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Residential treatment facilities offer options for boys who struggle with substance abuse, or drug addiction. Get information on residential treatment facilities, their costs, and choosing a residential facility that will suit the needs of your teenager.

One of the most difficult things to overcome is a substance addiction. Substance abuse can be very hard to get over, since your body grows to rely on the drug. Whether it is alcohol, prescription drugs, cocaine, methamphetamine or any other mind altering substance, drug abuse can be very difficult to get beyond. This is because there are actual changes in your body and in your brain that are effected by your heavy drug use.

While many people have success with community based programs and 12 step programs, they are not for everyone. In some cases, a drug addict needs more help and more intense supervision. For those who need more help overcoming their addictions, there are residential treatment facilities.

What is a residential treatment facility?

A residential treatment facility is a place that addicts can go to live and get help overcoming their substance abuse problems. Instead of attending meetings just once or twice a week at certain location, those with substance abuse problems actually live at a treatment facility. They receive their own bed, and they can bring some personal effects. Depending on the facility, someone with a substance abuse problem may have his or her own room, or may be required to share.

Most residential treatment facilities include medical staff on hand, as well as mental health staff and addiction treatment experts. Residential treatment facilities often make use of group counseling and one on one counseling to help the addict learn to overcome the addiction. Some facilities also include staff that can help administer relief for withdrawal symptoms, and even replace the substance being abused with some other similar compound, stepping down dosages to help the body and the brain get used to life without the drugs. Another reason that medical professionals may be on hand is to help with situations in which drugs have caused serious health problems for users.

Mental health professionals can provide counseling as well, but many of them are on hand to help with cases of depression. One of the challenges that many substance abusers face when quitting is depression. Mental health professionals can monitor patients around the clock, watching for signs of suicide, and helping to prevent it. A residential treatment facility can provide someone with substance abuse problems a place where adequate attention is offered, and medical personnel are nearby, just in case.

Paying for a residential treatment facility

Unlike many community programs, which are free, residential treatment facilities often require money. Because of what they provide, running residential treatment facilities is expensive. As a result, some money needs to be charged to the patient or patient’s family  -  especially since a residential treatment facility often provides appropriate every day clothing, activities designed to help distract patients, and meals. This means that a good facility can quickly become quite expensive.

There are options for paying for residential treatment facilities, though. First of all, you can check to see if your insurance covers the treatment. Some insurance policies will cover certain treatments, or at least pay for part of the stay. However, it is important to check, since more insurance companies are covering less these days.

Another option is to consider payment plans. Many residential treatment facilities offer payment plans that you can use. You will probably have to pay interest, but the payments are often reasonably affordable. You could also attempt to get a loan for the treatment facility, but these are few and far between recently. Especially since the housing market crash has limited those who would ordinarily get help from the equity in their homes.

Choosing a residential treatment facility

While cost will undoubtedly be one of the main factors in your choice of residential treatment facilities, it is not the only consideration. Carefully look at your options. Some people do better in certain environments than others. Make sure that the loved one you are putting in a treatment facility is likely to thrive and recover. Research different options, and decide which is likely to be best in your particular case. This can be hard, since some do not wish to go to treatment facilities.

It is also important to consider methods. In many cases, combining a pharmaceutical regimen with cognitive behavior modification can be helpful. However, it is important to realize that no matter where your loved one goes for drug treatment, the risk of a relapse is always there. You will need to be supportive and available when your loved one returns from a residential treatment facility, and encourage new activities that can help keep a drug addict from relapsing.