As an addiction treatment program that believes in a long term approach to drug rehabilitation, we wanted to share a brief story that highlights the benefits of a longer term, transformative approach to recovery.  

He was a 23-year-old male. He grew up in an upper middle class household in Connecticut . He took saxophone lessons in the 4th grade. Drum lessons in the 6th grade. He played sports in high school.  He went to college and graduated in four years. He moved into his own apartment and got a job with health insurance benefits.

And he was a heroin addict.

He had used drugs and alcohol to varying degrees of severity for ten years. His best attempts at “quitting” drugs and alcohol were somewhere simmering between the regret and denial of things he had just done. His only exposure to any type of drug and alcohol recovery or treatment was the 12-step meetings he was lying to his therapist about attending.    

When “it” all came crashing down, he employed the help of those who never gave up on him. Google searches. Detoxes. Primary Treatment. Private. State. Insurance. Sober House. Just trying to find help for his drug addiction – help on his own terms.

He thought seven days drug free and a desire to stop were all that were required to cure his drug addiction.

After countless phone calls and uncomfortable conversations, the professionals were recommending not only detox, not only primary treatment, but long term drug treatment.

The professionals said he needed to completely change his life. He had a chance, at age 23, to make something of his self. He said he didn’t know his self…how could he make something of something he didn’t know? They said self-discovery takes time, healing takes time, and that’s why treatment at a long term drug rehab would be good.

By now this story is nothing new. Drug addiction and alcoholism are no longer confined to bad neighborhoods in urban landscapes. Most of have been intimately touched by the horrors of addiction and alcoholism, but much fewer have borne witness to the recovery. Most have the awareness, but not the know how.

Is a Long Term Drug Rehab Necessary?

So when a substance abuse problem presents itself, what happens? What type of treatment is necessary? How long? Is the afflicted ever cured? Will he/she ever be normal again? Drug treatment industry professionals can all attest: these are some of the most commonly fielded questions.    

Unlike other diseases, there is no one antidote, one prescription, that will cure an individual of drug and alcohol addiction. This contributes enormously to the frustrations and hopelessness that the core individual and his or her collaterals experience during the recovery cycle. However, the one constant in most schools of thought is time. The longer a person is removed from using a substance, the easier it becomes to stay away.

The advantages of long-term drug treatment are innumerable. First and foremost, long-term treatment affords an individual more time to heal physically and mentally. Secondarily, long-term treatment enables those in recovery to gradually face the realities and pressures of everyday life in a sterile environment.

Most individuals have experienced failure, but have they done so sober?

Most individuals have experienced success, but have they done so sober?

Rejection, embarrassment, pride, love, self-doubt….the range of emotions and experiences a human being encounters on a consistent basis is astounding. In many cases, it’s the same emotions and experiences that have contributed to the drug and alcohol abuse.

In a controlled environment like a long term drug rehab, the individual experiences these with a carefully constructed support network and system of accountability.  He or she can lean on these supports until the supports are no longer needed. Long-term treatment allows these supports to be removed slowly, one at a time, until those in recovery are ready to stand on their own.    

Hope is not something that should be given up on. Recovery is only a few right decisions away. 

If you or a loved one is in need of care and recovery and want to learn more about a long-term approach to recovery at Turnbridge please call our Admissions Counselors at 1-877-581-1793.  We are ready to assist and answer any questions you may have.