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April 11, 2023April 20, 2023

Overcoming Addiction: How to Approach Recovery

If you have a severe addiction, it can affect every part of your life. It might feel like a mental health issue, a behavioral problem, a physical condition, a spiritual wound—or like it’s your whole world. You may want to learn long-term coping skills or overcome habits that enforce addictive behaviors. And by the time you decide to get help, you might not know where to start.

That’s partly because healing looks different for everyone. And there are countless types of addiction treatment for behavioral and substance use disorders. Before you decide which one is right for you, you can learn more about how addiction works.

What Makes Something Addictive?

The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines addiction¹ as compulsively taking drugs or drinking in spite of the negative impact it has on your life. Several different factors can contribute to substance use disorders:

Some scientists think that addiction may have a genetic component.²
There’s a strong link between addiction and trauma.³ If you’re healing from both these experiences at once, you can look for a rehab with trauma-informed care.
Addiction and mental health diagnoses⁴ often co-occur. Experts say these conditions have similar root causes.

Because it’s a little different for everyone, addiction impacts people’s lives in different ways. The more severe your addiction, the more areas of your life it can affect. For example, if you always drink too much at the bar, you may start losing friendships. And if you start drinking at your desk, you might lose your job. The severity of your symptoms can determine which type of treatment you need.

The Different Types of Addiction

There are 2 basic types of addiction: chemical and behavioral. They may look different on the outside, but they can have similarly destructive effects on your life.

Chemical addictions are drug or alcohol addictions. Even serious chemical addictions may or may not include physical health issues. To explain this, researchers note the difference between physical vs. psychological drug dependence.⁵ Being physically dependent on your asthma medication, for example, isn’t often an issue. On the other hand, drinking too much can cause serious problems even if you’re not physically addicted to alcohol.

Behavioral addictions are patterns of destructive behavior that you just can’t seem to stop. For example, gambling in moderation can be perfectly harmless. But if you’re gambling away your life savings, you might need treatment. These addictions can be just as severe as chemical ones. In fact, data shows neurochemical similarities between behavioral and drug addictions.⁶

How to Tell if You or a Loved One Has an Addiction

Whether you’re dealing with a drug addiction or a behavioral one, it can be hard to know when you need help. If you think you or someone you love might need treatment, you can start by answering these questions:

How often do you use drugs, drink, or engage in a certain behavior?
How much time do you spend thinking about the next time you’ll drink, use drugs, or engage in the behavior?
Do you take risks in order to obtain drugs or alcohol, have sex, gamble, etc?
Do you lie about how much you engage in this behavior?
Is it hard to focus at work because you’re drinking, using drugs, or planning risky behaviors?
Have you ever missed an important meeting or family commitment because you were drunk, high, at a casino, shopping, etc?
Have you gone into debt to afford this behavior, including for the purchase of drugs or alcohol?

Once you go through this list, share your answers with a doctor, therapist, or other addiction expert. They’ll perform a full evaluation and give you specific advice about what to do next.

Preparing for Recovery

There’s a lot to consider when you first begin healing. If you’re the person starting rehab, choosing a program can be a vulnerable process. Even if you have to move quickly, you can still talk to the admissions teams at a few different centers. They’ll give you a clear idea of what to expect from treatment.

You’ll also need to take care of certain logistics before you start rehab. For example, you might need to request time off work or arrange for a house sitter. If you’re traveling to rehab, make sure you bring someone with you. That person could be a friend, family member, or even a staff member from your program. They can handle the logistics while you focus on your recovery journey.

If you’re helping someone else with addiction, there’s even more to think about. In some situations, you can admit your loved one to rehab. But that’s not always possible. If it seems necessary, you can also consider staging an intervention.

Planning an Intervention

Successful interventions take a lot of preparation. This is too big a task for just one person. You can hire a professional intervention leader or get support from mutual friends and family.

Take some time and think about what you want to say in advance. Perhaps more importantly, think about what you’d like to happen next. Are you hoping your loved one will start treatment? If they refuse, will you set new boundaries? Be as clear and specific as possible, and take your notes with you to the conversation. That way, if things get emotional, you can trust the decisions you’ve already made.

You can also refer to this intervention checklist while you’re planning what to say.

Choosing a Type of Treatment

When you’re planning to attend rehab, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. You might look for a center that treats co-occurring mental health conditions, or one that focuses on medical care. Certain addictions are harder to break than others, and may require specialized treatment. Ask your doctor or another expert for advice about which approach might be best for you.

Medical Detox

When you first stop drinking or using drugs, this short-term treatment helps you handle any withdrawal symptoms. You’ll probably work with a team of doctors, nurses, and therapists during your 5-14 day program.

While medical detox isn’t always necessary, it’s extremely important for certain people. When you’re detoxing from alcohol,⁷ opioids,⁸ or benzodiazepines,⁹ medical supervision is essential. Without proper treatment, withdrawal from these substances can be life-threatening.

These programs can also be a good fit for people with other health problems. Your care team can help you detox as safely and comfortably as possible. Most of these centers require you to enroll in longer-term rehab before you arrive on site. When you finish detox, you’ll go directly into your next phrase of treatment.

Inpatient Rehab

In most residential rehab centers, treatment lasts for about 30 days. Clients attend talk therapy, support groups, and complementary therapies. You might also work with a medical team.

Traditional rehab programs will help you address the root cause of your addiction. When you step back from the stress of your daily life, you’ll gain new insight into your own behaviors. This empowers clients to identify triggers and learn new coping skills. You’ll also plan ways to prevent relapse. This process sets you up for success when you transition out of rehab.

Outpatient Treatment

If you need more flexibility while you recover, outpatient treatment might be a better fit. Most outpatient rehab programs fall into 1 of 2 categories:

Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) offer intensive outpatient care. Think of a PHP like a full-time job, except you’re attending therapy instead of going to work. Patients live off site but spend most of their time in treatment.
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) give clients a little more independence than PHPs. With less time in therapy, some people keep going to work throughout recovery. These part-time programs are a good fit for people with less severe symptoms, and those with strong support networks at home.

Support Groups

Social support is hugely important during recovery.¹⁰ But because addiction can damage your relationships, you may need to build a new community while you heal. Support groups are one way to accomplish that.

12-Step groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous, are free and easy to find anywhere in the world. You can even go to online meetings. Members commit to addiction recovery through faith in a higher power.
SMART Recovery is a secular organization. These free meetings focus on self-empowerment instead of spirituality.
LifeRing participants connect with each other just as they are in the present moment, instead of sharing stories of past trauma. Members encourage each other to maintain their sobriety.

Each of these groups also host meetings just for loved ones of people with addiction. These spaces let friends and family members connect with people who understand what they’ve been through. Anyone can attend these free support groups in any stage of recovery—even during rehab.

Search our list of luxury treatment centers around the world to find a particular type of therapy, location, or approach to addiction recovery.

April 11, 2023May 15, 2023

What Is Biomedical Therapy and How Can It Help With Recovery?

Healing your mental health is a lot like adding tools to a toolbox, especially when you attend residential rehab where you can try different kinds of therapy. As you experience different treatment options, you’re able to keep what works best for you. A common and effective tool in many people’s toolbox is biomedical therapy, which includes medications and some medical procedures.

At rehabs that offer biomedical therapy, you can see these options for yourself while under the supervision of a medical professional for your safety.

What Is Biomedical Therapy?

Biomedical therapy is the use of medications or medical procedures¹ to reduce the symptoms of a range of mental health and addiction issues. From a biomedical perspective, mental health conditions are brain diseases² with chemical and biological causes.

Biomedical therapy is very similar to how doctors treat physical diseases, using medicine to both reduce your symptoms and correct the cause of the disease. Biomedical therapy differs from psychotherapy because it focuses on the biological causes of conditions. Psychotherapy, on the other hand, weighs how your environment, relationships, childhood, and more have influenced your mental health.

It’s common for your treatment plan to include biomedical therapies³ in addition to other types of therapy. So you may take certain medications while also regularly going to one-on-one therapy sessions.

Types of Biomedical Therapy

How Pharmacotherapy Helps Treatment

The use of medications, or pharmacotherapy, treats the symptoms of mental health conditions.⁴ Some conditions like bipolar disorder may require continuous medication to control your symptoms long-term. But it’s also common for your doctor to prescribe them for a short period to ease your symptoms so you can focus on the rest of your therapies while in treatment.

Studies show that medications can help enhance psychotherapy⁵ by reducing distracting symptoms. Dr. Thomas Gazda, Medical Director at Soberman’s Estate, explains:

“Medications can work with psychotherapy. In fact, patients whose depression has lifted or have their severe anxiety under control can do better in psychotherapy. They’re able to focus, concentrate and delve into their psyche much better when they’re stable.”

There are 5 types of medications⁶ that are common in mental health treatment:

Antidepressants, including serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can treat depression, anxiety, chronic pain, or insomnia.
Anti-anxiety medications, like SSRIs or benzodiazepines, can help people with generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, or social anxiety disorder.
Stimulants are common in treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or narcolepsy.
Antipsychotics can help people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression, or other conditions that cause delusions or hallucinations, including some addictions.
Mood stabilizers, like lithium, reduce the symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, or schizoaffective disorder, usually in addition to antidepressants.

It’s common for people to try a few different medications before finding one that works⁷ best for them. But it’s important to do these trials with a medical professional. They’ll be able to give guidance and address any concerns about side effects.

Medical Procedures for Mental Health Conditions

While pharmacotherapy is the most popular form of biomedical therapy, doctors also use certain medical procedures to address mental health conditions like depression.

In the past, invasive and life-altering surgeries like lobotomies were more common. Now, the practice of psychosurgery is much safer⁸ thanks to improvements in technique. Still, these surgeries are not very common. Doctors will typically only consider them an option after exhausting all other treatment options.

Beyond surgery, treatment centers use other types of medical procedures to treat mental health conditions. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)⁹ is one example. In ECT, a doctor passes electric currents through your brain, causing a small seizure while you’re under general anesthesia. This stimulates your brain and can quickly change chemical imbalances that may be causing your mental health issues. It’s one of the most effective treatment options for people with treatment-resistant depression, but people with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder may also benefit.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a biomedical therapy method that’s becoming more popular. While ECT uses an electric current, TMS uses magnetic waves sent into targeted areas of the brain. It’s non-invasive and can help treat treatment-resistant depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and even some addictions. Jerry Vaccaro, president of All Points North Lodge, says TMS is a beneficial supplementary therapy for many because “people find that it’s easy to do, it takes very little time, side effects are minimal and the results are quite good.”

Like pharmacotherapy treatment options, your treatment team, therapist, or primary care physician can help you determine if any of these medical procedures are right for you.

How Does Biomedical Therapy Work?

Some biomedical therapies require a medical doctor to supervise. For example, in some states like California, only a psychiatrist or physician can prescribe mental health medications,¹⁰ not therapists. In others, a technician or nurse practitioner can perform the therapy. However, they all require a trained medical professional to ensure your safety. And in rehab, your entire treatment team will be involved in deciding which therapies make the most sense for you and evaluating if they’re effective.

In most cases, biomedical therapies are available in both inpatient and outpatient settings. A psychiatrist can prescribe you antidepressants to take both during residential treatment and for afterwards if necessary. ECT and TMS are also both available as outpatient procedures, but you can also receive them in rehabs that have the necessary staff and equipment. The only type of biomedical therapy that typically requires hospitalization is psychosurgery.

The length of biomedical treatment also depends on the specific therapy and the severity of your condition. For instance, people with moderate depression who respond well to medication will usually only take antidepressants for 4-9 months.¹¹ But many people with schizophrenia may have to take medications for the rest of their lives¹² to manage symptoms.

What Disorders Does Biomedical Therapy Treat?

In the last 30 years in the U.S., the biomedical treatment model has been the dominant approach¹³ to mental health. This means a large body of research has been focused on biomedical therapy options for some of the most prevalent mental health conditions.

Depression

Antidepressants are very common in depression treatment. They’re most effective in treating moderate to severe depression. The goal of antidepressants is to alleviate your symptoms¹⁴ for long enough that you prevent relapse and find new coping skills. However, it’s important to note that the most effective treatment plan for depression¹⁵ is a combination of biomedical psychiatry and psychotherapy.

ECT and TMS are also effective in treating depression.¹⁶ Most of the benefits of ECT and TMS occur in the short term with an almost immediate improvement in symptoms. However, there’s not enough research to establish that they can prevent relapses in the long term.

Anxiety

For people with a range of anxiety disorders, medication can be an effective tool in treatment.¹⁷ SSRIs and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are usually the first options for anxiety treatment. You may take them for as little as 3 months or as long as multiple years, depending on how your anxiety reacts. There are also a few new pharmacological options for anxiety, including ketamine and psychedelics, that some studies have proven effective. However, these are less common and research is still quite new.

Schizophrenia

Antipsychotic medications are a pillar in most treatment plans for schizophrenia. After a psychotic episode, your doctor will most likely prescribe an antipsychotic medication immediately to prevent major changes in your brain¹⁸ and help you return to your regular functioning. But it’s also common for mental health providers to continue to prescribe medications even months after an episode. This type of maintenance therapy can help prevent relapse and allow you to experience more stability in your mood and relationships.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Studies show that 70% of people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) experience reduced symptoms¹⁹ after taking appropriate medications. SSRIs are the most common prescription for people with OCD, but doctors may also prescribe other types depending on your symptoms.

Initial research also shows that TMS may be effective in reducing OCD symptoms.²⁰ TMS requires a psychiatrist’s referral and with such new research, it may not be widely available to people with OCD just yet.

People with very severe and treatment-resistant OCD have also found success with psychosurgery.²¹ However, this is usually only an option for people who have exhausted all others.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

From the biomedical psychiatry perspective, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is caused by a biological change in how you perceive fear. And studies show that people with PTSD have a few key imbalances in the brain²² related to the “fight or flight” response. PTSD may also have physical symptoms like high blood pressure, which hints at the biological link.

With these imbalances in mind, pharmacotherapy is an effective treatment method for PTSD.²³ And psychiatrists will consider your symptoms when prescribing your specific medications. For example, you may take an SSRI to reduce symptoms like re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal, while other medications can help prevent PTSD-related nightmares. Your treatment team will be able to map out the most effective medications for your symptoms and lifestyle.

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is another mental health condition where biomedical psychiatry can be beneficial. Doctors commonly prescribe medications like lithium or antidepressants like Prozac. These types of medications help stabilize your symptoms²⁴ and mindset, which makes it easier to both attend and make the most of talk therapy. Researchers have also found TMS to be effective for reducing depressive symptoms²⁵ in people with bipolar disorder.

However, treating bipolar disorder can be a tricky balance because sometimes medications or TMS can trigger depressive or manic episodes, so it’s crucial to have open lines of communication with your mental health provider to prevent those swings. And because people with bipolar disorder are at higher risk for developing addiction,²⁶ open communication with your psychiatrist is important to prevent becoming dependent on your prescription medications.

Biomedical Therapy for Addiction

Dr. Nora Volkow, Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, explains that much like mental health issues, addiction is also “a brain disease²⁷ because drugs change the brain — they change its structure and how it works.” And because of those brain changes, biomedical psychiatry can be beneficial for treating addiction.

Medications for Addiction Recovery

Medications are a widely used treatment option for many different aspects of addiction recovery. During detox, many providers use medications to reduce the severity of symptoms and prevent serious complications. For example, if you’re detoxing from alcohol, your doctor may prescribe a benzodiazepine to manage withdrawal symptoms.

Once you’ve detoxed and you’re in rehab, your treatment team may also suggest taking medications to ease both withdrawal and mental health symptoms²⁸ to allow you to focus on other forms of therapy. They can also prevent cravings and help you relax more in treatment.

Other pharmacotherapy treatments are longer term. If you’re recovering from opioid addiction, you may use medications like methadone or buprenorphine to prevent relapses²⁹ and manage your symptoms. In fact, the National Institute on Drug Abuse advises that “medication should be the first line of treatment”³⁰ for opioid addiction.

Plus, for people with co-occurring disorders like depression or anxiety in addition to addiction, medications can play an important role in treatment.³¹ Your doctor may prescribe medications that alleviate your mental health symptoms to make other forms of therapy easier. You might take antidepressants to reduce depressive fatigue, for example, so you have more energy for your group therapy sessions.

However, it’s very important that a medical professional supervises the use of all medications, especially in the case of co-occurring disorders. Some medications commonly used for treating addiction can have dangerous interactions³² with anxiety medications. A rehab that specializes in treating co-occurring disorders will understand those risks and adjust your treatment plan accordingly.

Biomedical Treatment Can Be an Effective Tool for Recovery

For most people seeking treatment for mental health issues or addiction, recovery doesn’t come from just one type of therapy. There’s no magic cure for these conditions. But research and years of practice have shown that there are effective and safe ways to approach recovery, including biomedical therapy. Taking medications or undergoing certain medical procedures can be an important aspect of your healing, especially when combined with other therapies like behavioral or holistic treatments.
To learn more about the role that biomedical treatment can play in your recovery journey, see our list of rehabs that offer biomedical therapy.

April 11, 2023May 15, 2023

Rehabs That Allow Smoking: Tobacco and Vaping Policies in Rehab

Are you getting ready to enter treatment, but not sure if you can pack cigarettes? Or are you anxious about the possibility you may not be able to smoke for the next few weeks? Many rehabs allow patients to smoke outside at their facility. But rehab also presents a great opportunity for you to quit smoking with the full support of a clinical team. And rehabs that have smoking cessation programs provide specialized treatment for people wanting to quit for good.

Can You Smoke Cigarettes in Rehab?

Almost every single rehab in the U.S. has an indoor ban on smoking,¹ but most rehabs allow smoking outdoors. That’s because most state laws require rehabs to ban indoor smoking. However, a few states also ban smoking anywhere on a rehab’s campus:²

Alaska
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Maine
New Mexico
New York
North Dakota
Oregon

Other countries have different smoking policies. Many countries ban indoor smoking,³ especially in healthcare facilities. However, if you’re interested in traveling abroad for addiction treatment, you can contact your rehab to ask about their tobacco policies.

Most of these laws are specifically about cigarettes and cigars, because of how new e-cigarettes are. However, some states already have bans on indoor e-cigarette smoking,⁴ which includes treatment centers. And many rehabs’ smoking policies extend to e-cigarettes.

Your rehab’s treatment philosophy can also influence their views on smoking. Some providers believe that restricting patients’ use of tobacco adds stress to treatment.⁵ In fact, smoking used to be encouraged during addiction treatment⁶ because providers saw it as a less harmful addiction.

However, studies actually show that smoking cessation promotes abstinence⁷ from other substances and can even reduce risk of relapse. And the research shows that treatment is most effective when you address both tobacco and other addictions⁸ at the same time.

Whether or not you can smoke in rehab depends on your specific treatment center’s policies. You can always call ahead to ask if they’re not in a state that mandates tobacco-free grounds.

Why Do Rehabs Allow Smoking?

For some people, the prospect of treatment without the ability to smoke may prevent them from going to rehab. If that’s how you feel, then a rehab that allows you to smoke could ease your anxiety and transition into treatment.

While almost all rehabs prohibit smoking indoors, about 65% of U.S. rehabs allow smoking⁹ in designated outdoor areas. For example, Landmark Recovery in Kentucky allows patients to smoke outside. But they also encourage patients to quit smoking and provide therapeutic support for those who wish to do so.

landmark recovery sign — Landmark Recovery in Kentucky allows patients to smoke outside, but provides therapeutic support for those who want to quit.

Smoking Bans in Rehab Facilities

If you don’t smoke, or if you’re looking to quit smoking, then a smoke-free rehab is a good choice to avoid both secondhand smoke and social pressure to smoke. About 35% of U.S. rehabs have tobacco-free grounds.¹⁰

One example is Paradise Valley Healing Center in British Columbia, Canada. Their Founder & Director, Nirmala Raniga, explains why tobacco is important to quit:

“Smoking is more than an addiction to nicotine. It is a physical and emotional release from stress and tension. It meets an inherent need that smokers might not have been able to address any other way.”

She also acknowledges the link between tobacco and other addictions to explain why they ban smoking:

“Very often, those who stop drinking will turn for example, to smoking or even caffeine as a substitute for alcohol. Instead of substituting one substance for another as a way to address the pain arising, the recovering person must get to the root of the traumatic issues that led to the addiction in the first place. Only then, will this cycle be broken.”

If you decide to take the opportunity to stop smoking during rehab, many centers offer smoking cessation programs to help you quit.

paradise valley facility — Paradise Valley Healing Center in British Columbia bans smoking to help their clients avoid substituting one addiction for another.

Smoking Cessation Programs in Addiction Rehab

Studies show that up to 87% of patients in addiction treatment smoke tobacco.¹¹ And patients in treatment for substance abuse are more likely to die from their tobacco addiction¹² than from their primary addiction, which is why many states have started to mandate smoking cessation programs.

About 25% of states require rehabs to provide smoking cessation programs.¹³ And studies show that these mandates have been successful. For example, when New Jersey began to require smoking cessation programs in all licensed rehabs, tobacco abstinence increased significantly,¹⁴ while dropout rates stayed constant. These programs help many quit smoking and don’t lead people to leave treatment early because they can’t smoke.

Benefits to Quitting Smoking in Rehab

Quitting smoking builds your resilience¹⁵ and confidence in your ability to manage your addiction, which is helpful for preventing relapse.

Plus, quitting smoking improves your mental health¹⁶ almost immediately. After withdrawal symptoms, most people experience a more positive mood and reduced depression, anxiety, and stress. This uptick in your mental state may make treatment both easier and more successful.

Quitting tobacco is great for your physical health.¹⁷ Most people who quit find it easier to exercise and tend to develop more nourishing eating habits. Rehab is an opportunity to start a new life. Quitting smoking allows you to kick-start your new lifestyle in an even stronger way.

Smoking Cessation Treatment Methods

Smoking cessation programs in rehabs can be incorporated into the rest of your treatment program. And just like other addictions, there are several different therapy options for quitting smoking:¹⁸

One-on-one or group counseling, usually using cognitive behavioral therapy or motivational interviewing techniques
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), including prescription and over-the-counter gums, patches, and other forms of nicotine
Non-NRT medications like varenicline or bupropion
Transcranial magnetic stimulation, which uses magnetic waves to stimulate areas of the brain to reduce cravings

Studies show that the most effective smoking cessation programs¹⁹ are a combination of counseling and medications. Your rehab will have its own program to help you quit smoking while you work on other addiction or mental health issues.

Quit Smoking in Rehab for Long-Term Success

If you’re worried about not being able to smoke in rehab and it’s holding you back from seeking treatment, plenty of rehabs allow smoking outdoors. However, research shows that this is actually an ideal time for you to quit smoking. You’ll be surrounded by professionals who can help you find new coping strategies in a healing and supportive setting.

Explore rehabs with smoking cessation programs to learn more about pricing, insurance, treatment options, and more.

April 6, 2023April 6, 2023

Residential vs. Inpatient Treatment Programs

If you want 24-hour care while in recovery for addiction or mental health issues, you can choose between residential and inpatient treatment. While they may sound similar and some people even refer to them interchangeably, they’re 2 distinct treatment options. And one may be a better fit for you depending on your unique circumstances.

What Is Residential Rehab?

Residential rehabs offer 24-hour care for people with addiction or mental health issues,¹ typically outside of a hospital setting. You live at the treatment center and follow a set structure each day.

Residential rehabs have different treatment approaches depending on their staff, location, and philosophy:

Many residential treatment centers combine these approaches to meet your needs. And depending on your rehab, you’ll also be able to access many different forms of therapy including group therapy, individual therapy, or experiential therapy.

Some residential rehabs tailor their treatment programs to important parts of your identity:

Specialized programs for attorneys, athletes, executives, and celebrities
Gender-specific and LGBTQ+-affirming rehabs
Appropriate care for teens or older adults

With residential rehab, you typically get to choose where you receive treatment.

What Is Inpatient Rehab?

Like residential treatment centers, inpatient rehabs also provide 24-hour care. However, inpatient treatment is usually a more intensive program² in a hospital setting. Medical professionals like physicians direct your care alongside addiction specialists, nurses, and therapists.

It’s a common option in emergency situations like overdoses or self-harm. Some patients enter into inpatient treatment as a result of going to the emergency room or having interactions with law enforcement.

Inpatient treatment is more medical in nature, which is why it requires the resources of a hospital. Because of that, it’s common to detox in inpatient care³ from substances like alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines because of how serious withdrawal symptoms can be.

What Are the Differences Between Inpatient and Residential Rehab?

Inpatient and residential rehabs are similar in that you live at your treatment center. However, beyond that, your treatment will look different depending on which type of rehab you attend.

Setting and Level of Care Available

One of the main differences between inpatient vs. residential rehab is the level of care they provide based on their setting. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, residential treatment programs offer care that does not require the resources of a hospital.⁴

Inpatient treatment programs provide the highest level of care, which requires hospital services with medical supervision. It’s typically for patients experiencing severe addiction or mental health issues:

Overdoses
Dangerous withdrawal symptoms
Chronic or serious co-occurring mental or physical conditions
A history of non-response to other treatments

Intensity and Goal of Treatment

Because inpatient programming is for serious situations,⁵ it tends to be more intensive. The goal is to manage severe symptoms of withdrawal, overdose, or mental health conditions. Your treatment team will be focused on treating and stabilizing your condition.

Meanwhile, in residential rehab, the primary goal is sustained recovery, so you’ll learn relapse prevention and coping strategies, be able to process past trauma and develop healthier habits. And while it’s still an intensive healing experience for the patient, it’s usually less medically intensive.

Length of Stay

Inpatient care has a fixed length⁶ and is also usually short-term. In the U.S., many states have different laws dictating how long patients can be in inpatient treatment. For example, in most circumstances in California, inpatient services cannot last longer than 30 days.⁷

On the other hand, residential treatment is longer-term.⁸ The National Institute on Drug Abuse recommends at least 90 days of treatment⁹ in most cases. And the longer you stay in treatment, the more likely you are to have a successful recovery. Your length of stay may also depend on your insurance coverage, responsibilities at home, and recovery goals.

Choosing the Right Treatment Program for You

When deciding on which type of treatment to attend, consider the level of care you may need. If you’re detoxing from alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines, have a serious co-occurring disorder, or have not responded to treatment in the past, then an inpatient rehab may provide the higher level of care required.

You don’t have to make this decision on your own. Your therapist or primary care physician can help you make the best choice for your unique circumstances. And, you can call admissions teams at rehabs to find out what level of care they offer.

Learn more about your options for both inpatient and residential treatment, and reach out to centers directly.

February 2, 2023February 7, 2023

The Serenity of Healing in Irish Rehabs

If you’re looking for a naturally restorative place to start recovery, a luxury rehab in Ireland could be the perfect fit. With a quiet countryside and history of relaxing recreation, Ireland offers a calm environment for care. And among its lush greenery, you can feel safe as you begin the challenging work of healing.

Peaceful Healing on the Emerald Isle

Preparing for rehab can be hectic at best. You’ve made a big decision, and your whole life is about to change. Even good changes can be disruptive, which is why many patients prefer to go to rehab in tranquil settings. And thanks to a few key features, Ireland is one of the most peaceful countries¹ in the world.

Therapeutic Greenery

Ireland’s nickname, “The Emerald Isle,” perfectly describes its lush green surroundings. The refreshing air coming off of the Atlantic Ocean brings moderate weather year round. The rich landscape sits under gray skies, nourished by consistent rain and mist.

For many people, this climate is the perfect environment for healing. In fact, having a naturally beautiful view reduces pain² and anxiety levels—even if you can only see it through a window. But in most of these programs, you can also explore the outdoors during your time in rehab.

Tee Up for Recovery Success

Ireland has a rich history of golf, with over 300 world-renowned golf courses. So if you’re an avid golfer looking to perfect your swing as you heal, some Irish rehabs, like RósGlas Recovery, offer tee times in addition to therapy sessions.

Finding Harmony

Ireland is known around the world for its spirited folk music. In that tradition, rehabs like RósGlas Recovery boast music therapy programs. And this treatment isn’t just for skilled musicians. You might even listen to music, instead of making it yourself. Music therapy lets you relax, express yourself, and appreciate the local culture. Irish folk music encourages you to celebrate who you are at your core—including your strengths, weaknesses, and everything in between.

Discover Your Ideal Treatment Approach in Ireland

Ireland is more than just a peaceful place to start recovery. Its rehabs also offer a wide variety of therapies, including personalized treatment plans. Here, you can find a center that aligns with your values and recovery goals.

Private and Personalized Treatment Programs

To encourage recovery on your own terms, many Irish rehabs treat only small groups of clients. And some, like RósGlas Recovery, treat just one client at a time. With this approach, you’ll receive highly personalized care.

Individualized treatment and strict confidentiality go hand in hand. This type of rehab is a great fit for high-profile clients who need total privacy during recovery. From the safety of a protected environment, you can focus on what matters most: your own healing journey.

Irish Rehabs Address Co-occurring Disorders

Healing from co-occurring disorders is a dynamic process. And in a rehab that specializes in this type of treatment, you’ll find more sustainable success.

At rehabs like Smarm o re Castle, for example, you’ll find comprehensive care for drug addiction, behavioral addiction, and mental health diagnoses. For example, you might attend therapy that addresses both shopping addiction and depression at the same time. Rather than treating these conditions separately, you’ll address the root cause of everything you’re going through.

Robust 12-Step Programming

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has a strong presence in Ireland.³ In fact, there are over 750 AA groups throughout the country. And many Irish rehabs, like the Rutland Centre in Dublin, use the same 12-Step approach in their residential programs.

When rehabs use 12-Step facilitation (TSF), their treatment program is structured around the 12 Steps. Most of the time, that means you’ll attend AA (or other 12-Step group) meetings as part of your schedule. And outside of those meetings, your other treatments will explore the same themes. For example, in 1:1 therapy, you might define your recovery goals based on the 12-Step framework.

Going to a 12-Step rehab can ease your transition to the next stage of recovery. Whether or not you stay in Ireland after treatment, AA and other 12-Step meetings are available all over the world. You can even attend them remotely. Regular meetings can help you maintain the same routine you developed in rehab, even when other parts of your life are in flux.

Getting There

If you’re traveling abroad to rehab in Ireland, your journey probably won’t be too complicated. You can find non-stop flights into Dublin from many major European and North American destinations. And if you’re coming from a different region, you can fly into London Heathrow and then travel to Ireland by plane, train, or boat.

Once you’re on the Emerald Isle, public transportation is widely available through rail travel and buses. Many Irish rehabs also offer private pickups from the airport to simplify your journey. But even if you make your own way there, it’s always best to have a travel companion on your way to rehab.

Settle Into Healing in Ireland

Recovery presents challenges, no matter where you go to rehab. But in Ireland, you can face them in a peaceful, supportive environment. With Ireland’s beautiful scenery, cozy weather, and culture of kindness, you’ll be able to take a deep breath—perhaps your first one in a while.
To learn more about each program’s pricing, treatment approach, accommodations, and more, search our collection of luxury rehabs in Ireland.

December 8, 2022March 10, 2023

Innovative Addiction Treatment in European Rehabs

Rehab can be more than a clinical environment. In Europe, it’s also a joyous opportunity to take back control of your life. Picture yourself recovering amidst beautiful views, old architecture, and rich, accepting cultures. Add state-of-the-art treatment methods and a long list of fun ways to spend down time. If that sounds like the atmosphere you’re looking for in treatment, you might consider going to a luxury rehab in Europe.

The Diverse Amenities of European Rehabs

Treatment is hard work. But when you’re in residential rehab, there’s more to life than attending therapy. In Europe’s luxury centers, clients can try new and engaging activities during treatment. Through these experiences, you’ll learn how to have fun in a healthy way.

Explore New Cultures From the Comfort of Rehab

European rehabs have access to some of the greatest cultural landmarks in the world. And many treatment centers take clients to visit local attractions. During treatment at Paracelsus Recovery, for example, you’ll live in a penthouse apartment in downtown Zurich. CEO Jan Gerber explains that nearby, you can find “an opera house, there are concert halls, there are world-renowned museums, and there are very good restaurants.” Exploring a vibrant city, or any new environment, can help you mark the start of this new chapter.

new life marbella malaga — New Life Marbella in Málaga, Spain

Choose Your Climate

With vast forests, calm seas, and rugged mountains, you can also find any type of environment in Europe.¹ If you’d like to hunker down in a cozy room with a view, you could go to rehab in Scandinavia. Or if you prefer the sunshine and warm breeze of the tropics, you might find healing easier in a place like Mykonos.

Many European rehabs take full advantage of their beautiful surroundings. Take Camino Recovery in Spain, for example. One week, you could hike in the Sierra de Tejeda. The next, you might sail and snorkel along the Mediterranean coast. These adventures are both fun and therapeutic. Connecting with nature can play an important role in treatment.

Gourmet Meals Can Nourish Your Body

Learning how to enjoy a healthy lifestyle is essential during recovery. For many people, that means eating delicious, nourishing food. And there are several specific, clinical ways that nutrition supports addiction recovery.

Eating balanced meals can boost your mood and improve your mental clarity. At centers like New Life Marbella in Málaga, Spain, personal chefs and nutritionists design gourmet menus to support your recovery—both physically and mentally.

If you’re coming from abroad, this can be an opportunity to sample the local cuisine. And because so many European dishes are famous around the world, you might already know what to expect. On the other hand, this could be a chance for you to learn about a new culture.

Choose a Rehab That Aligns With Your Values

If you’re not from Europe, traveling there for rehab can give you valuable insight into life back at home. Or, if you already live in the area, you can easily connect with programs in neighboring countries. Either way, clients can decide between a great variety of cultures, in a relatively small geographical area. And once you choose the environment that suits you best, addiction recovery becomes that much easier.

Heal in Privacy in Europe

No matter where you’re from, going to rehab in a different country gives you more anonymity. Some rehabs, like The Cottage, even offer 1:1 treatment. As the only client on site, you’ll have access to the most discreet and individualized care possible.

Other ultra-private rehabs, like Switzerland’s NEOVIVA, offer confidential, boutique treatment for executives. Here, clients stay in a fully operational hotel, with no signage indicating that it’s also a treatment center. Every staff member, at both NEOVIVA and the hotel, works to maintain your privacy. Clients benefit from clinical care, enjoy hotel amenities, and rest assured that they’re safe from prying eyes.

neoviva lake lucerne — NEOVIVA in Lake Lucerne, Switzerland

Embrace the Friendly Warmth of Southern Europe

Even if you require anonymity, you don’t have to heal in isolation. Countries along the Mediterranean, like Italy and Spain, have an especially strong focus on family² and community. And those values shine through in some of the area’s rehabs.

At Solice, for example, clients offer each other emotional support. To Mark, a former client, Solice felt like “a home where people don’t judge, [but] care for each other.”³ Learning how to build healthy relationships can boost your self-esteem and support the process of recovery.⁴

Decriminalization in European Countries

Some European countries, like Portugal, have decriminalized all illicit drugs.⁵ They’ve also expanded their treatment services in an effort to make recovery accessible.

This attitude can have a major impact on your treatment experience. For one thing, shame and stigma around drug use are often barriers to treatment.⁶ And decriminalization reduces the stigma of addiction.⁷ Because of this, rehabs in these countries may offer a unique type of emotional support. And in most areas, decriminalization efforts come with government funding. So these rehabs might have resources that are hard to come by in other places.

European Rehabs Provide High-Quality Care

In many parts of Europe, people see addiction as a health problem.⁸ If you’re working through stigma, this open-minded attitude can feel like a relief. It also opens the door to a number of treatment options you might not find elsewhere.

Combine Traditional and Alternative Therapies

Few of Europe’s rehabs ask you to choose between Western medicine and holistic treatment. Instead, you can work with your provider to find the therapies that fit your needs. And for some clients, that means combining several different methods.

For example, NEO Centrum, in Prague, is a 12-Step rehab center. But they also specialize in Vipassana meditation as an addiction treatment. While both methods relate to spirituality, they offer vastly different benefits. During 12-Step recovery, clients build community around a shared philosophy of healing. Vipassana, on the other hand, encourages you to accept your own feelings, making peace with your deepest self.

Meanwhile, in France, Maison Ila treats addiction and mental health issues through a variety of therapy methods. “You can immerse yourself deeply in nature, enjoy wild water bathing, practice restorative yoga and instinctive movement therapy, and receive esoteric, transformative treatments,” while also attending 12-Step meetings.⁹

neo centrum prague — NEO Centrum in Prague, Czech Republic

Access Cutting Edge Treatments

Countries like Switzerland, the Netherlands, and England are well-known for their innovative treatment techniques.¹⁰ That’s partly because these countries categorize addiction and mental health as public health issues.

European researchers are studying new ways to treat addiction using medication.¹¹ Some of these methods, like methadone maintenance therapy, are also available in other countries. But others are only accessible in the EU. And others are legal in some European countries, but unavailable elsewhere in the region.

For example, Tabula Rasa Retreat is located in Portugal, where all substances are decriminalized. This program offers ibogaine therapy for people in addiction and mental health recovery. Meanwhile, in the U.S. and UK, ibogaine is a banned substance.¹² Going to rehab in Europe could give you a wealth of treatment options, even if you’re not traveling far from home.

Traveling to and Around Europe

Almost a billion people travel to the EU annually.¹³ Because of that, it’s a very accessible place visit, especially from countries like the U.S. and Canada. But there are a few details to think about before you plan a trip to Europe.

Do You Need a Visa to Go to Rehab in Europe?

You may or may not need a visa to enter Europe. It depends on where you’re coming from, and how long you’re planning to stay. This can be hard to predict in advance, especially if you’re considering an aftercare program. Talk to the admissions team at your rehab before you book any travel plans, so they can help you make the right arrangements.

Citizens of the U.S., Canada, and over 50 other countries can visit the European Union (EU) without a visa.¹⁴ But if you plan to stay for longer than 90 days, different rules may apply. And European countries not in the EU, like the UK, may require a visa.¹⁵

Flying to Europe

Flying into the EU is usually straightforward. Several international airports serve the region, and once you get there, you can quickly travel between European countries.

For instance, if you’re traveling through the UK, you can reach over 200 different destinations from London-Heathrow airport.¹⁶ And if you’re going to rehab in Spain, you might fly into Adolfo Suárez Madrid, which has services to over 150 destinations. Or if you want a more centrally located airport, you can fly to Charles de Gaulle in Paris, and connect to any of 119 different countries.

Getting Around in Europe

Once you’re in the region, you can use Europe’s robust train system to get around. Eurail is easy to navigate, and it lets you take in beautiful views en route.

Despite your many options for traveling to and around the region, it’s best to go with a support person. The transition into rehab can be overwhelming, and a traveling companion can keep you safe along the way. And even if you do spend part of the trip alone, talk to your rehab before making specific plans. Many centers offer free transportation from the nearest airport.

European Rehabs Bring Joy to Your Recovery

Wherever you’re traveling from, Europe’s rehabs invite you to come as you are. With its vast array of climates, cultures, and different types of therapy, this region has something for everyone. Recovery is hard, but it can also be inspiring. And finding happiness during treatment will set you up for even more success back home.

Visit our list of luxury rehabs in Europe to learn about their different locations, amenities, and insurance options.

November 24, 2022March 25, 2023

How Hypnotherapy Helps Clear the Path to Recovery

What do you picture when you think of hypnosis?

You might not realize that hypnosis has therapeutic applications. It can even help with addiction recovery. Some rehabs use hypnotherapy during inpatient treatment. Here’s how it works.

What Is Hypnotherapy?

Hypnotherapy, or hypnosis, puts you into a brief trance-like state¹ to help you relax and concentrate. And it’s not the way you’ve seen it on TV. In a lot of media, hypnosis makes people reveal their deepest secrets, or do things against their will. But in reality, you’ll be fully in control the whole time. For most people, hypnosis feels like a state of deep rest,² but without falling asleep.

This treatment is no substitute for other, more traditional methods. However, combining hypnosis with talk therapy³ helps some people move past mental barriers. By facing your deeper thoughts and feelings, you can gain new insight. This helps some clients heal from serious mental health issues.

Find Your Inner Ability to Heal With the Ericksonian Technique

There are a few different types of hypnotherapy. The central idea of Ericksonian hypnosis⁴ is that everyone can solve their own problems. In treatment, your therapist tries to harness the natural creativity of your subconscious mind. Then, they’ll help you use that creativity to build a healthier outlook.

Erikson hypnosis uses a lot of guided imagery.⁵ While you’re in a trance, your therapist uses metaphors to talk about issues you’re currently facing. For example, they might ask you to imagine approaching a path with a fork. Each option represents a real life choice. By noting how you feel about each path, you’ll gain clarity about what you want to do outside of therapy.

This treatment invites you to look at your life in a new way. But researchers still need more information about it. Because this approach is so personal for each patient, it’s hard to study the effectiveness of Ericksonian treatment.⁶

Cognitive Hypnotherapy Combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy With Hypnosis

For a more evidence-based approach, you might consider cognitive hypnotherapy. This treatment uses traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) methods in combination with hypnosis.⁷ Rather than simply attending a CBT session, your therapist will first induce a hypnotic state. Then, once you’re in this focused frame of mind, they’ll guide you through traditional CBT exercises.

CBT teaches you to change your thought patterns⁸ and practice healthier coping strategies. When you’re in a hypnotic state, you’re more open to those suggestions to change. Much like the Ericksonian approach to hypnotherapy, experts are calling for more data about this type of treatment.

Self-Hypnosis Can Be Self-Care

In most hypnotherapy methods, a trained hypnotherapist acts as your guide. But if you’d like to use these methods outside of therapy sessions, you can learn self-hypnosis.

It’s important to learn this technique from an expert before you try it alone. First, your therapist will teach you how to safely enter a hypnotic state⁹ by yourself. They’ll also teach you what to do when you’re in hypnosis, and how to re-alert yourself out of the trance-state when you’re ready.

After you have this training, you can practice self-hypnosis on your own, whenever or wherever you need to. This coping strategy can empower you to take control of your own healing process.

Using Hypnotherapy in Mental Health Treatment

Therapists rarely use hypnotherapy by itself.¹⁰ More often, they’ll have you engage in other treatments while you’re in a hypnotic state. This strategy can help you stay open to other therapeutic techniques.

Treating Anxiety

Several types of hypnosis can treat anxiety.¹¹ Research shows that self-hypnosis gives you a greater sense of control.¹² In one study, this reduced the frequency of patients’ panic attacks. This method can also help with the chronic symptoms of anxiety, like insomnia.

Because Ericksonian hypnosis relieves stress,¹³ it can also treat these conditions. It’s especially helpful for people with generalized anxiety disorder. This treatment is relaxing and rejuvenating. It even helps some people stop procrastinating.

Healing From PTSD

Some therapists treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with hypnosis.¹⁴ People with a history of trauma often benefit from cognitive therapy. Treatment can relieve flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive memories.

However, hypnosis can sometimes be triggering.¹⁵ You might even re-experience a traumatic memory during a trance state. Because of this risk, it’s important to work with a trained hypnotherapist, instead of trying self-hypnosis. They can help you work through painful experiences, and move past lingering triggers.

Managing Chronic Pain

Studies show that hypnotherapy decreases chronic pain.¹⁶ This method might be even more effective than physical therapy. This might be a viable treatment for people who developed an addiction due to chronic pain.¹⁷ By improving your physical symptoms, hypnosis might replace drug abuse as a healthier coping mechanism.

Hypnotherapy for Addiction Recovery

Some studies show that hypnosis can aid in addiction recovery. This treatment may increase patients’ self-esteem and lower their impulsivity, making it easier to stay sober. Experts have used hypnosis to treat several different types of addiction:

Hypnosis can treat patients with alcohol addiction.¹⁸ For this population, hypnotherapy is as effective as motivational interviewing.
Hypnotherapy can help you quit smoking.¹⁹ Combining hypnosis and nicotine patches is more effective than using nicotine patches alone.
Group hypnosis can help you heal from opioid addiction,²⁰ and reduce your use of illicit drugs.

However, there’s significant controversy about hypnotherapy as a mental health treatment. Some authorities on addiction science, like the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), say that there is little to no evidence that hypnotherapy treats addiction.²¹ As research continues, this treatment may gain support from the medical community. But even now, there are ways you can safely incorporate hypnosis into your recovery.

How Does Hypnosis Help With Treatment?

Hypnotherapy can be a valuable part of addiction treatment, but it isn’t right for everyone.²² If you have certain diagnoses, it might even be dangerous. Hypnosis is not an appropriate treatment for people with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or seizure disorders—just to name a few.

If you want to try this therapy, it’s important to get your doctor’s opinion in advance. And if it turns out hypnosis is a good fit for you, there are a few ways it can support your recovery.

Learn to Sleep Soundly

Many people in addiction recovery experience sleep issues²³ long after they start treatment. And this isn’t only exhausting; it can also get in the way of your continued healing. Research suggests that hypnosis can alleviate some sleep disorders,²⁴ like insomnia and sleepwalking.

Relax During Recovery

Recovery is a stressful process. And experiencing a lot of stress can increase your risk of relapse.²⁵ You can use hypnotherapy to find deep relaxation²⁶ during rehab. Even if it’s not a formal part of treatment, you might practice self-hypnosis to unwind at the end of the day. Over time, it can even become part of your self-care routine.

Hypnotherapy Can Support Long-Term Healing

Hypnotherapy is an adjunct treatment. In other words, it’s no replacement for rehab. But it can support other therapeutic methods. And as you prepare for life after treatment, you can use it as a coping strategy. Because you can practice it on your own, this approach can be empowering in every stage of recovery.
Search for a rehab that offers hypnotherapy and learn about their treatment philosophies, complementary therapies, housing options, and more.

November 8, 2022January 4, 2023

Stay Calm and Connected in Connecticut Rehabs

With rigorous treatment in peaceful surroundings, Connecticut rehabs offer the best of 2 worlds. You can attend treatment nestled within beautiful nature, just a stone’s throw from a major U.S. city. This state is also home to world-renowned research universities. And as a result, rehab here can connect you with some of the greatest medical minds in the world.

Going to rehab in Connecticut is a good fit for people who want a middle ground between retreat and connection. At some centers, you can even stay in touch with your loved ones during treatment. But, in this serene setting, you’ll also have the space you need to heal.

Finding Balance

In the heart of New England, Connecticut is close to some of the biggest cities in the U.S.—and some of the country’s most beautiful nature. Clients can enjoy the stunning scenery, without feeling cut off from urban amenities.

Enjoy a Serene Environment for Recovery

Despite being close to several big cities, many areas in Connecticut are rural.¹ The Connecticut River flows through old hardwood forests and rolling hills, with the Berkshire highlands rising out of the northwest corner. In these beautiful surroundings, recovery can be peaceful and restorative. Studies show that immersing yourself in nature can improve symptoms of anxiety and depression,² sleep quality, and stress.

In rehabs like Mountainside Treatment Center, in the foothills of the Berkshires, clients heal “surrounded by lush greenery and open skies.” Without the distractions of urban life, you can put all your energy into recovery.

turnbridge connecticut — Turnbridge in New Haven, Connecticut

Test Your Limits With Outdoor Adventures

If you’re longing for adventures in the great outdoors, Connecticut offers easy access to world-class hiking, skiing, rock climbing, rafting, and more. These activities get your heart pumping—and they help your mind heal.

At treatment centers like Turnbridge, patients can go on camping, hiking, skiing, and snowboarding trips, depending on the time of the year. You can also try paintball, rock climbing, even deep sea fishing. Thanks to Connecticut’s diverse geography, which includes mountains, rivers, and a rugged coastline, this is a wonderful place to go if you’re interested in outdoor adventure therapy.

Addiction Treatment From Leading Experts

Even if your rehab is in a rural area, Connecticut is small enough that you’ll never be far from a big city. That means you’ll be close to major universities, like Yale and UConn. And some of the world’s top experts in addiction and mental health are based at these schools. For example, The Steward House at Silver Hill is “the product of collaboration among the leading psychiatry institutions of Yale New Haven Health and the Department of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine.” Clients here have access to leading experts while in residential care in a non-hospital setting. These specialists can help you define your unique needs and goals for recovery.

Be Yourself in Connecticut

Recovering from addiction or mental illness is all about finding yourself again. In Connecticut, there’s room for you to be exactly who you are.

Connecticut Rehabs Welcome LGBTQ+ Clients

It’s crucial for LGBTQ+ clients to find affirming treatment. Anything less can interfere with your recovery journey. And unfortunately, not all treatment programs are inclusive. But Connecticut has a long history of supporting LGBTQ+ rights.³

The state is well known for its progressive legislation. It even boasts rehab centers just for LGBTQ+ people, like Recovery at WildWood Farm. In this program, clients recover alongside people who share at least 1 part of their personal experience. This can make it easier to connect with the other clients in your program, and share mutual support.

mountainside treatment center connecticut — Mountainside Treatment Center in Cannan, Connecticut

Stay Independent During Recovery

Not everyone wants to connect with their peers during recovery. Some Connecticut rehabs—like Blue Sky Behavioral Health—let clients live a more independent life, even during intensive treatment. In their “intense outpatient program,” clients live in off-site housing while attending rehab. You’ll shop for your own food and have your own private space, in a house you share with other clients. And you’ll still have round-the-clock guidance from a life coach, in addition to on-site therapy 5 days a week. For people who value freedom and autonomy, this can make treatment less stressful.

Treatment for High-Level Executives

If you’re a busy professional, going to rehab might feel like an abrupt halt. That’s especially true if you think of your job as part of your identity. And unplugging from work can be stressful, instead of feeling like a break. Some of Connecticut’s rehab programs let you stay connected, while still getting the treatment you need.

Perhaps because the state is close to so many major cities, several centers in Connecticut offer rehab for high-level professionals. For example, Privé-Swiss specializes in treating executives. Their experts can help you rebuild the skills you need to live a life you love, sustainably.

If you can’t leave work for inpatient treatment, some Connecticut rehabs have outpatient options. These programs might be a good fit for people who live in the area, and have strong local support networks. If you’re traveling to the area for treatment, you can attend a residential program, or ask your care team about local housing.

Traveling to Rehab in Connecticut

Connecticut is centrally located in New England. Because this region is such a hub for travel, it’s easy to access the state from anywhere in the U.S. or around the world. If you’re flying in for treatment, make sure you plan your route carefully. Within the state, you can fly into Bradley International Airport, which serves 9 domestic and 7 international airlines. If you can’t find a direct flight from your area to Bradley, you can fly into any of the New York City, Boston, or Providence airports.

Once you arrive in New England, it’s easy to get exactly where you’re going. You can take an Amtrak train from any of the major cities to over 20 different stations in Connecticut. There are also frequent MetroNorth trains through Fairfield and New Haven counties.

While it’s easy to get around Connecticut, it’s still important to plan carefully. The last leg of your trip to rehab is a delicate time. If at all possible, avoid traveling alone. You might ask a loved one or support person to go with you. And many rehabs in Connecticut also offer complimentary rides within a certain radius. For example, Retreat Behavioral Health South Connecticut will transport you to treatment for free within a 4-hour radius.

Start a Healthier Life in the Land of Steady Habits

Choosing a treatment program can be scary. This is a big decision, and you might have to make it quickly. Here, rehab will help you stay grounded as you start recovery. There’s a reason Connecticut is known as the Land of Steady Habits. Treatment professionals here welcome people of all identities, offering a balance of independence and support. If respectful, structured environments make you feel safe, these programs might be a great fit.

Browse our list of luxury rehabs in Connecticut to learn about types of treatment, pricing, locations, and more.

November 7, 2022April 7, 2023

How Fitness Supports Us in Addiction Recovery and Beyond

It’s no secret that exercise makes you feel good. These positive feelings are thanks to endorphins released during and after physical activity. It can also be an important part of healing your body from the effects of addiction, trauma, and stress.

Recovery is all about building a sustainable, healthy routine, and exercise can help you get there. Because of this, many addiction and mental health rehabs focus on fitness, and have amenities to help you stay active during your care.

Why Exercise is Good For You

Exercise helps physical and mental health,¹ and can improve the following:

brain health
anxiety
depression
sleep
focus
confidence

One study found that “People who exercised had about 43% fewer days of poor mental health.”²

Exercise Lowers Stress Levels

Exercise reduces stress³ by lowering stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Rhythmic activities like walking clear the mind, helping you relax naturally.

Stress makes people more prone to relapse,⁴ so learning to manage it is crucial for recovery. A regular fitness routine decreases the likelihood of falling back into familiar coping patterns.

personal training the banyans — An exercise physiologist designs individual exercise plans for each client at The Banyans in Brisbane, Australia.

Physical Fitness Helps Treat Depression

Studies show that exercising is effective in treating depression.⁵ On the flip side, not exercising is a risk factor for developing depression. When you work out, your brain releases serotonin, a hormone that improves your mood. (Antidepressants relieve depression by increasing serotonin levels.)

Even just a few minutes of physical activity per day can make a big difference in your mood. One study compared people who exercised with those who didn’t. Researchers found that 1.25 hours of walking per week lowered the risk of depression by 18%.⁶ This decreased by 25% with at least 2.5 hours per week.

Regular Exercise Reduces Anxiety

Research shows that physical activity is associated with less anxiety.⁷ It can help distract you from anxious thoughts. Instead, you’ll focus on something positive, like finishing a workout or achieving a goal—even if that’s just walking for 20 minutes.

Exercise Improves Your Overall Well Being

By trying new activities and overcoming challenges, your confidence will increase.⁸ You’ll start to feel better as your immunity, sleep, and energy levels improve. And your risk for disease and health complications goes down as your body repairs the damage caused by substances and prolonged stress. Drugs and alcohol aren’t kind to your body, but the good news is that damage is usually not permanent. Exercise can be the first step in working towards better health—and a better outlook on life.

Exercise and Addiction

Studies show that exercise facilitates recovery from substance abuse⁹ in these ways:

decreases the likelihood of relapse
lessens drug-seeking behavior
reinforces positive change

People who exercise are less likely to use drugs.¹⁰ It’s likely that its ability to reduce stress, and therefore regulate emotions, is a factor. You can see the effects in animal studies, too: opioid-dependent rats took morphine less often when they swam consistently.¹¹ Rodents dependent on cocaine were less likely to use the drug when they had access to an exercise wheel.¹² A fitness routine adds structure to your day, allows you to explore new interests, helps you build community, and even overcome addiction.

A New, Healthy Hobby

Physical activity can become a new way to spend time outside of substance abuse. It can even become a new hobby. You might realize that you love spending time at the gym or running outside. Or, you may return to an old interest: maybe you used to shoot hoops for hours or play volleyball every weekend with your friends.

Regardless of the role fitness has in your life, it’s important to find activities you enjoy doing while sober. These can replace the time that you used to spend using drugs. Remember that recovery can—and should be—fun.

cycling white river manor — Cycling at White River Manor in Mpumalanga, South Africa

A Way to Meet Other Sober People

Physical fitness can give you a way to connect with new people, both in rehab and after you leave. During rehab, you can bond with people over similar interests in a specific activity, like rock climbing or dancing. These new relationships can be instrumental in your recovery process: it’s important to have people to talk to when you’re feeling down. It’s especially helpful to surround yourself with others that have had similar experiences. They can empathize with, and truly understand, what you’re going through.

Exercise Rewires Your Brain

Exercise releases dopamine in your brain. This hormone is responsible for “good” feelings, and can even have pleasurable effects similar to those you get from drugs. This is because exercise and substances activate some of the same reward pathways.

Exercise also prevents further brain damage from substance use¹³ and promotes cell regeneration. And forming a new habit can actually change your brain. “Neuroplasticity” is the brain’s ability to create new connections. You can use this to your advantage by introducing exercise into your own routine. If you continue to exercise consistently in a way that’s fun and sustainable, it can become a healthy habit that you genuinely enjoy.

Luxury Rehab Fitness Amenities

You’ll have an array of fitness options at different luxury facilities, from fun activities to personal trainers. Remember that it’s important to choose something you like doing. Studies show that you’re more likely to stick with an exercise routine¹⁴ if you enjoy it. So if you already love yoga, you can choose a center like Veritas Detox that offers classes. Or if you’ve always thought that boxing looked fun, you can check out a facility like SOBA New Jersey.

Gym Amenities

Many rehab facilities have fitness centers. At Sierra Tucson, clients can take advantage of their many fitness amenities. Soak up views of the Santa Catalina Mountains from their outdoor swimming pool or work out in the fully equipped gym. You can even learn how to rock climb on their indoor rock wall.

At Hollywood Hills Recovery, clients have access to a personal trainer, as well as group or private fitness classes.

Sports Opportunities

Social support is an important factor in sticking to an exercise routine.¹⁵ Team sports are a great way to foster new relationships. Futures Recovery Healthcare is an ideal facility for sports lovers. Challenge another client to a game of tennis, basketball, or volleyball on one of their many courts.

Rehab Facilities for Athletes

If you’re an athlete, you may want (or need) to continue training while in treatment. All Points North’s specialty program for athletes was created by professional athletes. Their center provides top-tier amenities to support your needs, like an indoor lap pool and personal trainer.

At Soberman’s Estate, clients work with fitness coach Carl Hargrave. Once an NFL coach, he now helps clients find healing through fitness and prepare for the “field of life.”

Outdoor Activities

Recreating in nature provides many benefits—and some rehab facilities offer adventure therapy activities, like hiking and biking. For example, Lions Gate Recovery provides recreational outings to the nearby Zion National Park. Colorado is world-renowned for its outdoor opportunities, and All Points North Lodge in Vail is no exception. Clients can hike, paddleboard, or mountain bike in the summer, and go snowshoeing, snowboarding, or skiing in the winter.

Spending time in nature positively affects mental health.¹⁶For example, researchers found that people who were outside for at least 2 hours per week had better overall well-being. This averages out to just 15 to 20 minutes per day. When you combine this with exercise, the effects are twofold: you reap the benefits from both physical activity and time in green spaces.

Find Joy on the Other Side of Healing

No matter your age or ability, even small amounts of exercise provide important mental and physical benefits. While physical activity is only part of your recovery journey, it plays an important role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle for years to come.
See our curated list of luxury rehabs with exercise programs to view fitness amenities, activity options, compare prices, and more.

November 7, 2022November 7, 2022

Evidence-Based Care in Quietude: New England Luxury Rehabs

When you go to rehab in New England, you’ll have easy access to beautiful nature and cutting edge treatment. These programs offer access to the outdoors, metropolitan areas, and some of the best universities in the U.S. From the Berkshires to Boston, you can choose the setting that suits your needs. But you won’t have to choose between a beautiful setting and top-notch care.

At the Heart of Addiction Research

Rehabs in this region can connect their clients with some of the best research universities in the U.S.¹ Many of these schools have renowned addiction research centers. Some of them also partner with nearby rehabs to offer clinical care.

For example, McLean Hospital is a Harvard Medical School affiliate in the suburbs of Boston. Their clinicians teach at the university, and pioneer state-of-the-art addiction treatments. In Connecticut, Yale New Haven Health and the Department of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine team up to run The Steward House at Silver Hill. In this executive rehab, you’ll get treatment from Yale’s renowned professors.

Not every rehab in New England is connected to a research center. But clients throughout the region benefit from the cultural emphasis on evidence-based treatment. Brown University, in Providence, Rhode Island, is home to The New England Addiction Technology Transfer Center. And their mission is to make evidence-based treatment more available to local rehabs.

spruce mountain inn new england — Spruce Mountain Inn in Plainfield, Vermont

Year-Round Natural Beauty

New England is famous for its great thinkers, but there’s more to recovery than research. This region combines academic prowess with beautiful natural scenery. Quinn Tremblay, Admissions Coordinator at McLean Fernside, says that going to rehab in New England can help you, “stay mindful and keep yourself in a serene mode.”

Experience the Best of All 4 Seasons

This area has 4 distinct seasons, and you can look forward to different activities in each of them. Summer in New England is warm with cooler nights.² Clients at McLean Borden Cottage can enjoy the season by hiking, sailing, and spending time at the beach.

Autumn is especially popular in New England, thanks to its famous fall foliage. You could have a front-row seat to watch the leaves put on a show. Leaf peeping season starts as early as September in Maine and New Hampshire.

Winters are cold in this area, and the mountainous regions get a lot of snow. If you dislike harsh weather, this might be the wrong time of year for you to visit New England. But if you enjoy snow sports, it’s perfect! In programs like Turnbridge, clients can go skiing and snowboarding during treatment.

In the spring, the gray winter skies melt into a cheery blue. At Brattleboro Retreat, you can spend this season gardening. Watching a seed you’ve planted sprout and bloom can give you a sense of achievement. And at every time of year, spending time in nature can help you heal.

“Breathe a Little Easier” in New England’s Rural Areas

New England is well-known for its natural beauty,³ with rocky shores, lush forests, rugged mountains, calm lakes, and flowing rivers. But what does that have to do with rehab?

Studies show that just having a view of nature from your room can improve your mental state.⁴ Starting treatment in a naturally beautiful place like New England can put you in the right mindset to focus on the hard work of recovery.

Plus, being able to get away from the demands of urban life can give you space to heal. Katie, a former patient of Spring Lake Ranch in Vermont, explains that being in rural New England helped her recover. “As soon as I got up here, I felt like I could breathe a little easier. No more traffic, no more rushing, no more people everywhere. It was exactly what I needed.”

And you can do more than just looking out of the window. For example, at Spruce Mountain Inn, in Plainfield, Vermont, patients can go hiking, rock climbing, skiing, and canoeing. And if these rural activities aren’t for you, there are other ways to heal. Many of New England’s rehabs are located in urban areas, if you’d prefer a less secluded treatment program.

Stay Connected to Urban Life During Recovery

Rehabs in bigger cities offer some unique amenities. Because New England is home to Boston, Providence, and Hartford, as well as many rural areas, this beautiful region offers the best of both worlds.

As Dr. Frederick Goggans, the Medical Director at McLean Borden Cottage, puts it, “There’s many amenities that you would have in more urban areas, but at the same time, you have that peacefulness and sanctuary setting, which is pretty rare in today’s modern world.” For example, rehabs in New England offer some of these interesting day trips:

Affinity One offers sightseeing trips to historic sites.
Turnbridge takes groups to watch New England sports teams, like the Patriots.
Clients at Plymouth House can volunteer in the local community.

These trips immerse clients in local culture. If you’re from nearby, this might help you feel at ease. And if you’re traveling for treatment, connecting with New England’s unique spirit can give you important insight into your own values.

plymouth house new england — Plymouth House in Plymouth, New Hampshire

A Culture of Individuality

New England gives you space to be yourself.⁵ Its people are known for being friendly, down-to-earth, and accepting. But they know how to respect boundaries. In one report on Vermont’s culture, experts note that individuality is “at the heart of the character” of the region.⁶

As a result, many local rehabs offer personalized treatment. This makes them a great fit for clients of certain demographics. If you’re looking for an LGBTQ+ affirming rehab, for instance, Clearbrook Treatment Center might be a good fit. New England is also an excellent place to find rehab programs for executives. Whatever you’re looking for, this open-minded region welcomes people with diverse backgrounds.

Traveling to New England

This region is easily accessible from all over the world. There are 14 airports in New England,⁷ spanning its 6 states. The biggest is Boston Logan International Airport, which serves more than 40 airlines traveling to over 100 destinations. You can also fly into a smaller airport like Bangor International for Maine rehabs, or T.F. Green International Airport for rehabs in Rhode Island.

After you land, it’s easy to get around New England by Amtrak. These trains connect the bigger cities, like Boston, New Haven, Burlington, and Providence. You can also take regional trains, Metro-North train in Connecticut, or the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail in Boston.

Although it’s easy to reach this area, it’s better to travel with a support person. Starting rehab is a big decision, and the journey there can be hard. If you can, ask a friend or loved one to come along and help you with logistics. Or, you can ask your admissions team about other options. Some rehabs even offer complimentary pickups within a certain radius.

New England Offers Safety and Freedom

Early recovery is a tumultuous time. And that can make it hard to choose a treatment program. In New England, you can have the best of both worlds. Enjoy the tranquility of nature, and trust the knowledge of world-renowned researchers. Climb a mountain peak one day, and explore an urban center the next. These rehabs offer plenty of support, while you define what freedom means to you.
Reach out to one of New England’s luxury rehab centers to learn about their exact locations, amenities, and types of treatment.