Long-Term Rehab Extended Care

A 28-day residential rehab program, which is not an insignificant attempt at sobriety, is simply not enough for some addicts with severe addictions or lengthy history of abuse.

The benefits of long-term rehab

To put it simply, statistics prove that a longer a drug or alcohol-addicted person spends in a residential rehab program, the better their long-term prognosis. As such, the benefits of a long-term drug rehab program are not to be ignored.

The benefits of an extended program are incurred first and foremost, from the length of programming which can last up to two years or more in some difficult cases. These long rehabs are rarely used as an initial attempt to help a using addict, and generally long-term rehab is only undertaken in response to years of abuse, and repeated failures in other treatment environments.

If outpatient therapy does not prove sufficient, the next recommended step is often a residential rehab program or wilderness program, customarily about one to two months in duration, and if these rehabs do not serve to induce sobriety, the benefits offered by a long-term drug rehab become more persuasive.

When contemplating the life disruption of such a long sequestered stay versus the possible benefits of long-term drug rehab; the severity of the addiction, the length of abuse, and number of previous attempts at treatment should be examined.

Interestingly, studies show that patient willingness and desire for treatment do not greatly affect eventual outcomes of sobriety, and that court or otherwise mandated stays at a long-term rehab program prove almost equally effective as self admission to a program. The required changes in thinking do not need to occur prior to admission, and the lengthy and enforced sobriety offered by long-term rehab program are often enough to reverse the motivations of even the most reluctant participant.

How does it work?

The detox process alone can take a week or longer, and even with a month of therapy and education, the learning and therapeutic time offered falls far short of what is needed. For some people, who have been heavy users for years, simply imaging a life free from drugs or alcohol is difficult, and while a month of sobriety is something, it is sometimes insufficient to the needs of severely dependent patients.

A long-term rehab is different, and during stays as long as one to two years, patients learn once again how to live sober; and that life without drugs is both possible, and even preferable to a life of intoxication. Learning that enjoyment of life is possible without substance abuse, and learning to appreciate the real and emotionally honest relationships that develop, are as much a part of the healing as is the therapy offered.

Work as therapy

A long-term rehab program most commonly operates under the therapeutic community model of treatment. Under this model, the community as a whole is as much a participant in the treatment and recovery as are the addictions professionals employed within. The community of addicts live, work, and share together, and learn recovery and sobriety within a structured community.

Work as therapy is mandatory, and through work, and participation in the structure of the community, residents learn to work with, and, also under others. Work training teaches discipline towards recovery and confers the needed life skills that allow for better reintegration into the home or community environment, and gainful employment, once released. Many long-term addicts suffer from a distrust of, and, inability to work under authority; and one of the benefits of long-term rehab is that this long period of work training re socializes them to be productive and employable members of society.

Conventional therapy and meetings

Although the community confers healing, traditional therapy and counseling are also offered, and generally school and work is ended with a group or AA-type meeting in the evening.

Through structured programming designed to promote self awareness over the basal causes to abuse/addiction, as well as conventional and behavioral therapy with addictions professionals; addicts gain insight, and have the time needed to fully benefit from any therapeutic discoveries. Enough recovery time is allowed for addicts to learn how to incorporate new ways of thinking into daily life, before being challenged with the home environment and ready access to drugs or alcohol.

Earning rewards and privileges

Long-term rehab patients participate within a controlled, structured and supervised environment, with additional freedoms and privileges earned through behavior and demonstrated commitment to long-term sobriety.

The number-one benefit of long-term rehab is simply time for healing

Moderate to severe addictive behavior is not easily beaten, and to enact change when so many therapies/interventions have failed; dictate that enough time be allowed for a complete change in the thinking and expectations of the addict. Time measured in months or years rather than days.

One of the primary benefits of long-term rehab is simply the time of enforced sobriety; time enough to really grow accustomed to sobriety, and to enjoy the honest relationships and real enjoyment of a life free from chemical abuse. Time enough to benefit from the offered therapy, and to learn to work effectively with others, as well as under others, gaining readiness for a positive and successful participation in society.

The long-term rehab philosophy is that a complete re socialization of the abuser/addict is the only way to enable real and lasting change, and as such, all areas of life need to be reexamined and new skill sets developed in every facet of daily life.

Choosing a long-term rehab demonstrates a real commitment to change for the better, and statistically, a long-term rehab is the most likely therapeutic program to induce a life of sobriety and better health.

© 2008 San Cristobal Academy. All rights reserved.