Residential Drug Treatment
Residential drug treatment for addiction has existed for a very long time. Residential drug treatments can also sometimes be referred to as therapeutic communities. Residential drug treatment centers are often located in residential settings. Residential drug treatment rehabs offer various programs to help individuals to recover from addiction and increase the individual's level of personal and social responsibility. Residential drug treatment is unique in many different ways. One of the many positive aspects of residential drug treatment is that individuals are able to leave the environment in which they used drugs previously, and reside in a clean and sober atmosphere. Reminders of drugs such as the cabinet where they kept their liquor or the jar where they kept their drug stash and other paraphernalia are no longer an issue when an individual lives 24/7 at the treatment center. Additionally, individuals are able to associate with others who share their same goal of addiction recovery. To have the support of the staff around the clock is invaluable to a person going through drug addiction treatment.
The idea behind residential drug treatment is that the addict is able to live in an environment which is drug free during the entire treatment process. They begin to see how to live life without drugs and alcohol. Peer influence, which is mediated through a variety of group processes, is used in residential drug treatment to help individuals to learn how to apply social norms and develop more effective social skills. After a time, they are able to handle more and more responsibility within the residential drug treatment facility and are expected to be part of the community in which they live. This means that they start to help those individuals who are just coming into the residential drug treatment program. The Drug Abuse Treatment Outcome Study (DATOS) is the most recent long-term study of drug treatment outcomes, and it indicates that those individuals who have successfully completed long term residential treatment had lower levels of substance abuse, criminal behavior, and unemployment than with any other type of drug treatment.
Short Term Residential Drug Treatment vs. Long Term Residential Drug Treatment:
Generally, residential drug treatment centers can offer up to two different kinds of residential treatment lengths - short term residential drug treatment and long term residential drug treatment. It is important to know the difference between the lengths of time in both treatment programs and what that can mean for an individual in need of treatment for recovery from addiction. Comparing the different time frames and methods of treatment can help an individual to choose the drug treatment program would be best for them, depending on the length and severity of their addiction.
Short Term Residential Drug Treatment
Short term residential drug treatment is an average of 28-30 days, depending on the rehab center. For many years, this has been the most common length of stay in a short term residential treatment center. However, just because short term residential treatment is the most common form of drug treatment, does not mean it is best for every kind of addiction. In the big picture of addiction, many times 30 days is just enough time to dry out and get the drugs or alcohol out of the addict's system. Short term residential drug treatment only allows enough time for the rehab staff to scratch the surface in terms of helping the addict to master the tools needed to live without addictive substances and behaviors. Short term residential drug centers may work for those who have been addicted to drugs or alcohol for a very brief period of time. Short term treatment may also help those who have been through drug rehab before and relapsed. Many times these individuals just need to review previous learned material. Although short term residential drug rehab centers do hold promise for a select few, recent studies report that the longer the drug or alcohol treatment, the greater the rate of success.
Long Term Residential Drug Treatment
Long term drug treatment typically lasts 90 days or more. Long term residential drug treatment, is generally the most effective, according to long term research by the National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA). It stands to reason that the longer time that is spent in a residential drug treatment center, healing from addiction in a drug free environment, the better. In long term drug treatment, after an addict completes detox, there is plenty of time for the addict to gain the tools necessary for learning to live without drugs or alcohol. When contemplating long term residential drug treatment, several factors should be considered. These factors include the severity of the addiction and the length of time that the addict has abused chemical substances. Long term drug treatment is especially recommended for addicts who have more severe cases of drug addiction and alcoholism, but can also be highly beneficial to anyone suffering from substance abuse issues.
The length of the residential drug treatment program is determined by a person's individual needs. One of the primary benefits of long term rehab is simply the time of enforced sobriety; time enough to really grow accustomed to living drug free .Time enough to benefit from the offered therapy, and to learn to work with others, as well as under others. If a person has a high risk for relapse, an even longer stay at the residential drug treatment program may be what is best for them. Statistics clearly prove that the longer a drug or alcohol addicted person spends in a residential treatment program, the better their long term recovery prognosis.
To find the right residential drug treatment center for you or your loved one, the most important thing to do is check out the success rate at the drug treatment center. Finding a drug rehab center with a proven track record is the most positive step you can take in obtaining long term drug treatment for you or your loved one who is suffering with a drug or alcohol addiction.
