5 Reasons to Choose Long-term Drug Treatment Centers
Long-term drug treatment centers offer important advantages for patients receiving treatment for substance abuse, especially those with chronic or severe addiction.
Long-term treatment differs from short-term treatment mainly in its duration, which may last from 60 days to over a year, depending on the needs of the patient. Below are five reasons to choose long-term treatment centers.
1. For patients with chronic or severe problems with substance abuse, long-term drug treatment centers are ideal because they provide more time in treatment to prevent a relapse. In short-term treatment regimens, patients may be more likely to revert to their addictions due to not having spent sufficient time in an environment promoting recovery. Importantly, successful rehabilitation programs do not have to be voluntary: pressure from the law, employer or family can be effective in encouraging recovery.
Long-term drug treatment centers can help you throughout your recovery.
2. Long-term centers provide an onsite medical staff 24 hours, seven days a week. If any emergencies arise, particularly related to rehabilitation, medical assistance will be provided for the patient. This is especially beneficial for patients experiencing withdrawal or psychological difficulties from discontinuing their substance abuse. The medical staff will lessen any problems with the cessation of drug use while the patient is in the center by providing medication, ensuring an effective transition to a drug-free life. Additionally, such centers are equipped to help patients deal with underlying problems leading to substance abuse, such as depression, anxiety or personal trauma.
3. Long-term rehabilitation centers provide an environment free of the triggers for addiction relapse. By staying away from one’s home and social environment for a prolonged period, patients will not encounter friends, local dealers or businesses that encourage substance abuse. Oftentimes, it is such environmental triggers that prevent a full recovery.
4. Long-term drug treatment centers offer individual and group counseling to help patients admit and overcome their addictions. Such counseling sessions allow patients to gain insights about their behaviors and how they have impacted others. During group sessions, patients are able to emotionally bond with others with similar problems, find mutual support in case a danger of relapse arises and build their self-esteem in an environment free of moral judgment.
5. The success rate of such centers tends to be higher than in short-term treatment centers due to the time and support given to patients. While the cost for treatment in these centers tends to be higher, many patients and their families find them well worth the cost due to their effectiveness in promoting full recovery. Some studies have found recovery rates exceeding 70 percent among patients using long-term centers.
Due to the individualized care and length of stay that long-term rehabilitation centers provide, as well as their higher success rates, they should be considered among those suffering from the consequences of substance abuse. The amount of time that a patient remains in a program can make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful recovery.
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