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What a Residential Alcohol Stay Is
Residential alcohol treatment combines housing with therapeutic services. The person lives at the facility full time while receiving care. People may choose residential treatment to get away from their normal environment and focus solely on recovery. Or they might choose this option if they have no support at home.
Residential treatment programs provide around-the-clock supervision from experienced staff. They can be short-term or long-term.
You may also have access to additional resources such as group therapy sessions and individual counseling.
These programs vary greatly in their design and approach; some are based on 12-step models while others use cognitive behavioral therapy techniques (CBT).
Residential treatment has some key differences from outpatient programs:
You live at the facility for the duration of your stay.
Your program schedule is highly structured.
You have access to various types of therapy, including individual and group sessions.
You may take part in 12-step or other recovery groups.
The program length varies based on your needs.
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Shorter Versus Longer Residential Episodes
Shorter residential episodes differ from longer episodes in their treatment philosophy, length of stay, and type of clients served. Shorter residential programs tend to adopt a modified 12-step philosophy emphasizing self-help groups and abstinence. Longer residential episodes tend to utilize a therapeutic community model that is more likely than shorter stays to incorporate psychosocial approaches into the treatment of substance abuse and dependence.
The length of stay varies in different programs, but generally ranges from 6 to 12 months for longer residential episodes. Longer residential episodes provide relatively high levels of structure and staff contact, including daily counseling sessions with other residents and structured community activities. For example, a therapeutic community program may involve an intensive group process that relies on peer influence to promote abstinence from drugs and model positive behaviors.
The longer residential programs generally follow a structured therapeutic community (TC) model, which includes treatment services that are aimed at helping patients modify their attitudes, perceptions, expectations, and behaviors to increase their ability to function in the society. TCs also typically emphasize behavioral change through participation in group therapy.
The length of stay varies depending upon the program and the severity of the addiction. Some also provide aftercare services like support groups or outpatient therapy to help individuals maintain their sobriety.
The decision regarding length of stay is made by an addiction professional based on each individual's circumstances, including their need for detoxification from alcohol or other substances.
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What Occupies a Residential Day
A residential day is usually filled with classes (group & individual), counseling, physical exercise, chores, meals, community meetings, workshops, seminars, and social/recreational activities. Each facility will have its own schedule based on the type of program it offers.
There are many common components of these activities, including:
- Screening and assessment. A person entering treatment is assessed for his or her condition, needs, and readiness to change. This information is then used to plan an appropriate course of treatment.
- Counseling, such as individual therapy or peer group sessions.
- Medical care, including medication management (if the facility is licensed to do so) for co-occurring physical or mental conditions.
- Group activities, such as arts and crafts, sports, exercise, field trips, movies, concerts, outings, and other recreational opportunities.
Structured counseling hours form much of the routine during the day. Counseling is not all that occurs, however; many facilities provide educational opportunities and encourage patients to take part in some form of physical activity.
Each facility is slightly different, but the main thing that separates a residential treatment center from other addiction treatment programs are the level of structure and accountability. The client's life becomes much more structured and they are required to account for their time. This helps them learn to manage their life in an accountable manner, which can be quite useful once they complete treatment.
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House Rules and Structured Routines
Residential treatment centers provide a highly structured environment that is closely monitored by staff who ensure safety and help residents to follow the program. Residents may have to attend group sessions, classes, meetings or other activities as part of their recovery program.
Residents may also have to surrender any alcohol or drugs in their possession when they enter the treatment program.
House rules are often posted where everyone can read and understand them.
House rules and structured routines shape how residents go through their day. In some programs, house staff provide most meals; in others, cooking is a group activity. House meetings allow everyone to share information and ideas, solve problems, and help one another get well. They also teach people to share decisions with each other. This promotes personal responsibility, social development, and community involvement.
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Family Contact During a Stay
Family contact during a residential stay can provide a number of advantages for patients and their families:
- Family members often notice changes in their loved one's behavior that might indicate a problem with substance abuse. In some cases, a person may have a problem with alcohol, drugs, or both even though family members were not aware of the extent of the problem.
- Families can play an important role in motivating individuals to seek help for drug problems and to continue treatment.
- When substance abuse leads to serious family conflicts, counseling sessions with the patient and family members may be required to help resolve these conflicts. Family therapy also can improve the quality of life for people in recovery and those who live with them.
Family contact during a residential stay can depend upon the following factors:
- Length of treatment
- Family dynamics
- Treatment goals of patient and facility
- Safety of all involved
Each facility has it's own rules about contacting friends and family during a stay for alcohol treatment Ohio.
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Paying for Residential Alcohol Care in Ohio
County ADAMH boards plan local addiction services and decide how to allocate local funds for residential care and treatment. They contract with non-profit organizations or other service providers to provide residential care and treatment. The continuum each county board builds includes assessment, outpatient, residential, and hospital-based care.
Next Generation managed care plans help Medicaid members access substance use disorder (SUD) care. Managed care plans coordinate care, including alcohol treatment.
Under federal and Ohio parity rules, a health plan must cover benefits for mental health and substance use disorders no more restrictively than it covers physical health conditions.
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Leaving Residential Care: Housing and Follow-Up
Recovery housing is not the same as residential care. People who leave residential care need to find other places to live.
Some people may choose to live with friends or family members while others may need support finding temporary or permanent living arrangements.
In addition to finding safe and supportive housing options, it's also important that people who are leaving residential care receive ongoing support from their recovery community. This could include attending AA meetings regularly or participating in therapy sessions.
Leaving residential care often includes planning for future housing, employment, and continued participation in support groups. Some patients may return home to continue outpatient treatment, while others move into a sober living house or halfway house. Others go directly to full-time employment.
Recovery housing does not provide treatment.
After leaving residential treatment, many people return home or to the community where they live. A key component of aftercare is the maintenance of abstinence by staying connected to support networks in the community such as AA or NA groups, friends, family members, and other positive influences.
It is important that individuals who have been in residential care receive follow-up services after discharge. This helps them transition out of residential care and maintain their recovery.
Leaving residential care often includes planning what type of continuing care is needed. Often patients will continue in outpatient treatment to maintain their gains. A relapse prevention program may also be included with the patient's continuing care.