When you think about treatment for drugs and alcohol, you probably think about 28-day treatment programs. These have been made popular in movies and television programs. However, research shows that for many people, longer stays in treatment centers provide better results. What is long-term rehab, and what happens during long-term rehab?
What Is Long-Term Inpatient Rehab?
Long-term inpatient rehab is also referred to as long-term residential rehab. This is a treatment that takes place over three to 12 months. During treatment, a patient will live in the treatment facility and receive 24-hour care. During the first stages of this type of treatment, they are watched closely by staff and medical professionals.
This is especially important during the detox process as withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous. Once the detox process is complete, they are given a long-term treatment plan. And plans are put in place to help them stay sober once the treatment process is complete. The latter part of the process, aftercare, is not necessarily monitored by medical professionals or staff. Typically, long-term inpatient rehab lasts between three and six months. However, there are some longer-term programs offered as well.
What Happens During Long-Term Treatment?
The patient starts with alcohol or drug detox in most long-term rehab facilities. This process takes up to 10 days. Once the detox process is complete, the patient adjusts to life in the facility. During the opening phases of treatment, life is a little bit more restrictive.
However, as the treatment progresses and the patient shows progress, many restrictions are released. Some freedoms granted further down the line include visits from friends and families and the ability to communicate with people outside the facility. Depending on how long the treatment is, they might even be given the freedom to leave the facility to take part in Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings.
Different Treatment Models in Long-Term Therapy
All long-term treatment programs have the goal of helping the patient live free of addiction and enjoy sobriety. However, different programs use different treatment models. One of the more popular models is the therapeutic community model. With this treatment modality, addiction is seen through the eyes of a person’s social and psychological defects.
The goal is to help a person develop accountability for their actions and feel responsible to take steps to make themselves productive members of society. This form of treatment is structured and can use confrontation mixed with activities to help the recovering individual evaluate damaging beliefs, address self-destructive patterns, and make changes so that their life is constructive and allows them to interact harmoniously with others.
Who Is Long-Term Inpatient Rehab Designed For?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Different treatment programs will work differently for different people. However, generally long-term inpatient treatment works well for people who struggle with addiction for several years, and even though they have tried shorter-term programs, they have not been able to stay sober.
It could be that individuals entering long-term programs need more time and more intensive care to help them get their footing and sobriety before going back to their normal life. Long-term programs are a good fit for people with dual diagnoses. This is where their alcoholism or substance abuse is coupled with bipolar disorder, anxiety, or depression. Longer-term programs provide more time to help people address and work through coexisting factors.
The Lasting Benefits of Long-Term Residential Treatment
Research shows that the optimal treatment duration of any program should be at least 90 days. It has been proven that longer stays produce better outcomes. This is why state prisoners dealing with substance use must undergo a six- to a 12-month treatment program, as this has proved to have the best efficacy over time. The testimonies of both staff and patients at long-term rehabilitation centers prove the benefits of this type of treatment.
Long-term treatment lets people safely and comfortably invest in their rehab experience. It puts them in the best condition to clean the slate and embrace a healthy new life. Would you or someone you love benefit from long-term rehabilitation programs? We want to help you get the care you deserve. Contact us today at 833-820-2922 to learn how.