The Difference Between Short and Long Term Treatment

The difference between short and long term treatment has to do with the duration of the treatment program. Typically, a short-term program will be one that lasts anywhere from 28 to 30 days. A long-term program, on the other hand, is generally something lasting 90 days or even longer.

Addiction is never something that can be fixed instantly. In order to overcome addiction once and for all, patients need to commit to a treatment plan that can include everything from detox to ongoing behavioral therapy.

Unfortunately, some subpar treatment facilities advertise rapid or quick fixes to patients. While these programs might be appealing to those eager for an instant solution, they can actually do more harm than good. Getting treatment for just a few days isn’t long enough to establish meaningful habits, and it can end up leading to relapse rather than lasting sobriety.

On the other end of the spectrum are long-term residential treatment programs that can be longer than patients need. They can lead to higher costs as well as a greater time away from loved ones and work. In addition, long-term programs may make it harder for patients to adjust to independent living and sobriety without 24/7 accountability.

Understanding Residential Addiction Treatment

In the most basic sense, residential addiction treatment is when patients seek treatment while having accommodation. Patients eat, sleep, socialize, learn and participate in therapy sessions on the premises, reducing the likelihood of relapsing and making it easier to access support or resources around the clock.

Typically, residential treatment begins with an intake assessment. This is a comprehensive evaluation of patients, and it can be an effective way for rehab centers to best cater to individual needs. A treatment intake assessment might evaluate things like physical health, the likelihood of mental health disorders or the potential for multiple addictions. It can also be a time to address any pertinent needs of patients before treatment officially begins.

Another integral element of residential treatment involves evidence-based therapies for addiction. This can include pharmacological treatment as and when it is needed and not contraindicated for patients. It can also heavily feature behavioral therapies that hope to create positive habits and disrupt negative feelings of self doubt and low self esteem. Group counseling is another evidence-based approach to the addiction treatment.

Residential treatment may also offer patients alternative therapies. It is often easier to promote these types of therapies in residential programs because the amenities will be within walking distance of patient accommodation. Alternative therapy can be things like fitness courses, yoga classes or music therapy. It can also extend to things like massage therapy or nutritional therapy in some cases.

The Benefits of Short-Term Residential Treatment

The major advantages of short-term residential treatment include a focused environment, greater accountability, a minimal disruption to everyday life, freedom for families who have been caring for those struggling with addiction and even better results in many cases.

Short-term residential treatment is a 24/7 environment for patients. Compare this to alternatives such as intensive outpatient, outpatient programs or partial hospitalization programs. While they have their place, they allow patients far more freedom, which can also mean a higher risk of relapse. A focused, around-the-clock facility for the initial stages of addiction treatment is often a good thing for patients.

The short-term aspect should also be considered. Rather than expecting prospective patients to take several months away from their families, their careers and their lives, short-term programs ask for just 30 days. This greatly minimizes how much addiction treatment will disrupt life.

Another important aspect to consider is that short-term residential treatment can offer a respite for those families and loved ones who have been heavily involved in the process. When patients are in a safe and secure environment, their loves ones can exhale and focus on their own health. When the short-term program is complete, they will be recharged and ready once again to become a support system for those struggling with addiction.

The Ideal Candidates for Short-Term Residential Addiction Treatment

Everyone dealing with addiction should seek help in the form of professional treatment. In particular, most people can benefit from short-term residential treatment. Many of the ideal candidates are those in treatment for the first time, those dealing with a particularly severe addiction or those struggling with financial, mental health or physical health issues.

Individuals who have completed multiple treatment programs, but relapsed each time, may prefer to find a new means of recovery. However, those picking treatment for the first time can achieve lasting success by committing to a 28 or 30 day residential addiction treatment program.

Addictions can vary significantly among patients. Some might have severe addictions and a lifetime of drug use behind them, while others have only recently developed a dependence on an addictive substance. Those with a severe addiction should never attempt to rehabilitate themselves, making residential treatment the only viable option in these cases.

Finally, it is important to consider health and cost. Residential treatment is comprehensive, encompassing the wide range of patient needs from mental health to physical health. In addition, short-term residential addiction treatment is often covered by major health insurance plans. This is in contrast to long-term programs, which are less likely to be covered by health insurance companies in the United States.

Residential short-term treatment has the potential to deliver lasting results for those struggling with addiction. While the exact methods and therapies available vary from one center to the next, this general program format can be incredibly successful in treating addictions.

Distinguishing Between Short- and Long-Term Treatment

Although there may be a big difference between short- and long-term addiction treatment, it’s important to understand one vital thing: there’s no quick fix when overcoming addiction. Facilities that advertise recovery in a matter of days won’t be providing the best possible care to their patients, and in many cases those patients may be struggling with high relapse rates just weeks after their programs have ended.

Short-term treatment is far from instantaneous. It’s the phrase used to describe rehab and recovery programs that last an average of 28 to 30 days. Long-term treatment, on the other hand, tends to be approximately 90 days, although in some cases it can be six months or even a year in duration.

What to Expect in Residential Treatment

With the duration of short-term treatment defined, it’s a good idea to get a better idea of what a residential treatment program entails. Residential addiction programs are defined as those that provide accommodation as well as treatments and therapies on a regular basis. Residential care can be considered as “one-stop” treatment, because it will include all of the therapy, accommodation, meals and any additional services that might be required.

Patients who are going into residential treatment programs should expect to start with an assessment, or an evaluation, that determines the severity of the addiction and identifies any physical or mental health problems that will need to be addressed. This allows for a dual diagnosis, if necessary, and can ensure that all patients receive comprehensive care that will benefit their overall wellbeing.

There are several types of treatment that might be provided to patients in short-term residential care. Evidence-based treatments such as behavioral therapy, pharmacological treatment and group counseling are popular options that provide a substantial success for patients. However, residential treatment also opens up options for holistic and alternative therapies that can develop skills, improve confidence, relieve stress and contribute to lasting health. Things like nutritional therapy, yoga therapy, art therapy and fitness therapy are all possible in a short-term residential treatment program.

Residential treatment is widely considered to be the most beneficial form of addiction treatment because of its accountability for patients. However, it’s not the only available form of care. Alternatives to residential treatment can include outpatient care, intensive outpatient programs and partial hospitalization programs.

Who Can Benefit Most From Short-Term Residential Treatment

Short-term residential treatment is an effective way to treat patients who are addicted to a range of substances, including drugs and alcohol. Virtually anyone with a dangerous addiction should seek professional assistance, and there’s no question that short-term residential treatment would be beneficial. However, there are some potential patients who might benefit most from short-term residential treatment. This would include individuals attending rehab for the first time, those who want to minimize the costs and time commitment of rehab and those who are battling a severe addiction.

Short-term treatment is often preferred by those who don’t have the resources to commit to a 90-day program. Individuals with financial limitations, or those who need to get back to careers, schools and families as quickly as possible, may thrive in a short-term program of 30 days or less.

Individuals who are battling with severe addictions, or who are attending recovery programs for the very first time, are ideal candidates for short-term residential treatment. Why? Because residential care is intensive treatment that is around the clock, which means that patients can enjoy higher rates of successful sobriety and lower rates of relapse. Outpatient programs, in comparison, are not always ideal for those struggling with severe addictions as there is lessened accountability for patients.

Advantages of Short-Term Residential Treatment

Short-term residential treatment brings with it a number of advantages for patients as well as their loved ones. The families of patients won’t have to directly supervise or care for patients while they are in inpatient programs, which can be a relief during this challenging time. Short-term programs are also less expensive and can minimize disruptions to everyday life. In addition, residential programs offer better results to patients.

Cost is nearly always a consideration for prospective rehab patients and their families. Even when health insurance is involved, there may be questions of limited care coverage or deductibles. For these reasons, many patients opt for short-term care. Many health insurance providers will cover a full 30 days of treatment, but won’t cover long-term programs.

Short-term residential care is an intensive program that functions on a 24/7 basis, but this concentration of treatment, therapy and accountability means that many patients can return to their lives in as little as 30 days. Short-term programs are an excellent way to minimize disruptions to life, and these shorter absences are more easily explained. This makes them ideal for patients who have careers, who attend college or who can’t leave their families for extended periods of time.

Finally, it’s vital to look at the objectives when understanding the value of short-term residential programs. For most patients, the primary goal is to achieve sobriety and learn the necessary tools to maintain that sobriety for life. Residential programs outperform outpatient programs routinely, perhaps because they have higher rates of completion, 24/7 care and greater accountability.

Patients can benefit from short-term residential treatment if they want a more intensive treatment method that can still achieve great results. Programs can vary significantly from facility to facility, but most will offer a variety of trusted and effective treatments and therapies to help patients achieve their goals.