Drug addiction is a chronic and progressive disease that can negatively impact every area of your life. Aside from the possibility of dealing with legal issues, developing physical health conditions, and experiencing a worsening in your mental health, drug addiction can also lead to life-threatening overdoses.
Because drug addiction can cause you to lose your life, you should never leave it untreated. Long-term drug rehab programs in Tennessee can provide you with the tools and support you need to successfully overcome a substance use disorder.
While most programs offer 30 or 60-day programs, long-term addiction treatment programs allow their patients to receive treatment for as long as they need (usually 90 days or more).
What is Long-Term Drug Rehab?
The standard addiction treatment program typically offers a 30 or 60-day treatment plan. People who suffer from mild substance use disorders may benefit from a 30-day rehab stay, however, some individuals require a little bit more time. This is why most treatment centers offer 60-day treatment programs.
While 60 days can be enough time to recover from addiction, long-term drug rehabs exist to offer more intensive care for people who need it. Long-term drug rehab programs in Tennessee last 90 days or more, depending on your personal needs.
Long-term rehab gives patients three months or more to learn about their addiction, recover from past traumas, address co-occurring mental health conditions, and gain healthy coping skills that help them maintain sobriety.
While three months might seem like a long time, many people recovering from addiction spent years abusing drugs and living the lifestyle that comes with it. Keeping this in mind, it makes sense that some people might require more than 90 days to address negative patterns of behavior and overcome their addictions. In fact, research shows that most people need at least 90 days of treatment to stop or significantly reduce their substance abuse.[1]
It is important to note that long-term drug rehab will provide you with the same services as traditional addiction treatment. The main difference is that you are allotted more time to take advantage of these services and delve deeper into the factors that contributed to your substance abuse.
Who Should Attend Long-Term Addiction Treatment?
Long-term addiction treatment is ideal for anyone interested in receiving extra time to recover. However, some individuals may need this type of rehab more than others. Long-term drug rehab is the ideal form of treatment for anyone who suffers from severe substance use disorders or has more complex issues to unpack during treatment.
Signs you should opt for long-term drug rehab in Tennessee include:
- Experiencing relapses in the past
- Not having success in shorter rehab programs
- Long-term substance abuse issues
- Having an extensive history of trauma
- Experiencing co-occurring mental health conditions
- Requiring more structured support than an outpatient program can offer
- Being interested in an in-depth exploration of your negative behavioral patterns
If you identify with the above statements, you should consider choosing a long-term addiction treatment center in Tennessee.
What to Expect During Long-Term Drug Rehab in Tennessee
Before you choose a long-term rehab center, you should become familiar with how these programs work. You will receive the same treatment services as a traditional drug rehab program would provide. Long-term addiction treatment includes medical detox, evidence-based therapies, holistic treatments, and aftercare services.
Medical Detox
In any drug rehab program, the first step is medical detox. Medical detox involves the use of medications and specialized treatments to lessen the symptoms of withdrawal and reduce cravings.[2]
During long-term programs, you will have as much time as you need to recover from your withdrawal symptoms. This means that individuals facing severe withdrawal symptoms or post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) would highly benefit from long-term care.
Behavioral Therapy
One of the most important aspects of addiction recovery is behavioral therapy. Long-term drug rehabs will provide you with evidence-based behavioral therapy that is suited to your specific needs, ensuring that any concerns you are struggling with will be addressed. Unlike 30-day programs, these facilities offer you as much time as you need to learn how to change negative patterns of behavior, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and learn how to stay sober in the face of adversity.
Common forms of behavioral therapy used during long-term substance abuse treatment in Tennessee include:[3]
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- 12-step facilitation therapy
- Contingency management (CM)
- Motivational Interviewing (MI)
- The Matrix Model
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Family therapy
Holistic Treatments
Long-term care gives you more time to engage in various forms of recovery practices. Holistic therapy is a form of treatment that addresses the whole person, rather than just the addiction. You will experience mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual benefits from the holistic treatments you receive.
Holistic therapy usually includes the following activities:[4]
- Yoga
- Exercise
- Mindfulness techniques
- Meditation
- Acupuncture
- Reiki
- Massage
- Music or art therapy
- Adventure therapy
Relapse Prevention Planning
Lastly, you will work with your treatment team to create a relapse prevention and aftercare plan. Relapse prevention plans are a combination of services and tools that help you remain sober outside of the treatment facility.
Most relapse prevention and aftercare plans include a combination of the following tools and services:
- Continued individual therapy and group counseling
- Access to alumni support groups
- Continued medication management
- A list of personal triggers and coping mechanisms to use
- A list of sober supports to call in times of need
- Referrals to sober living housing programs
- Recommendations on sober support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous
Get Connected With a Long-Term Drug Rehab Center in Tennessee
If you or a loved one suffer from drug addiction in Tennessee, PAX Memphis is here to help. Our qualified team of addiction specialists is available to verify your insurance, assess your needs, and help you choose the right substance abuse treatment program for you. Call now to get started.
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