Deciding to seek treatment for a substance abuse disorder is a major event in life. Regardless of whether you or a loved one is entering rehab, there can be anxiety, fear, confusion, hesitation and all sorts of emotions that may dissuade those in need.

Getting over that hump is critical to recovery, even if it's not the first time treatment is being sought. However, that's much easier said than done. Not only can stigma complicate the situation, but it can also create misconceptions related to what treatment actually entails.

To help you or a loved one prep for the next step, here are three things to know about rehab for substance abuse:

1. Each provider is different

Much like other institutions in health care, each recovery center will be different in the scope of its services, staff and available treatments. Individuals struggling with substance abuse, and any supporting family or friends, should become familiar with the most common programs for drug addiction treatment. These are: inpatient, partial hospitalization, outpatient, residential, intensive outpatient and detox.

Each person will have unique needs in recovery, and it's likely one or a combination of those programs is going to be the best fit. Knowing this ahead of time can help identify the ideal provider in terms of care, facility and operations. Cost is another factor in this equation. Many health insurers will cover behavioral and other treatments that are fundamental to treating substance disorder. Consulting your policy for the specifics is another way to narrow down the best provider (i.e. one that's in your covered network).

2. Addiction is not solely a physical disease

The physical symptoms of substance abuse are the ones most commonly associated with such disorders. Addiction affects both physical and mental well-being. That means when you or a loved one enter treatment, be prepared to address both. Looking at addiction through the lens of dual-diagnosis necessitates an approach that recognizes and targets the connection between concurrent disorders. Addiction and psychological issues like depression, bi-polar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder share close links, and it's impossible to treat the individual as a whole without addressing each.

3. Time away has to be planned for

Being admitted to a treatment center means stepping away from personal and professional life for a bit. However, bills, work and other obligations don't tend to wait around, so it's best to take care of these responsibilities as best as possible. Sometimes the timeframe doesn't allow for such advanced strategy, so consider recruiting others to aid with duties like child care or even feeding a pet. Some programs may split time between an on-site facility and home, with some supervision included. Such situations can ease concerns about falling behind.

There's a lot more involved in entering addiction treatment, but this is a start for affected individuals and family. Want to learn more about the details of care and how different programs work? Contact Fairwinds Treatment Services today for information.