Category: Connect with Providers

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Rewiring Your Brain From Addiction: 7 Things You Need To Know

Illustration of a robotic arm manipulating a brain with circuit-like patterns, placed on a microchip, symbolizing artificial intelligence and neuroscience integration.

When you stop using drugs and alcohol, it takes time to rewire your brain. The exact timeframe depends on several factors. Certain drugs, for example, lengthen the brain rewiring process. Some practices can also help you recover faster.

Here’s what experts know about helping your brain rebuild after addiction:

1. Understanding How Addiction Changes Your Brain

Dopamine and the Brain’s Reward System

Your brain has a natural reward system1 that makes you feel good when you do things that help you survive and thrive. This system uses a neurotransmitter called dopamine, which creates feelings of pleasure and happiness. When you eat good food, exercise, or spend time with people you love, your brain releases small amounts of dopamine.

Alcohol and drug use release far more brain chemicals2 than natural activities do. This creates an unnaturally strong surge of pleasure signals in your brain. When this happens repeatedly, it can overwhelm your brain’s normal reward system.

Over time, your brain tries to adjust to these high levels of dopamine by becoming less sensitive to it. This means you need more and more of the substance to feel the same effects: a process we call tolerance.3 Regular stimuli that used to make you happy might not feel as good anymore, because your brain’s reward system isn’t working like it should.

Infographic titled top 6 triggers of substance abuse, featuring icons of flames to represent six key triggers: stress and anxiety, negative emotions, social pressure and environments, boredom or lack of fulfillment, mental health struggles or trauma, and chronic pain or medical issues. A lit fuse leading to a cartoon-style bomb symbolizes the risk of relapse.

Areas of the Brain Affected by Addiction

Addiction affects 3 main parts of your brain.4 Each plays a crucial role in helping you think, feel, and make decisions.

The basal ganglia is your brain’s pleasure center. It helps you feel good when you do healthy things like eating or exercising. With substance use disorders, this area becomes less sensitive to normal pleasures and more focused on substances.

The amygdala is your brain’s stress manager. When addiction develops, this area becomes more sensitive. This can make you feel anxious, irritable, or uncomfortable when you’re not using addictive substances.

The prefrontal cortex5 helps you make good decisions and control impulses. Addictive behaviors make this area weaker, which makes it harder to resist cravings or think about long-term consequences.

Rewiring your brain from addiction is real, and it works. Research suggests meaningful neural shifts can happen in weeks, but full recovery takes months or years of consistent effort involving identifying and replacing toxic thought patterns, creating new neural pathways, and reinforcing them with repetition, consistency, and community.

– W. Lee Warren, M.D. | Brain Surgeon and Author

How Habits and Triggers Form

Your brain is designed to help you repeat behaviors that make you feel good. During addiction, your brain creates strong connections between certain situations (called triggers) and substance abuse. These connections form through repeated use over time.

Triggers can be places, people, feelings, or times of day that your brain associates with drug abuse. When you encounter these triggers, your brain automatically generates cravings. Learning to understand and manage your triggers (and their associated coping mechanisms) is an important part of recovery.

Infographic titled how addiction rewires your brain, illustrating the cycle of dopamine and tolerance. A man runs in a hamster wheel surrounded by stages: substance consumed, dopamine surges, short-term pleasure, brain adapts, tolerance increases, dopamine crash, negative feelings, and cravings. Arrows show the repeating cycle of addiction.

2. The Timeline of Brain Recovery

The recovery process happens in stages, and everyone’s path is different. While your brain health starts to improve as soon as you stop using substances, the full process takes time. Knowing what to expect during each stage can help you see the progress you’re making, which helps you stay motivated.

What to Expect in the First Month

The first month of recovery usually involves the biggest changes as your body adjusts to being substance-free. During the first week, you might experience withdrawal symptoms as your brain chemistry starts to reset. These symptoms can be uncomfortable, but they usually peak within a few days.

After the first week, many people notice their thinking becomes clearer and their sleep starts to improve. You might have mood swings or strong cravings during this time, which is normal. Your brain is working hard to restore its natural chemical balance.

Some people also notice changes in their appetite and energy levels during this first month. These changes are signs that your brain and body are beginning to heal.

Changes During Months 2-12

During these months, your brain continues to heal and rebuild healthy pathways. A lot of people in this stage find their mood becomes more stable and they start enjoying regular activities again. Your sleep quality and energy levels will continue to improve during this time.

Your brain’s ability to think clearly and make decisions also typically gets better during these months. But you might still experience occasional cravings—especially during stressful times. If this is the case for you, you’re not doing anything wrong! It’s totally normal and tends to happen less often as time goes on.

Your dopamine reward system will gradually become more responsive to natural pleasures like food, exercise, and social connections. This is a great sign that your brain is returning to its normal way of functioning.

Infographic from Recovery.com titled “How Long Until Your Brain Recovers?” comparing recovery timelines for six addictive substances: alcohol, cocaine, meth, opioids, cannabis, and benzodiazepines. Categories include dopamine restoration, cognitive recovery, and cravings fading. Timelines vary by substance, ranging from months to several years for full brain recovery.

Long-Term Recovery: One Year and Beyond

After a year, many people find their brain function has significantly improved. While some people still experience occasional cravings, these are usually less frequent and easier to manage. Your brain continues to heal and strengthen new, healthy patterns throughout your recovery journey.

Factors That Affect Your Recovery Timeline

Several things can influence how quickly your brain heals. These include the type of substances used, how long you used them, your overall health, and whether you have other mental health conditions. Having good support and treatment can help speed up the healing process.

When someone actively works to rewire their brain in recovery, they experience several key benefits: regaining self control, restoring emotional balance, breaking destructive patterns, improved stress response , enhanced cognitive function and a greater sense of purpose and joy. Rewiring the brain in recovery isn’t just about breaking free from addiction—it’s about reclaiming your life, restoring your mind, and creating a future built on strength and resilience.

– Dr. Zoe Shaw | Psychotherapist and Author

3. Stages of Brain Rewiring

Just like healing from a physical injury, your brain goes through different stages as it recovers from drug addiction. While everyone’s journey is unique, knowing what to expect at each stage can help you feel more confident about the path ahead. Let’s look at how your brain heals over time.

Stage 1: Getting Through Withdrawal

The first stage of recovery starts when you stop using substances, and it’s often the most challenging part of the journey. During this time, your brain works hard to adjust to life without substances. You might feel physically and emotionally uncomfortable, which is completely normal.

Most people experience withdrawal symptoms for about a week, though this can vary depending on the substance. It’s very important to get medical support during this time, as some types of withdrawal can be dangerous. Remember, these difficult feelings are temporary and are signs that your brain is beginning to heal.

Stage 2: Early Recovery Changes

After withdrawal, you’ll enter a period where your brain is actively rebuilding healthy patterns. While you might still have cravings, they’ll likely feel less intense than before. This is the perfect time to start learning new ways to handle stress and challenging emotions.

During this stage, many people find it helpful to work with counselors or join support groups. These supports can teach you practical tools for managing cravings and building a healthy lifestyle. Your brain is becoming more receptive to new experiences and ways of coping.

Stage 3: Long-Term Healing

As you move into long-term recovery, your brain continues to strengthen its healthy pathways. While the journey doesn’t end here, many people find that cravings become less frequent and easier to handle. Each day of recovery helps your brain build and maintain these positive changes.

4. Supporting Your Brain’s Recovery

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can support your brain’s natural healing process. Think of recovery like tending a garden: The more care and attention you give it, the better it grows. Simple daily choices can make a big difference in how quickly and effectively your brain recovers.

Regular Exercise and Physical Activity

Moving your body is one of the best gifts you can give your healing brain. Exercise naturally boosts your mood6 by releasing feel-good chemicals, similar to the ones your brain is learning to produce again on its own. Even a 15-minute walk can help!

You don’t need to live at the gym or start running marathons. Start with activities you enjoy, whether that’s dancing, swimming, or taking an easy walk around your neighborhood. As your energy improves, you’ll gradually be able to do more.

Sleep and Nutrition

Your brain does much of its repair work while you sleep, making good rest essential for recovery. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even if you don’t feel tired at first. Your sleep patterns will naturally improve over time.

Eating nutritious foods gives your brain the building blocks it needs to heal. Instead of worrying about perfect eating habits, focus on adding healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and proteins to your meals. Even small improvements in your diet can help your brain recover.

Stress Management

Finding healthy ways to handle stress is essential to your recovery journey. Deep breathing, taking short walks, listening to music, or talking with supportive friends all help calm your mind. Remember that it’s okay to start small—working in small moments of relaxation throughout your day can go a long way in calming your nervous system.

Building New Routines

Creating new daily routines helps your brain build healthy patterns. Start with one or 2 simple habits, like having breakfast at the same time every day or taking a walk after dinner. As these become comfortable, you can gradually add more supportive activities to your day.

5. Treatment Options That Help Rewire the Brain

Recovery isn’t a journey you need to take alone—there’s no shame in asking for help. Professional addiction treatment and support can have a huge impact on how quickly your brain heals. These interventions are like tools in your recovery toolkit: you can choose the ones that work best for you.

Therapy and Counseling

Working with a counselor or therapist gives you empowering tools for addiction recovery. These professionals understand how addiction affects the brain and can teach you practical ways to handle cravings and stress. Many people find cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)7 especially helpful, as it teaches you how to change thought patterns that lead to substance abuse.

Your therapist can act as a guide on your recovery journey, helping you understand your triggers and develop strategies that work for your specific situation. It’s a great idea to find a therapist you like and start building a relationship with them, so help is there when you need it.

Support Groups

Meeting others who understand what you’re going through can be incredibly motivating. Support groups are safe spaces to share your experiences, learn from others, and build connections with people who support your recovery goals.

Lifestyle Changes

Small changes in your daily life can support your brain’s healing process. Focus on one change at a time, like improving your sleep schedule or adding healthy activities you enjoy.

When you rewire your brain, you stop being a passive passenger in your own life and start taking control. Old, destructive circuits weaken, and new, healthier ones take over. This means fewer cravings, better decision-making, and a stronger sense of purpose. It’s not just about avoiding addiction—it’s about building a brain that works for you, not against you. The result? A life where you’re free to think clearly, choose wisely, and move forward with confidence and hope.

– W. Lee Warren, M.D. | Brain Surgeon and Author

6. The Science of Hope and Healing

Understanding Brain Plasticity

Your brain has the ability to change and heal throughout your life. Scientists call this “plasticity,” which means your brain can create new neural pathways as it adapts to changes. This incredible ability is what makes recovery possible, no matter how long you’ve struggled with addiction.

Evidence of Recovery

Brain scanning studies show that people’s brains do heal during addiction recovery.8 While everyone’s timeline is different, many people see improvements in their cognitive functions, including memory, impulse control, decision-making, and emotional regulation. These positive changes only continue as you move forward in your recovery.

Setting Realistic Expectations

Recovery is more like a marathon than a sprint, and that’s okay. Some days will be easier than others, and healing happens gradually. Being patient with yourself and celebrating small victories along the way can help you stay on track.

7. Getting Help and Support

Finding Treatment

Taking the first step toward addiction treatment takes some courage, but the rewards of a life in recovery are well worth it. There are plenty of different treatment programs available to meet your specific needs, from detox to outpatient treatment to residential care. To learn more about choosing the right program, see our guide to finding a treatment center.

Building a Support System

Recovery is stronger when you have people in your corner. Loved ones, family, friends, counselors, support groups, and others in recovery can all be part of your support network. Don’t be afraid to let people know what you need.

If you’re ready to start recovery, a comprehensive rehab program can be a great starting point for your journey. This immersive experience gives you a chance to focus entirely on healing in a substance-free environment. Search for an addiction treatment center that matches your criteria and reach out to their team directly today.

FAQ

Q: How long does it take to rewire your brain from addiction?

A: The brain’s rewiring process varies by individual, but significant changes often occur within 12 to 18 months. Early improvements can be seen within weeks, while full recovery may take years, depending on factors such as substance type, duration of use, and lifestyle changes.

Q: Can dopamine levels return to normal after addiction?


A: Yes, dopamine levels can return to normal over time. The brain gradually restores its natural dopamine balance through healthy activities like exercise, proper nutrition, and stress management. However, this process can take several months to years.

Q: How long does it take to rewire your brain from a bad habit?


A: Breaking and rewiring a habit can take anywhere from 21 days to several months, depending on the habit’s intensity and duration. Consistently practicing new behaviors and avoiding triggers helps establish long-term changes.

Q: Can brains recover from addiction?


A: Yes, the brain has the ability to heal itself through neuroplasticity. While addiction alters brain structure and function, recovery is possible with time, therapy, and healthy habits that support brain repair.

Q: How long does recovery from addiction take?


A: Recovery is an ongoing process that unfolds in stages. While withdrawal symptoms may last days to weeks, brain healing continues for months or even years. Long-term recovery depends on individual factors and continued support.

Q: How long does it take to rewire the brain from addiction?


A: The timeline varies, but research suggests that noticeable improvements occur within 3 to 12 months, with continued healing over several years. Factors like substance type, overall health, and treatment interventions influence recovery speed.

Q: What are the benefits of rewiring the brain from addiction?


A: Rewiring the brain from addiction improves mental clarity, emotional stability, impulse control, and overall well-being. It also restores natural pleasure responses, strengthens decision-making skills, and enhances quality of life.

Q: What are the benefits of brain rewiring?


A: Brain rewiring helps create healthier thought patterns, reduces cravings, improves emotional regulation, and supports better decision-making. It also aids in forming positive habits and strengthening coping mechanisms.

Q: What is brain rewiring in addiction recovery?


A: Brain rewiring in addiction recovery refers to the process of forming new neural pathways to replace substance-related behaviors with healthier alternatives. This involves breaking old habits, reducing cravings, and restoring normal brain function.

Q: How can you increase dopamine in your brain?


A: You can naturally increase dopamine through regular exercise, a healthy diet rich in protein and antioxidants, sufficient sleep, mindfulness practices, social interactions, and engaging in enjoyable activities.

Q: Are there any ways to speed up this process or aid in the brain’s recovery from addiction?


A: Yes, brain recovery can be supported through consistent sleep, regular exercise, balanced nutrition, therapy, mindfulness, and positive social connections. Professional treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can also accelerate healing.

Q: What is the timeline for brain recovery from addiction?


A: Brain recovery follows a general timeline:

  • First month: Initial withdrawal symptoms, mood swings, and sleep disturbances.
  • Months 2-12: Improved cognitive function, emotional stability, and reduced cravings.
  • One year and beyond: Strengthened neural pathways, increased natural pleasure responses, and long-term behavioral changes.

Q: What factors influence the time it takes to rewire the brain from addiction?


A: Several factors impact the brain’s recovery timeline, including the substance used, length of addiction, overall health, mental health conditions, treatment interventions, and the presence of a supportive environment.

Q: How long does it take for the brain to heal after quitting an addiction?


A: The brain begins healing immediately after quitting, with significant improvements seen within the first year. However, full recovery, including emotional regulation and cognitive function, can take multiple years, depending on individual circumstances.

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Effects of Substance Use During Pregnancy

Substances like alcohol, marijuana, and illicit drugs can greatly affect the mother and child during pregnancy and cause complications during and after birth. Sometimes, the mother isn’t aware of her pregnancy and may use substances as if she weren’t carrying. In any case, using substances while pregnant can alter the health of the mother, the fetus, and the baby as it grows in and out of the womb.

Knowing the effects of substance use beforehand can help those who know they’re pregnant or think they may become pregnant carefully assess the risks to plan ahead for a healthier birth and pregnancy.

Understanding Substance Use During Pregnancy

Substance use during pregnancy can look like taking drugs that aren’t approved for pregnant people, like alcohol. These drugs have been identified as dangerous for the mother and fetus or potentially harmful. 

Common substances used during pregnancy, whether done intentionally or not, include alcohol, nicotine, some prescription medications (like prescribed opioids), and illicit drugs like cocaine or heroin. Studies found roughly 5% of pregnant women use substances while pregnant1.

Much of what mothers consume while pregnant reaches their infant because the placenta is easily permeable—including addictive and non-addictive substances.

Effects of Alcohol Use During Pregnancy

Alcohol can have damaging effects on a developing fetus throughout each stage of pregnancy1, even before mothers realize they’re pregnant. Drinking while pregnant can cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorders (FASD), which includes Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and other birth defects caused by alcohol.

FASDs cause cognitive, physical, and behavioral damage2 that may show right after birth or later on in childhood. Alcohol can disrupt the development of vital organs, like the brain, heart, and how the body functions as a whole. Heavy drinking can cause the most damage, especially when it occurs throughout the entire pregnancy. But no amount of alcohol is safe during pregnancy2. And with many pregnancies not being planned, doctors recommend women not to drink even while they’re trying to get pregnant or think they might be2.

Children born with a FASD may have defining facial features, cognitive impairments, and related behavioral problems. 

Effects of Tobacco Use During Pregnancy

Smoking while pregnant can harm the mother and baby3 in several ways. It can lead to:

  • Premature births
  • Low birth-weight even if the baby is to term
  • Damage to the baby’s lungs and brain
  • Birth defects
  • Higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
  • A doubled risk for excessive bleeding at birth and during pregnancy

Smoking can also create issues with fertility3 for both the mother and father. Nicotine can affect the fetus throughout the whole pregnancy—some mothers give birth to healthy babies, but that doesn’t guarantee they can smoke through a second pregnancy and get the same results. Smoking while pregnant can even result in a stillbirth (a deceased baby born after 20 weeks). Quitting at any point during the pregnancy can reduce the likelihood of all negative effects.

Second-hand smoke can also cause damage. Pregnant mothers can reduce their risks by quitting smoking and limiting their exposure to second-hand smoke. 

Effects of Illicit Drug Use During Pregnancy

Using illicit drugs when pregnant can double or even triple the chances of a stillbirth1. These types of drugs include heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and psychedelics like psilocybin. Since drugs pass easily through the placenta and into the developing fetus, babies can be born reliant, and addicted, to the substance their mother used. This is called neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS).

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Symptoms and Recovery

NAS correlates to illicit or prescribed opioids used during pregnancy4. Babies born with NAS greet the world in a state of withdrawal, experiencing irritability, stomach issues, seizures, and trembling. Babies with NAS also cry excessively and with a higher pitch than normal.

Medical care can help babies detox4 from substances safely and with greater comfort. Some babies require benzodiazepines, morphine, or methadone to relieve symptoms. They can recover to full health.

Effects of Prescription Medication Use During Pregnancy

Some prescribed medications aren’t fit to use during pregnancy—doctors should make women well-aware of this if they’re trying to conceive or are already pregnant. When pregnant women take prescribed medications against doctor’s advice, or procure them from non-medicinal places, it can harm them and their baby. 

These medications include benzodiazepines, opioids, and stimulants like Adderall. Most medications, prescribed or over the counter, haven’t been well-studied in regards to how they affect pregnant women and babies. A study found 9 out of 10 pregnant women took medications1—many of whom don’t know how it might affect their developing fetus, which is why providing a list of all medications taken can help doctors identify any risks.

Some medications can cause NAS, like oxycodone. Other medications may cause no harm, but it’s best to let doctors make the final call.

Combined Substance Use and Its Effects

Using more than one substance, or polysubstance use, can create more pronounced health effects for the mom and baby. For example, a pregnant woman who smokes and drinks alcohol imposes greater health risks to herself and the baby than someone only smoking or only drinking. 

The more substances passing through the placenta to the baby, the more likely they’ll have a negative effect on their development and future health. The National Institute on Drug Abuse says1,

Children born to mothers who both drank and smoked beyond the first trimester of pregnancy have a twelvefold increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) compared to those unexposed or only exposed in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Psychological and Emotional Impact on Pregnant Women

Taking drugs during pregnancy can have a host of emotional and psychological effects on women. They may feel low or depressed as a result of their substance use, especially when that combines with hormone fluctuations. Regular substance use can cause a cyclical effect, where highs are followed by extreme lows and cause someone to continue their use to mitigate the lows.

Impaired mothers may also struggle to bond with their baby once they’re born. Drug use can affect the parts of the brain that help mothers bond with their baby5, making it difficult for them to form a secure parental relationship. This can impact their connection and parenting style throughout the baby’s life.

Preventative Measures and Treatment Options

One of the first steps in preventing substance use during pregnancy is testing regularly (or as needed) for pregnancy if using substances—or don’t use substances at all if you’re hoping to conceive. 

Educating men and women on the dangers of substance use during pregnancy can help mothers and partners understand and evaluate risks, and then adjust their behaviors accordingly. Knowing these risks before pregnancy can help mothers adequately prepare and create a substance-free environment for their baby to form and grow.

If you’re struggling with an active addiction and become pregnant, you can attend recovery programs and rehabs specifically for pregnant women (there’s a lot!). These programs account for you and your baby, addressing your needs with appropriate medical care, therapies, and prenatal care to support a healthy, full-term pregnancy.

If babies are born with substance-related complications, hospital staff can initiate a detox for the baby with medications to ease their withdrawals. Some birth defects caused by substances can’t be treated or reversed, but medical care can treat some symptoms throughout the person’s life.

Support Systems and Resources

Friends, loved ones, and medical staff can offer key support for pregnant women, helping them navigate addiction treatment if needed, and the journey of pregnancy. Women can join various support groups too, like 12-Step peer meetings or non-12-Step groups like SMART Recovery meetings. Prenatal clinics may also offer support groups to educate women on child-raising, best practices for their health, and to connect women to resources for housing, mental health care, and other personal needs. 
If pregnant women need to detox and/or get addiction treatment, they can go to one of the many rehabs with specialized care for pregnant women. Some rehabs will also offer services and help for other children, helping pregnant mothers attend treatment when childcare needs may otherwise prevent them.

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IOP vs. PHP: Which Treatment Is Best for You?

Can a couple of acronyms help you recover from addiction and mental health conditions? They can, and they’ve been doing it for decades.

Here’s what they mean: IOP is intensive outpatient program; PHP is partial hospitalization program. They’re both outpatient programs and primarily differ in intensity levels and time requirements. Depending on your treatment needs, one may be more effective and convenient.

We’ll explore the differences between IOP and PHP and highlight their benefits to help you decide on your care.

Understanding Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)

IOPs serve those who don’t need 24/7 care or detox1 for their recovery needs. They typically last 1-3 months with 3+ sessions weekly. Each session lasts a couple of hours and often includes therapy, psychoeducation, and other structured activities to keep you well connected to peer and professional support. You’ll likely receive 1:1 and group therapy; some IOPs offer family therapy too. IOPs also focus on practical tools for recovery, like relapse prevention, building coping tools, and how to navigate triggers.

You can go to IOP as a standalone treatment or as a step-down from residential care, which provides 24/7 monitoring and detox services. IOPs provide structure, community, and the continued treatment that can be vital to long-term recovery. Some programs require continuous drug testing, others don’t. Check with the program you have in mind to see what their participation requirements are.

People in IOPs can work or go to school, since sessions can occur in the morning, afternoons, or evenings, depending on the program’s availability.

Exploring Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)

PHPs are more intensive than IOPs, but still an outpatient program. You can expect to attend treatment for 5-6 days a week, usually for 5+ hours at a time. PHPs focus on skill-building and honing coping tools through group and 1:1 therapy, plus educational sessions to grow your knowledge of addiction and mental health. 

PHPs mimic residential treatment in their intensity, but with the ability to go home after treatment. They’re a great bridge between residential treatment and lower levels of outpatient care, like IOP, or patients can join them as a stand-alone treatment. PHPs often address both substance use disorders and mental health conditions; they may focus on one or the other, or each as a dual-diagnosis.

Those in PHP may have time for part-time jobs, but can expect to spend most of their day in treatment. PHP is commonly called day treatment to highlight this.

Key Differences Between IOP and PHP

PHP is more intensive than IOP. It will likely have a structured day-to-day schedule, similar to residential treatment. IOP primarily offers group therapy with less oversight and structure from staff. Its flexibility generally allows you to pick when you attend treatment, like in the morning, afternoon, or evening, whereas PHP is an all-day commitment.

Because it’s more intensive, PHP typically costs more than IOP. It can better serve someone experiencing severe symptoms of addiction and mental illness with its structure and therapeutic variability.

Someone with more manageable symptoms and recovery experience would likely find an IOP more beneficial and relevant to their needs. They still need support and treatment, but not as structured or intensive as a PHP. 

Factors Influencing Treatment Choice

Several factors can help you choose between an IOP or a PHP, like

  1. The severity of your condition. How strong of an impact does it have on your day-to-day life?
  2. The safety and support of your home environment. Is it conducive to your recovery?
  3. Your time availability and other personal demands. Do you need to work or take care of children?
  4. Costs and insurance coverage. How important is cost, and will your insurance be able to cover the program?

For example, if you have a severe mental illness or substance use disorder, an unsafe home environment, and struggle to navigate your symptoms on your own, PHP would be a good option for you. PHP can be an even better fit if your insurance covers the program and you have work flexibility (either taking a leave or working 1-2 days weekly).

If your symptoms are more manageable, you feel supported at home, and more confident in your ability to navigate day-to-day life without relapsing, IOP could be a better option. This is especially true if you have less funding available for your care and less time to spend outside work and personal obligations.

Considerations for Dual Diagnosis and Co-Occurring Disorders

Many substance use disorders occur alongside a mental health condition2 like anxiety, depression, or trauma. Attending treatment that doesn’t address these conditions can make it less effective, which is why so many outpatient and residential facilities make sure they do. 

Due to their less intensive nature, not every IOP or PHP will focus on mental health conditions as a core component of substance use. They may concentrate solely on relapse prevention skills, addiction education, and learning how to navigate triggers. There’s overlap for mental health recovery, but not a precise focus.

Plenty of IOPs and PHPs do offer either core or co-occurring mental health treatment. They’ll discuss how mental health conditions contribute to or cause addiction, and how managing your mental health can improve your addiction recovery. You may learn more about prescription medications for mental health (like antidepressants), self-care strategies, and habits for keeping your mind and body healthy.

Effectiveness and Outcomes

Attending an IOP or PHP can produce markedly better treatment outcomes1. It keeps you connected to treatment and teaches relapse prevention skills, coping tools, and other practical assets for long-term recovery. And since they typically require abstinence, it keeps you sober longer, which can increase the likelihood of long-term recovery3.

Studies found outpatient services like IOP and PHP can even have the same level of effectiveness as residential care1; effectiveness meaning sustained sobriety and reduced symptoms. While IOPs and PHPs won’t fit everyone’s needs and preferences, they offer a hopeful, effective alternative to residential treatment and the time and monetary commitments that come with it.

Choosing The Right Treatment Program

Choosing an IOP vs PHP is a decision made by you and whomever you count on for support. This could be your primary care physician, therapist, work mentor, parent, sibling, or friend. 

Reflect on these questions as you make your decision:

  1. Do you feel sick if you don’t take your substance daily, or even hourly? If so, you most likely need professional detox services. Here’s how to prepare and what to expect.
  2. Does your home environment feel safe and supportive of your recovery?
  3. Are triggers making it a daily challenge not to use substances, and making you feel nervous you’ll relapse or experience worse symptoms?
  4. How comfortable do you feel with your ability to handle stress and negative emotions without turning to substance use? Could your coping skills be improved?
  5. If your symptoms feel manageable without residential care, how much time can you realistically allocate to treatment—when seeing it as the priority it is?
  6. What matters most to you about treatment—staff interactions, peer support, medical treatment?

You can also note the specific offerings, amenities, and practical factors of the programs they have in mind. What’s their approach to recovery? Do they solely use 12-Step principles? How will the environment look and feel? Are there any groups specific to your demographic? 

Keep notes on what you find and see which program feels like the best fit for you. Remember that either option is a step towards recovery—positive, brave, and uniquely yours. 
You can use Recovery.com to find an IOP or PHP that fits your needs.

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Guide to Finding State-Funded Rehab

A state-funded rehab receives funding from state governments, which means they can offer care at a lower cost—a solution for those without insurance or limited coverage. Each state may have different budgets and allotments for rehab funding.

To find a state-funded rehab, you can access your state government’s resources using the web, connect with helplines, or use a national locator like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) website.

Understanding State-Funded Rehab Programs

State-funded rehabs meet the needs of people needing effective programs for residential treatment, detox, outpatient care, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs—but without health insurance or excess money to shell out for private-pay centers. They’re instead funded by state and/or federal funding through Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and other public insurance. Other grants and funding support people who don’t qualify for state insurance. 

State-funded rehabs come as a response to this ever-growing need, especially with rates of overdose and addiction increasing1. People living in poverty or low incomes are most at risk for addiction2. Various grants from the government3 (through SAMHSA) specifically address the needs of those incarcerated, pregnant, disabled, and more to make treatment accessible. Public health insurance may cover the costs of state-funded rehabs for those who qualify for Medicare and/or Medicaid.

Eligibility for State-Funded Rehabs

To attend a state-funded rehab, you’ll need to live in the state providing the care and have proof of your inability to cover the costs of private treatment through insurance or private pay.

General Eligibility Criteria

Here are the general criteria for attending a state-funded rehab:

  1. Proof you live in the state (like a bill from your water company sent to your address.)
  2. Proof you can’t afford non-state-funded rehab via your pay stubs and lack of insurance coverage.
  3. Documented need for addiction treatment and the specific level of care, like a doctor’s note saying you have a substance use disorder and need residential care.
  4. Proof of American citizenship.

How to Determine Eligibility

If you have questions about your eligibility for a state-funded rehab, you’ll likely get the quickest and most accurate answer by contacting the facility itself. Their admissions coordinators will ask what your income is, if you have private or public insurance, where you live, and your citizenship status. They may also ask questions to see if you qualify for other scholarships and grants offered by their facility or the state you live in. For example, some treatment centers may offer scholarships to Indigenous peoples or other minority groups.

You can also navigate to your state’s government website and search for addiction treatment to see their specific qualification criteria. This can help you determine your eligibility.

Benefits of State-Funded Rehab

State-funded rehabs often provide evidence-based care from experienced clinicians, along with a full continuum of care: detox, residential treatment, day treatment, intensive outpatient, outpatient care, and MAT. Lower costs don’t lower the impact treatment can have on your life. Their price makes treatment more accessible to people nationwide.

Affordability is another major benefit, since costs can be such a daunting barrier to care. Going to rehab has its challenges, but with costs off your plate, you have one more reason to commit to healing.

Locating State-Funded Rehab Programs

State-funded rehabs are under the umbrella of other government programs and initiatives, which means you can find out more about them on your state’s government website and online locators, like SAMHSA.

State Health Department Resources

Your state’s health department includes key information on how your state responds to health crises and day-to-day health needs. For example, the state of Wisconsin has a page of their website devoted to substance use care, your rights under state and federal laws, and resources for those needing to locate treatment facilities or find state-funded care. You can find this information on your state’s legal website too—search for “your state name”.gov.

SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) remains the top-tier government resource for information on addiction and mental health treatment. It also provides additional grants and funding for rehabs and other recovery services.

Using Locators and Helplines

SAMHSA has a 24/7 helpline for finding treatment—they can help you locate a state-funded rehab near you. There’s also FindTreatment.gov, which is an American government-backed service for finding addiction and mental health treatment. They also list agencies by state, which oversee the recovery centers in each state and can help you pick a reputable center.

Application Process for State-Funded Rehab

Knowing what you’ll need to apply for a state-funded rehab program can make the process faster and easier. 

Documents Needed

Have these documents on hand for your application:

  1. Proof of income, like your most recent pay stub.
  2. A recent bill from a utility company or government agency to prove your address.
  3. Your driver’s license, passport, or other form of government identification to confirm your identity.
  4. Your insurance card, if you have one.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

To apply for state-funded rehab, you’ll use the provider’s website or go directly to their office to begin the admissions process. Once you submit the above documents, their team will review it and let you know if you got into the program. You’ll either join a wait list or start treatment right away. Preliminary tests may include drug testing, physical assessments, psychological assessments, testing for sexually transmitted diseases, and consultations with therapists.

After this process, you’ll be shown your room and given a tour of the facility. Staff will explain the typical schedule for day-to-day activities and expectations. Then, you’ll start treatment.

What to Expect in State-Funded Rehab

State-funded rehabs, like other centers, typically offer evidence-based therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing. They’ll likely offer less 1:1 time with therapists and focus more on group sessions and peer recovery groups like Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous, which use the principles of the 12 Steps.

Clinicians and treatment providers will likely expect you to attend each session and socialize with peers during meals and free time. You may take assignments and homework with you after sessions, like a journal prompt or writing exercise to fill out. And though the center may not offer family therapy or have a family program, they’ll have a phone you can use to call loved ones at set times in the day. Your phone and electronics will likely go into a locker for safekeeping during your stay, given back at your release.

Challenges and Considerations

State-funded addiction treatment comes with several challenges and caveats, just like private treatment. Knowing the potential challenges can help you make an informed decision that’s most beneficial to you and your recovery.

Wait Times

Many people qualify for state-funded rehab, which can lengthen wait times. Each facility can only take a set number of patients at a time; once a current patient graduates, they can take someone off the waitlist. 

Not everyone has time to wait, though, which can make state-funded care an impractical option for some. While waiting, you can apply for lower levels of care (like outpatient instead of residential) or broaden your scope to rehabs further away. You can also attend peer recovery groups in the meantime—read our article on what to do if you get waitlisted for more tips and strategies. 

Limitations of State-Funded Rehabs

Due to limited funds, state-funded rehabs can’t offer all the bells and whistles of a private rehab funded by private insurance or out-of-pocket payments in full. A few limitations include:

  • Lack of 1:1 therapy
  • Fewer therapies available
  • Less activities and variety in daily life
  • Treatment plans aren’t personalized to each patient
  • Lack of advanced and/or alternative treatments, like ketamine therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and trauma-focused therapies

Alternatives to State-Funded Rehab

Depending on impractical wait times and your willingness to attend a state-funded rehab, you can consider various other options to still get the care you need at an affordable cost. These include:

  1. Not-for-profit centers (offer treatment for lower costs; primarily funded by donations).
  2. Scholarships offered by the treatment center. You can check their websites or reach out to their admissions team to see what scholarship options they may have.
  3. Centers with sliding scale fees. Check with their admissions team to see if this is an option.
  4. If you direly need to detox and receive intensive care, go to the nearest emergency room for assessment and inpatient detox services at a hospital.

Affordable + Accessible = Hopeful

Going to a state-funded rehab connects you to vital recovery resources, including detox services, residential care, and a continuum of outpatient services to keep you on the path to long-term recovery. While these centers admittedly lack luxe amenities and more personalized treatment plans, they serve a vital need and purpose in the treatment industry—restoring lives and inspiring hope.

You can use Recovery.com to find rehabs near you and see photos, reviews, pricing information, and more.

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Healing in Numbers: The Power of Group and Family Therapy in Recovery

We have an exciting new podcast with guest Dr. Claudia Black! We had an insightful and educational time discussing Dr. Black’s professional and personal experiences. We also explored what drew her to focus on behavioral health, adolescent treatment, and healing dysfunctional families. Dr. Black has authored multiple books on addiction, children of addiction, how families heal, and much more.

Listen to this fascinating episode with Dr. Black here!

Past Experience and Background

Dr. Claudia Black is the clinical architect of the Claudia Black Young Adult Center with the Meadows. She’s a renowned author and speaker, and a trailblazer in the field of addiction and family systems therapy. Her work shaped the awareness and healing surrounding adult children of parents with substance use disorders, and children from dysfunctional and abusive families. Clinicians around the world use her frameworks to understand, and treat, addiction and dysfunction within family systems. 

C Black scaled

Dr. Black grew up in a dysfunctional home herself, a child of a father struggling with alcohol use disorder. She deeply understands the effects dysfunction and addiction have on families, especially adolescents. Dr. Black brings a unique blend of empathy and clinical expertise to her treatment, books, and our conversation in this episode with host Dr. Malasri Chaudhery-Malgeri (Editor-in-Chief) and co-host Cliff McDonald (Chief Growth Officer).

Group Work as a Pillar in Successful Treatment

Dr. Black primarily works with adolescents, developing a campus and program specifically for young adults after recognizing they learn and respond to treatment much differently than older peers. For this age group and others, Dr. Black has seen profound benefits with group therapy. She notes,

“And…the advantages of group work, I think the biggest advantage is what I’ve really already stated. It is a major shame reducer. There is so much healing that comes with the possibility of connecting with somebody else who, on a gut level, knows exactly what you’re talking about.” 

She adds another truth patients often realize through group work: 

“It’s okay for me to be vulnerable because there is nothing wrong with me. And I understand that because there’s nothing really wrong with you. This is what happened to you. And I like you. You’re really an okay person. Therefore I must be okay too.” 

Dr. Claudia Black eloquently highlights the transformative power of group therapy in recovery, and how it can significantly reduce shame by connecting patients with others who truly understand their struggles. She also highlights a vital realization created in group settings: the acceptance of vulnerability. Patients learn that being vulnerable is acceptable because their core selves are intact and unblemished by their experiences. This mutual recognition of inherent worth helps patients accept themselves and others, creating a supportive community where everyone can feel truly ‘okay’.

Healing Emotional Abandonment in Dysfunctional Families

Much of Dr. Black’s work focuses on healing emotional abandonment, which can take many forms and roles. Her books and speeches cover the realities of growing up with parents with substance use disorders, abusive parents, and emotionally unavailable parents. Dr. Black defines emotional abandonment, stating,

“Emotional abandonment is when you have to hide a part of who you are in order to be acceptable.”

Emotional abandonment can skew what children believe about themselves, especially as they grow into adults. For example, they may believe showing emotion is weak or being kind to others opens them up for attack. Dr. Black adds,

“So what are these parts of self that I’m having to hide? Was it okay to make a mistake in this family? Or did you learn that if you did anything less than perfect, there was something wrong with you? Was it okay for you to have feelings?” 

As a result of emotional abandonment from abuse, emotional detachment, or absent parenting, children can turn to substances and illicit practices to find comfort and community. 

This quote poignantly addresses the deep-seated fears and insecurities many people carry into adulthood, often stemming from their familial environments. It challenges us to reflect on the parts of ourselves we’ve felt compelled to hide, questioning whether our upbringing allowed room for mistakes or if perfection was the unattainable standard. This introspection helps us understand and heal the internalized beliefs that may hinder our personal growth and emotional well-being.

Substance Use to Numb Emotional Pain

One of Dr. Black’s books, It Will Never Happen to Me!, highlights the connection between children of addiction and becoming a substance user themselves, despite seeing the effects and damage of addiction first-hand.

She notes how children of addiction almost always experience emotional abandonment, which can lead to substance use as a way to cope with the pain and manage their emotions on their own. As they get older, children of addiction and/or abusive parents may also use substances to numb painful memories and the trauma of their experiences. Even if these children, who watch their parents suffer with addiction, vow to live differently, they can end up following the same pattern. Dr. Black says, 

“If becoming addicted was an issue of willpower, children of addiction would be the last ones to become addicted. But it has nothing to do with willpower. What happens is alcohol or drugs can do something for this child that it doesn’t have to do for somebody else. It can give them a greater sense of confidence. It can give them courage. It can give them a sense of empowerment against the powerlessness in their life.”

The Role of Family Therapy and How It Works

Family therapy is an important part of treatment for all age groups, but especially young adults. Dr. Black deftly explains the importance of family therapy, anxieties and misconceptions family members may have, and how the patient and their loved ones can optimize the experience for their collective healing. 

Dr. Black notes common fears loved ones have coming into treatment:

“Anybody who walks into the treatment setting is very scared. It’s very vulnerable, in a way that is foreign to them.” … “So they’re, they don’t want to be part of a treatment program because they feel so guilty or they feel like they’re going to be blamed.”

These anxieties and fears are some of the reasons why Dr. Black and many other treatment providers focus on creating a welcoming, non-judgemental space for families to learn more about the condition their loved one has and discuss their experiences. What this reaps is:

“…the patient, the identified patient, the client themselves who goes to treatment, probably has a better chance of recovery typically when family members participate in family programming and ultimately experience their own recovery process.”

Sessions with loved ones often center on education, helping them understand each aspect of the patient’s behavior and conditions. It also helps them understand their own needs and recovery process. Dr. Black says, 

“Most of the family members, when they leave, will walk away saying, I couldn’t believe that I’d have a recovery process. I didn’t even know that I had something that I needed to recover from.”

“People Are So Resilient”

Dr. Black describes the inspiring sense of resilience each person has, and how that contributes to their recovery journey. She also describes real stories of resilience in her book Undaunted Hope. On resilience, she says, 

“So being able to recognize that some of what was survivorship is where our resiliency is today, as well. You get to keep the strengths that you created. A lot of dysfunction or a lot of trauma in your life, you get to keep the strengths. You just want to take away the rigidity of those strengths.”

Dr. Black gives an example of someone used to taking control and taking care of others. They turn out to be a natural leader, which is an inner strength, but can be over controlling and micro-manage. Loosening the reins allows this person to still lead, but be a better listener, more receptive to feedback, and gentler in how they communicate. 

Promising Trends and Innovations in Addiction Treatment

Dr. Black pointed out new trends in addiction treatment and suggestions for how providers can offer better care. One, she suggests new providers read her book Undaunted Hope for the real-life experiences highlighted in the book and stories of resilience. She adds,

“You have to know addiction. You don’t have to specialize in the field of addictive disorders. But you can not, as a mental health professional, work in this field and not know addiction and be open to the fact that that could be what it is that’s going on.”

As far as emerging trends and needs, Dr. Black says, 

“I think that we need to pay more attention to long term, what supports long term recovery and that, from an inpatient treatment standpoint, 45 days is not enough. It’s a wonderful start, but I don’t think that we’ve given credence to those next handful of months into this first couple of years.”

Dr. Black sheds light on evolving trends in addiction treatment and offers critical guidance for care providers. She emphasizes the importance of a deep understanding of addiction, regardless of a provider’s specialization, highlighting that it is essential knowledge for any mental health professional. Dr. Black also advocates for a reassessment of treatment times, pointing out that while a 45-day inpatient program is a good start, it doesn’t always support long-term recovery. She stresses the need for extending care well beyond these initial stages, which can significantly bolster recovery outcomes.


This episode was rich in information and wisdom. To find out more about this episode and Dr. Claudia Black’s work, listen to her podcast here!

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Ethical Care and Recovery: A Cornerstone for Healing

Ethics and quality treatment go hand-in-hand. One often doesn’t exist without the other and if they do, the impact of either lessens. In an industry shaped by unethical practices, some of which have just become the norm, a pursuit of ethics sets many organizations and providers apart.

We’ll explore what ethics are in the behavioral health industry and why they’re such an important part of recovery—regardless of the conditions present, the level of care, or patient preferences. Ethics remain the baseline of effective care.

Listen to our podcast episode with Marvin Ventrell, CEO of the National Association of Addiction Providers (NAATP), to learn more about ethics in treatment from the person who spearheaded the effort.

Ethics: What They Are and Why They Matter

At first thought, ‘being ethical’ may sound like feeding the homeless, treating others fairly, or being honest. People without ethics often star as villains in books and films, but in reality, a lack of ethics often shows in more subtle ways. Sometimes, that’s because we or another party don’t know the ethics of a certain industry, place, or demographic and act unethically by accident. Other times, acting unethically is an intentional choice to manipulate and mislead for personal gain. Usually, monetary.

Treatment that prioritizes ethics both improves the chances of success and helps patients feel respected and cared for, which maintains their dignity. Lacking ethics has consequences, from being hurtful to costing someone the recovery opportunity they deserved. In dire cases, unethical practices can directly or indirectly end someone’s life. 

Unethical Practices in Addiction Treatment

Ethics in the addiction treatment space have gotten more robust and structured, but that wasn’t always the case. Old practices still happen today and, unfortunately, can marr the otherwise respectable reputation of treatment providers. These are some of those practices.

Patient Brokering

Patient brokering is the practice of unethically attracting people to a certain treatment center through a broker that offers free flights, gifts, money, or even drugs. The ‘broker’ who refers them to treatment gets a compensation fee. Sometimes, brokers will help people relapse and then encourage them to go to the specific treatment center that gives them compensation. Brokers may share their fees to encourage patients to relapse and go to treatment.

The Affordable Care Act requires insurance companies to pay for addiction treatment, which means patients with good-paying insurance are often the targets of patient brokering, or body brokering. Once the patient’s insurance is charged, they’re run through treatment quickly, primed to relapse and return again to the center (so they can charge their insurance again). 

Thankfully, patient brokering has become illegal and therefore less common. But it still happens. States like Florida and California still battle shady providers and brokers, shutting them down as soon as they can. 

Misleading Marketing

Some treatment centers rely on misleading marketing to draw in patients—and their insurance. AI-generated images or generic stock photos make the center look nicer than it is, or advertise amenities and therapies that don’t actually exist (like private bedrooms, a pool, or equine therapy). The center could also claim they have more experienced or higher qualified staff than they actually do, like saying all their therapists are masters-level when they aren’t.

Thinking they’ve found an amazing center at an equally amazing price, patients or their loved ones may commit to treatment and pay upfront for their care without realizing they’ve been duped. 

Paying for Leads

Some treatment providers pay for ‘leads’ to their website, which are website clicks, phone calls, or messages indicating interest in treatment. For example, a treatment center may pay a directory or call center to send them a certain amount of leads. One way a call center can do this is by saying other treatment centers are full or closed, leaving the one paying them as ‘the only option.’ 

Lack of Transparency

Some treatment centers purposefully make it difficult to ascertain what they do and how they do it. They may also distort what the living conditions will look like, using vague statements like, “Patients are onsite.” (Living where? What are the rooms like? Is it actually residential? Will there be meals?)

The admissions staff are often just as vague, encouraging you to make your payments, get through the admissions process, and start treatment instead of answering questions. Once you get to the center, you may realize it’s not a good fit or not at all what you expected. 

Exposing Patient Identities

One of the last things many patients want is to see their face plastered over marketing materials or used on the website of the place they went to get treatment. Addiction and mental health treatment is deeply personal and often vulnerable; not something people often want disclosed (especially celebrities or high-ranking corporate employees/employers).

Unethical providers sometimes use pictures of patients to capture their treatment services and amenities. If treatment centers do use pictures of patients in their marketing materials or on social media, the patient must be fully aware and give their approval before the image can show anywhere on the internet or printed materials. 

Ethical Practices in Addiction Treatment

Many treatment providers and industry leaders recognize and prioritize ethics in treatment, slowly but surely changing the entire industry and restoring its reputation. Here’s how.

Clear Advertising

This applies to the treatment center advertising themselves and 3rd-party sites advertising the center. For the center, it means any material or messaging about their center is clear and not misleading. They clearly state what they are, what they do, and what patients can expect. Not only is this ethical and kind, it reduces fear of the unknown (FUD), which can be a barrier to treatment.

Third parties prioritize ethics by clearly marking which listings on their website are paid advertisers. At Recovery.com, for example, you’ll see we mark each treatment provider that pays for an extended reach. This lets visitors and potential patients know what is and isn’t an ad. 

Accurate Language and Images

The way a center portrays themself makes a big difference. If they say they’re the best rehab ever and upload a dozen stock images of a luxury spa, that’d likely change the way a potential patient views them—and sway their treatment decision. 

Sticking to the facts of what they treat, how they treat it, and including pictures of their center only make for a more ethical portrayal. Clear content and pictures also help potential patients make quick, informed decisions at a difficult time.

Updated and Accessible Licensing Information

A good indicator of quality care comes from 1) clinical licensure from the center’s country and state and 2) accreditation from organizations like the NAATP, The Joint Commission, LegitScript, and CARF. 

Many providers make these accreditations and licenses easily viewable on their website. You can also search the accreditor’s website for the specific treatment center to see if they’ve been accredited by them.

While licensure and accreditations don’t guarantee successful treatment, they can help you decide on a center and feel more confident in the quality of care you or a loved one will receive. 

Cultural Competency

Cultural competency means the staff at a treatment center have a learned or lived experience that allows them to understand someone’s culture, and how their culture can affect treatment. Cultural competency can help LGBTQ+, non-white, religious, and disabled people feel more comfortable, safe, and understood in treatment.

Making Every Effort to Offer Effective Care

Imagine if you went to the doctor for a sprained ankle and the staff only tossed you an ice pack. Some treatment providers do close to the same thing for addiction and mental health treatment; bare minimum services that don’t address core issues. 

Ethical providers do the opposite: making every effort to give you the best, most effective care they can. They collaborate with each other to better understand your needs and check that they’re addressing them. Depending on their services and available resources, you’ll receive the therapies and practices best attuned to what you need to recover.

Though effort and best intentions don’t guarantee recovery, they go infinitely farther than lackluster care and band-aid solutions. 

Organizations Enforcing Ethics

How does the treatment space enforce the concept of ethics and ethical practices? It takes the bravery and efforts of many organizations determined to improve the space and save lives. One of those organizations is the NAATP, who’s CEO we were privileged to talk with in our recent podcast episode. You can listen to that to learn more about his story and how the NAATP put their stamp on ethics. 

The Joint Commission also offers accreditation for many types of treatment providers. To gain accreditation from the NAATP and The Joint Commission, treatment providers go through rigorous screenings and approvals similar to state licensing. These organizations focus more on ethical care, though, which differs them from a center meeting the state requirements to operate. 
With these organizations and the passion behind them, finding quality, ethical addiction treatment is more than possible. People care. Hope is for everyone.

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Recovery Amid Wealth And Opportunity

It’s not uncommon to hear of a celebrity going to rehab, or finding out a successful CEO has struggled with alcohol use. Sometimes these figures drop off the map, resurfacing once they’ve ‘cleaned up,’ only to make the news again a few months later for the same issues.

But aren’t they rich? They could buy the whole rehab—what’s stopping them from just getting better?

News stories and celebrity gossip often center around that idea, pointing out the unique opportunities the top 10% and 1% have to pursue recovery from addiction and mental health concerns. Why don’t they, when it seems so easy? 

Another question is this: if they do, can they clear the pitfalls of a life that often requires perfection, secrets, and exceeding even the most unattainable expectations?

Life in The Top 10%

Who’s the richest person you know? How does their lifestyle compare to yours?

Then, for most of us, triple or quadruple that level of excess and wealth. That’s the top 10%: actors, singers, royalty, oil tycoons, owners of high-end tech companies, and CEO’s of multi-billion dollar enterprises. They easily afford multiple homes, luxury cars, and don’t flinch at an ivy-league education for their kids. They vacation on tropical islands or massive mountain mansions. They have staff to do what we could consider daily tasks: shopping, paying bills, making meals. 

People in the lower 30%, or even 70%, meanwhile, carefully calculate each shopping trip, each vacation, and each bill to make sure they can cover their basic costs: food, rent, utilities, and other essentials. It’s all too common for a health issue or property damage to send individuals and families into a financially dark place. 

How much easier and better life would be with no financial worries!

The Corroded Side of The Coin

Life in the top 10% looks shiny on one side. On the other, though, it’s often a much different visage. With their positions and prestige the top 10% typically face intense pressure to perform, maintain an image of success, and meet expectations set by the public, their industry, and themselves. 

It’s true we all face pressures, stress, and expectations, regardless of our income or socioeconomic status. However, many of us would agree it sounds daunting to lead a global company with a worldwide impact and reputation to maintain. The stakes change. To maintain their image of success, some of the top 10% may use substances like alcohol, cocaine, or heroin to cope and reach past their normal human capabilities.

This can spiral into addiction—they may even feel destined to struggle with substances like so many of their coworkers and friends. It could seem like a normal part of life, but that’s fortunately not the case. 

Unattainable Expectations And Using Substances to Cope

The nature of someone’s profession can impose high-stakes expectations. An actor, for example, may be expected to win an Oscar by a certain point in their career. To do this they need to get cast in the right films and do everything they can to improve their acting skills, which may involve long hours of training and filming. 

They may not feel capable of meeting their expectations on their own, using substances like cocaine to feel more alert and work longer. This can be just as true for a CEO or a politician with images to maintain and benchmarks to hit. What begins as a seemingly foolproof way to boost performance and retain their success can quickly bloom into dependence, then addiction.

How Wealth And Prestige Can Protect Against Common Consequences

The rock bottom myth purports hitting your rock bottom as the ultimate motivation for treatment. (This is often true, though not at all required.) For many in the top 10%, their wealth and prestige serve as a cushion against rock bottom. This can lead them to believe their substance use has no consequences and causes no harm.

This belief is easy to understand—if you have the cash to make issues go away or cover them up (even from people close to you), they probably won’t seem like a big deal. Excess money also allows you to buy almost whatever you want, whenever you want it, whether that’s a new car or dozens of prescription pain pills a day. The top 10% can fund their addiction without financial consequences, at least in the beginning.

No financial consequences likely means they won’t experience homelessness or resort to criminal behaviors to get extra cash. This protects them from legal troubles and sullying their reputation.

Misconceptions And Biases Towards Treatment

Living a life of luxury and wealth can dissuade the top 10% from seeking treatment, as they assume they’ll be living in a dinky facility with restrictive rules and peers they can’t relate to. A major down-grade, essentially. Privacy concerns can also make treatment seem unfeasible to a celebrity or influential executive.

Going to rehab can seem like a degrading experience to someone who’s used to being treated with prestige and respect. They picture rules, bedtimes, and a strict treatment regime they must follow along with everyone else—people who are nothing like them. 

The Truth About Treatment for The Wealthy

None of these misconceptions and biases end up being true, depending on where you go to treatment. Many luxury rehabs exist just for this unique population, offering high-end accommodations, customized treatment plans, and stringent privacy measures. They also cater to working executives with flexible technology policies and time to work.

At rehabs like these, their clientele enjoy amenities like private bedrooms, fun extracurricular activities, chef-prepared meals, housekeeping, pools, gyms, saunas, and much more. Additionally, and perhaps most crucially, they encounter others in treatment with similar backgrounds—affluent, successful, and likely apprehensive about the process.

The Importance of Community

Some members of the top 10% may prefer fully private treatment, but for those who don’t, healing in a community can have a powerful impact. They’ll find real-life proof they aren’t alone in their struggles. They’ll gain support from others and offer it back. They’ll grow new friendships and form connections with both peers and staff. These connections and the tangible sense of not being alone can strengthen their recovery journey for years to come.

Treatment centers often offer group therapy and group activities to help peers connect. Group activities provide a dynamic way for clients to deepen their understanding of themselves and their peers. Depending on the location, these activities can range from tranquil nature excursions and exploring cultural landmarks to more exhilarating adventures like whitewater rafting and ziplining. Additionally, visits to spas offer a serene reprieve, rounding out the diverse array of experiences designed to rejuvenate body and mind.

Leveraging Wealth And Success for Recovery

Wealth and prestige can significantly enhance the recovery experience. For instance, people in the top 10% have the financial means to access high-end treatment services that fit their needs and preferences. The premium costs of these rehabs ensure a more comfortable environment and access to top-tier medical professionals, cutting-edge therapies, and exceptional amenities. Luxury rehabs often include private rooms, gourmet dining options, and expansive grounds.

Top-tier rehabs also create personalized treatment plans tailored to each client. This could include a blend of traditional and alternative therapies, private counseling sessions, and holistic approaches like yoga, meditation, and art therapy.

These aspects not only provide comfort but can also boost the overall effectiveness of treatment, making a higher-priced rehab a worthwhile investment for those who can afford it. But, bear in mind that luxury and private-pay only facilities aren’t the only places to get high-quality treatment. Many, many rehabs worldwide offer life-saving care for affordable prices and accept insurance. 

Recovery in Excess

Ultimately, money doesn’t solve everything. The aspects that come with excess wealth, like extreme pressure to perform and privacy issues, can dissuade people from going to treatment. However, many rehabs around the world exist specifically to address these concerns and more. You can find ultra-luxury centers on Recovery.com and see photos, reviews, and more. 
And to hear more about the recovery experience from a Wall Street trader and CEO of a luxury sober living center, listen to our recent podcast episode with Trey Laird here!

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From Wall Street to AA Meetings: An Executive’s Path to Healing, and How He Uses It to Help Others

Trey Laird is a man in long-term recovery, a CEO and founder, and a member of our advisory board at Recovery.com. He founded The Lighthouse Sober Living and The Lighthouse Recovery Coaching 365 Program, both of which cater to men and women needing support and a safe, comfortable environment in early recovery. 

As one of our advisory board members, Trey plays a key guiding role with lived experience in recovery and the treatment space. Listen to his episode and hear from other guests here!

Trey headshot

A Successful Start

Trey Laird initially worked as an equities trader on Wall Street. He’d graduated from Dartmouth College and began his career quickly, despite spending much of college steadily consuming alcohol and cocaine. Trey then found success in forming and maintaining positive relationships with his Wall Street clients—usually strengthened by drinks or parties after work. Describing his focus with clients, he says,

“It was building relationships…. One of my key positive attributes is I’m generally curious about other people and generally curious about what makes them tick. And today it’s super helpful because that may unlock a door to helping them recover.”

After graduating and beginning his career on Wall Street, Trey married and started a family. Then, at 32, a surgery left him with prescribed pain medications, which turned into a daily habit, and then into an addiction. 

Realizing The Need for Help

Trey eventually took prescription pain pills throughout the day and drank at night, going to bars where he wouldn’t be recognized. He began seeking solitude to drink or use substances, which went far out of his usual character as an extrovert. Trey says, 

“Being somebody that liked to be around a lot of people going to someone that, you know, wanted to not be around those people, was a big warning flag for me.”

Trey soon realized his drinking and substance use kept him from being the husband and father he wanted to be. He recognized his need for help and started looking for treatment options close to him.

Entering The Treatment Space

Trey sought treatment without knowing how it worked or what going to rehab really meant. But he went anyway, mentally prepared to stop his drug use. Trey initially planned to keep drinking after treatment, then was required to stop after he joined a 90-day outpatient program. At his wife’s request, Trey moved into his own place. He began going to 12-Step meetings in treatment and during his outpatient program, where he committed himself to at least make it through the 90 days. 

The meetings and the supportive community he found in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) took him by surprise. It was not the cult-like setting he expected, rather, men with stories like his living in recovery. By the end of the 90-day program, his mentality surrounding treatment and substance use radically changed. Trey says,

“And it got to the point where I was like, what would the benefit be of having a beer again?” … “I like what I’m feeling. And more, maybe more importantly, I like the people that I’m around.”

Overcoming Challenges With The Support of a Sober Community

Trey’s path to recovery was strewn with formidable obstacles. During the financial crisis 2008, America’s economy teetered on the brink, presenting an unprecedented challenge. As a Wall Street trader, Trey found himself in the eye of the storm. Yet, his sober community became his anchor, providing unwavering support. 

Trey’s personal life also faced challenges. His wife filed for divorce. The stakes were heightened as the conditions of the divorce mandated that Trey pass a drug-free test to maintain visitation rights with his children. This requirement added another layer of pressure and was a crucial motivator in his steadfast commitment to sobriety.

“Going through that time period and meeting these men who just showed me how to live a life, no matter what, stuck with me. That’s what launched me into my recovery.”

He also adds, 

“The opportunity to interface with a live recovery community was essential.”

Accomplishments and Plans for The Future

New leadership at the company Trey worked for inspired him to leave the finance world and provide other men like him with the recovery community he found so vital. He wanted to offer a link between intensive treatment and home, and so in 2016, he opened The Lighthouse Sober Living. The luxury setting catered to men at first, opening homes for women later. Trey also remarried and has since added more children to his family.

The Lighthouse uniquely offers a sober living space for men like Trey, who have monetary means and have become comfortable in more professional settings. This, and the expectation to ‘man up,’ can make it even more impactful when clients instead embrace vulnerability. 

Since opening The Lighthouse, Trey has also begun a recovery coaching program, The Lighthouse Recovery Coaching 365 Program. Graduates of their sober living program attend the 365 program for 3-6 months, gaining professional recovery coaching and family coaching.

Trey aims to open more sober living homes for men and women and strengthen his local recovery community, extending the gift of support (and recovery) to as many people as he can. We’re excited to have him on our advisory board and call him a friend!


Listen to Trey’s podcast episode here, where our hosts Dr. Malasri Chaudhery-Malgeri and Cliff McDonald discuss Trey’s journey and all he’s accomplished—personally and professionally. Don’t miss it!

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Therapeutic Takeaways From Psychotherapist Dr. Donald Meichenbaum: Misconceptions And More

In this week’s episode of The Recovery.com Podcast, our hosts were thrilled to speak with psychotherapist, distinguished professor, and advocate Dr. Donald Meichenbaum. Dr. Malasri Chaudhery-Malgeri, Editor-in-Chief, and Cliff McDonald, Chief Growth Officer, led an enlightening conversation on Dr. Meichenbaum’s experiences, advice, and misconceptions about therapy.

Tune into this episode to discover more about the importance of a positive therapeutic relationship, psychological ‘hype,’ and more.

A Successful, Influential Career

Dr. Meichenbaum is an emeritus professor from the University of Waterloo, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Psychological Association’s Clinical Division, honorary President of the Canadian Psychological Association, and acting Research Director at the Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment. 

D. Meichenbaum has authored numerous publications and pioneered cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is now a standard practice in most treatment centers and therapeutic settings worldwide. He retired almost three decades ago and continues his work at the Melissa Institute. He’s also involved in training therapists in China.

Critical Qualities For Therapists

Dr. Meichenbaum identified 3 critical qualities therapists need to develop a positive therapeutic relationship between their clients. He stresses the importance of this relationship in the effectiveness of treatment, saying, 

“The research indicates that the quality and nature of the therapeutic alliance is three to four times more important than the specific intervention that’s being used.” 

To create this positive alliance, Dr. Miechenbaum suggests therapists adopt these 3 skills:

  1. Monitor and maintain the quality of their therapeutic relationship and make adjustments as needed. 
  2. Meet the patient where they’re at; vary their approach and protocol on a case-by-case basis.
  3. Collaboratively work towards treatment goals to instill hope.

Empathy as a Tool for Effective Therapy

Empathy serves as a key tool for connection, especially in the therapeutic relationship—where it’s arguably most crucial. Therapists can use empathy to listen actively, show compassionate curiosity, and make clients feel more comfortable with opening up. Regarding the importance of empathy, Dr. Meichenbaum says, 

“No matter what their background…it’s effective insofar as they are able to show accurate empathy. So they [the therapist] may not have a similar exact problem as you did,  but they’re able to identify with the pain, the emotional distress with the past background that you have experienced, and they need to communicate that both verbally and non-verbally during that first session.”

Therapists can build trust with their patients using empathy and by respecting each patient’s experiences and backgrounds. Though they may not know exactly how their patient feels, they can make it clear that they care. 

Misconceptions in Therapy

Dr. Meichenbaum also addressed several misconceptions about therapy that therapists and patients alike may have. First, he says,

“They [therapists] don’t have to have the exact same problems as their clients.”

In the same way a doctor doesn’t need to have a patient’s condition to treat it, a therapist doesn’t need to experience the same issues as their patient to help them. That’s where empathy, respect, and compassion come in. Dr. Meichenbaum particularly highlights compassionate curiosity, which encourages therapists to ask questions that get to the root of an issue and identify how they can help their patient. Secondly, Dr. Meichenbaum points out, 

“Clients come in and have the expectation of the therapist that they’re going to tell him what to do….Often the patient knows what to do, but they’re not doing it. So I have to explore with the patient, what are the potential barriers or obstacles that are getting in the way. What are the nature of the beliefs, emotional feelings that are hijacking their frontal lobe?”

He stresses the importance of teaching patients to become their own therapists, not relying on a therapist’s guidance and advice to make decisions. 

Ongoing Work and Goals

Dr. Meichenbaum stressed the importance of identifying ‘hype’ in the therapeutic space and ensuring patients and therapists can spot exaggerations or unbacked claims. He’s begun training therapists in China, where he found cultural differences and stigma can affect therapeutic relationships. The skills he teaches to improve trust in these relationships–and therapy as a whole–apply globally, not just to China but every culture and subculture. 

Ongoing conversations with each patient regarding their experience in therapy, if they feel heard and understood, and how they would qualify their therapeutic relationship can help therapists in all cultures provide more effective care. 

Tune in for Inspiration and Education

Listen to Dr. Miechenbaum’s episode on The Recovery.com Podcast here! You’ll also find episodes from previous guests. Follow our podcast and subscribe to stay in touch.

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Healing The Workplace: Trailblazing Employee Wellness And Mental Health Literacy

Tune into our recent podcast episode with Laura Kunz, Vice President of Spirence and a woman in long-term recovery. Our hosts Dr. Malasri Chaudhery-Malgeri, Editor-in-Chief, Chief McDonald, Chief Growth Officer, and Amanda Uphoff, Chief of Staff, were delighted to discuss Laura’s experiences and the vision behind Spirence. 

Listen to this eye-opening episode here!

Combining Passion With Business Expertise 

Laura Kunz began her career in business development at behavioral health roles over 15 years ago. She’s gained extensive experience—and walked the path to recovery herself as a woman in long-term recovery. Laura’s current role is as the Vice President of Spirence and Director of External Relations at Futures Recovery Healthcare. 

Her personal journey with recovery has given Laura a unique passion and empathy for other men and women seeking treatment. Her various roles in business development, marketing, and personable authenticity reflect this. Laura’s also a wife and mother to two children, having lived in Ohio before moving to Southern Florida. She’s contributed articles to local news outlets, been recognized for her treatment advocacy, and founded a mental health awareness initiative, Jupiter Recovery Day. 

Finding a Solution for Employee Mental Wellness

The pandemic and the shift to virtual learning, the need for accessible mental health resources, and the ever-present need for mental health literacy prompted the beginning of Spirence. The idea, formed years ago, came into being with Laura’s help and other coworkers at Futures Recovery Healthcare. They combined decades of experience treating addiction and mental health to offer a new, subclinical product geared towards employees and their well-being. 

Laura quotes a study citing the higher-than-expected need for mental health treatment in employees, saying, “25 percent of their team meets the need for clinical care.” One percent of those need residential support. But what about the other 75%, who may need help but not clinical care or crisis intervention? Laura says,

“So for that 75% of the average workforce, they are now saying, what about my mental health? They want the proactive.” … “I might eventually want counseling or need counseling, or identify something through the education that makes me understand that I could benefit from counseling, but I’m not there. So we set out to build products, subclinical, that would reach that 75%.  But also still support the 25%.” 

Education for Mental Health Literacy

Laura’s team connects Spirence members to educational presentations and seminars hosted by experts or those with lived experiences. Employees can attend short, live sessions and ask questions in real-time (anonymously). A “virtual library” contains vital resources and advice employees could normally spend hundreds of dollars on elsewhere, like in therapy. 

Spirence works with small, medium, and large businesses to deliver their content and support to a range of employees and audiences. 

Help for Families

In addition to their other offerings and benefits, Spirence provides weekly family support sessions where family members can anonymously ask questions and learn from the experiences of others in the group. Professionals lead the live sessions, which are recorded and can be accessed anytime after. 

Goals of Spirence And Employee Mental Wellness as a Whole

Laura and her team at Spirence aim to make mental health literacy commonplace at work and home. Debunking myths, reducing stigma, and providing access to care can create a stronger workforce with healthier, happier, and more productive employees. 

Mental health literacy helps employees know what to do and when to do it if they (or a loved one) experience a mental health challenge, or anything else that affects their well-being.
Listen to our recent podcast now to learn more about the importance of employee wellbeing and Laura Kunz’s experience with addiction recovery.