Long-term drug or alcohol rehabilitation programs are a type of treatment that requires the addict to dedicate a substantial amount of time toward getting sober and clean. In most cases, the program requires an inpatient stay at a residential facility, which can last anywhere from weeks to even a year or more.
Treatment is offered in many different settings with various approaches. In the United States alone, nearly 15,000 drug treatment facilities are operating that provide services to alcoholics and drug abusers. This happens in doctors’ offices and mental health clinics, as well.
Drug addiction or alcoholism is a disease and it affects a person’s mental and physical health. Not everyone requires the same treatment because everyone is unique. However, in many cases, a long-term treatment problem is more likely to lead to long-term sobriety.
Why Long-Term Treatment?
Research has shown that a good outcome, when it comes to drug or alcohol addiction, requires a significant amount of time in treatment. Treatment that is less than 90 days may offer some results, but it will not be of the same quality as a longer stay. Many people are overwhelmed by the idea of going into treatment for a long stay and it is certainly a hard decision to make, but it can be the difference between sobriety and relapse.
These programs allow an individual to cleanse from their addictive substances and then gives them time and the resources needed for recovery. In addition, looking at the root causes of addiction takes time and requires a large amount of therapy to fully understand the underlying causes of their addiction. It also allows a longer time to fully explore these things and understand how to cope with them in the future.
Alcohol and drug abuse take a physical toll on the body and long-term facilities allow extended periods of care and rest. After being in treatment for some time, people find they are eating and sleeping better than before. These things continue improving throughout the duration of their long-term treatment program. This also helps to reduce the chance that the person will need to use substances later on.
Many facilities offer special communities for various demographic groups, like women who are pregnant, teenagers, or women with children.