focus between study and your therapy
If you already have a demanding schedule, you could quickly become overwhelmed

In short, outpatient care can give you opportunities to get help with your substance abuse while going to college. As long as you can keep up, you won’t fall behind. But, it’s important to keep in mind that this is a demanding schedule and it may be overwhelming. And, if one of your problems is that the people in your dorm use or drink, you might want to look for a sober living solution as well.

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Timing Your Rehab Visit

Another option is to time your visit to rehab with a college break. For example, winter break, spring break, and summer break each give you several weeks to go to rehab without impeding college.

Winter Break – typically two weeks – so you’ll only need two weeks off from college to go to rehab
Spring Break – Typically you’ll need two weeks off
Summer Break – You can attend a full course of rehab, including a longer-term program lasting up to 90 days, without impeding your college schedule

Here, the question is always, “is it safe to wait that long”. Here, you may want to opt for something like outpatient rehab until the break comes around, and then move into inpatient care.

Aligning rehab with a break may also mean that you’ll have more options to go to rehab with an entirely college-based group. That means finding a group that is roughly your age and with your own experiences, which may benefit your recovery experience. However, this won’t always be available. In addition, you’ll have to call rehab centers to determine if they have treatment programs starting in alignment with your study schedule.

In addition, it’s important to keep in mind that if you need help you need help. Waiting 3 weeks for a break to start may mean you don’t end up going. And, that could have disastrous impacts on your study and your future quality of life. So, trying to protect your study deadlines now won’t always be the best thing for the future.

Taking the College Delay

It’s important to keep in mind that substance use disorders are considered a temporary disability. You’ll be able to get support for a delay – typically in the form of counseling or a student advisor who can help you decide to limit or catch up on your studies. If you take a 30-day break for a standard rehab program, you’ll likely still be able to catch up. That’s especially true if you were still doing well on studies despite your substance use disorder. However, it’s also very likely that the drug addiction is already interfering with your studies anyway, your performance isn’t as good as it could be, and you might have to study to catch up anyway.

Here, most colleges offer support programs to help you manage substance use disorders and other mental health disorders. You’ll be able to discuss your circumstances, your performance, and your goals with a counselor and then make a study plan with them. That may mean delaying graduation by a year so you have time to get treatment, recover, and fully dedicate yourself to study. It may also mean taking on counseling or tutoring to catch up and avoid having a delay. However, that advice will entirely depend on you, your mental health, and your current performance at your college.

In every case, the most important step is that you get into treatment. Substance use disorders damage your mental health, impede your ability to graduate at all, create risks of physical health problems and conditions, and greatly impact your quality of life. Getting treatment and getting back in control should be your first goal – so you can get back on track with your studies and your life.

f you or your loved-one struggles from alcoholism or other substance abuse please contact us today and speak with one of our experienced and professional intake advisors about our detox, partial hospitalization, and residential treatment programs. 10 Acre Ranch also has specialty tracks like our pet friendly drug rehab and couples substance abuse treatment programs. We’re here to help you recover.