When choosing an addiction treatment program, the options can seem endless. One important factor to consider when inquiring about treatment centers is the timeframe of treatment. Some programs have short-term treatment, which lasts 30 days, while others range from a few months to over a year and are referred to as a long-term treatment.
Short-term programs may be beneficial for some addicts, they are not suited for everyone and many factors contribute to a patients success.
A study published in the Open Journal of Psychiatry found that a longer addiction treatment program strongly improves patients’ chances of long-term recovery.
The research showed that those who underwent a standard 30- day treatment program, had a success rate of 55%, while those who chose longer treatment they are 84%, after one year of treatment. As you can see the numbers do not lie.
Why Continuing Care is Important
Most insurance providers only pay patients for 30 days of drug and alcohol abuse treatment. The study shows this is not nearly enough time to develop the tools needed to maintain recovery.
More time spent in treatment means more time exploring the underlying issues which contributed to the use of substances. If the process is rushed, the issues may not be addressed and therefore cannot be resolved.
Longer time in treatment means more time in sobriety. Having more time in sobriety is advantageous for addicts because it could lead to having better control over their recovery after leaving treatment.
Long-term treatment provides extended peer support. In any type of rehab center, peer support is a helpful resource. Longer stays allow patients more time to form lasting relationships and bonds, meaning they are more likely to stay in touch and form a support system outside the program.
In the early stages of sobriety, the structure is the key to success. Having a daily routine leaves less time to think about drugs and alcohol. Long-term programs will introduce routine and healthy behaviors. The longer this is practiced, the more normal it becomes. The patient is more likely to continue the healthy routine after leaving the treatment center.
Proof Longer Treatment is Successful
There have been many discussions questioning the need for longer -lengthened or extended treatment for a decade, but several other medical professionals have provided studies that show traditional 30-day addiction program has high relapse rates and obviously the support system outside of treatment and other factors determine an addicts success in recovery. The most important development of this study is that it once again proved that long-term recovery rates improved with a longer participation in a treatment program.
In 2001, a study performed by the University of California involving 1,167 adolescents going through rehab for alcohol or drug abuse and it provides pertinent information about those who were in rehabilitation treatment for 90 days or longer were more likely to maintain recovery, as compared to adolescents who only stayed three weeks. A longer stay is only beneficial if the patient is all into his recovery and admits they have a problem. As well as several outside factors as mentioned earlier, a support system at home as well as other contributing factors.
Asana Recovery Believes the Argument to be True!!!
Asana Recovery has consistently supported the argument that longer treatment programs benefit the patient with better results and lower relapse rates.
