The majority of inpatient addiction treatment programs offer their clients a program that lasts up to 90 days. And while this time period is effective for helping individuals detox and begin the initial phases of living a life of sobriety, some people simply aren’t ready to take the jump back into the world after just a few months.
Especially for those who have suffered from addiction for a long period of time, seeking out a long-term rehab facility may be needed to help solidify recovery and give you the chance to make a lasting habit out of the coping skills and routines you established in treatment.
What is long-term residential substance abuse treatment?
Long-term residential rehab is a continuation of the treatment process started (potentially) in a detox facility or other short-term recovery center. It is less of a hospital-like setting and more of a home-based treatment facility.
Residents in long-term residential treatment live in the home with other clients for an extended period of time, working together to solidify their commitment to sobriety by living soberly, meeting with their therapists and attending group meetings. The environment of home provides a safe environment with no room for relapse.
Additionally, those in long-term recovery facilities are able to slowly work their way back into the outside world by getting a job and also volunteering in the local community.
The benefits of long-term rehab
Some people may go through a short recovery program and receive all they need to successfully live a sober lifestyle. Others, however, may seek the benefits of long-term care in order to take the additional time and attention they need in their journey toward recovery.
1. It gives you the time you need to reverse the impact of addiction
Addiction involves complex changes in the brain’s structures and chemical functions that occur over time. They affect thought and behavioral patterns that often result in self-destructive behaviors; successful recovery depends on identifying and replacing these negative thought patterns in order to overcome these behaviors.
Additionally, addiction almost always has underlying causes, such as chronic stress, a history of trauma or a co-occurring mental illness. Addressing these mental health challenges and developing critical skills for coping with stress, cravings, negative emotions and discomfort is central to successful recovery.
Just as it takes time to develop an addiction, it takes time to address the effects of addiction and develop habits that promote recovery. One of the most important benefits of long-term rehab is that it gives you the time you need to address underlying mental health concerns and work at putting positive patterns of thought and behavior into your lifestyle.
2. It promotes healthy lifestyle changes
Long-term residential rehab encourages, guides and assists you as you make healthy lifestyle changes and develop healthier habits, like exercising, journaling, meal planning and other methods of daily self-care. Spending several months developing and practicing new habits in a structured, routine-oriented environment helps to ensure the changes you make will stick once your time to leave treatment arrives.
3. It fosters close, healthy relationships with peers in recovery
Peer support is important in treatment and recovery. People who have never been addicted can’t fully understand what someone in recovery is experiencing, and they may be unsure how to support a friend or loved one. The shared experiences of addiction, however tragic, can create a bond of camaraderie and commiseration among those in recovery.
Through group therapy, workshops, social events and recreation, peers in recovery help each other stay motivated, accountable and honest. Long-term rehab promotes the development of strong, healthy relationships that form over an extended period of time. These relationships are often very valuable once treatment ends.
4. It keeps out distractions
Outpatient programs are effective for some people, but for many, trying to recover while living at home poses a number of serious challenges. Trying to recover while you’re coping with the stresses of work and home, in addition to struggling with cravings and negative emotions is really hard, and oftentimes unsuccessful. The many benefits of long-term rehab include the ability to focus just on recovery without outside distractions, temptations or stress getting in the way of progress.
5. It offers a high level of support
Support is one of the foundations of successful recovery, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. A high level of support is crucial in the early months of recovery, and long-term rehab provides sturdy support while you’re in treatment and beyond.
Support comes from staff and peers in recovery, and it’s available around the clock. Working through the complexities of addiction takes time, and being able to reach out for help whenever you need it in the early months of recovery is a major benefit of long-term rehab.
Ready to reap the benefits of long-term substance abuse treatment?
The benefits of long-term rehab are far-reaching and improve your chances of successful recovery once you’re flying solo after treatment. Long-term rehab gives you the time and space you need to sort through a variety of challenges and develop crucial skills for a healthy, happy and productive life after rehab. To get in touch with a long-term rehab facility near you, reach out to Silvermist Recovery by calling 724-268-4858 anytime.