There are many reasons as to why long term drug & alcohol treatment programs can offer lower relapse rates and improved overall success in recovery-sobriety

There is no quick fix for Drug and alcohol addiction. This complex disease commands a comprehensive treatment program that includes long term drug rehab, relapse prevention and many other components that focus on lasting success from substance abuse. In fact, nearly all licensed, experienced chemical dependency counselors will agree that the likelihood for success in recovery greatly hinges on the amount of time the patient spends in a well-structured treatment environment.

The road to recovery is paved with many ups and downs and will entail a lot more than just the abstinence of drugs and alcohol. The length of time in substance addiction as well as preexisting physical and mental diseases are all factors in the need for long term treatment.

Long term treatment for drug and alcohol addiction, as well as dual diagnosis disorders (also referred to as co-occurring disorder, whereby there is a mental illness and an addiction) takes place in a residential treatment center that lasts anywhere from 3 months to 12 months, depending on the individual and their particular needs. A substance abuse treatment program is typically composed of the following phases: medically-assisted detoxification, rehabilitation, and aftercare support.

Medical Detoxification

Medical detox is the first phase of treatment for most people and only accounts for the very first step towards recovery. It is the process of ridding the body of the substance abuse and total abstinence from drugs and alcohol. The process is medically supervised and may include medication-assisted detox, drug replacement therapy, or gradual drug reduction therapy as a means to curtailing withdrawal symptoms and a return to normal brain function. Medical detox can take anywhere from several hours to several days, depending upon the length and severity of the substance abuse. Following detoxification, the patient will generally directly enter a treatment program, and preferably a long-term facility.

Rehabilitation

Drug rehab is when the long term treatment for addiction actually begins and we get to the root of the cause for the drug and alcohol addiction. The treatment should be full scope and include many different modalities (clinical and holistic) for sobriety success. There is 24/7 professional treatment care, all designed to remove the temptation for substance abuse. Long-term behavioral change is fundamental in the success for overcoming drug and alcohol addiction and requires a process of behavioral therapy (CBT, DBT and EMDR) and ongoing support. Behavioral therapy includes group and individual therapy. Relapse prevention is an important part of drug rehab, in which patients learn to recognize the triggers of substance abuse and how they can effectively deal with them. Relapse prevention prepares the patient for life after rehab and paves the way towards a life filled with sobriety success.

Aftercare

Recovery is a lifelong process and thus requires a support system to avoid drug and alcohol relapse. After rehab, there should be some sort of follow-up to ensure long lasting recovery success which can include outpatient treatment, 12 step program and sober living. Sober homes provide a transition toward normal life in that you live in an environment that provides structure and support for a substance free lifestyle while venturing out to participate in mainstream work and relationship situations. Support groups can also be a key factor in achieving successful recovery.

Why Choose A Long Term Drug Rehab

According to the US National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), rehabilitation programs of at least 90 days or longer are needed to give an addicted person enough time to recover. Short term drug rehab is based on the specifications of insurance companies versus the needs of the individuals suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. Short term drug rehab provides a month free of substance abuse but offers very little time or strategies to effectively maintain sobriety. Life coaching and skills training, one of the many treatment options at long term drug rehab, are geared toward helping addicts build a better quality of life that will ultimately ensure recovery success.

For more information regarding drug and alcohol addiction recovery treatment options, please contact Scottsdale Recovery Center at 888.309.3385.

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