What does drug rehab involve?
Drug rehab is more than getting through withdrawal. Withdrawal is the start. Recovery is the work that follows: understanding why substances took hold, learning to handle cravings and stress differently, repairing what was damaged, and building a life where staying in recovery makes sense.
At Skypoint Recovery, drug addiction treatment is delivered through our outpatient levels of care in Richmond: a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), and an outpatient program. Your assessment decides where you start. If you need medical detox or inpatient care first, we arrange it through a partner facility and pick up your care when you return.
Addiction is a treatable condition. Whatever you have been using, and however long it has been going on, recovery is possible.
What drugs do you treat?
We treat substance use disorders involving a wide range of drugs. Each affects the body differently, so your plan reflects what you have been using and how:
- Opioids: Including fentanyl, heroin, and prescription pain medications. Medication-assisted treatment is often part of care for opioid use disorder.
- Stimulants: Including methamphetamine, cocaine, and misused prescription stimulants. Treatment focuses on cravings, sleep, mood, and rebuilding routines.
- Benzodiazepines: Including alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), and clonazepam (Klonopin). Stopping these suddenly can be dangerous, so any taper or detox should be medically supervised.
- Cannabis: For people whose use has become hard to control or is affecting work, relationships, or mental health.
- Other substances: Including kratom, ketamine, and combinations of drugs with alcohol, which carry their own risks.
Please do not stop opioids or benzodiazepines abruptly on your own. Call our admissions team first so we can help you do it safely. If someone may be overdosing, call 911.
Is medication-assisted treatment part of drug rehab?
For opioid use disorder, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is one of the most established forms of care. Medications such as buprenorphine or naltrexone can ease cravings and withdrawal, which makes it easier to focus on therapy and daily life.
At Skypoint Recovery, MAT is offered as part of a treatment plan when it is clinically appropriate. It is combined with counseling and support rather than used on its own, and decisions to start, continue, or taper are made with you. Using medication to treat a medical condition is part of recovery, not a shortcut around it.
Which therapies are used in drug rehab?
Your plan draws on several approaches, chosen for you:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): To recognize and change the thoughts and habits that drive drug use.
- Individual therapy: Private sessions to work through personal history, triggers, and coping plans.
- Group therapy: A community of people working toward the same thing, which counters the isolation that often comes with drug use.
- Family therapy: To rebuild communication and trust when loved ones are part of your recovery.
- Motivational interviewing: To help you work through mixed feelings about change at your own pace.
- Trauma-focused care: Including EMDR, when unresolved trauma is part of what keeps the cycle going.
Holistic practices such as yoga, meditation, or art may be part of your program as well.
What happens after drug rehab?
Most people move through more than one level of care. A common path is PHP, then IOP, then outpatient therapy, with each step giving you a little more independence. Sober living or transitional housing can give you a stable place to live along the way.
Before you finish, you build a relapse prevention plan and connect with peer support, so you are not on your own when formal treatment ends. The road is never walked alone here, and that includes the stretch after your last session.
Is this the right fit for you?
- People who want to stop or cut back on drug use but have not been able to on their own
- People whose drug use is affecting their health, work, or relationships
- People with opioid use disorder who want to explore medication-assisted treatment
- People returning from detox or a partner inpatient program who need ongoing care
- People who feel unsure of their ability to cope without substances
Frequently asked questions
Do I need detox before drug rehab?
It depends on the substance and how much you have been using. Opioids, benzodiazepines, and some other drugs can cause withdrawal that needs medical supervision. If your assessment shows you need detox, Skypoint arranges it through a partner facility and plans your next step before you leave.
Does Virginia Medicaid cover drug rehab?
Virginia Medicaid covers addiction treatment services, including outpatient levels of care and medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, for members who qualify. Your exact coverage depends on your plan and on medical necessity. We verify your benefits before you start.
What if I have been to rehab before and relapsed?
Relapse is common, and it does not mean treatment cannot work for you. It usually means something in the plan needs to change, such as the level of care, the support at home, or treatment for a mental health condition. We will look at what happened without judgment and build a plan around it.
Will my employer find out I am in drug rehab?
Not from us. Your treatment records are confidential and protected by federal privacy law, and we do not share your information without your written consent except in the limited situations the law requires, such as a medical emergency.