Rehabilitation for people suffering from addiction to drugs or alcohol includes two primary components. The first stage is detoxification, during which the person is supported while they begin abstinence and work through withdrawal symptoms. After detoxification, the real work of recovery begins. The benefits of long-term addiction treatment focus on helping people to develop the skills they will need to prevent relapse and live a full life, free of drugs and alcohol.
Substance Abuse Physically Alters the Brain
When people suffer from addiction, the illness dominates their lives in many ways. Much of their focus is on acquiring drugs or alcohol or on planning their next usage. They often start to build their lives around the addiction.
Ongoing substance abuse leads to many changes in the way people think and behave. Repeated substance abuse causes physical changes in the brain, and the brain essentially rewires itself to compensate for the repeated exposure to drugs or alcohol.1
When drug or alcohol use ceases, the brain does not immediately return to normal. It can take many months—sometimes years—for the brain to reverse the changes. This poses a challenge for people who suffer from addiction. Opting for long-term treatment helps people to cope with cravings as the brain heals itself and reduces the risk of relapse.
Benefits of Long-Term Addiction Treatment
Research shows that most people who participate in long-term addiction treatment will stop using drugs or alcohol. Their psychological, social and occupational functionality improves.2 However, learning new, more productive behaviors takes time, and the longer a person participates in treatment, the more likely they are to experience long-term success.
1. Increased Success in Recovery
Drug and alcohol abuse leads to maladaptive behaviors that become the norm. Prolonged substance abuse affects decision-making processes and judgment. It takes time for people to reverse these effects and to learn positive behaviors. The benefits of long-term addiction treatment are more significant than short-term therapy and result in higher success rates for ongoing sobriety.3
2. Improved Self-Confidence
Those who suffer from addiction often experience a decrease in self-esteem as they feel unable to regain control of their life. It is not uncommon for people who are dependent on substances to try, repeatedly and unsuccessfully, to quit without professional help. This repeated cycle of brief abstinence and relapse can increase feelings of frustration and helplessness. Long-term addiction treatment supports a person’s efforts to develop sobriety skills, and experiencing success empowers individuals to stay focused on their recovery and avoid relapse.
The longer people suffering from addiction maintain abstinence, the more positive they feel about their ability to withstand cravings and triggers. They will emerge from treatment knowing that they can remain sober, and that they can function productively without drugs or alcohol. This success increases confidence and hope for the future.
3. Building a Rewarding Life
One of the benefits of long-term addiction treatment is that people with substance abuse issues can engage in healthy, productive activities that reinforce recovery and bring joy and a feeling of accomplishment. This plays a significant role in ongoing recovery, as people learn that sobriety doesn’t have to be boring and that fulfillment in life is a critical aspect of relapse prevention.
- http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/brainchange/
- https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/frequently-asked-questions/how-effective-drug-addiction-treatment
- https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/principles-effective-treatment
Todd Stauffer says:
I appreciate how you said that long-term drug addiction counseling can yield more positive results than short-term counseling. My brother has been struggling with an alcohol problem for a few years. Getting him into long-term help would be really good because it could help him recover from the addiction.
Sherry Gajos says:
I really liked what you said about how long-term addiction treatment is more significant than short-term therapy and result in higher success rates for ongoing sobriety. One of my cousins has been doing drugs for a long time and the family is trying to help him get some treatment. Thank you for the information about prolonged substance abuse affects the decision-making processes and judgment and how it takes time to reverse these effects and learn positive behaviors.
Taylor Hicken says:
I appreciated it when you mentioned a person will get to improve his self-esteem if he goes through a long treatment for drug addiction by seeking professional help. My friend told me last week that he just found out that his brother has been taking drugs for over a year and he desperately wants to stop abusing the substance. I will suggest him to send the brother for ibogaine therapy so he will recover and regain his self-confidence. https://ibogaquest.com/about-your-treatment
Taylor Hicken says:
You made a good point when you shared that those people who suffer from addiction often experience a drop in self-esteem as they feel unable to regain control of their life. My friend just mentioned the other day that she is worried about her brother who was dealing with substance abuse and he is trying his best to cut the bad habit. I will suggest to her taking him to reliable substance abuse counseling so he can be treated. https://actwellnesstn.com/services
Eli Richardson says:
It really helped when you talked about long-term addiction therapy and how it comes with better results. Last night, we found our uncle having an overdose, and we think he hit rock bottom again. We believe it’s time that our uncle looks for professional help, so my mom and I will organize an intervention with the whole family! Thanks for the information on how we could improve my uncle’s recovery results with long-term treatment!https://positiveapproachcounseling.com/narcissistic-abuse-therapy-frisco-tx
Henry Killingsworth says:
Wow, it was really interesting when you mentioned that substance abuse can affect the way people think. There are so many different drugs that can be used, so I would imagine that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment method. If you struggle with an addiction, it seems like finding a rehab center would be a good way to get the treatment you need and start healing your brain. https://www.bridgewayrecovery.com/treatment_outpatient_substance_abuse.php
Luke Smith says:
It’s great that you talked about how addiction recovery program is more significant than short-term therapy and results in higher success rates for ongoing sobriety. I was reading the newspaper this morning and one of the articles I read was all about the statistics of addiction nowadays. It seems addiction is still quite common these days but thankfully there are recovery programs that could help people with such a dilemma.
https://jvaranch.org/addiction-recovery