When to Consider Professional Treatment: Your Guide to Rehab Options

One of the hardest questions in addiction recovery is this: Can I do this on my own, or do I need professional help?

If you’re asking this question, you’re already taking an important step. Many people struggle for years without considering treatment because they believe they “should” be able to quit on their own, or they’re scared of what treatment means.

The truth is there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some people successfully quit drinking on their own. Others need various levels of professional support. Understanding your options and recognizing when you might need help can literally save your life.

Signs You Need Professional Treatment

While every situation is unique, certain factors strongly suggest that professional treatment would be beneficial or even necessary.

Medical Necessity: When Treatment Isn’t Optional

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these:

• Severe withdrawal symptoms: intense shaking, confusion, hallucinations, seizures
• Delirium tremens (DTs): severe confusion, rapid heartbeat, fever, seizures
• Suicidal thoughts or plans
• Inability to stop drinking despite serious consequences
• Drinking to avoid withdrawal symptoms
• Long history of heavy drinking (years of daily heavy use)

Medical detox may be life-saving. Alcohol withdrawal can be fatal. If you’ve been drinking heavily for an extended period, don’t try to quit cold turkey on your own.

Strong Indicators That Treatment Would Help

You should seriously consider professional treatment if:

You’ve tried to quit multiple times without success:

• Made several genuine attempts to stop
• Managed short periods of sobriety but relapsed
• Keep returning to drinking despite consequences
• Feel stuck in a cycle you can’t break

Your life is significantly impacted:

• Lost or at risk of losing your job
• Relationship problems or divorce
• Legal consequences (DUIs, arrests)
• Financial crisis due to drinking
• Health problems from alcohol
• Neglecting responsibilities

You have co-occurring mental health issues:

• Depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other mental health conditions
• Drinking to cope with psychological pain
• History of trauma
• Previous or current suicidal thoughts

You lack a supportive environment:

• Live with people who drink heavily
• Few or no sober friends
• Family unsupportive or enabling
• Stressful home environment
• Easy access to alcohol

You drink to function:

• Need alcohol to get through the day
• Drink in the morning to stop shaking
• Can’t imagine life without alcohol
• Drinking alone regularly
• Hiding your drinking

Levels of Care: Understanding Your Options

Professional treatment exists on a spectrum. You don’t necessarily need the highest level of care - you need the right level for your situation.

Medical Detox

What it is: Supervised withdrawal in a medical setting where staff monitor your vital signs and provide medication to manage symptoms safely.

Duration: 3-10 days typically

When you need it:

• History of severe withdrawal symptoms
• Heavy, prolonged drinking
• Previous seizures during withdrawal
• Co-occurring medical conditions
• History of delirium tremens
• No one to monitor you at home

What happens:

• 24/7 medical supervision
• Medications to ease withdrawal (benzodiazepines, anti-seizure medications)
• Monitoring of vital signs
• Hydration and nutrition support
• Safe, comfortable environment
• Usually followed by additional treatment

Cost: Typically $500-$1,500 per day, often covered by insurance

Residential/Inpatient Treatment

What it is: You live at a treatment facility full-time, typically for 30, 60, or 90 days, receiving intensive therapy and support in a structured, alcohol-free environment.

When you need it:

• Severe addiction requiring intensive intervention
• Unsafe home environment
• Co-occurring mental health disorders
• Failed outpatient treatment attempts
• Need to separate from triggers and old patterns
• Lack strong support system

What happens:

• Live at the facility (no outside alcohol access)
• Individual therapy (several times per week)
• Group therapy (often daily)
• Family therapy sessions
• Educational workshops
• Recreation and wellness activities
• Develop relapse prevention plan
• Build foundation for long-term recovery

Types:

• Traditional residential (hospital-like setting)
• Therapeutic community (peer-led with professional oversight)
• Luxury/executive programs (private rooms, amenities, work accommodation)

Duration: 30 days minimum, often 60-90 days recommended

Cost: $5,000-$80,000+ depending on type and location, partially or fully covered by many insurance plans

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

What it is: Intensive treatment for 5-7 days per week, 4-6 hours per day, but you sleep at home or in a sober living environment.

When you need it:

• Need intensive treatment but have safe housing
• Stepping down from residential treatment
• Unable to take extended time off work/family
• Require more structure than standard outpatient
• Don’t need 24/7 supervision

What happens:

• Daily group therapy
• Individual therapy sessions
• Psychiatric evaluation and medication management
• Skills development workshops
• Structured programming during day
• Return home in evenings
• Usually lasts 2-4 weeks

Cost: $350-$450 per day, typically covered by insurance

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

What it is: Structured treatment 3-5 days per week, 2-4 hours per session, while you maintain work and home responsibilities.

When you need it:

• Moderate addiction severity
• Completed higher level of care and stepping down
• Have stable housing and support
• Can maintain abstinence with structure
• Need more than weekly therapy
• Want to continue working

What happens:

• Group therapy sessions
• Individual counseling (usually weekly)
• Education on addiction and recovery
• Relapse prevention planning
• Random drug/alcohol testing
• Flexible scheduling (often evening programs available)
• Duration: 6-12 weeks typically

Cost: $250-$350 per day, usually covered by insurance

Standard Outpatient Treatment

What it is: Individual therapy and/or group sessions 1-2 times per week while living your normal life.

When you need it:

• Mild to moderate addiction
• Completed intensive treatment and stepping down
• Strong support system
• Stable housing and employment
• Motivated for recovery
• No severe mental health issues

What happens:

• Weekly individual therapy
• Optional group therapy
• Medication management if needed
• Ongoing support and accountability
• Skills building
• Long-term maintenance focus

Cost: $100-$200 per session, typically covered by insurance

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

What it is: Using FDA-approved medications combined with counseling to treat alcohol use disorder.

Medications available:

• Naltrexone: Reduces cravings and pleasure from alcohol
• Acamprosate: Helps maintain abstinence by reducing withdrawal symptoms
• Disulfiram: Causes unpleasant reaction if you drink

When to consider it:

• Want pharmaceutical support for recovery
• Struggled with cravings in past attempts
• Want to increase success odds
• Open to combining medication with therapy

How it works:

• Prescription from doctor or addiction specialist
• Combined with counseling or therapy
• Regular monitoring and follow-up
• Can be used alongside any level of care
• Long-term use is safe and effective

How to Choose the Right Level of Care

The ASAM Criteria

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) has developed criteria to help determine appropriate level of care based on six dimensions:

1. Acute intoxication and withdrawal potential: How dangerous is withdrawal?
2. Biomedical conditions: Any medical complications?
3. Emotional/behavioral conditions: Mental health issues?
4. Readiness to change: Motivation level?
5. Relapse potential: Risk factors for return to drinking?
6. Recovery environment: Supportive or high-risk?

Many treatment centers use ASAM criteria for assessment. When you call for an assessment, they’ll ask questions based on these dimensions to recommend appropriate care.

Questions to Ask Yourself

About your drinking:

• How much and how often do I drink?
• Have I experienced withdrawal symptoms before?
• How long have I been drinking at this level?
• Do I drink daily? Throughout the day?

About previous attempts:

• Have I tried to quit before?
• What happened when I tried?
• What made me return to drinking?
• Did I try any professional help before?

About my situation:

• Do I have a safe, supportive home?
• Can I take time off work if needed?
• Do I have people who will support my recovery?
• Are there drinkers in my household?

About my health:

• Do I have any physical health problems?
• Do I have depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues?
• Am I on any medications?
• Have I had medical problems from drinking?

About my resources:

• Do I have health insurance?
• Can I afford time away from work?
• What level of care does my insurance cover?
• Do I have transportation to treatment?

What to Expect in Treatment

Assessment Process

When you first contact a treatment center:

1. Initial phone screening (15-30 minutes)

   • Basic information about your drinking
   • Medical and mental health history
   • Insurance verification
   • Preliminary level of care recommendation

2. Comprehensive assessment (1-2 hours)

   • Detailed addiction history
   • Medical evaluation
   • Mental health screening
   • Social situation and support system
   • Motivation and goals
   • Final treatment recommendation

3. Admission (same day to within a week)

   • Insurance authorization
   • Financial arrangements
   • Admission paperwork
   • Beginning of treatment

What Happens in Treatment

Medical component:

• Physical examination
• Lab work if needed
• Medication evaluation
• Ongoing health monitoring
• Nutritional support

Therapeutic component:

• Individual therapy (addressing personal issues, trauma, patterns)
• Group therapy (peer support, shared experiences, skills practice)
• Family therapy (healing relationships, building support)
• Psychoeducation (understanding addiction, recovery process)
• Relapse prevention (identifying triggers, building coping skills)

Holistic support:

• Life skills training
• Recreation therapy
• Art or music therapy
• Mindfulness and meditation
• Exercise and nutrition
• Spiritual exploration (if desired)

Discharge planning:

• Aftercare recommendations
• Support group connections
• Outpatient therapy referrals
• Medication management plan
• Relapse prevention plan
• Sober living options

Barriers to Treatment (And Why They Shouldn’t Stop You)

“I can’t afford it”

Reality: Treatment is often more affordable than you think:

• Most insurance plans cover addiction treatment
• Affordable Care Act requires mental health and substance use coverage
• Many centers offer payment plans
• Some offer sliding scale fees based on income
• State-funded programs available
• Veterans’ benefits cover treatment
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) often provide coverage

Don’t assume you can’t afford it without checking. Call centers and ask about financial options.

”I can’t take time off work”

Reality:

• FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) protects your job for medical treatment
• Many employers are supportive (addiction treatment is medical care)
• IOP and outpatient programs work around schedules
• Some executive/professional programs accommodate work needs
• Short-term treatment better than long-term addiction consequences

Your employer would rather you get treatment than lose you to addiction.

”I’m not ‘bad enough’ yet”

Reality:

• You don’t have to hit rock bottom to deserve help
• Earlier treatment = easier recovery
• Waiting makes it harder, not easier
• You don’t get extra credit for suffering longer

If you’re asking whether you need help, you probably do.

”I’m scared/don’t know what to expect”

Reality:

• Fear is normal and valid
• Treatment centers expect and work with your fear
• You can ask questions before committing
• Many offer tours or information sessions
• Fear of the unknown often worse than reality

Being scared isn’t a reason not to go - it’s a reason to get support.

”I don’t want to be away from my family”

Reality:

• Outpatient options allow you to live at home
• Most programs include family therapy
• Phone/video calls typically allowed in residential treatment
• Visiting days available
• Getting better helps your family more than staying sick at home

Your family needs you healthy more than they need you present and struggling.

Questions to Ask Treatment Centers

When researching programs, ask:

About the program:

• What level of care do you provide?
• What is your treatment philosophy?
• What’s your approach to medication?
• How long is the typical program?
• What’s your daily schedule like?
• What therapies do you use?

About credentials:

• What are your staff’s qualifications?
• Are you licensed and accredited?
• What’s your staff-to-client ratio?
• Do you have medical staff on site?

About outcomes:

• What are your success rates?
• Do you offer aftercare?
• What ongoing support is provided?
• Can I speak with alumni?

About logistics:

• What does insurance cover?
• What are out-of-pocket costs?
• What should I bring?
• Can I use my phone?
• How do visits work?
• What’s your typical client profile?

Red Flags When Choosing a Program

Avoid facilities that:

• Guarantee success or cure
• Pressure you to commit immediately
• Won’t answer questions about costs upfront
• Have mostly negative reviews
• Aren’t licensed or accredited
• Don’t involve you in treatment planning
• Use shame or humiliation
• Have unsafe-looking facilities
• Won’t let you speak with staff before admission
• Promise luxury treatment at too-good-to-be-true prices

After Treatment: Continuing Care Matters

Treatment isn’t a cure - it’s the beginning of recovery. Most people need ongoing support after completing a program:

Continuing care might include:

• Outpatient therapy (individual and/or group)
• 12-step meetings or other support groups
• Sober living housing
• Medication management
• Skills groups
• Recovery coaching
• Alumni programs from treatment center

People who engage in aftercare have significantly higher success rates. Treatment plants seeds; aftercare helps them grow.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

The question isn’t “Am I weak for needing help?” The question is “What support would give me the best chance at recovery?”

Professional treatment isn’t admitting defeat. It’s choosing to use every tool available to build the life you want.

If you’re on the fence:

• Call a few treatment centers and ask questions
• Talk to your doctor about your drinking
• Attend a support group meeting
• Do an honest assessment of your situation
• Ask yourself: “Would treatment increase my chances of success?”

If the answer is yes, you deserve that chance.

Take the First Step

Ready to explore your options? Track your current drinking patterns with SobrMate while you research treatment options. Having concrete data about your drinking can help during your assessment.

Resources for finding treatment:

• SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 (free referrals to local treatment)
• SAMHSA Treatment Locator: findtreatment.gov
• Your health insurance provider’s website
• Your doctor or primary care provider
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at work

Related Articles:

• First 24 Hours Sober: Complete Survival Guide
• Depression and Alcohol: Breaking the Cycle
• Understanding Addiction: The Neuroscience Explained

You deserve support. You deserve recovery. You deserve a life free from addiction. Professional treatment can help you build it.