Addiction help is provided in several forms, but those with alcohol or drug addiction issues often do not know where to look. If you have a friend or one person you love who is struggling with an addiction problem whether alcohol or drug, it is mandatory to learn the various types of help or assistance that is available.

Addiction help repeatedly includes a trip to inpatient drug rehab. Rather than the scary, institutional setting in most cases depicted in film and legend, inpatient drug or alcoholism rehab units tend to be modern, open, airy and pleasant. In an inpatient drug or alcohol rehab program, you will have the opening to work through not only the detoxification process but also the issues that led up to your drug addiction problem. A stay at an inpatient drug or alcohol rehab will generally be short-term, lasting no longer than a month, unless your individual situation requires a longer period. The main benefit of inpatient drug or alcoholism rehab is that you will have access to 24 hour a day, 7 days a week help and support. The major drawback of inpatient drug rehab is the cost. You will need to decide if your private insurance will cover your stay and if not, whether the institution offers a sliding scale rate based on ability to pay.

Twelve step programs are another rationale that works well for many people. Twelve step programs are commonly run by peer counselors who were once addicted to drugs themselves. This form of addiction assistance is either free or very low cost and generally provides you with a strong support network of those who understand your drug addiction. The biggest disadvantage to this type of program is also its major advantage: that it hands over the full responsibility for working the program to you. Whether or not you are capable to handle this responsibility while living in your current situation is a decision you must make carefully.

Outpatient counseling with a trained addictions therapist is another alternative for addiction help. You will see a therapist as frequently as twice a week or as infrequently as twice or even once a month, depending on your tailored treatment plan. Your therapist will help you to work through the issues that may have caused your drug addiction problem as well as assisting you in detoxification from your current drug of choice.

Whatever form of addiction support you choose, remember that getting over drug or alcohol addiction is a lifelong process. While a few former alcoholics claim that they are now able to drink responsibly, current professional thought on the topic is that it is a hazardous game to play. Once you been addicted to a drug - alcohol included - your likelihood of relapse is much higher than the risk of develop addiction for someone who has never been addicted. It is optimal for you to remain free of that drug and any others for the rest of your life.

When it comes to alcohol or drug addiction we never believe that there is one best solution that fits all patient's needs. A better approach might be to take advantage of a wide range of addiction help services and along the way towards becoming drug or alcohol free by using several resources. Decisions as to what kind of drug or alcoholism treatment is best will likely be based on factors like personal experience, expenses and other urgent considerations.

About the Author

David Richards is a publisher of alcoholism facts. You can go to alcoholism treatment for more.