Alaska Rehabs & Drug Addiction Treatment Options

A 2019 report from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that compared to the national average, Alaskans aged 12 and older had a much higher rate of past-year heroin use and the misuse of prescription pain relievers. The number of people enrolled at a drug treatment center in March of 2019 also almost tripled compared to the same month just two years before. While more people may be seeking professional help for their substance use, finding the right care is important. Learn more about your options for substance abuse treatment in Alaska.

Inpatient Options for Care

Residential programs are a common type of treatment, especially for people with more severe substance use disorders. Patients in these programs will typically live at the facility for 1, 2, or 3 months as they follow an intensive treatment plan that includes several hours of therapy daily. Every Alaska inpatient drug rehab will have a unique set of offerings in terms of programming, but patients can expect to partake in group therapy, behavioral therapy, substance use disorder education, and holistic therapy. Programming will also vary depending on the patient’s unique treatment plan.

Facilities can also vary drastically from one drug rehab center in Alaska to another. While most treatment centers will have recreational centers and shared living spaces, a luxury treatment center may have private rooms and additional facilities such as an indoor pool, spa, or business center. The number of luxury rehab in Alaska is limited, so if you are in search of an upscale environment for treatment, you may need to look out of state.

Alaska Drug Rehab Outpatient Programs

Staying at a facility overnight is not a requirement for all addiction treatment. There are different outpatient levels of care with varying time commitments for people who do not need as intensive care or may require more flexible scheduling. Most outpatient programs will last for a couple of weeks, but patients in a higher level of care may transition to a less intensive program and treatment schedule after their initial program is complete.

Treatment for Mental Health Disorders

Mental health care is often an important aspect of recovery and is included in regular inpatient or outpatient programming. While this level of care can be beneficial for some, people who have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder often need more intensive treatment.

A dual diagnosis treatment center in Alaska will be able to treat mental health disorders as well as substance use disorders. Patients will work with behavioral health professionals and in programming dedicated to their mental health. These programs use an integrated approach to care to help patients analyze root causes and relationships between the disorders. With this understanding, patients can work on changing their thoughts or behaviors to improve their treatment outcomes.

Detox

At the beginning of treatment, some patients will need to undergo a formal drug detox in Alaska to help them comfortably and safely withdraw from certain substances and avoid potentially dangerous side effects. A medical detox center can be a helpful aid in this process. These facilities will monitor patients around the clock and address any medical concerns as they are. This can help stabilize patients so they can transition to ongoing treatment.

Paying for Care

The cost of attending a private drug and alcohol rehab center in Alaska may seem high, but there are several options when it comes to paying for care. The most common way to pay for addiction treatment is with health insurance. Treatment for substance use disorders is covered with health insurance but the specifics on what exactly is covered will vary depending on your policy and the Alaska rehab you choose. Other payment options for private care facilities include paying out-of-pocket, financing, taking out a loan, and getting financial aid from loved ones.

Helpful alternatives to private treatment centers include state-funded facilities, non-profit organizations, or charities. These entities will sometimes offer free resources or even services like detox and inpatient programming. Some of these programs do have admission limitations based on financial need and there may also be waitlists to get in.

Fewer and Fewer Treatment Centers to Choose From

Though the need for drug addiction treatment in Alaska rises every year, the number of drug addiction treatment centers continues to drop. Of those that remain, many are overtaxed: too few beds, too few staff members, too few resources. State budgets are tightening every year and one of the first places that cuts occur is in the arena of social services. There are also fewer grants available to fund different types of treatment. In short, there’s no money to fund the facilities that currently exist and even less money to build new options.

Which Drug Addiction Treatment Program Is the Best Option?

For some families in Alaska, the best option for drug rehab is to choose a program located in the lower 48. Away from the stresses and influences of home, patients have the freedom to focus on recovery and practice living a life that is drug-free in a safe and protected environment.

Contact us today at the phone number listed above and speak to an addiction treatment specialist about the types of drug treatment programs that are available to your family.