Addiction is a complex and chronic disease that requires extensive treatment and support to recover from. Addiction affects you physically, emotionally, and behaviorally, so you will need a variety of therapies, medical detox, counseling, and long-term support to begin healing.
There are many factors in play when it comes to treating addiction, so it’s best to spend as much time in rehab as possible. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), treatment “for less than 90 days is of limited effectiveness, and treatment lasting significantly longer is recommended for maintaining positive outcomes.”[1]
Treatment centers that offer 30 or 60-day treatment plans might not be right for everyone. If you deal with a severe substance use disorder or co-occurring mental health conditions, you should consider long-term rehab.
In this article, you will learn:
- What long-term treatment programs are
- What to expect during a long-term inpatient treatment center
- How each step of long-term rehab works
What is Long-Term Addiction Treatment?
There are several treatment options out there. You can attend an inpatient rehab, an outpatient treatment center, or a specialized program like a dual diagnosis center.
When someone is referring to long-term rehab, they are usually talking about a residential facility. This means that you will live in the treatment program while you receive addiction recovery services.
Long-term drug treatment centers offer extended time in a rehab facility. Instead of only offering 30 to 60-day stays, you can remain in one of these programs for 90 days or more. The exact length of time that long-term drug and alcohol treatment lasts will depend on your specific needs.
Long-term rehab programs provide ample time for addiction treatment and recovery. Whether you need a lengthy medical detox, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), or treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, long-term rehab programs will provide it.
What to Expect During a Long-Term Rehab in Florida
Long-term addiction treatment centers offer the same services as traditional treatment. The main difference is that you are allotted more time to go in-depth during your therapy and counseling sessions.
Assessment and Treatment Planning
The first step in a long-term rehab program is an assessment. The medical professionals will ask you questions about your physical and mental health as well as your history of drug or alcohol addiction.
Common assessment questions include:
- Which substances do you misuse?
- How long have you been abusing substances?
- Have you ever attended treatment before?
- How many relapses have you experienced?
- Do you have any physical health conditions that require ongoing treatment?
- Do you have mental health issues?
- Does your family have a history of addiction or mental illness?
- What are your goals for addiction treatment?
The information gathered during the assessment will be used to create an individualized treatment plan based on your needs. The length of rehab typically depends on what your needs are.
Medical Detox
Once your treatment plan is created, you will begin medical detox. When you are struggling with addiction, your brain and body begin to rely on the substance to function properly. The goal of medical detox is to help you cope with withdrawal symptoms until you overcome your physical dependency.
Medications are often used to treat withdrawal symptoms during medical detox. You will also have consistent check-ins with nurses to ensure your vital signs remain stable.
Therapy and Counseling
Once you complete medical detox, you will begin recovering from the emotional and behavioral aspects of addiction. This involves both individual therapy and group counseling. Individual therapy is ideal for working through sensitive topics like past trauma, while group counseling is intended to help you develop healthy coping mechanisms, communication skills, and peer support.
During therapy and counseling sessions, evidence-based treatments will be used. Examples of evidence-based therapies include:[2]
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Motivational interviewing (MI)
- Contingency management (CM)
- 12-step facilitation therapy
- The matrix model
- Family behavior therapy
Medication Management
In addition to therapy, you might also be given medications to help you recover. If you are using medications to manage your substance use disorder, this is known as medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT is most commonly used to prevent relapses among those with opioid or alcohol use disorders.
It is also common for those with mental health conditions to be given medications to manage their disorder. You might receive antidepressants for depressive or anxiety disorders, antipsychotics or mood stabilizers for bipolar disorder, and more.
Relapse Prevention and Aftercare
Lastly, you will participate in relapse prevention planning before your time is over in your treatment program. This might involve identifying triggers for substance abuse and learning healthy coping mechanisms to overcome them.
Another important aspect of relapse prevention is aftercare. Aftercare involves the treatment program providing services once you have left the facility. Common types of aftercare services include:
- Continued therapy
- Medication management
- Access to an alumni support group
- Referrals to outpatient or sober living programs
- Case management services like vocational assistance
- And more!
Get Connected to a Long-Term Rehab in Florida
If you or a loved one struggles with addiction, it’s time to seek professional help. Long-term drug and alcohol rehab programs like Mandala Healing Center are ready to support you for however long it takes.
Contact us today for more information on what long-term rehab is like in Florida.
References:
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition)
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Evidence-based practices for substance use disorders