Fentanyl Rehabs: Inpatient, Outpatient, Residential & PHP

Components of Effective Fentanyl Rehab

When someone is seeking treatment for an addiction to fentanyl or any other substance, there are some elements of that treatment program that are important. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the following are some of the principles of effective fentanyl rehab and addiction treatment in general:

• Addiction is a complex disease that affects the function of the brain as well as behavior. While it is a difficult disease to treat, treatment is possible. To work, treatment should be comprehensive and should address the changes in the brain that occur with fentanyl use.
• There isn’t one particular treatment approach or style that is going to be right for every person. Treatment should speak to the needs of the individual.
• The most effective treatments are readily available. For example, if you’re holding an intervention for your loved one, it’s best to have treatment lined up and ready ahead-of-time. The more easily someone can go into treatment, the better the outcomes in many cases.
• Fentanyl rehab and addiction treatment aren’t just about drug use. Yes, the goal is to help the patient stop using fentanyl and any other substances, but rehab should also focus on the needs of the whole person.
• For the best outcomes, it’s essential that people remain in treatment for long enough. According to research, most people need at least three months in fentanyl rehab to stop their drug use. However, this doesn’t mean all of this time has to spent in inpatient rehab.
• Behavioral therapies are a critical aspect of effective addiction treatment. This can include individual, group and family therapy sessions.
• Some patients may require medications as part of their fentanyl rehab treatment plan.
• A person’s addiction treatment plan won’t remain the same over time. It should evolve and change as the needs of the individual do the same.
• Co-occurring mental health disorders often accompany addiction, such as depression or anxiety. During fentanyl rehab, these co-occurring disorders should also be treated.
• Long-term monitoring can help reduce the risk of relapse after someone completes a fentanyl rehab program.

How to Get Fentanyl Help for Yourself or Family

Whether someone recognizes they have a problem with fentanyl or other opioids, or they’re not at that point yet, having easy access to addiction treatment is essential. There are many different fentanyl facility options available.

A fentanyl facility may vary in its approach to addiction treatment, amenities, and factors such as price. Ultimately, the goal should be the same. The objective of attending a fentanyl facility for addiction treatment is to stop using the drug and re-learn how to live a productive life without it.

“Addiction is a complex but treatable disease that affects brain function and behavior,” according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

When someone or their family is considering different fentanyl treatment facilities, they should account for the complexity of addiction and the needs of the individual.

Fentanyl Treatment Options

Fentanyl is a highly deadly drug. If someone is abusing it or addicted to it, seeking help is essential. There are different fentanyl treatment options available. Whether you are struggling with an addiction to fentanyl or your loved one is, treatment is available.

• Fentanyl Detox – Before someone can start any kind of fentanyl rehab program or any fentanyl treatment plan, they have to detox from the substance fully. A fentanyl detox is a time when a patient can be monitored and treated for withdrawal symptoms.
• Fentanyl Inpatient / Residential Rehab – Following a full detox from fentanyl, most people benefit from inpatient rehab. Inpatient rehab can last anywhere from 28 days up to several months or more. Patients stay overnight in the rehab facility and participate in intensive treatment programs and therapy.
• Fentanyl PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program) – During a partial hospitalization for fentanyl addiction, participants receive treatment all day most days of the week for a period of time. The only major difference between a fentanyl PHP and inpatient rehab is that during a PHP, patients return home in the evenings or to a sober living house.
• Fentanyl Outpatient Rehab – Outpatient rehabs can vary quite a bit in intensity, types of treatment and therapy offered, and general format. A fentanyl outpatient rehab is typically something a person will transition into once they’ve completed a more rigorous and intensive rehab program in an inpatient or partial hospitalization setting. Abusing fentanyl can and often does lead to addiction, overdose, and death.

Don’t wait until there is no other option—contact Amethyst Recovery to learn about fentanyl addiction and treatment options.

The Fentanyl Rehab Process

What a lot of people are surprised to learn is that fentanyl rehab is a process. It’s not usually the case for someone to attend one type of rehab program and be “cured” of their addiction.

Addiction is a complex, chronic disorder. It’s treatable, but not necessarily curable. The most effective treatment plans tend to be ongoing and include several steps along the way, as well as long-term follow-up.

If someone seeks treatment for fentanyl addiction or any other kind of opioid addiction, the steps may include:

• A medical detox during which a patient can safely and comfortably go through withdrawal. Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms can be flu-like, and there can also be psychological symptoms. Medical detox is a situation where patients can receive medicine, monitoring, and any other necessary interventions.
• Following a full fentanyl detox, patients can then begin inpatient rehab. Inpatient rehab requires patients to stay overnight in the treatment facility for a period of time. This is usually around 28 to 30 days, although it can be shorter or longer depending on the program.
• After a patient develops some coping mechanisms and then stabilizes, they might move down to a partial hospitalization program or an outpatient rehab.
• Once someone completes rehab, their addiction treatment team will create an aftercare plan for them, which may include continuing therapy and participation in a 12-step program like Narcotics Anonymous.

What Is Inpatient Fentanyl Rehab Like?

Inpatient fentanyl rehab is very organized and scheduled. There isn’t a lot of free time or unscheduled time in the day. A day might include the following:

• When patients wake up in the morning, they may have time for meditation, and then they will have a healthy breakfast.
• The morning routine at inpatient rehab may also include certain chores in some cases.
• Many rehab programs will also have early morning classes or programs.
• Group sessions occur during inpatient rehab, as do individual therapy sessions.
• During the afternoon patients will likely continue their therapy sessions. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the types of therapy most often used in inpatient rehab. Cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT looks at how individuals respond to certain triggers. During CBT sessions, patients can also learn how to respond in better ways to triggers.
• Many inpatient rehab programs will also offer specialized therapy sessions such as anger or stress management.
• Family therapy may be part of inpatient rehab when it’s feasible.
• Alternative forms of therapy may be introduced during inpatient fentanyl rehab, like music therapy, exercise, or biofeedback.

If you feel like you’re ready to take the next step or help your loved one do so, contact Amethyst Recovery. We can help you learn more about inpatient fentanyl rehab, and how to get help.

Advantages of Inpatient Fentanyl Rehab

When deciding on a treatment program, it’s important for people to understand there are many benefits of inpatient rehab, especially for a drug as potent as fentanyl.

The benefits of fentanyl inpatient treatment include:

• Inpatient rehab offers a very safe, supportive and insulated environment. This may not reflect the real world, but it’s important in the early days of treatment, as someone is trying to stabilize and learn how to live without the use of fentanyl once again.
• Addiction treatment needs to be comprehensive. The goal is to help someone stop using fentanyl, but the drug addiction isn’t the only thing that needs to be treated. The whole person needs to be considered, and inpatient rehab offers the opportunity for this level of holistic treatment to be delivered.
• When someone is checked into inpatient rehab for fentanyl, there aren’t the outside stresses of daily life that could trigger them and lead to a relapse. Everything is focused on treatment and recovery.
• Many times addiction occurs along with other mental disorders. An inpatient rehab program can offer dual diagnosis treatment for those disorders, as well as medication management.
• Most inpatient rehabs also include an onsite medical detox program.

Overall the environment of inpatient rehab is one that’s highly structured and supervised. This can be incredibly valuable in the early days of treatment, which are often the most difficult.

Do You Need Fentanyl Inpatient Rehab?

It can be difficult for people to see what’s happening in their own life with their drug use. They may be in denial, or they may ignore the severity of their situation.

So how do you know if fentanyl inpatient rehab is right for you? The following are some signs that you may need to participate in an inpatient rehab program for fentanyl addiction:

• The feeling that you want to stop using opioids, but you’re unable
• Strong cravings for fentanyl or other opioids
• Problems at school, work or home resulting from drug use
• Loss of interest in activities that you were previously involved in
• Much of your time and energy goes toward obtaining and using more fentanyl
• You’re putting yourself in dangerous situations either to get more fentanyl or while you’re high on fentanyl
• You’ve developed a tolerance to the drug and need higher doses to get the same effects

How to Choose a Residential Rehab

Whether you’re choosing a residential rehab for yourself or your loved one, it should be a comfortable, welcoming facility. Rehab is hard work, and the more at-home a patient can feel while they’re there, the more likely they are to be engaged in treatment and to stay for the duration of the program.

A lot of patients feel comfortable with a residential rehab that uses a 12-step framework for treatment. This is because 12-step programs tend to have high engagement rates, and there is also a support group component that can make for a better residential treatment experience.

Once a patient completes residential rehab, it’s easier for them to transition into an outside 12-step program.

Some specific questions to consider when choosing a residential treatment center for fentanyl addiction include:

• How much will treatment cost, and what are the payment options? Is private insurance accepted?
• Is it possible to visit the residential treatment center before actually going?
• Would traveling out-of-state be beneficial for you? For many people struggling with addiction, leaving their environment of drug use is beneficial.
• Is there a waiting list, or can treatment begin immediately?
• What are the credentials, licensing and certifications held by the center itself and the staff?
• How is treatment approached? What is the treatment philosophy?
• What is the role of family and friends during treatment? Are they included in treatment plans, and is family support offered?
• What would a typical day be like and what types of therapy and activities are patients expected to participate in?
• What is the aftercare planning like? Is there a long-term follow-up?

An Overview of a Fentanyl PHP

A partial hospitalization program for fentanyl or any other drug is one that is similar to residential rehab, except patients don’t have to stay the night. Partial hospitalization is also called day treatment. There is an intensive, high level of care in these programs, but at the end of treatment, each day participants return home or to a sober living home.

Most partial hospitalization programs have services and therapy approaches that are very similar to residential rehab. They can include dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, as well as medication management when necessary.

A partial hospitalization program will usually require participation in all-day treatment five to six days a week.

A fentanyl PHP might include:

• Individual counseling and therapy
• Group and family therapy
• Medical services and treatments
• Dual diagnosis treatment
• Drug screening
• Access to educational, social, and employment services

Who Should Attend a Fentanyl PHP?

Someone might be a good fit for a fentanyl PHP if they have already learned some skills and coping mechanisms in inpatient rehab, but are not ready for the freedom and flexibility of outpatient rehab.

Once someone has moved beyond an immediate and imminent threat of relapse, they may do well in a PHP. If someone relapses during an outpatient rehab program, or they’re not progressing well, they might also be recommended for a fentanyl PHP.

Before someone participates in a fentanyl PHP, it’s important that they feel they’re adequately prepared to avoid relapse, and they should feel comfortable taking on a greater level of freedom and autonomy. If someone is going to return home each night rather than a sober living home, that environment should be safe and supportive.

What is Outpatient Rehab?

Outpatient rehab is a type of addiction treatment that is fairly informal. Patients don’t have to check-in like they do during residential treatment. There is the freedom to come and go as the patient pleases, but they are expected to participate in scheduled treatment sessions throughout the week.

It is important to realize that if someone is struggling with fentanyl or other opioids, starting with an outpatient rehab probably isn’t the best option. Fentanyl abuse and addiction are very serious, and fentanyl is an extremely deadly drug.

For someone with a fentanyl problem, an inpatient or residential treatment program is the recommended first step, followed by a gradual transition into outpatient treatment.

The following are some key features of outpatient rehab:

• Outpatient rehab may consist of both group and individual therapy
• Drug education is usually a component of outpatient treatment
• Most outpatient rehabs are flexible in terms of scheduling and the required time commitment
• Sometimes outpatient rehab is part of a criminal justice program.
• There are different levels of intensity for outpatient rehab

How Is a Fentanyl PHP Different From Outpatient Treatment?

People often wonder how a partial hospitalization program might vary from outpatient rehab and particularly an intensive outpatient program.

The primary difference is the required time commitment. A fentanyl PHP is going to require participants go to treatment all day, almost every day of the week. Even in an intensive outpatient treatment program, there is usually only a commitment of a few hours a day, three or four days a week required.

While a partial hospitalization program has treatment similar to residential rehab, in an outpatient rehab most of the therapy is done in a group setting.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Fentanyl Treatment

Sometimes people are apprehensive about participating in an inpatient rehab program for different reasons. They may wonder about the differences between inpatient and outpatient rehab.

While there are many, the following are some of the most prominent distinctions:

• Inpatient fentanyl rehab requires a patient to check-in for a period of time
• Outpatient rehab is not very formal, and there isn’t a check-in process
• During inpatient rehab, other areas of the patient’s life have to be put on hold, but this isn’t the case with outpatient rehab
• Inpatient rehab can be significantly more expensive than outpatient treatment because it’s a more comprehensive, involved type of treatment
• Success rates vary depending on the individual and how long they stay in treatment

Who Is a Good Fit For Fentanyl Outpatient Rehab?

For the most part, starting with outpatient rehab isn’t going to provide the level of stability and supervision required for people who are struggling with fentanyl addiction. However, some people might start treatment with outpatient rehab if:

• They have a mild or short-term addiction
• They are only using one substance
• There aren’t complicating factors such as co-occurring mental health disorders
• No other treatment programs have been tried previously
• The person doesn’t require a medical detox
• The individual isn’t able to leave their home or daily commitments for inpatient rehab

Someone who is not likely to be a good fit to begin addiction treatment in an outpatient setting includes anyone who:

• Has an addiction diagnosed as severe
• Is abusing multiple substances simultaneously
• Has previously tried other addiction treatment programs and relapsed
• Has physical or mental health issues that need to be treated
• Has a home environment that could be harmful or trigger them to relapse

Summing Up—Fentanyl Outpatient Treatment

If you are struggling with fentanyl addiction yourself, or you have a loved one who is, contact Amethyst Recovery. We can help you explore the addiction treatment options available including both inpatient and outpatient rehab, and find the right fit for your situation.

What To Expect During Fentanyl Outpatient Rehab

The following are some things you can typically expect during an outpatient rehab program:

• During outpatient rehab, one of the key types of therapy is group therapy. The environment may be similar to participating in a 12-step recovery and support group.
• There isn’t a lot of accountability in outpatient rehab, so participants have to be ready to hold themselves accountable and be responsible for their choices and actions.
• Most outpatient rehabs require a commitment of a few hours a week, and total outpatient treatment time may range from one to three months.
• Participants in outpatient rehab don’t have to give up their daily activities such as school or work to go to treatment, unlike inpatient rehab.

Types of Outpatient Addiction Programs

There are different types of outpatient fentanyl treatment programs. Each is going to have a varied format and structure, and the pros and cons.

Day Programs

Day programs are very similar to partial hospitalization treatment. Day programs and partial hospitalization are technically outpatient rehab because participants return home or to their sober living facility in the evenings. However, other than that they are much like residential rehab.

Day programs require treatment sessions most days of the week, and these sessions usually last all day. Dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health issues and medication management may be part of day programs.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)

An intensive outpatient program is one where patients are usually expected to dedicate around three hours a day to treatment, several days a week. It’s still significantly less of a time commitment than day treatment or partial hospitalization.

Patients who are assessed not to need a medical detox or residential rehab may begin their treatment program with intensive outpatient rehab. An intensive outpatient program can typically be tailored to integrate with the daily life of the participants so they are able to continue working and living as normal.

Most of the forms of treatment offered in an intensive outpatient program are done in a group setting.

Aftercare Treatment

If someone were to first participate in a residential addiction treatment program for fentanyl, their team of treatment specialists would likely provide them with aftercare planning.

Aftercare planning can include long-term follow-up, continued one-on-one counseling, and participation in support groups. These can all also be considered components of outpatient rehab.

Types of Fentanyl Addiction Treatment Centers

There are many different kinds of fentanyl addiction treatment facilities. Some of these include:

Private Rehabs

There are private rehab centers located throughout the country. These facilities can vary significantly in their treatment approach, their amenities and the general format of the programs.

A private rehab is one where patients may be responsible for payment, but often there are scholarships or financial aid programs available. Private insurance can often be used to cover the cost of private rehab. Private rehab programs tend to be accessible fairly quickly, which is a key component of a good treatment outcome.

Types Of Private Facilities

There are specialized private rehabs and programs that might have a religious focus or cater to specific communities such as women, the LGBT community, or people with co-occurring mental health disorders to name a few.

If someone attends a private treatment facility, it will usually start with medical detox, and then patients will progress through a series of treatment steps. Private rehab is considered very effective, but it does require a more significant financial commitment than other forms of treatment.

Non-Profit Rehab Facilities

If someone is struggling with an addiction to fentanyl, there is another option beyond a private rehab facility. Non-profit rehab facilities offer a free or less expensive treatment option. Many of these programs require payment based on a sliding scale, and they’re funded by a combination of taxpayer dollars and donations.

Most non-profit rehab facilities offer both inpatient and outpatient rehab. They may also offer detox, long-term treatment, and counseling that can be done on an individual, outpatient basis.

While non-profit rehab facilities don’t have the high costs of a private center, they do tend to have waiting lists, and they can be hard to get into. These centers will also have a rigorous assessment process, to determine who can enter treatment in their facility.

Government-Funded Treatment

Government-funded addiction treatment does provide a high level of care in most cases because there is a lot of oversight of these centers. Government-funded facilities may be free, or costs may be based on the income of the patient.

A lot of rehabs funded by the government will offer payment plans, and these centers are similar in many ways to nonprofit rehab centers.

Other Types of Fentanyl Treatment Facilities

Private fentanyl rehab, as well as nonprofit and government-funded treatment centers, are all very broad categories. Along with those categories, there are specific types of treatment.

Fentanyl Luxury Rehab

Luxury rehab can have different meanings for different people, but anytime there are higher-end amenities or features that seem similar to a resort, the treatment facility might be characterized as a luxury center.

A luxury rehab facility is going to be the most expensive treatment option, and participants may have chef-prepared meals, a variety of supplemental activities, private rooms, and one-on-one treatment.

If someone can afford it, a luxury rehab may have its benefits, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the actual quality of treatment will be any better than a less high-end facility.

Long-Term Fentanyl Treatment Facilities

Therapeutic fentanyl treatment communities are long-term types of rehab. In these facilities, patients will live at the residential treatment center for anywhere from six months to a year in most cases. These centers are like inpatient rehab, and they’re best-suited to patients with very severe, long-term addictions.

A long-term treatment center may also be the right choice for someone with a severe mental illness that needs to be treated along with an addiction.