So think about this — your friend, after spending years using drugs in your home, has finally seen the error of his ways and relented and now agrees to undergo treatment. You cheer, you go wild, and you celebrate. Finally, you think, everything’s going to be all right after all. But before you pop open that bottle of champagne, you should know that drug addiction treatment is a long process, which requires a lot of support from both you and other groups trying to recover as well.
So how long does the treatment last? While the treatment’s length is dependent on the time spent being addicted, the standard length stands at more than 3 months in order for it to be considered effective. For other types of addiction as well as for cases of prolonged addiction, it may take at least a year (12 months) to be effective – and that’s just the minimum.
Why does it take so long? It is because while treatment aims to combat the individual’s dependence on the drug, it also aims to prevent one thing — relapse. One single relapse can destroy the time, money and effort spent before, during and after treatment. It won’t matter if the treatment is reputed to be the best if the patient is going to go back to using drugs anyway.
The individual’s motivation is also put into the list of factors that determine the length of treatment. If he or she is half-hearted during treatment, there is a chance that he can drop out of the program midway, and you, as the caring friend/family member that you are, would have to start the process all over again from scratch.
Tags: dru abuse treatment relapse, drug abuse treatment length, drug abuse treatment period, drug rehabilitation length, drug rehabilitation period
#1 by Benjaminv V Vincent on November 25th, 2009
Yes, It takes time to treat a addict. I have gone through this experience with friend who had been addicted. Nice Post. Thanks.