The Benefits of Short-Term Addiction Treatment Programs

For many individuals, taking 60 or 90 days off from work and family responsibilities to undergo addiction treatment is not a viable option. That is where short-term drug rehab programs come in handy.

These programs typically feature a very structured schedule that may include detox, therapy, meals, leisure time, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and other services.

Accessibility and Immediacy

Taking time off from work or family to go through rehab can be difficult for those with responsibilities. Short-term rehab programs at facilities like Stout Street are more accessible, allowing clients to undergo rehabilitation while balancing their responsibilities.

Often, 28-30 day rehab programs also offer relapse prevention services. These are essential in helping clients learn how to deal with triggers and maintain abstinence once they leave treatment.

This is important as it can help people feel empowered and confident in their abilities to cope with cravings and triggers once they’re on their own again. This can also boost motivation as they see the results of their hard work in maintaining sobriety. It is also good to ask whether the program offers medication-assisted treatment or MAT. This is a form of addiction treatment that uses FDA-approved medications, such as naltrexone, buprenorphine, or methadone, to help curb cravings and withdrawal symptoms during recovery. This is available at many residential and inpatient rehab programs.

Intensive and Comprehensive

For people who wish to benefit from a highly organized addiction recovery program without having to put their career or school responsibilities on hold, intensive outpatient treatment programs might be a great choice. IOPs let patients to continue their therapy even when they are occupied with other responsibilities in their lives by providing a range of evening and weekend programs.

In addition to the standard therapy options found in short-term residential programs, intensive outpatient programs can also offer individual and group counseling sessions, family or marital therapy, medication management, and relapse prevention. Several controlled studies have shown that relapse prevention treatment is effective in helping patients recognize potentially high-risk situations and emotional “triggers” and learn how to avoid or overcome them.

Longer residential programs can offer a safe and supportive living environment but also have a high price tag. Fortunately, shorter rehab stays can be more affordable, and many are covered by insurance or through grants and scholarships.

Motivational

Often, those who have an addiction need to be reminded of the positive changes that will come as a result of their decision to seek treatment. To help them realize this, many short-term rehab programs include motivational therapy in their curriculum. This is generally done in group or individual sessions and can facilitate the first steps towards recovery.

These programs also provide an opportunity to learn relapse prevention strategies, which can help prevent future substance abuse after leaving the program. This can be especially helpful for those struggling with chronic substance use disorders, who may need to know how to identify the dangerous triggers that can lead to a relapse.

Some individuals cannot commit to longer treatment due to work, school, or family life demands. In these cases, a shorter treatment program can offer the same level of care without worrying about disrupting their daily routines too much.

Cost-Effective

Because short-term programs can intervene quickly for individuals in crisis, they are much more cost-effective than longer treatment options. This is especially true for inpatient programs, which are generally based on a medical model of addiction and provide intensive levels of medication and counseling in a residential setting.

Outpatient short-term programs are also cost-effective. These programs typically require clients to spend between 2 and 4 hours per day at the facility, which is a great option for those unable to take a long break from their family life or career.

The highly structured environment of these programs is expertly crafted to create an atmosphere of intensive healing. In this space, external distractions are eliminated, and participants can dedicate themselves fully to their recovery journey. This structure, combined with the tangible milestones achieved during the program, helps to reinforce the motivation necessary for success. This can be particularly important for individuals who have previously struggled to overcome their addictions and relapsed frequently.