When it comes to recovery for addiction, there is no one right path for everyone. While there are certain methodologies that have been proven to have the greatest effectiveness across the board, there are an infinite number of variables that make some treatment options right for some people but wrong for others. One very common question many people have is how long individuals need to stay in a residential treatment center. This is one more area in which there is no single answer for everyone. There are a number of different factors that affect how long live in treatment may last. Here are some to those factors to consider.
Are you a minor or is your treatment court-ordered?
When an adult voluntarily checks themselves into a treatment center, it is generally up to them how long they feel they need to stay. The goal, of course, is to work with their care professionals to determine the best length of time for them to stay. In some cases, an individual may make significant process very quickly and it may be determined that it would be beneficial for them to move into a sober living home or other type of transitional care facility fairly quickly.
In other cases, however, such as when treatment is court ordered, it is up to the court to determine how long the individual will need to remain in treatment. In some cases, the court may order a certain length of stay up front and in others, a judge may rely on the treatment center staff to make recommendations as to how long the individual needs to stay. When the patient is a minor, it is generally up to the parents or guardians to determine how long they will need to stay.
What does your insurance cover?
As treatment for substance abuse disorders and other types of addiction are slowly being recognized as legitimate medical concerns, more and more insurance companies are beginning to offer coverage for care. What every plan, policy or company offers, however, can vary from patient too patient. If your insurance company is covering the cost of your care, it can be up to them to determine how long you will be able to stay or how long you might need to stay in order to receive that coverage.
What type of support system do you have?
Perhaps one of the most critical elements that often makes the biggest difference between success and failure when it comes to recovery is the type of support system an individual has. In some cases, individuals struggling with substance addictions may come from a family that also struggles with addiction. This often serves to make things infinitely harder on the individual in recovery because they will sometimes have to cultivate an entirely new support system while also separating themselves from what may have previously been their only support system.
In other cases, however, individuals may have a very strong support system waiting for them after they finish treatment. Having a strong support system can not only significantly curtail the amount of time treatment staff might recommend that they stay in live-in treatment but it can also go a long way towards ensuring that the individual leaving treatment stays on a healthy path. When a patient comes from a family of addicts, treatment staff may recommend that they stay in a live-in treatment facility for a longer period of time in order to help better cement the new habits and practices they are building.
What will your next step be?
It is generally recommended that individuals leaving an inpatient facility spend some time in a sober living house or some other type of transitional treatment before returning home. Most inpatient facilities offer a kind of safe harbor that is free of a number of common temptations. As soon as patients leave that safe space, however, they are once again surrounded by temptation on every side.
If an individual is planning on leaving inpatient treatment and transitioning to a sober living house or other transitional support, their treatment staff may recommend a shorter stay than if they are planning on leaving inpatient treatment only to return straight home. If you suspect you may have an addictive disorder or may benefit from treatment, give us a call today at 772-266-5320. Our trained and experienced counselors are available 24 hours a day and can help you explore various treatment options to find the path that works best for you.
