What Can I Expect in a Long-Term Rehab?

A long-term rehab provides substance abuse treatment services in an inpatient or residential setting, anywhere from 90 to 120 days. What to expect while in a long-term rehab depends on several factors, including which rehab program the individual is participating in and their history of substance abuse. All long-term rehabs are not the same, and individuals can decide on a traditional rehab such as rehabs that follow the 12-steps or an alternative long-term rehab. If the traditional 12-step approach is preferred, the individuals treatment plan will be centered on these steps exclusively. There may be other elements introduced into the individuals treatment experience but the 12-steps will be the basis of everything the individual is focusing on while in rehab. Part of the 12-step idea is that the individual is an addict, even after treatment is complete. This may not ring true for some clients who wish to seek out alternative options which don't promote this ideology.

Luckily, there are many long-term rehabs which don't adhere to the 12-step ideology and have cured individuals of addiction, so they don't have to attend endless meetings after rehab and call themselves an addict. Alternative long-term rehab options are abundant, such as wilderness rehabs and holistic drug rehab programs. In a holistic rehab for example, addiction is cured by first overcoming physical issues with specialty detox services, which is then followed up by addressing mental and psychological barriers to abstinence. Some alternative drug rehabs utilize tai chi, yoga and other practices which have been known to help individuals during the recovery process. Others utilize a sauna program to help individuals cleanse residual drugs and toxins from their bodies. This type of program helps individuals physically and mentally, as residual drugs can cause cravings and drug flashbacks even years after the individual has stopped using them.

A few months can be a long time to be away from friends and family, and this can be one of the difficult aspects of being in a long-term rehab. It is especially difficult during the beginning stages of treatment, when the individual is still having cravings and getting back to a stable physical and mental state. Clients may want to give up and throw in the towel, and may even come up with all manner of excuses as to why they need to leave rehab. Loved ones should be patient and understanding during this time, and follow the direction of treatment counselors who may suggest that loved ones back off for a while until treatment client is stabilized and acclimated to rehab. Giving someone their time and space to recover from substance abuse in a long term rehab is the best gift they can give them. Individuals in treatment who make this sacrifice and give themselves a real chance at a life worth living once treatment is complete are also doing a very selfless act, as this decision positively affects everyone else in their life now and for many years to come.