How long does it take to “cure” someone abusing drugs or alcohol? 21 days? 28 or 30 days? And what if you send your loved one to rehab for 3 or 4 weeks, and they return home to their same habits? What program is the right program? There are so many on the internet nowadays, it’s almost impossible to know.
The most important thing to remember when looking for a good heroin or cocaine treatment program is that addiction is generally not cured in 30 days or less. If you walk into the woods a certain distance, it could be safely assumed that the distance walking back out of the woods is going to be about the same. Drug/alcohol dependency is not a walk in the forest, but if you have become dependent upon a substance to get you through the day, to solve your problems or simply to make you happy—the chances of recovering from this in a few weeks are slim to none.
These 21-30 day residential drug rehabs were developed not because someone said addiction could be cured in that time, but because that’s the time frame most insurance companies would pay for. And statistics show that only 10 or 20% of the attendees of these short-term programs stay sober for any length of time. Long-term drug and alcohol rehab has proven to be more effective, as the addict is given the time he or she needs to really sort out their life.
Things to look for in selecting a long-term treatment facility for yourself or a loved one:
-What is the program’s success rate and how effective is the program? Look for a rate of success no less than 60%.
-What is the program’s treatment methodology? Is the root of the drug/alcohol addiction going to be sorted out, or will it be masked with prescription drugs?
-Does the program include individualized treatment and life skills classes for the addict, or are there simply meetings and discussion groups?
-Does the program address the addict’s biophysical addiction to drugs or alcohol?
-How long does the program generally take? Look for programs that are 3-5 months in length.
-What is the setting of the rehab? Is it a hospital-like facility, or will the addict be made comfortable in a more home-like setting? (Be careful that treatment facilities don’t sell you on their program solely based on amenities like Egyptian cotton sheets, yoga and rock climbing.)
-What is the location of the facility? In many cases, out-of-state rehabs are beneficial. A change in environment can be very therapeutic. However if because of legal or other reasons the addict is not able to leave the state, look for a remote location away from one’s “old stomping grounds,” and away from major cities. This will allow for recovery to occur in a distraction-free environment.
To find out more about long term drug rehab go to or call1-800-391-4893.
