Today’s guide will show you how to pick the best drug and alcohol rehab in Arizona. The Grand Canyon State is highly competitive for alcohol and drug rehabs. By building a solid foundation for recovery in one of the best Arizona rehabs, you could maximize your chances of sustained abstinence without relapse.
Find out what to expect from Arizona and explore your many treatment options if you need to reclaim your life from drug or alcohol addiction.
Background of Arizona
Arizona is one of the southwestern United States. The sixth largest state, the capital of Arizona (AZ) is Phoenix.
The Grand Canyon State has a desert climate. Summers are scorching and winters pleasantly mild. Despite the arid climate, you’ll find forests of pine and spruce, national parks, national forests, and ski resorts in Arizona. Grand Canyon National Park is one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
Home to several universities and a major hub of the Sun Belt, there are hundreds of inpatient and outpatient drug and alcohol rehabs in Arizona.
Arizona Substance Abuse Statistics
According to data from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), 215,000 over-18s in Arizona abused prescription medications from 2018 to 2019. The most abused classes of drug include:
- Opioids
- Benzodiazepines
Marijuana is the most abused drug in Arizona. This problem is likely to become inflamed since marijuana was legalized in the state in 2020.
From 2019 to 2021 almost one in five adults resident in Arizona reported one of the following:
- Using prescription painkillers for non-medical purposes.
- Using illicit narcotics except marijuana in the previous year.
Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnosis, also known as co-occurring disorder, is a clinical descriptor for an addition that co-occurs with a mental health disorder.
Some addictions that commonly present in dual diagnosis include:
- Alcohol
- Sleep aids
- Benzodiazepines
- Opioid-based painkillers
- Marijuana
- Meth
- Heroin
- Cocaine
- Crack cocaine
- Fentanyl
Mental health disorders diagnosed in people suffering from co-occurring disorders include:
- Major depressive disorder
- Anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
- PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
Each year, SAMHSA publishes data from NSDUH (National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The most current data for 2020 indicate that:
- 17 million U.S. adults had dual diagnosis with substance use disorder and AMI (any mental illness). This is a dramatic increase from 9.7 million people with the same dual diagnosis in 2019.
- 5.7 million adults had dual diagnosis with substance use disorder and an SMI (serious mental illness) that same year.
When dual diagnosis occurs, either the mental health condition or the addiction can develop first. Every co-occurring disorder is unique.
Integrated and coordinated dual diagnosis treatment is the most effective route to recovery.
Addiction Treatment in Arizona
The best treatment for drug or alcohol addictions in Arizona will be highly personalized, drawing from these behavioral and pharmacological interventions:
- Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Behavioral Therapies
- Motivational Therapies
Medication-Assisted Treatment
MAT or medication-assisted treatment is an evidence-based pharmacological intervention effective for the treatment of alcohol use disorder and opioid use disorder.
These medications have FDA approval for the treatment of alcohol use disorder:
- Disulfiram
- Acamprosate
- Naltrexone
These medications have FDA approval for the treatment of opioid use disorder:
- Buprenorphine
- Methadone
- Naltrexone
The above medications can mitigate the severity of drug and alcohol withdrawal. Additionally, medications can reduce the intensity of cravings. When MAT is utilized throughout ongoing addiction treatment in Arizona, this can promote abstinence and reduce the chance of relapse.
Medications can also be prescribed to alleviate:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Seizure
Medication-assisted treatment is almost always most effective if employed alongside behavioral interventions such as psychotherapy and counseling.
Behavioral Therapies
The most popular and effective behavioral interventions employed in Arizona alcohol and drug rehab centers are:
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
- DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
CBT helps you to explore what triggers you to use addictive substances. Your therapist will show you how to identify personal addiction triggers, enabling you to strengthen your chances of sustained recovery without relapsing.
The psychotherapist will also teach you how to replace negative and self-defeating behaviors with healthy coping mechanisms.
The skills you acquire in CBT sessions will be invaluable as you continue your recovery from drug or alcohol addiction.
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)
DBT is a specific form of CBT. While first created to treat the symptoms of BPD (borderline personality disorder), dialectical behavioral therapy is now also more widely used to treat other mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and dual diagnosis.
During DBT sessions, your therapist will help you to become more tolerant and accepting of challenging emotions and emotional distress. You will also discover how to use relaxation techniques.
Dialectical behavioral therapy can help you to become more aware of your emotions as you move from addiction into sustained recovery.
Motivational Therapies
Motivational therapy is typically delivered in Arizona rehabs alongside behavioral interventions such as CBT and DBT. Examples of motivational therapies include:
- Motivational Interviewing
- Contingency Management
- Community Reinforcement
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational interviewing, often abbreviated to MI, is a collaborative and ongoing dialogue between a client and a qualified therapist. The therapist does not approach the conversation from the standpoint of an expert. Instead, the therapist will guide you to implement changes independently.
MI is a short-term therapy can:
- Improve your motivation to implement changes.
- Equip you with healthy coping mechanisms.
- Establish your personal reasons for change.
CM (Contingency Management)
CM (contingency management) is a type of therapy that incentivizes and rewards positive behaviors.
Contingency management is especially effective for the treatment of these addictions:
- Alcohol
- Marijuana
- Prescription stimulants
- Meth
- Cocaine
CRA (Community Reinforcement)
CRA (community reinforcement approach) is often used during outpatient treatment – more on this below.
The community reinforcement approach involves six months of individual sessions. These sessions are held twice a week. You can expect drug screens and the ability to learn these skills:
- Preventing abuse of addictive substances.
- Connecting with counseling services and vocational development services.
- Developing healthy new interests.
- Creating a sober support system.
CRA can be effective for treating these addictions:
- Opioids
- Cocaine
- Alcohol
Continuum of Care for Addiction Treatment
According to ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine), there are five levels of addiction treatment on a continuum of care as follows:
- Early intervention (level 0.5)
- Outpatient rehab (level 1)
- Intensive outpatient program (level 2,1) and partial hospitalization program (level 2.5)
- Inpatient or residential rehab (level 3)
- Intensive inpatient rehab (level 4)
Inpatient rehab, also called residential rehab, is the most intensive form of addiction treatment delivered by rehabs in Arizona.
Most treatment facilities in the Grand Canyon State offer the following inpatient programs:
- 30-day inpatient rehab in Arizona
- 60-day inpatient rehab in Arizona
- 90-day inpatient rehab in Arizona
Inpatient rehab in Arizona is typically indicated for:
- Moderate and severe substance use disorders.
- Co-occurring disorders.
- For those with unstable home environments.
You remain at an Arizona rehab from detox to discharge.
Inpatient and outpatient rehab programs offer you access to the same interventions outlined above.
Studies show that most mild substance use disorders respond favorably to outpatient treatment. Outpatient rehab involves scheduled weekday therapy sessions at a treatment facility in Arizona. Between therapy sessions, you return home or to a sober living community.
You can find the following outpatient programs at the best Arizona rehabs:
- OP: traditional outpatient program (2 or 3 hours of weekly therapy sessions).
- IOP: intensive outpatient program (15 hours of weekly therapy sessions).
- PHP: partial hospitalization program (35 hours of weekly therapy sessions).
Outpatient rehab in Arizona is typically indicated for:
- Mild substance use disorders
- Stepping down from residential rehab.
- An affordable and flexible approach to Arizona rehab.
- People with a firm commitment to abstinence.
Activities in Arizona
Recovery from addiction is not a single event but a continuous chain of events. Your lifelong recovery journey starts with detox and inpatient or outpatient treatment in an Arizona rehab.
During rehab, you will benefit from the behavioral and pharmacological treatments highlighted above. Additionally, counseling – both individual and group – will form a key component of therapy.
The majority of the best rehabs in Arizona will also offer various holistic therapies, as well as diverse range of activities. Holistic treatments are not used in isolation, but rather as a supplement for EBTs (evidence-based therapies) utilized in rehabs throughout the Grand Canyon State.
Some activities commonly found in rehabs in Arizona include:
- EMDR therapy
- Guided meditation
- Meditation
- Mindfulness
- Yoga
- Tai chi
- Music therapy
- Art therapy
- Acupuncture
- Sports
- Exercise programs
- Cycling
- Surfing
- Hiking
- Climbing
- Animal-assisted therapy
- Massage
- Nutritional therapy
- Biochemical restoration
Taking part in activities like this while at an Arizona drug and alcohol rehab will help you to create healthier habits as you transition from active addiction into ongoing recovery.
Drug Rehab FAQ
Does Arizona accept Medicaid?
Yes. AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System) administers Medicaid in Arizona. Eligibility for Arizona Medicaid is contingent on state residency, a low income, and the need to access affordable health care. If you satisfy these criteria, you might find that Medicaid helps cover the cost of drug and alcohol rehab in Arizona. 231 Arizona rehabs accept Medicaid.
Are there outpatient options in Arizona?
Yes. Of the 321 Arizona drug and alcohol rehabs, 269 rehabs deliver outpatient treatment.
What areas have the most treatment centers in Arizona?
You can find many Arizona drug and alcohol rehabs located in Phoenix, the capital city of the Grand Canyon State. There are also treatment facilities in rural areas like Prescott and Apache County.
What can you do in Arizona?
Are you coming to rehab in Arizona from out of state? If so, you can take advantage of the great outdoors. Visit the Grand Canyon National Park, check out the cacti and petroglyphs in Saguaro National Park, or head to Monument Valley, a stunning tribal park. Check out one of the world’s seven natural wonders as you kickstart your recovery in Arizona.