What is inpatient treatment?
Inpatient treatment is an evidence-based approach to recovery that involves staying at an addiction or mental health facility for a period of time to undergo treatment. While the idea of inpatient psychiatric treatment may be intimidating for patients and their families, the warm, welcoming environment and around the clock care allow those struggling with substance use or mental health problems to get the help they need and deserve in a comfortable and engaging setting.
Complete focus on recovery
For some people, home may not be an ideal recovery location, they may require intensive support or may need to detox. Inpatient treatment removes outside distractions and access to harmful substances or situations, allowing patients to fully engage in therapy and recovery. With each patient completely focused on their recovery, they are able to make much more progress through daily therapy sessions rather than attending a few sessions each week or month. This dedicated time for therapy and recovery is especially effective for patients who have relapsed in the past.
Controlled environment
Between individual and group therapy sessions, patients have a structured day with set meals, physical exercise, and personal time. Many people suffering from addiction or mental health affiliations feel out of control, so this structured lifestyle helps them to feel more in control of their life.
With on-site medical professionals, including 24/7 nursing and a high staff-to-patient ratio, families feel much more at ease and patients can relax and focus on what is most important: their recovery. A dedicated team of therapists, physicians, nurses, and dedicated support staff become patients’ cheerleaders, caregivers, and confidants and help them leverage their strengths to build the foundation for long term success.
For someone who has been using drugs or alcohol, the process of going through withdrawal and detoxing can be very unpleasant, but certified staff who are trained in caring for patients going through withdrawal are able to keep them as comfortable and healthy as possible, administering medications to ease detox symptoms if needed.
EHN Sandstone is Alberta’s leader in addiction and mental health recovery, providing patients with evidence-based treatments in a welcoming, home-like environment which features cozy bedrooms, comfortable common spaces and chef-prepared meals all in a peaceful, residential setting. Intimate and comfortable, Sandstone is designed to allow patients to focus entirely on getting better. Both our private and public spaces provide the space needed to recover – without distraction. Amenities provided through inpatient care at EHN Sandstone include:
- On-site medical professionals, including 24/7 on-site nursing
- Evidence-based approaches to treatment like dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Access to staff psychiatrists
- Individual counselling and small group therapy
- Detox with medically supervised withdrawal management
- Integrated care including yoga, fitness, and meditation
- Access to peer support groups during and after treatment
- One year of aftercare and lifelong access to EHN’s alumni network
- Family programming that gives families the tools they need to support loved ones and heal themselves
Inpatient treatment also helps to control or remove triggering situations. Triggers can send a person into a mental health crisis or drive them to want to use substances as a means of coping. A person may be triggered by a variety of things, such as people, certain situations or even specific words. When in outpatient treatment, a person suffering from substance use can easily obtain their vice when triggered or if a craving strikes, but by removing patients from access to harmful substances or triggering situations, they can more easily focus on healing.
Community
Addiction and mental health afflictions often feed off of isolation, so having a support system filled with people who understand these struggles can be extremely beneficial to those going through recovery. Evidence shows that for those suffering from addiction, the combination of group and individual counselling is superior to individual counselling alone, and the bond that is created between staff, counselors, and other patients in recovery can last a lifetime.
Inpatient treatment programs also provide resources needed to transition back into normal life, such as creating an aftercare plan that may include sober living homes, peer support groups, or regular therapy sessions. Patients recovering from addiction may also receive guidance on pursuing new employment once they finish treatment.
Getting inpatient treatment for your loved one
Whether your loved one needs help with their mental health or substance use, a licensed addiction rehabilitation facility like EHN Sandstone can help. Our intimate setting in a cozy residential Calgary neighbourhood offers Canadians struggling with addiction and related mental health concerns a safe space for recovery, with a high level of one-on-one attention from caring and compassionate clinicians. Contact us to speak with an admissions counsellor today. 587-350-6818.
