Positive Growth Program
Effective Recovery Takes Time
Research shows that the longer one stays in treatment, the more likely they are to remain abstinent.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, “Individuals need to be engaged in treatment for an adequate length of time. For example, participation in outpatient or residential programs for less than 90 days is of limited or no effectiveness.”
“The more you have a treatment that can help you become continuously abstinent, the better you do. “You have to figure out how to be abstinent. You still have cravings. You still have friends offering you drugs. You still have to figure out ways not to use. The longer you are able to do that, the more you are developing skills to help you stay abstinent”, says Lisa Onken, Ph.D of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
“The first month of treatment is now viewed as a preliminary step consisting of learning to cope with withdrawal symptoms while establishing a relationship with a therapist. This theory is supported by brain scans of recovering addicts which show that changes are still occurring three months or more after treatment.”
In order to conquer their addictions, those in recovery must learn how to communicate effectively, find meaning by giving back to others, cope with stress, rebuild trusting relationships, and more.
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