Long Term Drug Rehab Benefits

There are more than 23 million addicts around the world that need treatment for drug abuse.  It is essential that we examine the effectiveness of different drug abuse rehab programs to determine which offers optimum chance of success.

Drug treatment programs should address both the physical and psychological dependency of an addict.  After physical recovery - behavioral and social symptoms should be tackled.  This gives the tools to help sustain the recovery for the remainder of his or her life. There is some debate about whether abstinence or moderation constitutes successful drug rehabilitation.  However in the case of extremely destructive addictions, complete detoxification and sustained avoidance are essential.

Since the mid 1970s, research has shown that successful treatments involve altering behaviors to remove the addiction and avoid the possibility of relapse.  The National Institute on Drug Abuse states “Recovery from drug addiction is a long-term process and frequently requires multiple episodes of treatment.”  Based on their research, they have identified some key elements to effective, long term drug rehab. 

Physical detoxification is the first step.  Certain drugs can take months to leave the system, especially if the user has built up a tolerance to the drug.  Some individuals look like they function normally even when supporting a hard core addiction to strong drugs such as cocaine or heroin. Medical supervision can help lessen the withdrawal from drugs.  Often anti-addictive drugs are used to help.  Short term programs can't achieve all this. Only a long term program can help a patient through the complete cycle of detoxification.

Studies have shown that detoxification by itself has little impact on long term drug addiction.  It is important that vigilance be maintained to prevent drug use during treatment. Drug rehab programs should treat all the needs of an addict, not only the drug abuse. Patients can suffer from other medical or mental health problems that should be treated.  Behavioral therapies and counseling have proven critical to effective rehabilitation.  Treatment should be customized to the individual patient and be adaptable as their needs change.  None of this can be successfully accomplished with short term programs.

The achievements of long term residential treatment programs are especially relevant to patients with extended histories of drug abuse - those with impaired social functioning, as well as those involved in criminal activities.  Long term drug rehab commences with a 6 to 12 month stay at a special treatment facility.  The purpose is to remove the recovering addict from their old social environment and prepare them for life in a drug-free atmosphere to support their ongoing recovery.

After initial stages of withdrawal have passed, patients begin a directed, treatment program that looks at psychological dependency and imparts social and behavioral skills that will help them to function without the drug.  This often involves individual, group and family counseling.  There are also behavioral and occupational therapies to educate on life and social skills.  These are often lost or never learned during the life of an addict.  Certain long term programs include artistic, exercise, community service, and wilderness activities as part of their treatment plan.  Additional therapies may involve massage, martial arts or equine therapies.

Criminal and educational needs may be incorporated in a long term drug rehab plan.  Court dates and other legal appointments may also be necessary.  Young adults may require to complete schooling and educational needs during treatment.  Older patients may be provided with continuing vocational and also college education. 
 

For rehab to be successful all the factors that contribute to the cycle of addiction should be fully addressed. A long term drug treatment program is the most effective way to make this happen and ensure successfully recovery

Back to the Index of Articles