Addiction causes changes in the chemical balance of the body and brain, which over time impacts how we think, feel, and behave. Many life factors play into addiction, including stress, past trauma, and depression or anxiety. Long term rehab helps individuals develop positive strategies for coping with these sources of stress and be successful in recovery over the long term.
As we learn more about the disease of addiction, studies have shown that staying in residential treatment for at least 90 days is important to successful recovery, and that stays of six months or more have the best results in terms of staying sober, self-sufficient, and healthy in the future. Let’s look into the benefits of long-term addiction treatment programs and how they can provide full recovery from the physical, mental, emotional, and societal aspects of addiction.
Why Is Long-Term Treatment Usually More Effective?
Entering any rehab program drastically increases your likelihood of recovery, and some people can succeed with an outpatient program, especially when their substance use began recently and their natural support structures are strong. However, almost everyone seeking recovery can leverage these benefits of long-term treatment:
Support Beyond Detox
Clinically Managed Sub-Acute Detox Services facilitated by an ASAM accredited addictionologist can address the immediate risks and debilitating symptoms of withdrawal from a substance, and it is often an essential first step in treatment. When this step is complete, the body may be clear of the drug, but the work is just beginning on changing the root causes of addiction to prevent future relapse.
Living in a Therapeutic Community
Leaving detox, an outpatient program, or a weekly meeting plunges you directly back into the environment where your addiction developed. Long term rehab facilities offer professional staff and the company of like-minded peers who are available 24/7 to support and challenge you on the path to change.
Freedom to Focus Fully on Recovery
Rather than viewing residential rehab as restrictive, consider the rare opportunity to focus fully on your own physical, mental, and emotional health for a few months. Taking the appropriate amount of time and space to build new habits and empowering skills is an overwhelmingly effective approach to completely adopting and sustaining the necessary growth that can come from tackling a major life challenge.
Eliminating Negative Influences and Triggers
Your environment was a factor in your developing addiction. Stepping away from the people, places, and activities that trigger your desire to use is a powerful step in choosing recovery for yourself and the others who may be harmed by your addiction. Utilizing 24/7 supervision and support becomes a safety net that will help prevent a relapse, and living in a drug-free environment protects the progress you have made.
Structured Therapy and Family-Style Living
Many residential treatment centers are a very nice place to live while you restructure your life. Organized group activities, luxurious living spaces, onsite gyms, individual counseling, and regular family therapy sessions can help you build a new support system, repair relationships, and achieve your personal life goals.
Access to a Wide Variety of Therapies
Most programs focus on evidence-based therapies and activities that promote wellness. Some offer alternative therapies like yoga, meditation, acupuncture, massage, or Tai Chi. All accredited long-term treatment centers should offer behavioral therapy like CBT or DBT, motivational interviewing, contingency management, and relapse prevention plans.
Medical Care Onsite or Immediately Available
Not only does addiction produce physical effects that may require medical attention, it often results in poor self-care and occurs simultaneously with other mental health disorders. These co-occurring disorders should be addressed with appropriate medical care that is aligned with the ongoing treatment for substance abuse.
Improving Life Skills and Developing Healthy Habits
Living in a residential facility allows you to develop a productive daily routine that supports your sobriety and builds your life in the direction you choose. Eating healthily, exercising, learning, and strengthening your ability to cope with stress can become an established lifestyle. A long-term program gives you time to let these skills fully develop.
Developing Healthier Relationships
Living and learning with people who understand your past and support your commitment to change naturally builds meaningful relationships. Group therapy and social events give you a chance to communicate honestly with people who can have a positive impact on your life. Some of these close friendships may last a lifetime.
The Physical Benefits of Long-Term Treatment
From this long list of practical benefits, a dedicated residential rehabilitation facility promotes the healing of the whole person; physically, mentally, and emotionally. Engaging in a complete recovery supports physical health in the following ways:
- Clinically Managed Sub-Acute Detox Services facilitated by an ASAM accredited addictionologist from powerful substances with long-term monitoring of progress
- Access to medications that may reduce withdrawal symptoms or reinforce sobriety
- Simultaneous and informed treatment of all physical conditions with regular follow up
- Building healthy habits of good self-care
- Establishing honest relationships with caring medical professionals
The Psychological Benefits of Residential Treatment
Supporting mental health goes beyond treating identified mental health conditions like anxiety or depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help individuals stop self-destructive thinking patterns or recover from past trauma. Individual, group, and family counseling directly address the unique life factors that may have contributed to your addiction.
Some of the psychological benefits of long-term recovery care include:
- Medical care for the chemical imbalances that are involved in conditions like depression, bipolar disorder, or PTSD
- Improving self-awareness and identifying past traumas or causes of substance use
- Strengthening the ability to cope with stress at work or in family settings
- Improving confidence and self-esteem after the damaging effects of addiction
- Learning to deal with regret, guilt, or loss in healthier and more productive ways
The Emotional Benefits of Long-Term Recovery
People choose to enter treatment at all stages of addiction, often because they recognize that drugs or alcohol are damaging their relationships and their ability to find joy in life. These realizations are, in fact, sobering. It is possible to repair the damage that addiction has caused and to build the family, friendships, and romantic relationships that are so important to a fulfilling life.
Emotional benefits are harder to quantify than the others, but many people in successful recovery report that they feel:
- Closer to their spouse, family, and children
- More spiritually aware and involved
- Able to share their thoughts and feelings openly and honestly again
- Renewed enjoyment in hobbies, events, and activities with family and friends
- A sense of peace knowing that they are committed to sobriety and have the skills to succeed
- Belief in themselves and hope for the future
- Satisfaction at work and at home
Is Long-Term Residential Treatment Right for You or Your Loved One?
While it likely benefits everyone who is challenged by addiction to stay in treatment longer than 30 or 60 days, some individual factors that might influence your decision to choose residential treatment over intensive outpatient models include:
- The length and severity of your addiction
- If other short-term or outpatient options have resulted in a relapse
- If your insurance coverage or EAP benefits will not cover residential treatment and other financial arrangements cannot be made
Choosing the Best Environment for Your Personal Recovery
The most important question to ask is “Where will I recover best?” Making the commitment to a long-term program might seem daunting, but it may be the most empowering decision you can make. Knowing that you may spend six months or more in the right facility, consider all the options available to you.
Of the rehab centers in the Los Angeles area, Dedicato Treatment Center in Sierra Madre is a fully accredited luxury facility centered around the needs of each individual on the path to recovery. In tranquil and beautiful surroundings, you can focus on healing and creating the future you want for yourself and your loved ones.
Studies show that your length of stay in a treatment center may be the most important factor in your success. If you are able to spend that time in the Los Angeles, California area, contact us today to find out how to find lasting recovery with Dedicato Treatment Center. Fully accredited by the Joint Commission and licensed by the State of California, there is no better option available for compassionate and dedicated therapy in a beautiful and inspiring environment.
