Treatment Discussion

Who Answers?

Inpatient treatment centers can provide long and short term inpatient treatment and are run by qualified professionals that understand addiction, know what it takes to maintain abstinence, and work with their patients toward their sobriety and recovery. Treating addiction is very complex because no two people or their addictions are completely alike. Residential treatment centers that offer individualized treatment programs designed for each patient's individual unique needs are very successful. Many long and short term residential treatment programs include medications to help assist a person's recovery from drugs or alcohol.

Long Term Treatment

Long term residential or inpatient treatment is very beneficial for individual's that have used drugs or alcohol frequently or for those that are chronically addicted to them. Unfortunately today there are many people that are addicted to more than one drug and they're in need of a more intense form of therapy to overcome their dependency. Everyone's history of drug and alcohol use is different and so are their personalities and personal lives. Many people are in need of a more intense form of treatment, to be away from their toxic environments, and need to receive one-on-one more individualized care. Long term residential treatment provides the patient with the care they need 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Most long term residential treatment facilities involve between 6 to 12 months of inpatient care. Some facilities base the length of stay on the individual and their progress. There is so much more to treating addiction than just the physical symptoms. Because addiction affects every aspect of a person's life, all aspects need to be addressed or relapse is just around the corner.

It doesn't matter how old a person is, if they have abused drugs or alcohol for any length of time they need help and guidance living life without their 'crutch'. Addiction affects a person emotionally, physically, and changes the way our brain functions. A person's memory is affected, their comprehension is affected and their behavior and thinking patterns are in serious need of change before they can endure life on their own maintaining an alcohol or drug free life.

Individuals that receive long term inpatient treatment are able to focus on abstinence and recovery once they understand what addiction is, why they chose to make poor choices, recognize their unhealthy and destructive thinking, behaviors and beliefs, and develop helpful life and coping skills. It's hard to change most anything in life if you don't understand it and the support, knowledge, and individual guidance residents receive in long term residential treatment strengthens their abstinence and recovery.

Many residential treatment centers include detoxification as part of their treatment. This is performed by qualified medical professionals who keep the patient as comfortable and safe as possible during the detox process. Complete assessments are also part of many long term substance abuse residential treatment facilities. Individualized treatment programs are designed according to the results of the full evaluation. During treatment the individual is usually re-evaluated so their treatment can be modified if necessary in order to continue to meet their needs as they change.

Life skills and job skills can be part of the services included in some long term residential treatment programs. Preparing the client re-entering into society is very important and when the patient is prepared, the stress and anxiety levels they can face are minimized preventing a stressful relapse.

Many residential treatment centers also offer family counseling to help heal all members of the family and improve communication and relationships. The more knowledge, guidance and support a person addicted to drugs or alcohol receives during treatment for their addiction the stronger their sobriety and recovery will be.

Short Term Treatment

Short term substance abuse residential treatment usually provides the individual with a 12 step approach during treatment. Many short term treatment centers entail 30 days of intense inpatient treatment and are beneficial for individuals with less severe treatment needs.

Behavioral therapies used in individual and group settings are utilized in many short term residential treatment programs. Many of the same services included in long term care can be found in some short term treatment centers but on a much smaller scale. The focus of short term residential treatment is the same as long term care, qualified trained professionals understand addiction and what it takes to achieve sobriety, maintain sobriety and heal from the effects of addiction. It's extremely important that the recovering addict continues with some form of help and support after their short term residential treatment stay is completed. Support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous are encouraged for individuals that have completed their short term treatment.

There is no magic pill or treatment that makes addiction go away but the right form of treatment is crucial in terms of a substance free life. You will find the necessary support and tools needed in short or long term residential treatment that offers individualized comprehensive treatment. Hard work, dedication, addiction education, knowledge and support are the keys to long term freedom from the use or need of drugs and alcohol. It doesn't matter if the form of treatment a person needs to recover from drug or alcohol addiction is short term or long term, strengthen your recovery and avoid relapse when your treatment program is completed with programs like AA, NA, utilize recovery forums, or educational and inspirational recovery books. Addiction is a life-long disease that thousands of people successfully manage every day, and you can too.

Who Answers?