The Benefits of Long-Term Treatment: Sustaining Recovery

Most people who seek professional treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) have one main goal at the forefront of their minds: to get sober. Therefore, many people may adopt the misconception that once a treatment program is completed, recovery is achieved. It is vital to recognize that sustaining recovery is a lifelong process. Learning about the benefits of long-term treatment for sustaining recovery can be instrumental for lasting sobriety and healing.

Lantana Recovery offers a wide range of treatment programs, including an Empowerment Program, outpatient programs, and sober living opportunities for those seeking recovery from SUD and co-occurring mental health disorders. In addition to providing standard 30-day programs, we also offer several long-term treatment services to assist those in their transitional processes of recovery. Shedding light on the incredible benefits of long-term treatment can serve as encouragement for those who may need it.

Treatment for Substance Use Disorder

When a person contemplates participating in treatment, they may not understand the full extent of what treatment entails. For example, they may believe that utilizing a detoxification program is all that they will need to achieve sobriety. Likewise, they may believe that any treatment program will benefit their recovery. By discussing the goals and benefits of long-term treatment, individuals will better know what to expect from the treatment and recovery process.

The Various Goals of Treatment

The National Insitute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains that addiction is a brain disorder characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and drug-using behavior, despite the harmful consequences that substance use may cause. This definition highlights the necessity of professional treatment to address the effects of substance abuse on the brain and the consequences that result from substance abuse. Treatment for SUD will employ a range of therapeutic interventions and services to help individuals achieve the following goals:

• Achieve sobriety
• Address any factors that have played a role in continued substance use
• Overcome past trauma
• Heal from any co-occurring mental health disorders
• Learn and implement various strategies and coping mechanisms for stress management
• Establish a sense of community and social support
• Enable a safe and supportive living environment for recovery and beyond
• Work to prevent future relapse

It is important to note that in addition to these broad goals, each individual in recovery will have unique goals based on their individualized needs. Nevertheless, if any of the goals mentioned above are left unaddressed, a person may be unable to sustain lasting sobriety and recovery. Moreover, effectively addressing each of these goals is a process that takes time. Fortunately, long-term treatment programs and services can best assist with this process.

Understanding the Benefits of Long-Term Treatment

It is not uncommon for individuals to wonder if recovery from addiction is truly possible. However, according to NIDA, addiction is treatable, and recovery is possible. NIDA explains:

Research on the science of addiction and the treatment of substance use disorders has led to the development of research-based methods that help people to stop using drugs and resume productive lives, also known as being in recovery.

As addiction is a brain disorder, it has long-lasting effects on an individual’s brain and behavior. Once a person develops SUD or addiction, the potential for relapse will always exist. Therefore, to effectively achieve and sustain long-term sobriety, a person must consistently work to counteract the harm that substance use has caused to their brain.

This is not something that is finished in a few days, weeks, or months – as mentioned previously; it is a lifelong process. With the help of long-term treatment, individuals can feel confident in their ability to sustain lasting recovery. Some of the specific benefits of long-term treatment include the following.

Offers Greater Opportunities for Support Services

Compared to short-term treatment programs, long-term treatment programs offer additional opportunities for support throughout the lifelong recovery process. For example, some facilities may offer family therapy in long-term treatment, which offers support for the entire family unit. Other examples include intensive education about trauma, community integration, and a variety of other clinical modalities that are more effective in longer durations.

Fosters a Reliable Foundation as Life Changes

Life is constantly changing, and there will always be bumps in the road. However, long-term treatment offers a reliable foundation of support that remains intact, regardless of what is happening in an individual’s personal or professional life. Having a care team or therapist to talk with as a person transitions in their life can help them better manage difficult situations without navigating the potential for relapse alone.

Increased Ability to Sustain Lasting Recovery

As a general rule of thumb, the longer a person stays engaged with treatment, the greater their treatment outcome. Standard 30-day programs tend to limit the potential effectiveness of treatment and recovery overall. By participating in long-term treatment, a person will experience an increased ability to sustain lasting recovery. One of the main reasons for this is that long-term therapy allows individuals to overcome the underlying causes of their addiction, which can directly prevent future relapse.

The Benefits of Long-Term Treatment at Lantana Recovery

At Lantana Recovery, we recognize that there are multiple pathways to recovery. However, we also recognize that the most effective paths tend to be the longest ones. The benefits of long-term treatment stretch far and wide, allowing individuals to define the greater purpose and meaning of well-being in their lives.

Long-term care is critical for addiction treatment to be effective. One of the most notable benefits of long-term treatment at Lantana is that it offers an opportunity for individuals to heal from the effects of substance abuse through community integration and empowerment. Individuals can expect to feel validated, empowered, and encouraged throughout the lifelong recovery process alongside the Lantana Recovery community.

Participating in a long-term treatment program offers the best chance of lasting success in effectively recovering from addiction. The benefits of long-term treatment include offering greater support resources and services, fostering worthwhile transitional opportunities for individuals, and providing an increased ability to sustain lasting sobriety and recovery. At Lantana Recovery, we offer a wide range of treatment services and programs for those seeking recovery from substance abuse, addiction, and co-occurring mental health disorders. From our empowerment program to outpatient treatment programs to aftercare services and more, we offer services to benefit you at any stage of the recovery process. To learn more about our long-term treatment programs, call us today at (866) 997-2870.

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