What Is Long-Term Rehab?

Long-term rehabs are treatment facilities which provide an inpatient or residential stay for individuals who need treatment for substance abuse. Long-term rehabs typically provide treatment for 90 days or longer, and cater particularly to individuals who have significant histories of substance abuse to illicit drugs, prescription drugs or alcohol. Many studies have proven that individuals who remain in long-term rehab have better treatment outcomes than those who only detox and receive no further treatment or who receive minimal treatment. In long-term rehabs treatment clients keep very busy with full schedules, and each step in treatment is based off of a very exact treatment plan which has been devised with their unique needs in mind. These treatment plans can take several weeks if not months to get through, and each plan is different because each client is different. If an individual is currently in a short-term rehab but is advised to receive further treatment by treatment professionals, it is not uncommon for clients to phase over into a more long-term rehab facility where they can take the time to complete a more comprehensive treatment plan.

Long-term rehabs are prepared to offer a full spectrum of effective treatment services, which can differ from facility to facility. Detox however is always the first step if this hasn't already been previously done at a detox facility prior to their arrival in rehab. Detox and withdrawal is often a physical and psychological challenge, but will only last a matter of days and is something which can be safely overcome in short order the help of detox specialists. Most individuals who are going through detox wont need any special detox services other than proper rest and nutrition, although some will need to be medically supervised and possibly receive medication during detox. Alcoholism can result in a particularly serious set of detox symptoms, and medication will often have to be administered to avoid life threatening side effects of withdrawal including grand mal seizures. No one should ever detox alone just in case any type of serious side effects could arise.

Depending on the which long-term rehab has been chosen, individuals will typically be assessed by treatment counselors to determine what course of action should be taken and then a treatment plan is laid out with their specific needs in mind. If someone is taking part in a traditional 12-step program, their treatment plan will be very similar to every other clients program and will entail activities based on these steps. If participating in a long-term rehab that offers an alternative to 12-step, treatment services will be more personalized and the individual will not have to be in recovery after rehab. Rehab will be complete and the individual can have the confidence that they can remain abstinent without having to attend AA or NA meetings, as do the 12-steppers. Most alternative long-term rehabs apply techniques which help individuals resolve any issues, whether environmental, emotional, physical or psychological which could cause a relapse when they leave drug rehab.