CEO & Executive Addiction Treatment
Executives in demanding corporate positions often experience pressure and stress, and many find it hard to manage their health and well-being. Stress and other factors may contribute to substance misuse or the development of a substance use disorder (SUD).
But when an executive needs help for addiction, it can be hard to find a way to take time away from work. Those in high-profile jobs, whether a CEO, doctor, or lawyer, may also worry about tarnishing their reputation. Fortunately, some programs cater to executives and offer treatment in a manner that allows them to maintain certain work responsibilities while also helping them maintain a high level of confidentiality.
This page will help you learn more about executive rehab options, including what executive rehab is, the types of treatment settings available, and how to find an executive rehab that meets your needs.
What Is Executive Rehab?
Executive rehab is a type of specialized treatment for substance misuse and substance use disorder (SUD) that caters to the needs of executives. Executive rehab provides an appropriate level of care for drug misuse or alcohol misuse while also allowing patients to manage certain work responsibilities.
Research indicates that people with higher socioeconomic status tend to consume the same or greater amounts of alcohol than those of lower socioeconomic status.1 Unfortunately, people with SUD often do not get the treatment they need. According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), around 44 million people in the U.S. age 12 and older were classified as needing treatment for SUD.2 However, only 4 million people received treatment in the past year.2 There are many barriers to getting treatment for SUD, including not wanting or feeling unable to take time off work to get help.
Executive Addiction Treatment Settings
Executive addiction treatment may vary in approach, duration, and setting. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), effective treatment is individualized. It considers a person’s substance misuse as well as any associated issues they have, such as medical, psychological, social, and vocational.3
Patients can expect an initial assessment of their mental and physical health, which helps determine what level of care they need.3 Detox and rehab can take place in an inpatient or outpatient setting, and while your treatment plan will depend on several factors, you can expect a combination of:4
- Behavioral counseling and therapy.
- Medication.
- Evaluation and treatment for co-occurring disorders.
- Follow-up care focused on relapse prevention.
Executive Drug & Alcohol Detox Treatment
Detox treatment can be an important first step in recovery, as reducing or stopping certain substances can lead to dangerous withdrawal symptoms.5 Detox can help mitigate the potentially life-threatening risks associated with withdrawal, allowing for an easier transition to ongoing treatment in an inpatient or outpatient rehab. During detox, patients are stabilized and receive 24/7 care, monitoring, and support and may receive medications to ease symptoms and address complications if they arise.5
It’s important to note that detox on its own is generally not sufficient to help patients to achieve long-term abstinence. Patients are encouraged to continue to an inpatient or outpatient rehab to receive more comprehensive, individualized treatment that addresses the underlying causes of their addiction.3
Executive Inpatient Addiction Rehab
Inpatient rehab programs offer the most intensive form of addiction treatment, providing 24-hour care and medical supervision in a supportive environment. With inpatient treatment, patients live on-site and participate in various behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), contingency management, and motivational interviewing.6
This type of treatment can be beneficial for patients who:6
- Have a severe substance use disorder.
- Have a co-occurring mental health disorder, such as anxiety or depression.
- Do not have a safe, stable living situation.
- Do not have support from family or friends at home.
Executive Outpatient Substance Misuse Programs
Outpatient rehab programs offer many of the same therapies as an inpatient rehab program, but patients return home or to a sober living facility in the evening. This allows patients to attend therapy sessions and receive support while maintaining other commitments and responsibilities, such as attending school or work.6
Outpatient treatment occurs in clinics, counselor’s offices, or hospitals and varies greatly in duration and intensity.6 Intensive outpatient programs (IOP), for example, typically meet between 9 and 20 hours per week, while partial hospitalization programs (PHP) meet daily for 4 and 8 hours.6
Aftercare
Aftercare, sometimes referred to as continuing care, refers to various recovery efforts made after a patient completes an initial treatment period.7 Aftercare helps support a patient’s recovery goals by implementing relapse prevention techniques and a plan to address a return to substance use if a patient relapses. Aftercare can include individual and group therapy, 12-step meetings (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous), regular follow-ups with a case manager or doctor, and living in a sober living home.7
Sober Living for Executives and CEOs
Recovery housing, such as sober living homes, can be another option for ongoing support to maintain recovery. Sober living can offer a way for people to live and work without being in an environment that doesn’t promote recovery.8 People live in a sober living home while interacting and working with others in the community. Typically, there are community rules and regular meetings within the community, and people pay a fee to live in the home.8
Mental Health Treatment for Executives
Many people struggling with addiction also have co-occurring mental health disorders like anxiety or depression.9 Executive mental health treatment programs can also provide specialized care for co-occurring disorders. Dual diagnosis treatment or integrated treatment that addresses a patient’s addiction and any co-occurring mental health disorders is the standard of care and allows for concurrent treatment of each.9
Amenities and Benefits of Executive Rehab
One of the biggest benefits of executive rehab is the opportunity to receive treatment while still maintaining your commitments and responsibilities at work. Like other treatment centers, executive rehabs provide complete confidentiality and privacy for patients as they pursue treatment so they can receive treatment without the fear of hurting their reputation. Executive rehabs also often have several amenities to help patients manage their work, such as:
- Business centers.
- Cellphone and internet access.
- Private rooms.
- Conference rooms.
- Business travel.
Executive rehabs may provide amenities that resemble those found in luxury treatment centers, such as gourmet meals, private rooms, massage therapy, golf, and other services.
How to Find Executive Addiction Rehab for Professionals
Finding an executive rehab program to help you with addiction can be as simple as searching through our rehabs directory. However, if you’re feeling overwhelmed or don’t know which program will best fit your needs, you can contact American Addiction Centers 24 hours a day at . Our knowledgeable and compassionate admissions navigators can go over different levels of care, discuss the various services provided, and even help you start the admissions process.
Paying for Executive Alcohol & Drug Rehab
How to pay for addiction treatment can sometimes feel overwhelming. However, there are many ways to pay for treatment whether you have insurance or not. If you have insurance, you can call the number on the back of your insurance card or visit your patient portal to access your benefits. Speaking to a representative can help you understand exactly what is covered and what you will be responsible for paying.
If you don’t have insurance, you still have options, including payment plans and sliding scales. Some treatment facilities offer payment plans, which allow you to pay the cost of treatment monthly over time a specified length of time rather than all at once. Some offer sliding scale fees, which are based on your income.
You can also verify your insurance. at an American Addiction Centers treatment facility by filling out the form below. It’s confidential and free, and there is no obligation to enter treatment.