How Long Does Chemical Dependency Treatment Last?

Chemical dependency treatment can last anywhere from 2 weeks to a year. Chemical dependency treatment refers to the process of assessing someone's current chemical dependency issues and starting them along a path to lasting recovery from their addiction. This usually involves group therapy, individual therapy, readings from the "Big Book" of their particular 12-step recovery organization (Alcoholics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Marijuana Anonymous, etc.) if the treatment facility supports such methods, and reflections upon one's life and habits in an attempt to explore how the person came to be dependent upon a specific chemical and what can be done to manage the addiction. 

Chemical Dependency is not Considered a 'Curable' Disease

As of today, there is no commonly recognized and accepted "cure" for chemical dependency. There is only life-long management of the disease. This recovery process includes abstaining from using drugs, adopting healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with unpleasant feelings and painful situations, and reminding oneself on a daily basis that the disease is merely lying dormant, not eliminated. 

Because chemical dependency is a disease of the mind and the body, people can easily slip into believing that they are cured and that they can use drugs in a casual recreational manner without any negative consequences. Once this thinking sways a chemically dependent person's behavior, there's a very high likelihood that they will relapse and begin harming themselves and their loved ones emotionally, physically, financially, and socially again. 

Longer Treatment Stays Are Tied to Better Outcomes in the Long Term

Though some treatment programs may offer 2-week detoxification stays, a longer amount of time spent in treatment is tied to better long-term outcomes for the chemically dependent person. When someone has been chemically dependent upon a drug for the past several years (or even several decades), expecting them to convert to a completely drug-free, well-adjusted lifestyle with healthy social skills and habits in 2 weeks is unrealistic.

The person in the midst of chemical dependency treatment is making a transition from depending upon a chemical to keep them from fully experiencing life to actually being an active, aware, willing participant in their families and communities. Like changing any other habit (nail-biting, gambling, etc.) there needs to be ample time allotted for the chemically dependent person to fully grasp the idea, and experience the reality, that they can live a happy, full life without the abuse of the chemicals that they have become dependent upon. 

For more information about chemical dependency treatment, contact Focus Treatment Centers.

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