Inpatient Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder: What To Expect

If you or a loved one is living with opioid use disorder (OUD), it can be hard to know where to find care and support. One treatment option is inpatient rehabilitation, or inpatient rehab. This involves staying at a treatment center where medical professionals, counselors, and peers work with you and provide support in your recovery journey. Inpatient care programs provide safety, structure, and the tools to begin the first stages of recovery.

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In this article, we’ll walk you through what to expect during inpatient treatment for OUD — from admission to aftercare — so you can feel prepared every step of the way.

What Is Inpatient Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder?

Inpatient treatment for opioid use disorder means living at a recovery facility for a set period of time. During your stay, you’ll get round-the-clock support from medical professionals and trained counselors. Your days will follow a structured schedule that may include therapy sessions, medical care, and group activities.

Unlike outpatient treatment programs for OUD, where you return home after appointments, inpatient rehab provides a supportive environment free from everyday triggers. This setting allows you to focus fully on healing, building healthy routines, and learning tools that support long-term recovery.

Admission to Inpatient Treatment

When you first arrive at a treatment facility, staff will guide you through the admission process. You’ll meet with medical professionals who will check your overall health and talk with you about your history of drug use. They may also do a physical exam, order lab tests, and ask about your mental health and daily life.

It’s important to be open and honest with them. The staff’s goal is to help you, not punish or judge.

Together with your medical team, you’ll create a treatment plan tailored to your needs, recovery goals, and challenges. This plan may include medical detoxification, medications for OUD, counseling, and group support. The staff will explain each step so you know what to expect.

Detoxification and Managing Withdrawal

For many people, one of the first steps of inpatient treatment is detoxification. This is the process of clearing all remaining opioids from your system. Detox can trigger withdrawal symptoms that are uncomfortable, such as:

• Anxiety, agitation, or restlessness
• Sweating, chills, or other flu-like symptoms
• Muscle aches or tremors
• Nausea, upset stomach, or vomiting
• Trouble sleeping
• Strong cravings for opioids

In an inpatient setting, you won’t go through this alone. Trained medical professionals will be there to monitor you closely, and they’ll provide care to keep you as safe and comfortable as possible. Doctors may prescribe medications, such as clonidine, to ease physical withdrawal symptoms, like sweating, chills, and anxiety.

Daily Life in Inpatient Treatment

Once you’ve completed the detoxification process, you’ll settle into a daily routine at the treatment center. Inpatient programs tend to follow a structured schedule designed to give your days balance and purpose. This might feel unfamiliar or strict at first, but many people grow to find it comforting and helpful. A typical day might include:

• Individual therapy with a counselor
• Group therapy to share experiences and learn from others
• Skill-building workshops on coping strategies, stress management, and relapse prevention
• Medical care, through check-ins with doctors and nurses
• Peer support groups to connect with others on a similar journey

You’ll also have time for meals, rest, and reflection or meditation exercises. The idea is that each day builds on the last, helping you practice new skills in a safe and supportive environment.

Therapies and Treatments During Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment brings together different tools to support healing and recovery. These treatment programs are evidence-based, which means they’ve been shown to work through research and practice. These programs don’t just focus on stopping drug use — they’re designed to help you build lasting health, resilience, and well-being.

Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) are often a key part of treatment. These medicines act on your brain’s opioid receptors — the proteins opioids bind to in order to work. MOUDs reduce cravings, ease withdrawal symptoms, and lower the risk of opioid overdose. Commonly used MOUDs include:

• Methadone — Helps reduce cravings and prevents opioid withdrawal
• Buprenorphine — Works similar to methadone, but often with fewer side effects
• Naltrexone — Blocks the effects of opioids, preventing the “high” and helping to protect against relapse

How Long Do You Need To Stay in Inpatient Treatment?

The amount of time you’ll spend in inpatient treatment can vary. Most programs last about 30 days. This allows time for detox, therapy, and learning new coping skills. Some people may stay longer, with certain programs extending up to three months. The right length depends on your individual needs, progress, and insurance coverage.

How Much Does Inpatient Treatment Cost?

The cost of inpatient rehab depends on several factors, including the specific treatment you need, the treatment center you enroll in, and your insurance coverage. To determine the cost of inpatient treatment, you can call the admissions department of the treatment center you’re interested in to get an estimate.

While the cost of inpatient treatment for OUD can be a barrier, many health insurance plans cover the full cost or part of the cost of inpatient treatment. If you don’t have health insurance, or if the cost is still too high, state-funded treatment programs are available in most states to help make treatment more affordable.

Challenges and Barriers of Inpatient Treatment

Like any major life step, inpatient treatment can come with personal, emotional, and financial challenges.

Being Away From Loved Ones

Leaving behind responsibilities like work, school, or caregiving can create stress or bring up feelings of guilt. Being apart from family members and loved ones can be tough, too. Many treatment facilities try to ease these stressors by offering:

• Family therapy
• Scheduled phone or video calls
• In-person visits at the facility, in the community, or sometimes at home
• Support with child care planning

Internalized Stigma

It’s common for people with OUD to struggle with internalized stigma — believing negative ideas about people with substance use disorders. You might catch yourself thinking things like “I’m weak” or “I don’t deserve help.” These are thoughts, not facts. Still, these thoughts can lead to feelings of shame and self-doubt, which may make it harder to seek treatment.

Even at inpatient treatment centers, these feelings may come up. The good news is that treatment centers are staffed with professionals who understand stigma and can help you work through it. Sharing your thoughts with your care team can be an important step toward healing.

Mental Health Conditions

Co-occurring mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or trauma-related disorders, are also common with OUD. Many people with these conditions also have OUD. This is sometimes called a dual diagnosis. These conditions can feel especially overwhelming while adjusting to life in inpatient treatment.

Many inpatient treatment centers are equipped to treat substance use and mental health conditions together. Don’t hesitate to tell your care team if you experience symptoms of anxiety or depression during your treatment stay. These challenges are common — and your healthcare team is there to support you every step of the way.

What To Expect After Inpatient Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Leaving an inpatient treatment center is a major milestone, and it’s important to celebrate this step. But recovery doesn’t end when you check out of the facility. Many people move into outpatient treatment after inpatient rehab. Outpatient programs allow you to live at home while attending therapy and medical visits several times a week. You may be able to continue outpatient treatment at the same facility where you completed inpatient treatment.

After leaving inpatient rehab, you’ll also need to focus on rebuilding your routines, returning to work or school, and staying connected to social support. Be sure to continue taking all of your medications as prescribed, even if you don’t think you need them anymore. Always talk with your healthcare team before making any changes to your treatment plan.

In the long term, you might consider continuing with counseling and family therapy. Regular check-ins with your healthcare provider can help you stay on track and create a relapse prevention plan that feels realistic. Many people also keep naloxone on hand. This is a medication that can quickly reverse the effects of opioid overdose.

Recovery isn’t always a straight line, and setbacks are normal. But with the right treatment plan, social support, and safety tools in place, long-term recovery is possible.

Join the Conversation

On MyOpioidRecoveryTeam, people share their experiences with opioid use disorder, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Do you have more questions about inpatient treatment for opioid use disorder? Let others know in the comments below.