If you or a loved one struggles daily with addiction, you may have already looked into a variety of treatment options. While doing research, many people struggle with the idea of staying in long-term drug rehab centers. Patients and family members alike fear the impact it will have on their lives. Separation from your family may be a frightening concept, but it could be a necessity for your loved one to get the best treatment possible for recovery. Do you need to know more about long-term rehab centers and whether a long-term inpatient rehab program is right for you? Call us today at 1-800-RECOVERY.
Understanding Long-Term Rehab Centers
New research is changing the way that professionals administer addiction treatment. Researchers and doctors are focusing on treating addiction as a brain disease. One study describes these three stages of addiction based on reactions in and activity throughout the brain:1
- Binge and intoxication
- Withdrawal and negative affect
- Preoccupation and anticipation (or craving)
Through ever-changing research such as this, long-term drug rehab centers are constantly evolving and making changes in treatment methods. Understanding how the brain physically reacts to addictive drugs over time gives physicians an advantage in attacking the physiological symptoms and preventing our patients from relapse.
Many patients suffer from co-occurring disorders, which include both substance and psychological issues. Fortunately, co-occurring disorders are one aspect of the evolution of treatment that is comprehensively addressed during inpatient treatment. Recovery Centers of America has a specific Balance Pathway of treatment for patients with co-occurring disorders.
Benefits of Outpatient Treatment
There are various types of outpatient treatment programs. For example, partial hospitalization allows our patients to attend treatment every weekday and return home at night. This level of care isn’t ideal for someone who has an unstable or unhealthy home environment.
Some patients may have enough stability to continue working while attending therapy and group meetings only in the afternoons. This often can be the next step after much more intensive programs. These patients gradually work their way from long-term drug rehab centers to outpatient programs, and then on to a place where they no longer need additional rigor and can continue treatment with outpatient meetings in decreasing frequency.
Patients may also favor outpatient care, allowing them to promptly apply the principles learned to real-life scenarios. This immediate feedback can be highly effective for certain individuals, offering firsthand evidence of the benefits of addiction treatment. However, it may not be appropriate for those requiring additional support to address concurrent psychological concerns alongside addiction.
Benefits of Long-Term Inpatient Care
Most inpatient centers will have an average stay length that is recommended; however, each patient does receive an individual care plan which will determine length of stay. In this setting, patients are monitored twenty-four hours a day and have an organized schedule, with clinicians outlining their activities throughout the entire day. Many benefit from this structure, especially if their addiction arose from a chaotic home or social situation. This treatment plan will guide the patient through the recovery process and beyond, including reestablishing a sober lifestyle after intensive inpatient care has concluded.
Some people fear and avoid inpatient treatment for this very reason. It’s important to stress to people in this situation that there are a multitude of alternative treatment methods.
Which Is Better? Inpatient or Outpatient Treatment?
Deciding between inpatient and outpatient treatment isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. The choice depends on factors like addiction severity, co-occurring disorders, social support, and motivation for change.
Inpatient care suits severe cases with structured support, while outpatient options allow for daily responsibilities and real-world application of recovery principles, beneficial for less severe cases with strong support networks. The best choice is based on assessing individual needs.
Get Help Today with Recovery Centers of America
If you are overwhelmed looking for long-term rehab centers, you can find help by calling 1-800-RECOVERY or using our online contact form to reach the professionals at RCA and to find out more about treatment options available in your area. If you are worried about the impact of addiction on someone you love, do not hesitate. Please reach out for information on how you can help.
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