One issue with understanding drug rehab treatment programs is that some people think they are okay after a few weeks of staying clean. Like people who stop taking their medication after a few days because they feel better, the addict feels better so goes home after detox or checks out of drug treatment before successfully completing the program, feeling “I do not need drug rehab programs.”
However, treating drug addiction is not like treating a cold or a sprained ankle. You cannot just provide a short-term treatment and suddenly be all better. Learn why successful completion of long-term drug rehab, as well as ongoing aftercare is the best way to ensure successful recovery from addiction to alcohol or other drugs.
Why is Detox Not Enough Drug Treatment?
The reason that detox is not enough treatment is that detox is not drug treatment. Detox is a crucial component in stabilizing a person so the individual is able to function well enough to even participate in a drug rehab program.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines detoxification services as “a set of interventions aimed at managing acute intoxication and withdrawal. It denotes a clearing of toxins from the body of the patient who is acutely intoxicated and/or dependent on substances of abuse.” Detox also serves to minimize physical harm caused by abusing one or more substances. While detox is not substance abuse treatment, for some people, it is the first contact with the drug rehab system.
Why do I Need Long-Term Treatment?
Long-term treatment presents better opportunity for an individual to get and stay clean. Perhaps you started a drug rehab program but did not finish the program because you decided you could do it on your own. Maybe this is your first time seeking help. Whichever example best describes you or your loved one, evidence proves that completing long-term treatment offers the best chance of getting and staying clean. In its “Thirteen Principles of Effective Drug Addiction Treatment,” the National Institutes on Drug Abuse (NIDA) points out in the number 5 principle that “Remaining in treatment for an adequate period of time is critical for treatment effectiveness” and in number 13 that “Recovery from drug addiction can be a long-term process.”
The drug treatment process involves multiple components, including a comprehensive assessment and treatment process. That is why no two drug rehab treatment plans are alike. So even if you go to treatment with a partner or friend, your treatment plan will not be the same as that other person’s treatment plan.
NIDA also points out that each person progresses through drug addiction treatment at various rates, so “there is no predetermined length of treatment.” That means that your length of time in treatment may vary from that of your loved one or another person in the same drug treatment program with you. Each addict has their own individual treatment needs and that helps guide specific aspects of treatment, including the length of time in treatment and aftercare needs.
Drug treatment also encompasses attending to and treating multiple needs, such as if you have a mental health diagnosis in addition to your drug addiction. Dual diagnosis treatment received at drug rehab programs addresses both disorders, giving you or your loved one the opportunity to have an integrated treatment plan treating both the substance abuse and mental health disorders.
Why do I Need Aftercare if I Completed Treatment?
Participating in aftercare is a crucial component of maintaining on-going sobriety. The period just after completing a rehab treatment program is particularly dangerous for an individual addicted to alcohol or some other drug. The HBO Addiction Series “From Treatment to Sustained Recovery” explains that the greatest vulnerability period for relapsing occurs within the first 30-90 days after completing treatment and that “Most people completing addiction treatment are fragilely balanced between sustained recovery and resumption of alcohol and drug use.”
Aftercare provides the critical additional support needed during the period after completing drug treatment when a person is most vulnerable to relapse. Aftercare may take the form of an intensive outpatient program (IOP) or residing in a sober living home. Actively participating in aftercare is crucial, just as actively completing the treatment program itself is crucial for achieving sobriety. Participation in support groups and meetings in addition to aftercare programming further improves the likelihood of staying clean, avoiding the triggers and people, places and things that often lead to relapse.
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