Long-Term Drug Rehab Treatment Programs

Drug addiction is a complex condition marked by compulsive or uncontrollable use of a substance despite harmful consequences. It can cause adverse effects and cause significant changes in the brain, often affecting the individual’s motivation, memory, learning, and behavior control.Substance abuse can be treated and many users require long-term rehab and care at a specialized facility in order to stop using and abusing.¹ A treatment program should help the individual:¹

• Stop using and abusing drugs.
• Stay free from the consumption of drugs.
• Become a productive member of family, work community, and in society.

What Is Long-Term Rehab?

Long-term residential treatment centers provide care 24 hours a day, usually in non-hospital settings.2 Long-term drug treatment usually starts with several days of closely supervised detox, followed by 90 to 120 days of intense treatment for drug abuse and aftercare preparation. This type of treatment is suitable for people with long-standing or serious substance abuse issues.2

Since the enrollment into the program is relatively long-term and intensive, it involves slow and continuous reentry into the society. Most of the patients who remain in long-term treatment programs for at least a third to half of the expected course generally dramatically improve their functioning in terms of substance abuse.³ They also have better employment prospects and school rates (with graduates being even better). However, the biggest downside is the high number of those who never complete long-term treatment programs (75 percent or more).³

One of the main challenges faced by recovery programs is treatment dropout. Therefore, it is important for a long-term treatment facility to have motivational approaches that can keep patients active and also enhance their involvement and dedication to recovery. These programs can be successful if they treat substance abuse as a chronic condition and provide continuing care and supervision. However, this also entails several enrollments into treatment and being ready to readmit patients who have relapsed.4

How Therapeutic Communities (TCs) Utilize Long-Term Drug Rehab?

Therapeutic communities (TCs) are one of the most common forms of long-term drug rehab in residential settings.⁵ TCs are known for their recovery orientation that focuses on treating the whole person and facilitating overall lifestyle changes in addition to drug abstinence. The orientation of TCs acknowledges the relapsing and chronic nature of substance use disorders and sees recovery as an ongoing process.

What to Expect in Long-Term Rehab Centers?

Long-term care may start with the process of detox, during which the patient is expected to abstain from abusing drugs. The patient can receive care and supervision, undergo medication-assisted detox, drug replacement therapy, or drug reduction therapy, depending on the substance that has been abused.⁶

Depending on the drug being used as well as the nature and duration of the substance abuse, the process of detoxification can take several hours or even days. Detox is the first phase of treatment and without additional treatment, it rarely results in a lasting recovery. Therefore, it is recommended to continue with some form of treatment as part of the recovery after completing the process of detox.⁶

Long-term rehab programs allow the user to take their time and go through detox, all while they build coping skills. This kind of program provides a thorough approach to dealing with substance abuse issues. It focuses on teaching the patient to identify underlying issues that might have led to their substance abuse issue. They learn how to control their cravings and focus on rebuilding their lives. Long-term drug abuse rehab helps a patient develop coping mechanisms, with a greater probability of successful recovery.⁶

What are the main Features of Long-Term Rehab Programs?

The long-term treatment programs may focus on:

• Development of coping mechanisms in patients.
• Allowing patients to take their time in order to work on understanding their underlying issues related to their substance abuse.
• Balancing the users’ brain chemistry in order to reduce drug cravings.
• Helping users be well and healthy.
• Helping patients reconnect with their friends and family.
• Helping users to return to work and function within society.
• Development of lasting relations with other patients in recovery.

The individuals who start a new course in life while still in the program may benefit from life skills they gained in the program. This lets them have a smooth transition out of a long-term care program to a more independent lifestyle. Residents can form new friendships in a treatment facility which can help them work together toward recovery. Long-term rehab programs concentrate on each of these components, in order to have a more systemic approach to substance abuse treatment.

Unsure where to start? Take Our Substance Abuse Self-Assessment

Take our free, 5-minute substance abuse self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with substance abuse. This evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are designed to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result. Please be aware that this evaluation is not a substitute for advice from a medical doctor.

What are the Types of Long-Term Addiction Treatment Programs?

There are two types of long-term treatment programs:²

• Long Term Inpatient or Residential Treatment for Drug Addiction
• Long Term Outpatient Behavioral Treatment for Drug Addiction

Long Term Inpatient or Residential Treatment for Drug Addiction

Inpatient or residential treatment is very effective for patients who have more severe substance abuse issues, and who might have some co-occurring disorders. Specialized inpatient facilities for alcoholism or drug addiction treatment provide intensive care and safe housing. They may use different therapeutic approaches, and they focus on helping the patient rebuild their life and become a functional member of society.

Long Term Outpatient Behavioral Treatment for Drug Addiction

When compared to inpatient, outpatient treatment employs many different programs that enable patients to visit a professional on a long-term basis. Treatment duration is increased or decreased depending on the patient’s health, support system, and psychological condition. Longer duration of treatment usually brings better outcomes.7 Long-term outpatient programs may also be employed for individuals who leave treatment and need to transition into society.7 Outpatient programs usually include counseling, which can be individual, group or both. 

What are the Therapies Used in Long-Term Drug Addiction Treatment?

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy, which focuses on helping users to learn how to recognize, cope, and avoid those situations in which they have the greatest tendency to abuse drugs.
• Multidimensional family therapy (MFT) was created for adolescents with substance abuse issues, with the aim of improving general family functioning. This approach focuses on recognizing influences and drug abuse patterns.
• Motivational interviewing focuses on the patients’ readiness to enter a treatment program and their willingness to change their behavior.

Motivational incentives (contingency management) is an approach that uses positive reinforcement in order to motivate patients to abstain from using and abusing drugs.