In The City of Dreams anything is possible, including recovery from addiction to harmful substances. The bustling metropolis lifestyle may be part of what pushed you to use or abuse drugs or alcohol in the first place, but you can’t say they don’t provide support. There are a myriad of options for drug rehab programs and addiction recovery centers in NYC, and finding out what is applicable for you can be somewhat of a headache.

I’d like to outline the different kinds of programs or centers available and who they would most benefit, of course if you’re in the throes of addiction to a hard drug then seeking professional help should be your immediate concern. If you’re looking for help for someone you know, remember to be nuanced in your approach as a conflict regarding addiction can have a detrimental effect on their addiction.

First let’s consider the kinds of centers and programs available and who they may be suited for, then we can consider the financial cost and efficacy of them.

Inpatient and Outpatient Services

The two most commonly referred to services in most addiction rehab centers in NYC are inpatient and outpatient services, both of which can be highly effective to certain people.

Inpatient

Much more relevant to those who have a more severe addiction, typically involving opioids or alcohol abuse, inpatient care is within a facility in which the patient has full round-the-clock care. This includes accommodation, food, and an often regimented schedule to rebuild the patient’s lifestyle and break the chain of habits which lead to substance abuse. Many centers which offer inpatient services will use a holistic approach to recovery, giving their patients the tools they need to have a functional life outside the facility without the need for drugs or alcohol.

Outpatient

More suited for those with less severe addictions who have their own place to stay and a good support network of people around them, outpatient care provides counseling and over-the-phone support. While this may seem the more attractive service due to the freedom given, it’s important to prioritise recovery over preference, if you feel like you know you might slip, then this may not be the appropriate service for you.

Within both inpatient and outpatient services there is some overlap in methods, you can expect counseling which may or may not be suited to your preference.

Individual Counseling

As the name would state individual counseling provides a one-on-one approach to providing support for someone with an addiction problem. Within this counseling one should expect to talk about the root of their addiction, especially in dual diagnosis treatment centers where it’s been discovered that often addiction comes hand in hand with mental illness like depression and extreme anxiety.

Counselors can also provide advice on employment issues, family and social struggles, and giving the patient the means to cope with situations without the fallback of using substances.

Group Counseling

Commonly portrayed as comical by movies and TV shows, group counseling uses social reinforcement through peer discussion to promote abstaining from harmful substances. It has been found that combined with individual counseling it can be as effective as cognitive-behavioural therapy and contingency planning. Family counselling is also crucial.

Humans are innately social creatures and group counseling works off this to motivate en masse a group of disenfranchised people to be better both for and with each other.

Medical Support

In cases of opioid addiction or extreme/prolonged alcohol addiction then medical support may be necessary. Seeking addiction rehab centers which provide alcohol or opiate treatment is vital to coming off the substance as safely as possible.

The Cost of Recovery

There is no one social demographic to addiction, people from the wealthiest homes can be as prone as those from the most impoverished. Many addicts will tell themselves that recovery or rehab is simply financially unviable, but with multiple free rehab clinics in NYC there are options. There are also a range of funded or subsidized options available too, whether you’re on Medicare, Medicaid, or health insurance.

Regardless of your financial situation there are options available which will suit you, and the efficacy of these options is more dependent on your will to recover than what you can afford. Be sure to have some idea of what kind of treatment would best suit you, and be ready for the changes you’re going to experience. Remember we humans are capable of almost anything, and help is never too far away.