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Addiction Treatment

Therapy As An Essential Tool In Addiction Treatment

As our understanding of addiction grows, so do the available treatment options. Few rehab facilities these days follow a one-size-fits-all approach to drug and alcohol addiction treatment: even publicly funded centres on a budget make some allowance for differing needs and circumstances.

There is also an almost universal agreement that addiction treatment is needed in the first place. We have moved on from the days when people with addictions went through detox and were sent home with instructions to never use the substance again.

Similarly, we are no longer stuck on the idea of talk therapy being the only mode of addiction treatment. Rehab centres typically use a multifaceted approach that combines therapy, life coaching, yoga, creative pursuits, exercise and more. The more customizable an addiction treatment program is, the better the long-term outcomes are.

But are there any commonalities? In this world of individually tailored addiction treatment plans, are there any elements that should be applied to everyone?

A Universal Treatment Goal

No matter who you are or what circumstances led to your addiction, there is one singular goal of participating in a drug and alcohol rehab program: to address the root causes of the addiction and develop the skills and tools to cope with the challenges of life without turning to substance use.

This goal looks different for everyone. People start using drugs and alcohol for all kinds of reasons, such as spousal abuse, trauma from serving in the military, schoolyard bullying, or unrelenting pressure to succeed in a corporate environment.

Delving into these issues is key to long-term recovery, and in most cases, this involves therapy.

Defining Therapy

For most people, the word “therapy” conjures up a mental picture of a patient sitting in an office talking to a therapist. But therapy can take many forms. In fact, Britannica (famed for the encyclopedia) defines psychotherapy as “any form of treatment for psychological, emotional, or behaviour disorders in which a trained person establishes a relationship with one or several patients for the purpose of modifying or removing existing symptoms and promoting personality growth”.

By this definition, many things can qualify as “therapy”, so individuals who are not willing or able to relive their traumas by verbalizing them can heal in ways that are more suited to them.

Individual Therapy

Talk therapy is an old favourite, and it is highly effective for many people. There are several subclasses of talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). Many people find that they can only work through their traumas if they talk about them, and individual talk therapy provides a safe, confidential environment for doing that.

Group Therapy

group therapy

Humans instinctively gravitate to other humans who have common experiences, interests, or challenges. We feel validated when we are among people who “get it”, who have lived through some of the same things we have. Group therapy allows people with addictions to share their experiences, talk about what they have learned, and support one another through the process of recovery.

Family Therapy

Some addictions arise from situations of conflict with loved ones. All people involved – the person with the addiction and their close friends and family members – may benefit from family therapy. The goal is to improve communication and conflict resolution skills.

Creative Therapies

Therapy using art, music, and dance can be an effective supplement to talk therapy, or it can be used as the primary form of therapy for those who are not candidates for talk therapy. Creativity is a great way for individuals to express themselves and communicate difficult emotions. These forms of therapy are relatively recent additions to addiction treatment.

Traditional Healing Practices

No discussion about addiction treatment is complete without a look at the traditional healing methods used in some cultures. It is important that addiction treatment acknowledge and respect the individual’s cultural and spiritual needs. Traditions like sweat lodge ceremonies, storytelling, land-based activities, and traditional teachings should be available to people from Indigenous communities.

Therapy Comes In Many Forms

We need to overturn the idea that “therapy” consists of lying on a couch talking to a relative stranger. The therapies described above are just a small part of an ever-growing, ever-evolving list. The key is to determine what kind of therapy works for you. Sometimes it will be just done, but more commonly, a combination of therapeutic modalities will be most effective.

It is important to remember that while we usually associate therapy with mental health, it can also apply to physical health. If you suffer from an addiction to painkillers, you may need an alternative means of managing the pain for which the painkillers were prescribed, such as a different medication, physiotherapy, or both. If your addiction is paired with an eating disorder, you may benefit from therapy that incorporates exercise and nutrition coaching.

therapy comes in many forms

The Importance Of Flexibility

As you move through your addiction recovery, you will change and grow. As this happens, the combination of therapies that worked for you in the beginning may need to be adjusted. A good addiction treatment plan allows for this. There should be assessments at regular intervals, during which your progress is monitored and your treatment altered as needed.

Therapy After Rehab

Addiction recovery is an ongoing process that continues long after you have left your rehab facility. As part of your discharge from rehab, you should be referred to therapists and treatment providers in your area who can help you continue the work you have started. With technological advances, many of these therapies can be conducted online.

Getting Started With Addiction Treatment

Talking about the different kinds of therapy is all well and good, but how do you get started in a facility that provides access to all of this? Fortunately, you do not have to look far. Thousand Islands Rehab Centre is located in a beautiful setting just two hours out of Toronto. We will put together a customized addiction treatment program that considers your unique needs and circumstances, and that incorporate the therapeutic methods that are right for you. Your recovery journey can start right now with a single phone call.

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Addiction Treatment

How Much Does Rehab Cost in Toronto?

Substance abuse disorder is a complex condition that results in uncontrolled use of a substance despite harmful consequences. People with this condition have an intense focus on using a particular substance such as alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs, to the point where the person’s ability to function in day-to-day life becomes impaired. Individuals keep using the substance, even when they know it is causing problems.

People with substance abuse and behavioural addictions may be aware of their problem yet unable to stop even if they want to. The addiction can cause physical and psychological issues and interpersonal problems with family members, friends, and coworkers. Alcohol and drug use is one of the leading causes of preventable illnesses and premature deaths nationwide.

If someone has an addiction, they need help. Many people with substance abuse disorder don’t realize that they have a problem, or they are too afraid to reach out. It is often up to close friends and family members to seek out treatment options for their loved one. Drug and alcohol rehab centres are an excellent place to start, but the cost of treatment is frequently seen as a barrier. There are many treatment facilities in the Toronto area, and the price varies depending on who runs the facility and what services are offered.

Addiction Treatment

Substance use has increased relative to pre-pandemic times, but a smaller percentage of people are getting the help they need. Addiction can be fatal, so those impacted by it need to seek treatment. The earlier addiction treatment is initiated, the better the outcomes are.

The first step is to contact a medical professional for assistance. They will help develop a treatment plan that will include a variety of services. The treatments recommended will depend on several factors, such as the severity of the addiction. Interventions range from at-home detox with check-in visits to your doctor, to inpatient rehab lasting for several weeks.

Rehab centres provide many services, such as education, group and individual counseling, and life coaching. Inpatient rehab is generally accepted as the most effective form of addiction treatment, although well-structured outpatient programs can work for some individuals.

In Canada, there are options for both government-funded and private rehab. Publicly funded services vary by province, and your out-of-pocket cost of private rehab depends on the facility and the coverage offered by your insurance company.

Publicly Funded Rehab

The key advantage of this type of addiction treatment is that it is free in Ontario for Canadian citizens and residents. Government-funded facilities such as the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) offer many services to people with addictions. These include medical detox, therapy, group counselling, and follow-up after completion of the rehab program. The addiction treatment program typically lasts for about 30 days.

There are some disadvantages of government-run drug and alcohol rehab. The waiting period can be up to six months, and the average staff to patient ratio is 10:1 – significantly higher than most private facilities. Aftercare is much shorter as well – usually about three months, compared with private aftercare, which can last longer than one year. There is also no re-entry after a relapse in most cases, and family support is limited.

Privately Funded Rehab

Getting addiction treatment at a private centre will require the patient to cover the cost either alone or through their insurance company. Many facilities and treatment providers offer financing or income-based pricing in a quest to make treatment financially accessible to more people. Although the price of private rehab seems high, weighing it against the cost of addiction may make it viable.

Wait times for private treatment are significantly shorter than those for public centres. Private addiction treatment facilities can typically facilitate admission immediately or within days.

There are also more options when it comes to treatment. You can sign up for a longer program, with a much better staff to patient ratio at an average of 3:1. Other advantages are the longer and more comprehensive aftercare programs, extensive support for loved ones, and the fact that the patient can return to rehab in the event of a relapse.

Private drug and alcohol rehab centres also have more resources at their disposal. Clients can expect more individual sessions and group treatment with fewer participants. There is a wider variety of therapeutic modalities, more amenities, and more choice when it comes to recreational options. The services and amenities vary from one centre to the next.

Breakdown of Fees

There are several drug and alcohol rehab centres in the Toronto area, and they vary significantly in terms of what services they offer. Some offer a wide range of therapy options and recreational activities, and some are more basic. The cost for a private room in a facility with a spa and golf course will be higher than that of a semi-private room in a centre that offers nature walks.

The price tag of your stay in rehab covers the cost of all services, amenities, and recreational options offered at the facility. If you are shopping around, be sure to ask for a detailed list of services from the rehab centres you approach.

Medical detox

medical detox

Medical detox allows the patient to stop using the substance they are addicted to with medical support. If an individual suddenly stops taking a drug, they may suffer withdrawal symptoms that range from uncomfortable to dangerous. During medical detox, the patient is supervised closely throughout this process, and withdrawal symptoms are managed as they arise, sometimes with the help of medications. Medical detox can be an expensive part of rehab, but anyone attempting withdrawal at home should be aware that emergency medical services are available whenever they are needed through the provincial health care plan.

Inpatient Rehab

All elements of this type of drug and alcohol rehab take place at the rehab facility. Patients temporarily live at the centre, where they have 24/7 access to support. This is the safest and most effective way to quit using the substance and overcome the addiction. A patient’s stay in rehab usually ranges from 30 days to several months. If the facility offers medical detox, this will be included in the fee.

Outpatient Rehab

For mild to moderate addictions, patients can enter an outpatient rehab program, where they continue to live at home and attend appointments with doctors and other addiction professionals. Some patients transition to outpatient programs when they are discharged from their inpatient rehab facilities. The fees for outpatient rehab depend on how severe the addiction is and what is included in the treatment plan.

Medication

Medications may be used to manage withdrawal and some mental health conditions, like anxiety. The medications used may be a significant factor in the cost. Although prescription medications are not covered by the provincial health plan for most people, the majority of insurance plans include a prescription drug allowance.

Getting Help

If you are living with an addiction, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Thousand Islands Rehab Centre is a full-service drug and alcohol addiction treatment facility just a two-hour drive from Toronto. You do not have to try to overcome your addiction by yourself. We are here to help you safely withdraw from the substance you have been using, and help you gain the skills and tools to lead a happy, productive life free from addiction.

Whether it is for a family member or yourself, call us today. Substance abuse disorder can be fatal, but it is very treatable, especially if you seek help early.

Categories
Alcohol Addiction

How Much Does Alcohol Rehab Cost In Toronto?

Alcohol addiction is one of the most challenging addictions to treat, partly because it is so difficult to recognize. Many events and celebrations around the world are observed with alcohol – holiday season parties, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries. Meals with friends include wine, we kick off our shoes and relax with a beer at the end of a long day, and drunkenness is practically expected at college parties.

What this means is that alcohol consumption is so ingrained into our lives that we can easily fail to see when someone has crossed the line from regular drinking to problem drinking and alcohol addiction. By the time the problem is acknowledged, the individual may already be deep in the woods of their alcohol use disorder, and getting into an alcohol rehab program becomes a matter of urgency.

Sadly, many people decide not to seek help because they feel that cost is a barrier. In this article, we will go over what kinds of alcohol addiction treatment exist in Toronto and what they cost.

Support Groups – Free

Support groups are available in person and online, and they are everybody’s favourite price: free. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a great place to start for people who are waiting for a rehab spot, or who are unwilling or unable to enter a rehab program.

Groups like AA consist of people who understand first-hand the challenges of alcohol addiction. You can learn from their stories, and through their sponsor program, you can have access to someone you can call when things get difficult. As you progress in your recovery, you will have the opportunity to give back by helping someone who is newer to their recovery.

AA has online options, which are great for people who cannot get to regular meetings. Those who experience social anxiety may prefer the online format to an in-person setting. There are also a lot of online alternatives to AA.

AA may not be enough on its own. If your alcohol addiction has been progressing for a long time, if you have co-existing physical or mental health concerns, or if you do not have the support of friends and family members, you may need additional treatment. AA and similar support groups are often part of addiction treatment programs.

Government-Funded Alcohol Addiction Treatment – Free/Low Cost

The Ontario government provides funding for some alcohol addiction treatment services. Several hospitals in the province have detox programs, and for those attempting detox at home, medical services are always available in the event of an emergency.

Facilities like the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) and Bellwood Health Services offer inpatient rehab programs to Ontario residents. Most of these programs are fully funded by the government, but you may need to pay out of pocket for “extras” like semi-private or private accommodation, and prescribed medications.

Government-funded alcohol addiction treatment programs can be a lifesaver for people who would not otherwise be able to afford it. If you go this route, you may have to wait for a spot to open up. Also bear in mind that in general, government-funded programs are not highly individualized, and they do not include addiction aftercare services.

Outpatient Alcohol Addiction Treatment – Cost Varies

An outpatient addiction treatment program is one where you continue to live at home and participate in your regular life, while attending appointments with a variety of professionals. These can include therapists, doctors, nutrition counsellors, and life coaches. You may also receive home visits from nurses.

Outpatient programs can be highly tailored to meet your unique needs, at a cost that is far lower than inpatient rehab. This form of treatment is ideal for people who cannot afford to go to rehab, or who do not have the ability to step out of their lives for a few weeks.

If you have physical or mental health conditions alongside your addiction, if you have a prior history of addiction and relapse, or if you lack a solid support system, you should consider inpatient treatment instead.

outpatient alcohol addiction treatment

Private Inpatient Alcohol Rehab – Cost Is Usually High

Private residential or inpatient alcohol addiction treatment is by far the most expensive option, running to several thousand dollars per month. However, this form of treatment is also the most effective, for several reasons:

  • Your treatment program is customized to your needs and circumstances
  • You do not have access to the stresses of the outside world – you can put exclusive focus onto your recovery
  • You do not have access to alcohol
  • You are in a place where you have 24/7 support
  • You are living among people who truly understand what you are going through

While the high cost of private rehab may seem like a barrier, it is important to remember that it includes everything: all forms of therapy that you will undergo, food, accommodation, recreational options, gym/exercise options, and whatever else the facility includes.

If you want to attend inpatient alcohol rehab, there are several avenues to consider when it comes to funding:

  • Talk to your medical insurance company about whether they will cover a stay in a rehab facility
  • Some employer assistance programs can assist with funding
  • You may be able to take advantage of a financing plan

Getting Help For Your Alcohol Addiction

Located an easy two-hour drive from Toronto, Thousand Islands Rehab Centre is a full-service alcohol addiction facility that can support you through detox, rehab, and aftercare. All of our programs are fully tailored to each individual, so you will know that you are getting the addiction treatment that is right for you. We follow a holistic approach that takes into account your physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and cultural needs.

Addiction does not only affect the individual it is happening to: it can have a far-reaching impact on the lives of the people around you. Our rehab programs include family therapy aimed at helping you and your loved ones manage conflicts and communicate in a constructive manner. This is a step toward ensuring that you will have the support you need when it is time for you to leave rehab.

For more information about our services, call us today.