Choosing Long Term Drug Rehab

When you’re ready to seek help for an addiction to drugs or alcohol, selecting your treatment options  can vary. Short-term treatments are often advised for less severe addictions.  But for most struggling with drugs and alcohol, a long term drug rehab treatment center is most likely to be the solution. After detox, a recovery specialist may recommend long-term residential treatment, or some extended version of an outpatient program customized to fit your needs.

 

The Long-Term Residential Care Setting

A caring, secure environment

Long-term residential treatment is by far the most intensive compared to outpatient treatment and provides the most thorough care.  The greatest advantage of selecting rehab facilities near you is the protective environment that it provides. This is especially critical if there are drug or alcohol influences from home life, friends or community that can hinder treatment.

With ‘round the clock emotional, psychological  and medical support, you receive immediate help with personal issues such as cravings or the emotional impacts of abstinence. You also receive the necessary medical assistance for physical withdrawal symptoms.

Like-minded support

Much of the success attributed to residential treatment is the support group model, which is a mainstay of rehabilitation therapy. By sharing your own experiences with drugs and alcohol and listening to the experiences of others, the guilt, shame and loneliness that often accompany addiction is reduced.

More time for recovery

Drug and alcohol treatment centers can last anywhere between thirty and nine days, which gives you adequate time to recover. Some residential programs can last as much as six to twelve months. Statistically,  this extended stay in long-term residential treatment offers the greatest benefits and chances of full recovery.

Based on a National Institute of Drug Abuse study on six-month residential program benefits, cocaine use decreased by eighty-three percent, alcohol abuse decreased by ninety percent and harmful behavior associated with drug recovery such as suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts was reduced by ninety-six percent. When individual patients left treatment, the return to responsible full-time employment increased by forty-six percent.

Guidance for healthier choices

Many drug and alcohol treatment centers near you may also provide health and wellness programs. Because addiction can take a toll on health, regaining a healthy perspective is made easier when long-term treatment offers wellness training. Classes on fitness, nutrition and even mediation can contribute to a healthier, sober outlook over the long-term.

Long-Term Outpatient Care

When residential substance abuse treatment centers are not a viable option, outpatient treatment may be recommended by a recovery specialist. Outpatient programs allows you to receive care during the day and to go home at night. Outpatient is often selected because an addiction is not severe enough for long-term residential treatment or because an individual has responsibilities that would be compromised by a long-term residential stay.

Though outpatient offers flexibility, it does however put you at greater risk to outside influences and relapse. Because of these risks, the expectations on the recovering to stay truly focused on sobriety are also much greater. Through outpatient, you may receive individualized drug treatment, participate in group treatment or receive a combination of both.

Individualized drug treatment

Personal, customized care is the greatest benefit with individualized one-on-one treatment through long-term outpatient. Along with helping you disconnect from drug and alcohol use, a counselor may also assist with other personal issues that may be at the root of addiction.

Addressing issues related to family or your own psychological well-being may all be factors that a counselor will review in terms of overall recovery beyond abstinence. You will learn coping strategies that allow you to better manage triggers and cravings. An individual counselor will also help prepare you for handling the stresses in life that may cause relapse. An individual counselor can also provide prescriptions that can help with lingering withdrawal symptoms.

Group meetings

Much like the group support offered in long-term care settings, long-term outpatient can also provide regular meetings for recovering individuals. In this group environment, a small micro-community of recovering individuals come together to help each other heal. Usually a structured combination of group and individual care over an extended period can help anyone recovering from addiction remain on a sober path.

When is Short-Term Treatment Ever an Option?

In some instances, a mild addiction without the presence of other medical or mental health issues, may require only a brief stay in a residential facility or a short regiment of individual and group outpatient treatment sessions.

However, short-term treatment has not always proven as effective as longer more focused recovery plans. Often, a too hasty choice to enter short term care may lead to relapse and eventual admittance to a long-term care facility. It all depends on the individual.

Choosing a Treatment Plan that Fits You

Working with a personal healthcare practitioner and a recovery specialist you can design a plan that fits your needs with a long term forecast for recovery. Because addiction is quite complex, there can be no oversimplified plan options.

Carefully tailored plans may include a long-term residential stay followed by an extended period of outpatient sessions. Individual factors impact the treatment plan created and questions need to be answered:

• How severe is your addiction? How long have you been addicted and to what substance or combination of substances?
• Are there physical health or mental health issues that need to be considered?
• Is a return to your home or community a risk factor for relapse?
• Have you been through recovery treatment previously and relapsed? If so, what aspects of treatment did not work for you?

Well beyond treatment, recovery specialists may also recommend continuing  support through aftercare groups such as AA or NA to help fend off the temptation of relapse. In other words, all drug and alcohol treatment, in a sense, is long-term.

Pre-Assessment, Pre-Intake and Detox: What to Expect Before Entering Long-Term Rehab

Regardless of the treatment plan proposed, before you can begin your long-term treatment, pre-assessment including pre-intake tests and eventually detox will be required.

What is Pre-Assessment?

Pre-assessment evaluates your overall addiction needs so that a customized treatment plan can be developed.  A pre-assessment evaluation may include:

A Physical Exam- a doctor determines if there are any other medical problems other than addiction that may complicate drug addiction treatment. The pre-assessment ensures that medical attention can be paid to these medical matters along with the addiction treatment.

A Psychological Exam-the impact of drugs on the mind can be severe and if other mental illnesses are present, this can make drug treatment difficult. Identifying any mental disorders is one of the goals of pre-intake so that the proper medications and additional psychological treatment can be provided along with drug treatment.

Toxicology Tests- Drug tests determine the dosage of drugs being used and what classes of drugs are being used. Because drugs have different effects on the body, knowing the chemical nature of the addiction helps recovery specialists define the best treatment.

Personal History- Knowing the background to your addiction is helpful for refining the best treatment plan. The dynamics of family life, a history of  physical abuse or a history of un-diagnosed mental disorders may all be contributing to current addictions.

Pre-Intake Procedures

Recovery specialists will use the information provided in assessment to develop a customized plan at pre-intake to fit your recovery. That long-term rehab plan will include:

Deciding on outpatient or inpatient treatment. It is at this point that the course of your treatment is defined. Outpatient, either short-term or long-term, or inpatient, short-term or long-term.

Length of stay. If an inpatient rehab near me is searched on the web and selected, then recovery specialists will determine the length of the stay. A thirty to ninety-day course of action is typical, usually based on the severity of the addiction, as well as what types of drugs being used. The length of time those drugs have been used is also taken into consideration. Years over months of addiction makes a difference in treatment action plans.

Determining if medications will be prescribed. Medications will assist with detox as well as long-term management of your drug cravings. Assistive medications may or may not be prescribed. Your personal will and commitment to get sober will be considered to decide what and if medications will be used as part of the recovery plan. Some medications may be prescribed long after treatment is completed, and some may only be used during detox.

If additional medical treatment it necessary. If personal health problems such as diabetes or heart issues are compounding your addiction, doctors need to be included in the recovery process. Also, if diseases or conditions acquired during addiction are present, such as HIV from needle use, they too must be treated along with your drug addiction.

If psychological treatment is necessary. Pre-existing mental disorders may complicate the recovery process. Medications may be necessary to manage these illnesses. Also, a psychiatrist may be needed as part of the treatment team.

What wellness programs can be helpful. The pre-intake uses the information from your assessment to determine your overall health. As part of treatment, recovery specialists may recommend exercise and diet to help you  heal through personal changes, from an addicted lifestyle to a healthy one.

Your group session frequency. The number of group sessions and even the type of group sessions will be recommended by recovery specialists. Also, if individual therapy sessions are necessary, they will be included in the treatment plan.

The role of family in long-term treatment. If family life contributed to the addiction, it may not be recommended at the residential treatment level that family be involved. It will be encouraged that family visit you as a recovering addict, but family treatment may more likely occur after residential treatment is finished.

 Detox Begins

Detoxing is the process of purging drugs from the body and is required before ever entering a substance abuse treatment center.  During the detox process, the body may react violently to the absence of drugs or alcohol with extreme withdrawal symptoms. The severity of the symptoms during detox is usually related to the length of times drugs or alcohol have been used.

Because of the potential for serious medical emergencies, no one should ever attempt detox on their own.  Under the supervision of recovery specialists, the detox process, though grueling, is best conducted in a safe environment.

Recovery specialists may administer medications to help ease the symptoms of withdrawal. They will closely monitor the process for medical issues and provide the moral support to help you through this turning point stage of treatment.

The Detox Period Before Entering Treatment

Detox is a process that begins dramatically after the last dose of a drug is taken or the last drink is consumed. The timeline is as follows:

6-12 Hours

You may experience severe cramping and nausea. Trembling and difficulty breathing will persist. Diarrhea and vomiting may occur. Agitation and anxiety are often psychological symptoms, followed by episodes of depression. Many addicts describe detox and the consequent withdrawal symptoms as the “tearing up” of the body.

1-3 Days:  Long-Term Rehab Begins

You will now be admitted to a drug treatment center. Within a period of days, the cravings for drugs or alcohol will continue. The body will also continue its violent response with nausea and vomiting, Cramping, especially stomach cramps, will be common. The risk of suicide is common as is the risk of abandoning treatment and lapsing back into drug use. The recovery center specialists are there to monitor you over this period and protect you throughout the ordeal. It is during this time that your long-term recovery begins.

1 Week in Long-Term Rehab: Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome and Anhedonia

Post-acute withdrawal syndrome is the compound of symptoms that occur long after detox process is completed. You have now been in residence at the drug and alcohol treatment center and will continue to manage, with the assistance of staff, the lingering impact of detox.

During this period, you may experience the greatest urges to relapse. You may want drugs to not only get high, but simply to feel well again.   A common phenomenon that may occur during your long-term stay is a condition called anhedonia, which is the inability to feel pleasure. Without the drug, you may not feel like joy is possible. The most positive aspects of human experience are hijacked by drug and alcohol abuse.

By remaining committed to the treatment provided you can eventually begin to overcome the lasting effects of drugs and see the light of a sober life.

 

Calculating the Cost of Long-Term Rehab

One of the greatest barriers to long-term rehab is the financial cost. But there are many options that ensure that you get the care you need. Like treatment, the cost of care can vary. There are a number of variables that can change the overall expense of rehab.

Inpatient vs. outpatient treatment. Rehab facilities near you can be costly compared to outpatient programs that may also be available. However, compromising treatment because of cost is not recommended.

The type of substance abuse treatment center selected. Government-funded clinics, hospital-based programs or a private drug and alcohol treatment center near you all have different costs. Private centers incur the greatest costs, while government clinics are less expensive.

Whether dual diagnosis requires additional treatment. If other medical or mental health conditions are involved in your treatment, a specialty or dual diagnosis treatment centers may be required, which may add to the overall cost.

The extent of post-rehab treatment. If outpatient treatment after residential care is required and any additional aftercare is recommended, then the cost for recovery can go up.

The quality of private substance abuse treatment centers. There are a range of drug and alcohol treatment centers based on the extent of care they provide, which affects cost.

More luxurious treatment centers are clearly costlier, offering a spa-like environment while providing all the services of any rehab center. Non-profit and government funded substance abuse centers may not offer as many perks but will still provide the same quality care.

Options for Long-Term Rehab Payment

Health Insurance

If you have health insurance through your employer or your family has health insurance coverage, it is most likely that substance abuse care coverage is included. Health insurance may not pay all of the bills associated with coverage but may cover the larger portion of the costs.

Affordable Care Act

The ACA encompasses 10 essential health benefits which includes  drug and alcohol addiction. Whether funded through your state or Medicaid, you can receive help financing treatment at a rehab facility near you.

Medicaid and Medicare

Medicare Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) insurance programs, as well as the Part D prescription plans, can provide coverage for substance abuse treatment centers. This assistance may include the initial drug detox necessary to enter treatment as well as aftercare and post-rehab outpatient treatment. Other benefits for disabled or elderly individuals with addiction issues are also available through Medicaid and Medicare.

The VA and Long-Term Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs also offers extensive coverage for eligible veterans through the Veterans Administration (VA). Veterans with drug and alcohol abuse problems can receive assessments and pre-intake screenings, detox services, long-term rehab, long-term and short-term outpatient care, aftercare counseling and free medications for detox and recovery.

Financing and Grants

When there are no other options, financing your treatment may be necessary.  For yourself, it is one of the most critical financial investments you can make to ensure you get the best treatment possible.

Financing also ensures that you get full treatment when you need it rather than waiting until you have the money.  Many substance abuse treatment centers offer sliding scales as well to accommodate different financial brackets. When investigating treatment centers near you, ask about affordability options that they offer.

In addition to financing, treatment costs can be offset with grants offered by the government to help those afflicted with drug and alcohol abuse problems. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers grants that assist with  alcohol or drug addiction treatment costs. These grants can be applied for if insurance is not available and you are not eligible for other options.

When researching drug and alcohol treatment centers near me on your search browser , be sure to find out about all of the financial options available. Some drug and alcohol treatment centers may offer additional financial support through their own government funding.

Government Funded Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers

Government-funded drug and alcohol treatment solutions can help those with lower incomes who do not have health insurance and do not qualify for other programs. The benefits of government funded care may include either free rehab services or payment based on income.

Another benefit of  government funded long-term rehab is that only qualified recovery specialists can be employed, which may not be the case with some private providers.

The Value of Public Funded Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers

For those who cannot afford private treatment drug and alcohol treatment centers, the public funded options are critical. As drug and alcohol abuse continues to be a social problem rather than just an individual problem, the commitment from the public is not without results. In a report through the New York Academy of Medicine, the public funding of drug and alcohol treatment centers has demonstrated clear economic value to the community.

By choosing to pay for drug treatment for minor drug charges instead of jail time, New York State saved as much as thirty-eight million dollars a year.  The study also revealed an estimated eight dollars and eighty-seven cent savings for every dollar invested in substance abuse treatment centers. In locations where treatment was provided, there is also clear evidence of reduced crime rates and reduced substance abuse.

From the individual facing their personal addiction for the first time to the state evaluating the numbers behind their social addiction crisis, supporting long-term substance abuse treatment centers is critical for everyone. Getting help is not the problem of one person, but requires the support of state and federal government, and family and friends to help make drug and alcohol treatment possible.

If you are looking for a long term rehab for yourself or a loved one, contact our addiction helpline and speak with a representative about your options. Let them know you are looking for a long term drug rehab for extended care.