The Gold Standard of Treatment
We have been saying for years that the best friend a client has in treatment is time.
The 30-Day Myth
So why did 30 days in addiction treatment become the norm?
That timeline was set by the insurance industry, not from research based on effective levels of care. The 28-to-30-day window reflects the days that insurance companies would pay for many years ago. Some 70 years later, this trend continues – worse yet, according to research, this timeframe is not long enough to address the issues that matter to addicts in early recovery. On top of that, it’s certainly not long enough to address the underlying trauma.
Treatment programs with longer lengths of stay provide the necessary time for individuals to work with addiction professionals who can help identify triggers to drug use, address and treat trauma and learn practical techniques for coping with triggers for both. Programs with a minimum 90-day standard can provide you with a solid foundation for recovery.
Our 90 Day Program
Since the founding of Augustine Recovery, we have treated people through our famous 90 day stay. Many of our callers are actually seeking 90 day programs or even longer lengths of stay. Maybe this means that people are beginning to understand that more is better when it comes to treatment – the relapse rates are lower, and outcomes are better with this model.
Unfortunately, many of our callers are seeking help after several shorter attempts at treatment. They have learned the hard way they needed a more intensive program. Even more unfortunate are those who believe all will be well if they can just go through a detox program.
“Treatment does not need to be voluntary to be effective. Sanctions or enticements from family, employment settings, and/or the criminal justice system can significantly increase treatment entry, retention rates, and the ultimate success of drug treatment interventions.” – The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
People are finding out the simple truth – sometimes the hard way – that traditional treatment models are often not enough. There is now plenty of data that supports longer lengths of stay in treatment. The longer someone is engaged in a program, the better their chances are for a satisfying lifetime of sobriety. Some outdated research once claimed that once the brain damage occurs, there is no hope for recovering from that damage. Today, scientists have that the brain can and does recover depending on the extent of damage, but again, this takes time.
The Gold Standard of Treatment
In 1999, The National Institute of Drug Abuse issued this statement:
“The time depends on an individual’s needs. For most patients, the threshold of significant improvement is reached at about three months in treatment. Additional treatment can produce further progress. Programs should include strategies to prevent patients from leaving treatment prematurely that often leads back to relapse.”
NIDA refers to centers offering a true 90-day program as the new “gold standard” in treating alcoholism and addiction.
Continuing Care
Patients of Augustine Recovery also receive a recommendation to go to a quality sober living environment, therapy sessions, and other continued care providers after they leave us. 100% of clients leaving our program will get a referral for ongoing therapy, extended care, sober living, and other modalities along the continuum of care. This transitional plan allows clients, while in a sober living environment, to get the support needed in early recovery, coupled with different levels of accountability.
An Intervention for Youth
Some refer to what we do as “peeling the layers of an onion” until we get to some of the core issues needing to be addressed. The levels of acuity are going higher now than ever before. The younger population is becoming addicted at an even earlier age than in the past; the chemicals they use can cause extreme emotional and psychological damage.
This healing process usually cannot take place in a traditional 28-day program. While this window can be effective for some, we are seeing more clients with more trauma and psychological issues than ever before. If these issues go untreated or unidentified, the likelihood of relapse is greatly increased. Once again, the extended length of stay is greatly encouraged.
90 Days: It Worked for Me
Recovery Is One Phone Call Away
If you’re ready to face your addiction to alcohol, or if you have questions about alcohol addiction for a loved one, give us a call at (904) 217-0480. You can speak directly to one of our alcohol treatment specialists and learn more about our facility, our professional staff, alcohol treatment options, insurance, and more.
