- 30 Day Rehabilitation
- 90 Day Rehabilitation
- Adolescent Substance Abuse Rehabilitation
- Christian Drug Rehabilitation
- Co-Dependency
- Couples Treatment
- Detoxification
- Drug Addiction Treatment Help
- Drug Rehabilitation
- Extended Treatment
- Gender and Ethnic Specific Treatment
- Health Spa Recovery
- Inpatient Drug Rehab
- Intervention
- Long Term Treatment
- Older Adult Rehabilitation
- Outpatient Treatment
- Private Therapists
- Psychiatric Hospitals
- Psychiatrists
- Sober Escorts & Companions
- Sober Living
- Therapeutic Boarding School
- Tips to Know Before Checking In
- Wilderness Programs or Outdoor Therapy
Long Term Treatment
For some people, fourteen or 30-day drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs may not be long enough to complete the treatment process. For these individuals, long-term drug rehabilitation programs are available. In general, rehab programs categorized as “long-term” are from ninety days to one year in length, with three months being the norm. Depending on the needs of the patient, they may run longer.
Individuals are directed to long-term programs if they are still exhibiting behaviors or having problems that indicate more treatment is needed. Among the circumstances that may entail a longer program are: additional time needed to address all the outstanding issues involved; there are continuing attempts to acquire and use drugs or alcohol; the patient has relapsed into the old pattern of substance abuse. The length of time in a long-term program depends entirely on the needs of the individual, and given time frames should only be used as a general reference.
Components of long-term rehabilitation
Several aspects of long care rehab are consistent among all treatment facilities. These include:
- 24-hour care and behavior monitoring
- Complete facility participation
- Treatment programs designed specifically for the individual
- Multiple methods of treatment, either as stand-alone therapy or combined with other methodologies
While some facilities may use medication as part of the treatment process, all use some form of behavior modification in order the help the individual change the habits and activities that fuel their substance abuse. Treatment programs are meticulously structured to help the individual recognize and correct the beliefs and behavior patterns that contribute to their addiction, and how to create a new pattern of behavior that replaces old ways. In addition, psychological therapy in varying degrees is employed in order to help the patient deal with the personal issues that drive substance abuse.
It is important to note that an effective treatment program must be tailored to each individual, as each person’s circumstances and psychological profile are different. Although program components may overlap or parallel the treatment plan of another, it should still be a unique program. It also needs to have built in flexibility to allow for improvement, regression, ineffectiveness, or more rapid advancement.
The treatment center should also provided services for family members who have a loved one coping with substance abuse. In order for any treatment to be effective, all those directly affected by the actions of the individual in question need to be able to voice their concerns and learn how to cope with issues and how to help facilitate change.
Setting
Long-term rehab takes place in non-hospital settings. Hospital based care is a detoxification program, and is not designed for long-term care. Patients are referred to extended stay facilities following release from a hospital program. Most facilities today are modern and comfortable, with access to qualified professionals for both the patient and his or her family.
Post-treatment care
An essential element of any treatment program is care and treatment following completion. There is no silver bullet, and while long-term rehab is highly effective, there is a strong possibility that a person may relapse and return to old ways. In order to prevent a relapse, post-treatment care should include some combination of:
- Sponsorship support
- Individual/Group Therapy
- Community based support groups
Long-term drug and alcohol rehabilitation is a highly effective means of ending the cycle of destructive behavior that is a product of substance abuse. Select a facility that will design a treatment program unique to the patient, involves the community of the entire facility, leaves the door open to a longer stay if there is a danger of relapsing, and offers strong post-treatment programs for both the patients and their families.