The Effectiveness of Residential Programs in Treating Addiction - Research Paper Example

The effectiveness of residential programs in treating addiction al Affiliation Contents Introduction………………………………………………………………………………….4 Costs of residential treatment……………..…………………………………………………5 Advantages of residential treatment…………………………………………………………6 Disadvantages of residential treatment…....………………………………………………....7 Challenges of residential treatment..…………………………………………………………8 Conclusion....................……………………….....…………………………………………...9 References…………………………………………………………………………………....10 Abstract Drug addiction is a brain disease that causes compulsive drug-seeking behavior (Doweiko, 2009). It makes the addict not to be mindful of the consequences of addiction to himself and to those around him. Residential treatment centers are designed for persons who have serious drug problems and help addicts overcome their addiction. Many people fail to realize that addiction is a disease of the brain. Addiction starts with taking of drugs bit by bit. Over time, the ability of a person to choose not to take drugs becomes compromised and drug seeking and consumption becomes a compulsive behavior. This behavior is a result of the effects of prolonged exposure to drugs on brain functioning. Addiction has an effect on multiple circuits of the brain including those involved learning, memory, motivation, reward and those that control behavior (Doweiko, 2009). Treatment of addiction is not simple because addiction disrupts many aspects in the life of an individual. Effective addiction treatment programs incorporate a lot of components. Each component is directed to a particular aspect of the illness. Addiction treatment should be focused on helping an individual stop drug use, maintain a lifestyle that is drug-free, and attain productivity in the family, in society and at work. The fact that addiction is a disease means that people cannot stop using drugs at once and be cured. Many patients require long-term treatment and care to achieve sustained abstinence and recover from addiction. Clinical practice and scientific research have demonstrated the importance of continuous care in treatment of addiction. Introduction Residential treatment centers form the best line of defense against drug addiction and several other compulsive behaviors. Although there are various levels of care for treating addiction such as one-on-one therapy, day treatment, and outpatient treatment, residential treatment is considered to be the most effective approach to rehabilitation for health disorders that are behavior related.  Thousands of residential treatment centers are available for individuals undergoing addiction recovery. The centers are geared towards dealing with all types of compulsions and addictions so as to assist the millions of addicts get their lives back on track. Residential treatment programs are highly effective, especially for severe addiction problems. An example is the highly structured programs referred to as therapeutic communities where patients reside for 6 to 12 months (Doweiko, 2009). Therapeutic communities differ from other approaches of treatment principally because they use community to influence the attitude of patients, their perceptions and behavior with regard to drug use. Patients in therapeutic communities are of a diverse nature from addicts, criminals and persons with impaired social functions. The emergence of residential treatment centers that cater for the diverse needs of the addicts has contributed immensely to their increasing popularity. In addition to short and long term residential treatment, there are other centers that are geared toward specific groups such as those people who do not respond positively to the 12-step program or those who would like to try out an approach that is different from the conventional approach. Findings collected from twenty six controlled studies done in 1986 consistently show that there is no general advantage for residential treatment over outpatient treatment (Horvath, 2010). Despite this, residential treatment is still popular judging by the media stories regarding celebrities who go to rehab. Costs of residential treatment There are several factors that determine the cost of residential addiction treatment centers. Some of these factors include location, size of the program and the amenities offered. High-end residential addiction treatment centers can charge upwards of several thousand dollars per month of attendance (Alterman et.al 1994). Such facilities usually located in bucolic settings and offer amenities that are at par with those offered five-star resorts. The standard version of residential treatment centers is less expensive but is still out of reach for many people. This is compounded by the fact that addiction puts people at financial risk. In order to assist in offsetting the costs of treatment, a number of options are available for addicts. First, addicts may opt for insurance that covers alcohol and drug rehabilitation. These services tend to cover outpatient while avoiding residential treatment. Many insurance companies that deal with health insurance have stopped paying for residential addiction treatment (Alterman et.al 1994). This is because the effectiveness of residential treatment compared to outpatient treatment has shown that there is no real advantage for residential treatment. Employers who recognize the value of a trusted, clean and sober employee will pay for affected employees to go to rehab. This is a humane approach dealing with addicted workers. Companies also see it as a cheaper alternative to conducting a new recruitment drive in order to replace employees that leave work due to addiction. Another option is financing, where rehabilitation centers finance their operations through private lending. This approach does not eliminate the cost of cost of treatment, but it gives families time gain financial stability before they start paying for the care of their member. Advantages of residential treatment   Residential treatment comes in handy when an addict attempts to become clean but is unable to maintain a drug free life in their ordinary residence. In such a case the individual may freely choose to join residential treatment. Regardless of whether the individual will return to a different environment when discharged from residential treatment, it is necessary to maintain outpatient treatment (Doweiko, 2009). It is easy to abstain when in a residential treatment facility.  Being in the facility only serves to postpone when one will deal with the problem of how to abstain when they go back to the real world. Due to this reason it is advisable to start with outpatient treatment until it becomes obvious that the treatment is not working. People may prefer outpatient treatment because it is much cheaper and most insurance companies pay for part of the costs incurred in treatment. They only turn to residential treatment when the problem persists. In most cases, it is the family that pushes for residential treatment. In such a situation, the individual may resist the residential treatment. Residential treatment is still considered as the most effective approach to caring for addicts due to several reasons. The length of stay that ranges from 30 days to a year or more gives the care providers’ ample time to help the patient (Doweiko, 2009). Longer periods of stay have a direct correlation with better outcomes from the treatment. The residential environment is also safe and supportive to the addicts due to the presence of counselors and therapists. The main difference between being in a safe, supervised environment and undertaking outpatient treatment is the freedom to resume one’s activities after attending a session. The freedom of the addict may encourage them to resume addictive behavior and this can be the difference between life and death for chronically addicted persons. The controlled environment is the only one that has the huge advantage when it comes to maintaining sobriety. The fact that residential treatment centers host activities that build self esteem, confidence and life skills necessary for one to successfully function in the real world after treatment end is an added advantage. In addition, the therapy employed in residential centers is far more intense compared to than in other treatment centers. This kind of intensity has been effective in the diagnosis and treatment of the root causes of addictive behavior. Residential treatment has also evolved over the years. There has been an emergence varied kinds of residential treatment centers that cater for the diverse needs of the addicted population. In addition to short and long term residential treatment, there are other centers that are geared toward specific groups such as those people who do not respond positively to the 12-step program or those who would like to try out an approach that is different from the conventional approach. Among the popular emergent residential treatment methods are gender specified treatment, lesbian/gay treatment and adolescent treatment. Alternative treatment methods such as holistic treatment models and faith based treatment are considered alternatives to the twelve step recovery approach. Horvath (2010) states that even though there are no real advantages of residential treatment over outpatient treatment, it is often better than outpatient both for those who can afford it and for those who cannot afford it for example, the homeless. This is because they provide a home for such homeless people who would otherwise have slept outside. Disadvantages of residential treatment Residential treatment has its disadvantages. One of the disadvantages is that it becomes impossible to perform work and childcare responsibilities while in treatment. Not every person that suffers from substance abuse has the time to undergo residential treatment center for the recommended minimum of 30 days. Fortunately, some outpatient addiction treatment centers provide care programs that are similar to those found at residential programs without the requirement of full-time residential commitment. Residential treatment also forces people to come clean about their addiction in order make the required arrangement for a residential program. It also gives a “false” environment different from the real world. When addicts go back to the real they find it difficult to cope and may relapse back to a drug use. Residential programs are also expensive because they provide 24/7 care and supervision with a wide variety of treatment approaches and greater access to a variety of trained professionals. Challenges of residential treatment People mistakenly go into residential treatment in the hope that it is a one-shot deal. That in 28 days they will be cured of their addiction. They get a misguided perception that the process is simple because they have a lot of support in the centers and very few responsibilities. This is not the case once they leave the confines of the centers. The realities of life can sometimes act as triggers that force a rehabilitated person back to substance abuse. The artificial environment used for rehabilitation does little to help. In order for a person to maintain a lifestyle that is addiction free, he must do careful planning incorporate many changes in his lifestyle. The reality is that recovery is a lifelong process. Rehabilitated persons are particularly vulnerable to a lot of risks immediately after recovery (National institute on drug abuse, 2009). Relationships in residential treatment centers may seem deeper compared to those in the r normal life of an individual. Part of the reason for this is that a person is free from other pressures and responsibilities. The person may become alienated from friends and family. Such persons will miss and even grief for people they met while in therapy. Generally, it is advisable not to continue with relationships made while in therapy outside, especially romantic relationships. When searching for a residential treatment center, it is crucial for one to research and know what each program has to offer. This will help in determining which program will be most effective for the addict. The mere fact that a residential treatment center is highly specialized does not mean higher quality or better outcome from treatment. In the long run, the success of the addict against addiction can only come from the resolve of the addict and their commitment to regaining their sobriety. References Alterman A.I., OBrien C.P., McLellan A.T., August D.S., Snider E.C., Droba M., Cornish J.W., Hall C.P., Raphaelson A.H., Schrade F.X. (1994). Effectiveness and costs of inpatient versus day hospital cocaine rehabilitation. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 182(3),157-163. Doweiko E. Harold (2009) Concept of chemical dependency. London: Wadsworth. Horvath, Tom. (2010, May 11). Residential addiction treatment: Possibly helpful, probably not essential. Retrieved from http://www.practicalrecovery.com/pr/residential/ National institute on drug abuse (2009).Principles of drug addiction treatment: A research based guide. New York: National institute on drug abuse. Ries, R.K., Miller, S.C. & Fiellin, D.A. (2007 ) Principles of addiction medicine. London: Lippincot, Williams & Wilkins.   Read More