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There are times when we all need a helping hand in our lives, a little extra support to help us through the terrible storm that is encompassing our day to day living. When we are having problems seeing the light at the end of the tunnel there are always people there to help. Alcohol and drug addictions are times like these when your world falls apart and you need help putting it back together. There are different types of help that are offered, categorized as short term and long term treatments. This article covers the long term treatment for addictions that require more guidance, stability, and structure for a patient to get back on their feet after detoxification.
Once detoxification is over you will need to make a decision about where is the best place to have the treatment. You have two options; inpatient (requires you to move to a facility for treatment) or outpatient (this treatment for addiction allows you to go home every night). This will be one that you and your medical professional should decide together. While outpatient care is generally preferred by most patients it takes a lot of will power to stay on track. This is not the type of care that someone who has had relapses or needs more structure should decide on. Inpatient is not likely a person's first choice because it interrupts their lives completely, however, someone who does not have a strong support system in their lives should choose this option.
Inpatient Long Term Treatments for Addiction:
Free standing Residential addiction treatment centers are made for the addict to move into the facility for a length of time to get around the clock help and support. These facilities offer a wide range of treatments for addiction such as; individual and group counseling, monitoring of food and drink intake, and 24 observation to help with any issues. Approximate stay is 20-30 days.
Long term residential treatment for addiction (extended stays): this treatment for addiction is usually after free standing residential treatment is not enough. If the patient is still craving the harmful substances that got them into treatment in the first place, or they had a relapse shortly after leaving treatment they may need to go into an extended stay program. These programs offer reinforcement and additional coping skills to help them get back on track. Stay at this facility is usually 90 days.
Both Inpatient or Outpatient treatment for addiction:
Therapeutic communities offer can range in treatment times from short or long term. This treatment for addiction focuses on the 12 step program only modified. These can be in both, in or out patient.
The 12 step program and treatment is a lifelong treatment for addiction where the patient believes that they will always be an addict and they learn to deal with this through 12 steps.
Methadone treatment is a pharmaceutical treatment for addiction that can last years. But time in hospital is minimal. This treatment's length is dependant on how fast the patient can feel comfortable with not relying on the drug to help with the addiction. Some other common pharmaceutical are: Antabuse and Acamprosate.
Conclusion:
In general someone needing long term care will most likely be in inpatient facilities. This is because they most likely need the added structure and support. You will also find in long term treatments for addiction that there are multiple treatments happening like pharmaceuticals, group and individual counseling, and Relapse Prevention Therapy.
Whatever treatment for addition you and your doctor choose it is important that you know you are making a life altering change and this change will only make you stronger and happier.
A very interesting and informative article- as usual. I would find the advice about supporting difficult as I tend to think they were stupid and let them get on with it. If they ask for help and stick to it I would help them but if they have no intention of doing something I have no intention of caring.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
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