Ritalin, or methylphenidate, is a prescription drug used to treat narcolepsy and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adults. However, some people can end up developing abusive Ritalin use patterns, which, if not addressed, can lead to addiction.
Fortunately, Ritalin rehab can help affected individuals deal with Ritalin addiction to achieve a sober lifestyle. These programs use various treatment approaches for the treatment of Ritalin addiction, and you can choose between inpatient and outpatient Ritalin rehab based on your circumstances and needs.
Inpatient Ritalin Rehab
Inpatient treatment for Ritalin rehab employs a residential model whereby patients stay at the facility for 30–180 days based on the severity of their addiction. The patient will get around-the-clock support from qualified addiction counselors and medical staff during the program. Inpatient Ritalin rehab also includes daily structured activities developed to promote lasting sobriety after completing rehab, address any contributing mental or medical health problems, and treat addiction.
Outpatient Ritalin Rehab
Outpatient treatment centers are typically less intensive than inpatient programs because they enable the patient to keep staying at home while attending treatment sessions in Ritalin rehab during the day. This option is ideal for patients with work and family obligations they must keep attending to as they receive treatment. On the other hand, it is also crucial for patients to have a solid support system throughout Ritalin rehab to encourage recovery. Suppose there are any pressures in the patient’s social life, school, or work that contributed to their Ritalin abuse or addiction. In that case, inpatient rehab can provide a healthy and sober environment and a break to focus on recovery and treatment.
Ritalin Rehab Process
An effective Ritalin rehab program will be personalized and focus on the behaviors and thought processes behind the individual’s drug abuse. There are several stages in any Ritalin rehab program to ensure the treatment goes successfully.
The first stage involves conducting an evaluation of the patient’s mental and physical needs, weaknesses, and strengths, plus mental or medical health conditions requiring special attention. After the initial intake assessment, the patient will undergo detoxification to help eliminate any traces of the drug from their system. People generally do not get significant medical complications during Ritalin detox through withdrawal symptoms from stimulant drugs.
After completing detox, the patient proceeds to Ritalin rehab, where they will get treatment to help them avoid relapse and learn to deal with drug cravings. The treatment methods in rehab programs include alternative therapies, 12-step programs, group counseling, and individual therapy. 12-step meetings and group sessions can be particularly helpful in allowing patients to find support from peers with similar experiences and struggles. Inpatient Ritalin rehab provides an added level of peer support because all the members of the residential program in the facility are also going through the same addiction treatment plans.
Some people can overlook the therapy methods used in a Ritalin rehab program to treat addiction. Typical therapies employed during Ritalin addiction treatment include:
- Contingency management (CM): This treatment approach uses positive rewards for patients who reach their recovery goals during the program. This could include giving patients vouchers or gift cards when they maintain sobriety for a specific duration.
- Motivational interviewing: This is a method used to enhance the individual’s willingness to participate in the recovery process and change their lives. It is particularly beneficial for people unsure about their commitment to engage in Ritalin rehab treatment.
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): This interventional method has primarily been used in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, evidence also suggests that EMDR helps address addiction issues in cases where underlying trauma might be triggering the individual’s substance abuse.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps recovering individuals identify their negative and positive thinking patterns so they can learn to cope, avoid, and recognize situations that can trigger any temptations to use Ritalin after they complete the rehab program.
Duration
The length of Ritalin rehab treatment usually depends on several factors, such as the use of additional substances, social support, overall health, the severity of the addiction, and co-occurring disorders. Longer treatment duration is usually associated with better recovery outcomes.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 90 days of addiction treatment is the typical recommendation for addressing substance use disorders, whether outpatient, inpatient, or a combination of both. Research shows that a treatment stay of at least 90 days is the most effective means of reducing relapse rates in recovering individuals.
Some long-term rehab treatment programs can last up to 180 days or a year and are called therapeutic communities. They offer recovering individuals with peer support groups, specially trained staff, housing, and employment support.
After completing a Ritalin rehab treatment program, the staff works with the patient to help them develop an aftercare program, which is a vital part of addiction treatment that helps them cope with drug cravings after leaving treatment. Aftercare programs usually include individual therapy sessions, group counseling, and continued engagement in 12-step programs. This helps the person avoid relapse so they can have the best chance for lasting recovery.
Once the individual is done with a formal Ritalin rehab treatment program, the individual struggling with addiction will have a comprehensive tool kit with essential insight to help keep the condition at bay. This is why relapse prevention coaching should also be included in the discharge process.
There are many relapse prevention techniques, and some people might not have the time to learn all these skills in a conventional Ritalin rehab program. Thus, they may need extra help during the weeks and months after formal treatment programs.
A comprehensive addiction treatment program can offer continuous support through alum support, touch-up counseling, and support groups. These are vital aspects of addiction treatment that help recovering individuals stay connected with the sobriety community. They can also encourage these people to keep working on their recovery and sobriety, so they don’t get back into their harmful habits.
