Going to a Long Term Rehab Program is More Effective

by | Last updated Jul 31, 2023 | Published on Apr 27, 2018 | Recovery | 0 comments

long term rehab

Addiction rehab can often seem like you’re being completely removed from the world you know. In some ways, this can be really stressful.  When you’re in residential treatment, you’re going to be placed in an environment that you’re not entirely used to. You’re moving to a new place that won’t feel like home right away. You’ll go to behavioral therapy and talk about your drug or alcohol addiction. You’re going to around other people going through substance abuse problems.
These things are probably really hard to grasp. Inevitably, you’re going to feel like you’re missing out on life if you go to long term drug rehab. While you might miss your loved ones and miss certain activities you used to do, long term drug rehab is sometimes necessary. A long-term addiction changes your whole life and to be quite honest, makes it unhealthy. You’re used to a lifestyle that is centered around your substance abuse. This addiction demands treatment in a way that is going to be effective. If this means you have to stay in a treatment center longer than you realized, you have to accept that.
Here are the benefits of a longer stay drug rehab. Hopefully, this will ease your worry about leaving behind your old lifestyle.

Treatment Centers are Happy Places

addiction treatmentA lot of people overlook the fact that treatment centers are places of wellness. They’re meant to feel inviting and warm. They think that they are being looked down upon and forced into a robotic, boring sober living home. While treatment programs are designed to pick your brain and help you to understand your substance abuse problem, no one is going to force you to do anything. You’re not going to be treated horribly, you’re going to be welcomed into your treatment center.
The happiest part of going to drug rehab is the awesome people you find on your journey to sober living. Your abuse and mental health therapists are going to guide you to feel amazing about yourself. Their job is to be a voice of reason and to help you balance your emotions. They want you to be comfortable with them. Your peers are going to become amazing friends and help you through your problems- both physically and mentally. They want you to be able to open up to them so that you can help each other through abuse treatment.
Aside from the fact that you’re surrounded by caring and understanding people, you’re also going to be opened up to a world of fun activities. So much of addiction comes from mental health illness and not knowing other methods of self-care. New, fun activities can be physically and mentally challenging and show you alternatives to using when you’re not feeling good. You’ll find yourself using fun and productive hobbies to feel better rather than needing to fall back on drugs or alcohol.
Rehab centers aren’t evil. They’re fun. You’re finding yourself, making friends and learning new coping skills. Let the positivity of the people around you make you happy. It’s okay to let those feelings in and embrace them.

Addiction Treatment Gives you Room to Breathe

Even if you’re not completely obsessed with the treatment program you’re in, you’re still getting a huge break from the outside world. Being in a place that is dedicated to your healing is such a nice breather from the stress of daily life. You will realize that even though parts of your abuse treatment program feel painful, they will make you feel relieved. Treatment options like family therapy or alcoholics anonymous can sometimes be really awkward. But, they still help solve a lot of problems about unspoken feelings.
A lot of substance abuse comes from stress. This can be stressful with work or problems with your loved ones. This can be stressful due to a traumatic situation. This can be stress from just simply not taking care of your mental health. In any case, rehab centers provide an escape from these stressors. They also provide you with the coping skills you need to get passed your stress without substance abuse. Your behavioral health is the top priority there, so you won’t have to worry about major responsibilities. Your time won’t be spent doing non-stop tasks that feel never-ending. Your time will be spent learning to simplify your life both mentally and physically. Treatment facilities are peaceful places that allow growth without so many added stressors. The longer you stay, the more time you have to take a step back from everything and regain your balance. The longer you stay, the slower the recovery process can be which allows for more self-discovery.

You Gain a Better Understanding of Your Substance Abuse

alcohol and drugSo, you’re in a happy place where you can get away from home. You’re able to be away from some of your major triggers and be around understanding people. While this can be very leisurely, you’re also going to be spending a lot of time asking why and how.
Why are you in drug rehab? Why did your loved ones want you to come? Why did you want to come? Why did they choose this kind of recovery center? How did your substance abuse turn into a drug or alcohol addiction? How can you improve your habits?
The longer time you spend in a treatment facility, the more clarity you have on the answers to these questions. Sometimes confronting major issues can take a long time. Imagine leaving your rehab facility and going to a sober living home and then realizing you actually did not solve any of your deeper feelings. Imagine not being ready to jump into a new life and how stressful that can be. It’s okay to give yourself the time to look deep into what causes an addiction. You need to be able to analyze the parts of your mental health that lead you to use.

Most Addiction Treatments Have Long-Term Outpatient Options

If you’re unable to take too much time out of your typical, daily life to go to inpatient drug rehab but you still want long-term help, there are so many options. Typically, a treatment program will last far beyond your stay in the actual treatment center. It’s definitely encouraged that you stay in some kind of therapy for as long as you need to. Addiction is a huge mental health issue and it can remain on your mind for years. It is important as you grow and go through life changes that you pause and reflect on the development of better coping skills.
Another great way to stay connected with your sobriety is to get involved with the treatment center you already went to. This could be an opportunity for you to have a job that directly impacts people in the shoes that you were once in. Drug abusers need that extra guidance from people who really understand their pain. Being able to help others is your own sort of behavioral therapy. It will make you feel good about the knowledge you have gained from your experience.
There are also community groups of people who have been through substance abuse treatment that do activities together. After you give yourself enough time, you will be able to be around loved ones and friends who drink or recreationally use drugs. That being said, it’s nice to have a group of people to spend time with who live sober and clean too. There are all kinds of social media groups that bring together people in sober living to do things like yoga, hiking, even sports games. It’s an awesome way to stay in touch with your friends with your treatment program and to stay on top of your sobriety.

Love Your Treatment Center

No matter how long you stay in drug rehab, the key point to remember is that it’s a place for you to heal. Healing from substance abuse and addiction can take a long time because of how much there is to emotionally grasp. This is why long-term rehab is typically more effective at the end of the day. While it may seem like you’re missing out on the life you used to live, you’re simply building yourself a better one. Your top priority should be your physical and mental wellness. Leaving behind a world of substance abuse and confusion is scary, but this fear of missing out is worth it in the long run. You’ll find yourself refreshed and ready for a new, happy life.

Written by: Justin Kunst

Written by: Justin Kunst

As a member of the Amethyst Recovery Center marketing team, Justin Kunst dedicated his time to curating powerful content that would reach and impact individuals and families who are struggling with substance abuse.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Articles

12 Sober Activities to Ring in the New Year

Whether you're celebrating New Year's Eve or just looking for a fun way to ring in the new year, there are plenty of ways to have fun without drinking alcohol. The best part? You can do all of these activities with your friends! So get ready to embark on a spontaneous...

What Does it Mean to Be California Sober?

The term “California sober” is gaining popularity among people struggling with substance use disorders. It can help ease them into sobriety without quitting cold turkey. Experts still question whether it’s the best way to get sober. Here’s all about this new...

How Regret & Addiction Control Your Life

Regret and addiction are more linked than people think. Regret often triggers addictive behaviors, especially for people prone to destructive habits and patterns. It can build up over time if you don’t deal with your regret. The more regrets you have, the harder they...

Follow Us

24/7 Help for Drug & Alcohol Use

If you or someone you love is suffering from the addiction, there is no reason to delay. Start working on a solution today. Our phones are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our staff are trained to deal with drug and alcohol problems of any kind, and will recommend the right treatment for you based on your situation. Call now!

(888) 447-7724

Related Articles

12 Sober Activities to Ring in the New Year
12 Sober Activities to Ring in the New Year

Whether you're celebrating New Year's Eve or just looking for a fun way to ring in the new year, there are plenty of ways to have fun without drinking alcohol. The best part? You can do all of these activities with your friends! So get ready to embark on a spontaneous...

read more
What Does it Mean to Be California Sober?
What Does it Mean to Be California Sober?

The term “California sober” is gaining popularity among people struggling with substance use disorders. It can help ease them into sobriety without quitting cold turkey. Experts still question whether it’s the best way to get sober. Here’s all about this new...

read more
How Regret & Addiction Control Your Life
How Regret & Addiction Control Your Life

Regret and addiction are more linked than people think. Regret often triggers addictive behaviors, especially for people prone to destructive habits and patterns. It can build up over time if you don’t deal with your regret. The more regrets you have, the harder they...

read more

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This
Skip to content