Addiction recovery is a unique and personal journey. People who abuse alcohol and drugs are used to the quick fix that substances provide. However, building a foundation for lasting recovery and a fulfilling life is anything but fast and easy. Too many people fall into the trap of trying to quit cold turkey and then find it almost impossible when the change takes more time than they can handle. This often leads to a relapse and more substance use before making another attempt to quit.
Thankfully, long-term addiction treatment with intensive outpatient programs (IOP) and outpatient programs is an effective alternative. Instead of opting for an isolated attempt to quit alone, treatment programs place you in the middle of a group of peers with similar experiences, struggles, and goals. They provide a sustainable path to lasting recovery with support and guidance each step of the way.
Extended care is a crucial component in the recovery of millions. By continuing treatment over a longer period, you can reinforce healthy habits, receive ongoing support, and have enough time to build coping skills that withstand the inevitable tests that arise during early sobriety.
Why are long-term addiction treatment programs a key component in recovery? Men’s addiction treatment services are a vital part of building a strong foundation for effective and fulfilling sobriety. What are some of the aspects that make these programs so critical and how can you find a program that meets your needs?
What Long-Term IOP Addiction Treatment Looks Like
There are a range of addiction treatment programs that offer many different options including levels of care, types of therapies, length of treatment, location, and more. The main levels of care available in addiction treatment include inpatient or residential care, partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, outpatient programs, and aftercare.
Comprehensive approaches to treatment typically involve long-term care over an extended period that lasts a minimum of 90 days, with many programs lasting between 6 months and 2 years. Some people choose to start with the highest level of care and progress through the various stages of treatment until they complete their program.
Unfortunately, not everyone has the option to attend a full-time treatment program. They have families to support, jobs to show up for, and other responsibilities to manage. Thankfully, long-term IOPs and outpatient programs provide the needed flexibility so individuals can balance their addiction treatment program with everyday life.
Addiction IOPs and outpatient programs still ensure the same high level of care as inpatient or residential programs. The difference is they make these services available to far more people. IOPs or outpatient programs are the ideal option for those with existing responsibilities seeking long-term addiction treatment. Most offer treatment services three days a week for three to five hours per day. This leaves plenty of time for work, family, friends, activities, hobbies, and other obligations, ensuring you can balance treatment with your life.
Benefits of Long-Term Addiction Treatment for Men
Long-term IOP and outpatient programs for men struggling with addiction are an irreplaceable resource. Men are often the primary providers for their household and cannot take time away from work for a full-time residential treatment program. If you are the man of your household, you understand the truth and weight of this. You must continue showing up for work so you can make sure the rent or mortgage is paid, bills are covered, and food is on the table.
The biggest benefit that extended IOPs and outpatient programs for addiction offer is their flexibility. They allow husbands to be present for their wives and fathers to show up for their children while still receiving the life-saving care, support, and services they need. If you are a husband or father, you know how critical your presence is to your family. Almost nothing replaces the importance of your presence.
There are plenty of other benefits of long-term treatment services as well, including:
- Accountability: Accountability is a vital part of lasting recovery. When you quit cold turkey, that usually means you try to stop drinking or using drugs on your own. You might let your spouse, children, or close friends know, but other than that you likely won’t seek any additional support. This limited level of accountability makes it easier to throw in the towel when things get tough, insisting you will “try again another time.” When you attend a long-term addiction treatment program, though, you have automatic accountability from both staff at the facility and peers in the program.
- Support for life’s stressors: Your family and friends can only provide you with so much support when the inevitable stressors of life arise. However, they don’t understand the complexities that come with managing stressors while trying to remain sober. This unique element can make a massive difference during the first few weeks and months of your recovery. Long-term addiction programs offer ongoing support during this difficult adjustment period.
- Relapse prevention: Relapse prevention is key during the early times of your sobriety. Trying to avoid relapse while quitting by yourself can be next to impossible. An effective addiction treatment program provides a clear and direct path that identifies triggers, teaches coping skills, equips you with emotional regulation abilities, and places you in a supportive environment. Each of these aspects is important when it comes to preventing relapse both during early sobriety and as part of your long-term plan.
- Additional mental health support: Substance use disorders are highly comorbid with other mental health disorders. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health revealed that as many as 8.4% of adults (21.5 million people) have a co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorder. Long-term IOPs or outpatient programs for addiction treatment are usually equipped to provide additional mental health support to these individuals.
- Medication management: Some individuals require medication to manage either their withdrawal symptoms during the early stages or other mental health symptoms. Certain treatment facilities provide medication management services that prescribe helpful mental health medications and manage them throughout the treatment process.
- Family healing: Family therapy is a key component of many addiction treatment programs. If you are a husband or father, you understand the impact your substance use has on your family. The healing and hope that come from an effective family program in your long-term addiction treatment program is another one of the greatest benefits they provide.
The Science Behind Long-Term Treatment
The benefits of long-term addiction treatment are more than anecdotal. Extensive research confirms the efficacy of these types of programs. For example, a study from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) states, “Research indicates that most addicted individuals need at least 3 months in treatment to significantly reduce or stop their drug use and that the best outcomes occur with longer durations of treatment.”
Another study published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment showed that continued care after initial treatment was associated with reduced relapse rates and improved quality of life measures. Additionally, a recent study in the American Journal of Psychiatry demonstrated that a longer duration of treatment was associated with better management of co-occurring disorders in patients with substance use disorders. It showed that people who received planned long-term treatment or support had a 23.9% greater chance of abstaining or consuming moderately than did people who received a shorter standard treatment.
These are only a few of the ongoing studies of the effectiveness of long-term IOPs and outpatient programs for addiction. When you consider the extensive benefits of these types of programs along with the flexibility of those options, long-term addiction treatment with IOP and outpatient programs are an important resource for men trying to overcome alcohol and drug addiction.
The New Origins Approach
Recovery is a challenging process because it is not a quick fix like alcohol or drugs. Many people struggle in early sobriety because they use substances to get rid of discomfort or to manage difficult emotions. Taking away this quick fix means finding an effective substitute and encouraging environment as soon as possible.
Although it takes some time for changes to set in during early recovery, long-term treatment with IOP and outpatient offers support every step of the way. It gives you one of the best chances to build a foundation for lasting recovery. Programs like those at New Origins give men the tools, time, and support needed to:
- Develop a strong foundation for sobriety
- Address and work on underlying issues that exacerbate addiction
- Repair and strengthen relationships with family and friends
- Build a fulfilling and purpose-driven life
- Create and work towards personal and professional goals
- Maintain lasting recovery
We provide an individualized approach for each man who seeks help. Our personalized care plans include diverse therapies, life skills training, community integration, and aftercare planning. At New Origins, we are committed to walking alongside you every step of the way when it comes to your recovery journey and beyond.
Our comprehensive, holistic, evidence-based approach sets you up for success by combining the structure of an intensive outpatient program with the flexibility of ongoing outpatient care, with a program tailored to your needs.
If you or a man in your life is struggling with addiction, do not wait to ask for help. The sooner you find an effective solution, the sooner you can begin your path to recovery. It all starts with one decision. Contact New Origins to learn more about our long-term addiction treatment programs, find the right solution for you, and start your path to a healthier, fulfilling life free from addiction today.
