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Many individuals facing drug and alcohol dependency problems often turn to residential treatment programs.  For many, the residential short-term treatment is the preferred choice and is sufficient for recovery.



Residential short-term treatment is described as a program of 30 days or less in duration.  Most short-term residential programs were originally designed to address alcohol abuse but, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the mid 1980s and the overwhelming abuse of cocaine that arose during that period of time prompted the need to open such programs to drug-addicted individuals.  Also, most early short-term programs consisted of a 3-6 week stay in a hospital-based program, followed by additional outpatient therapy and participation in a support group.  With the reduction of medical insurance coverage for such programs, time frames for treatment have tended to lessen.

Simply put, such programs are described as services that are provided to residents at a program which is maintained and operated to provide 24-hour, residential, non-medical, alcoholism or other drug addiction recovery services. Treatment is administered in an alcohol- and drug-free environment, and support recovery or treatment for alcohol and/or other drug related problems. Follow-up is provided and ongoing support is given to insure a drug-free existence after completing the program.

Though brief in length, these residential short-term treatment programs offer intensive therapy, often based on a modified 12-step approach, not unlike the one touted by Alcoholics Anonymous. Often, this treatment option is recommended for those who need to stabilize, who are in the early stages of substance abuse, or who have relapsed after recovery or are at risk of a relapse.

Usually, residential short-term treatment includes both group and individual counseling or therapy as well as social and recreational activities for those in the program.