Drug addiction is a serious condition that is known to worsen over time. If you leave a substance use disorder untreated, you are at risk of developing certain health conditions, becoming incarcerated, experiencing financial devastation, and life-threatening emergencies like overdoses. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “Nearly 92,000 persons in the U.S. died from a drug-involved overdose in 2020.”
Because of the risks associated with untreated drug addiction, you should always attend a professional addiction treatment program. There are tons of different types of rehab to choose from, with each one having different benefits to consider. One of the most effective forms of treatment for addiction is known as long-term drug rehab.
While long-term drug rehab can sound intimidating, knowing what to expect during one of these programs can make you feel more comfortable receiving the help you need.
What is Long-Term Drug Rehab?
Most addiction treatment programs last somewhere between 30 to 60 days. Some facilities offer both 30 and 60-length programs, providing patients with the ability to choose how long they receive treatment. However, some people find that they need a little bit more time to work on their recovery within the safety of a treatment facility.
Long-term addiction treatment programs in California usually last 90 days or more, giving you at least 3 months to learn about addiction, recover from past traumas, and gain healthy coping mechanisms to help you stay sober long-term. Sometimes, people stay in long-term drug rehab for 6 months or more.
The purpose of this type of treatment is to provide patients with as much time as they need to recover from addiction before sending them back into their everyday lives. These programs use all of the same treatment tactics as traditional addiction treatment programs, however, you have more time to unpack and address your concerns.
What to Expect During Long-Term Addiction Treatment in California
The exact services you receive during long-term drug rehab in California will depend on your specific needs. As soon as you arrive at the facility, you will undergo an in-depth assessment to gather information about your family, medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse history. This information provides the medical staff with everything they need to create an individualized treatment plan catered to your unique needs.
Medical Detox
Most people require detoxification services to help them safely overcome their withdrawal symptoms. This is always the first step in recovering from drug addiction. During detox, you will receive medications and treatments that soothe your symptoms of withdrawal and prevent you from experiencing cravings.
Evidence-Based Behavioral Therapy
No matter what your personal needs are, you will participate in some form of behavioral therapy. This is arguably the most important aspect of addiction treatment, as it helps you identify and address the root causes of your substance use disorder. You will attend both individual and group counseling sessions multiple times a week, providing you with ample time to work through any concerns you have.
Common forms of behavioral therapy used during long-term drug rehab in California include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- 12-step facilitation therapy
- Contingency management (CM)
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Family therapy
Holistic Therapies
In addition to evidence-based behavioral therapy, you have the option to engage in holistic treatment. Typically, holistic carecinvolves beneficial activities like yoga, meditation, exercise, massage, and much more.
The goal of holistic therapy is to treat the whole person, rather than just the symptoms of addiction. In other words, holistic treatments help you recover mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. As a bonus, holistic activities like yoga and art therapy can be just as fun as they are beneficial for your help.
Relapse Prevention Planning
Lastly, you will receive a service known as relapse prevention planning. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the addiction relapse rate is somewhere between 40 to 60%. Because relapse is extremely common among individuals in recovery from addiction, long-term rehabs in California emphasize the importance of learning how to prevent them.
Common services provided during relapse prevention planning include:
- Continued therapy and counseling
- Access to alumni support groups
- Continued medication management
- A list of personal triggers and coping mechanisms to use
- A list of sober supports to call in times of need
- Referrals to sober living housing programs
- Recommendations on sober support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous
Who Should Attend Long-Term Drug Rehab in California?
Long-term rehab is beneficial for everyone, however, some people may need this form of treatment more than others. This type of rehab is especially important for individuals who have a history of chronic relapse, as that indicates they need more treatment services than they have received.
Other signs you should attend long-term drug rehab in California include:
- A history of relapse
- Long-term substance abuse issues
- Having a co-occurring mental health condition
- You would like an in-depth exploration into negative behavior patterns and past traumas
- You require more structured support than an outpatient program would provide
Get Connected With a Long-Term Addiction Treatment Center in California
If you or a loved one suffer from drug addiction, recovery is possible. While it can seem like a lengthy and painful process, attending a reputable drug rehab program can make recovery attainable and enjoyable. When you choose to attend a long-term addiction treatment program in California, you can rest assured that you will be receiving the most in-depth and effective form of treatment.
To learn more about our long-term drug rehab program, contact Arise Treatment Center today.