Addiction doesn’t happen overnight, and neither does its treatment. While some people may believe that detox alone is all you need to get sober, this is not the case. Research shows that those who spend longer in treatment for substance use disorders experience better outcomes. For example, those who attend residential programs are more likely to stay in recovery than those who only participate in withdrawal management programs. Individuals who are especially committed to their recovery may benefit from long-term addiction treatment: programs lasting between 60 and 90 days. Today, we’ll explore this level of care: who needs it, and what does it involve? Read on to learn more.

How It Works

The purpose of addiction treatment isn’t just to stop one’s drug use. It’s to help each person to return to productive functioning within their community, workplace, and family unit. As you can imagine, this is not a quick endeavor. Unlearning addiction requires dedication and practice – it’s not something that people master in a short amount of time.

Being in long-term addiction treatment means that participants find themselves in a supportive, therapeutic environment. The facility’s entire goal is to create a stable, collaborative, safe place for healing. By living in a group focused on this objective, patients can begin to recover from the social damage caused by addiction. In long-term care, staff and fellow patients provide support and accountability, enabling participants to grow and learn at their own pace.

Those in long-term addiction treatment also benefit from increased access to evidence-based care. At Lakeside-Milam, patients in our Foundation Program are able to participate in daily outpatient treatment, life skills training, 12-Step meetings, and fitness programming. By remaining in treatment for longer, individuals can make the most of early recovery.

Who Needs Long-Term Addiction Treatment?

Often, the people who benefit most from long-term care are those who are considered “chronic relapsers.” These are individuals who have tried to quit before; perhaps they have even entered into inpatient treatment programs in the past. However, they eventually relapsed after returning home each time.

Relapse is an unpleasant topic of discussion, but for many people, it is a reality. People who live with other addicts or find themselves in an unsupportive environment are at a higher risk of relapse than those with supportive family members. This is especially true when one’s sobriety is fresh. For this reason, it is critical for those who need it to access another level of care: long-term treatment.

Lakeside Milam’s Foundation Program

At Lakeside-Milam, we understand the importance of long-term addiction treatment. That’s why we offer this service in our Foundation Program and transitional living at The Lodge. By participating in either of these programs, those who have completed primary addiction treatment are able to live in a safe, sober home as they lay the groundwork for lifelong sobriety. Individuals in the Foundation Program are able to concurrently participate in an intensive outpatient level of care.

These structured, supportive tracks are ideal for those who have previously relapsed after treatment. Depending on one’s history and living situation, recommended enrollment periods may vary from 60 to 90 days.

What Happens in Long-Term Addiction Treatment?

The curriculum of long-term programs is diverse and varies depending on where you go. At Lakeside-Milam, for example, our Foundation program consists of four main cornerstones:

Daily outpatient treatment: Recovery efforts and education must continue after primary treatment has concluded. By attending regular outpatient sessions, individuals are able to learn new coping skills, benefit from evidence-based therapies, and further strengthen their recovery.

12-Step involvement: Participating in the 12 Steps can be a powerful tool for sustained sobriety. By actively taking part in meetings, each attendee feels seen, heard, and supported, while also learning from the experiences of others. Lakeside-Milam hopes that by initiating 12-Step involvement within the context of treatment, patients will be more likely to continue regularly attending meetings after returning home.

Life skills training: As we discussed in last week’s blog, life skills training can make an enormous difference in helping those in recovery to transition into “the real world.” Financial literacy courses, career planning sessions, and instruction about clear communication are all offered at Lakeside-Milam.

Fitness programming: Physical health is crucial to maintaining mental health. By taking care of one’s body through a nutritious diet, consistent sleep schedule, and vigorous exercise regimen, it’s possible to boost your mood and instill healthy habits for years to come.

If you’re looking for specific services from your long-term treatment provider, we suggest calling and discussing a customized treatment plan with our admissions staff.

Proven, Evidence-Based Care

Since opening our doors in 1983, Lakeside-Milam has helped over 100,000 alcoholics and addicts. Whether you’re planning to seek long-term addiction treatment or briefly participate in an inpatient program, we’re here for you. Our team of clinicians will build an individualized treatment plan fully tailored to your needs. To learn more, contact us today by calling (866) 614-0762.