Substance dependency and addiction can be difficult to treat. It takes a lot of time and effort to become independent from the need for more drug use. To help people suffering from it, there’s a choice between drug and alcohol residential and outpatient treatment. There’s a big difference between the two, and there’s a continuing debate about which type is better. Let’s talk about the former:
Pros of Residential Treatment
Residential rehab services are evidence-based methods of treatment. It means that the methods have been proven to work, although there may be cases where the patient slides back to their old habits. The biggest advantage of residential treatment is that a patient can be assured of 30 consecutive days of being clean. This is the minimum length of stay for most treatment centers. For some people, this is a big break from their addiction and is the start of forming a new habit.
Other Advantages
There are other benefits to residential treatment, and it has to do with forming a foundation to kicking the habit. And that is by forming different habits. Learning to live a substance-free life starts with the need for a structure. A patient is forced into a structure, which is best for the avoidance of substances. One way this is done is with the removal of distractions, allowing the person to reflect on his life and the addictions. The patient is also given plenty of time to de-stress away from his social surroundings.
Unplugging from society helps to distance the person from temptations and triggers. The treatment center also comes with a built-in support group, composed of other patients undergoing treatment. This can be a big help as the patients see that they do not have a unique problem. Lastly, a big advantage of residential treatment is the availability of trained, licensed professionals all throughout the stay.
