For someone looking into addiction treatment for the first time the language used can sometimes be confusing. This is particular so when you start looking into treatment centres in various parts of the world that use different terminology. For Recovery in Reality the term ‘Primary Care’ refers to the first stage of residential treatment including detoxification if this is required.
At many private residential treatment facilities the usual length of stay in Primary Care is 28 days. This has become so ingrained in our language that they even made a Hollywood film of the same name. But is 28 days long enough? For some it maybe but for others we do not believe it is long enough. If a patient is detoxing this can take them away from the programme for 2 or 3 days or longer, towards the end of their stay patients thinking and preoccupation is inevitable about going home. Effectively 28 day programmes only offer 3 weeks of therapy and this is the shortest time anyone should consider if they wish to not only stop their drinking or using but also give them some of the skills they will need when they leave treatment.
For many patients another couple of weeks in treatment offers huge benefits to their recovery. For some there may be underlying issues such as trauma and would be best addressed with a few more weeks in the safety of the treatment facility. Those in treatment should always remain open minded about an extension of stay. Let us not forget that the illnesses that we are talking about lead to premature death if left untreated.
In their patner facility Recovery in Reality often promote an extension of Primary Care to many of their patients. For some it is another couple of weeks and for others it may be a further month but this is time well spent if the work done in that extended period results in a stronger recovery with some of the triggers to relapse removed.
During this extended Primary Care period patients are often given a little more ‘freedom’ whilst still remaining within the safety of the residential unit. Perhaps a visit alone to a local AA or a half a day sightseeing. When this is suggested a number of safety elements are incorporated to ensure a quick and safe return to the residential unit can be arranged. Facing the reality of recovery in the outside world is an important element to be considered towards the end of treatment and to be able to experience it and then bring back any trials and tribulations into therapy can be of tremendous benefit to the recovery process.
At many private residential treatment facilities the usual length of stay in Primary Care is 28 days. This has become so ingrained in our language that they even made a Hollywood film of the same name. But is 28 days long enough? For some it maybe but for others we do not believe it is long enough. If a patient is detoxing this can take them away from the programme for 2 or 3 days or longer, towards the end of their stay patients thinking and preoccupation is inevitable about going home. Effectively 28 day programmes only offer 3 weeks of therapy and this is the shortest time anyone should consider if they wish to not only stop their drinking or using but also give them some of the skills they will need when they leave treatment.
For many patients another couple of weeks in treatment offers huge benefits to their recovery. For some there may be underlying issues such as trauma and would be best addressed with a few more weeks in the safety of the treatment facility. Those in treatment should always remain open minded about an extension of stay. Let us not forget that the illnesses that we are talking about lead to premature death if left untreated.
In their patner facility Recovery in Reality often promote an extension of Primary Care to many of their patients. For some it is another couple of weeks and for others it may be a further month but this is time well spent if the work done in that extended period results in a stronger recovery with some of the triggers to relapse removed.
During this extended Primary Care period patients are often given a little more ‘freedom’ whilst still remaining within the safety of the residential unit. Perhaps a visit alone to a local AA or a half a day sightseeing. When this is suggested a number of safety elements are incorporated to ensure a quick and safe return to the residential unit can be arranged. Facing the reality of recovery in the outside world is an important element to be considered towards the end of treatment and to be able to experience it and then bring back any trials and tribulations into therapy can be of tremendous benefit to the recovery process.
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