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Evidence-Based Care in Quietude: New England Luxury Rehabs

When you go to rehab in New England, you’ll have easy access to beautiful nature and cutting edge treatment. These programs offer access to the outdoors, metropolitan areas, and some of the best universities in the U.S. From the Berkshires to Boston, you can choose the setting that suits your needs. But you won’t have to choose between a beautiful setting and top-notch care.  

At the Heart of Addiction Research

Rehabs in this region can connect their clients with some of the best research universities in the U.S.1 Many of these schools have renowned addiction research centers. Some of them also partner with nearby rehabs to offer clinical care.

For example, McLean Hospital is a Harvard Medical School affiliate in the suburbs of Boston. Their clinicians teach at the university, and pioneer state-of-the-art addiction treatments. In Connecticut, Yale New Haven Health and the Department of Psychiatry at Yale School of Medicine team up to run The Steward House at Silver Hill. In this executive rehab, you’ll get treatment from Yale’s renowned professors. 

Not every rehab in New England is connected to a research center. But clients throughout the region benefit from the cultural emphasis on evidence-based treatment. Brown University, in Providence, Rhode Island, is home to The New England Addiction Technology Transfer Center. And their mission is to make evidence-based treatment more available to local rehabs. 

spruce mountain inn new england
Spruce Mountain Inn in Plainfield, Vermont

Year-Round Natural Beauty

New England is famous for its great thinkers, but there’s more to recovery than research. This region combines academic prowess with beautiful natural scenery. Quinn Tremblay, Admissions Coordinator at McLean Fernside, says that going to rehab in New England can help you, “stay mindful and keep yourself in a serene mode.”  

Experience the Best of All 4 Seasons

This area has 4 distinct seasons, and you can look forward to different activities in each of them. Summer in New England is warm with cooler nights.2 Clients at McLean Borden Cottage can enjoy the season by hiking, sailing, and spending time at the beach.

Autumn is especially popular in New England, thanks to its famous fall foliage. You could have a front-row seat to watch the leaves put on a show. Leaf peeping season starts as early as September in Maine and New Hampshire.

Winters are cold in this area, and the mountainous regions get a lot of snow. If you dislike harsh weather, this might be the wrong time of year for you to visit New England. But if you enjoy snow sports, it’s perfect! In programs like Turnbridge, clients can go skiing and snowboarding during treatment. 

In the spring, the gray winter skies melt into a cheery blue. At Brattleboro Retreat, you can spend this season gardening. Watching a seed you’ve planted sprout and bloom can give you a sense of achievement. And at every time of year, spending time in nature can help you heal.

“Breathe a Little Easier” in New England’s Rural Areas

New England is well-known for its natural beauty,3 with rocky shores, lush forests, rugged mountains, calm lakes, and flowing rivers. But what does that have to do with rehab?

Studies show that just having a view of nature from your room can improve your mental state.4 Starting treatment in a naturally beautiful place like New England can put you in the right mindset to focus on the hard work of recovery. 

Plus, being able to get away from the demands of urban life can give you space to heal. Katie, a former patient of Spring Lake Ranch in Vermont, explains that being in rural New England helped her recover. “As soon as I got up here, I felt like I could breathe a little easier. No more traffic, no more rushing, no more people everywhere. It was exactly what I needed.”

And you can do more than just looking out of the window. For example, at Spruce Mountain Inn, in Plainfield, Vermont, patients can go hiking, rock climbing, skiing, and canoeing. And if these rural activities aren’t for you, there are other ways to heal. Many of New England’s rehabs are located in urban areas, if you’d prefer a less secluded treatment program. 

Stay Connected to Urban Life During Recovery

Rehabs in bigger cities offer some unique amenities. Because New England is home to Boston, Providence, and Hartford, as well as many rural areas, this beautiful region offers the best of both worlds.

As Dr. Frederick Goggans, the Medical Director at McLean Borden Cottage, puts it, “There’s many amenities that you would have in more urban areas, but at the same time, you have that peacefulness and sanctuary setting, which is pretty rare in today’s modern world.” For example, rehabs in New England offer some of these interesting day trips:

These trips immerse clients in local culture. If you’re from nearby, this might help you feel at ease. And if you’re traveling for treatment, connecting with New England’s unique spirit can give you important insight into your own values.

plymouth house new england
Plymouth House in Plymouth, New Hampshire

A Culture of Individuality 

New England gives you space to be yourself.5 Its people are known for being friendly, down-to-earth, and accepting. But they know how to respect boundaries. In one report on Vermont’s culture, experts note that individuality is “at the heart of the character” of the region.6 

As a result, many local rehabs offer personalized treatment. This makes them a great fit for clients of certain demographics. If you’re looking for an LGBTQ+ affirming rehab, for instance, Clearbrook Treatment Center might be a good fit. New England is also an excellent place to find rehab programs for executives. Whatever you’re looking for, this open-minded region welcomes people with diverse backgrounds.

Traveling to New England

This region is easily accessible from all over the world. There are 14 airports in New England,7 spanning its 6 states. The biggest is Boston Logan International Airport, which serves more than 40 airlines traveling to over 100 destinations. You can also fly into a smaller airport like Bangor International for Maine rehabs, or T.F. Green International Airport for rehabs in Rhode Island. 

After you land, it’s easy to get around New England by Amtrak. These trains connect the bigger cities, like Boston, New Haven, Burlington, and Providence. You can also take regional trains, Metro-North train in Connecticut, or the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail in Boston.  

Although it’s easy to reach this area, it’s better to travel with a support person. Starting rehab is a big decision, and the journey there can be hard. If you can, ask a friend or loved one to come along and help you with logistics. Or, you can ask your admissions team about other options. Some rehabs even offer complimentary pickups within a certain radius.

New England Offers Safety and Freedom

Early recovery is a tumultuous time. And that can make it hard to choose a treatment program. In New England, you can have the best of both worlds. Enjoy the tranquility of nature, and trust the knowledge of world-renowned researchers. Climb a mountain peak one day, and explore an urban center the next. These rehabs offer plenty of support, while you define what freedom means to you. 
Reach out to one of New England’s luxury rehab centers to learn about their exact locations, amenities, and types of treatment.

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Finding Treatment for Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine addiction can wreak havoc on a person’s life. And once you’re caught in the cycle of substance misuse, healing may seem out of reach. That’s a misperception. Recovery is always possible. For some people, rehab for cocaine addiction is the best place to start.

“Cocaine is the most commonly reported illicit stimulant used in the U.S.”1 Because its abuse is so common, this drug has been the subject of widespread research. As a result, many treatment programs are well-equipped to help patients recover from cocaine misuse.

The Prevalence of Cocaine Addiction

Cocaine is a stimulant2 derived from the coca plant native to South America. It can briefly increase a person’s energy, self-confidence, sociability, and mood. Because the effects of cocaine3 are so short-lived, it can quickly become habit-forming. Long-term use may cause less desirable effects, such as cause paranoia, hypersensitivity, and irritability.

The history of cocaine4 is strongly connected to mental health. In fact, its popularity can be traced back more than a century. “In 1884, Sigmund Freud detailed his experiments with cocaine, recommending it for treatment of opiate addiction and melancholia.” However, he did not account for its negative effects, and reportedly struggled with addiction for much of his life. Unfortunately, his endorsement of the drug helped make it socially acceptable for some time, for both medical and recreational purposes.

Reported drug abuse statistics5 paint a clear and distressing picture of cocaine use today. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 2% of people in the U.S., or 5.5 million people, reported taking cocaine in 2018. As of 2022, more recent data is not yet available. Researchers also caution against comparing current data about drug use and health6 with surveys taken before 2020, since the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way surveys are conducted.

Cocaine use can have serious ill effects on both physical and mental health. Deaths caused by cocaine overdose in the U.S.7 have skyrocketed in recent years, increasing from nearly 4,000 in 1999 to nearly 16,000 in 2019. Because cocaine increases blood pressure8 and heart rate, it may cause strokes or respiratory failure. “Even first time users may experience seizures or heart attacks, which can be fatal.”

Because of these potential outcomes, cocaine misuse is extremely dangerous. However, patients don’t develop substance use disorders by choice. You may be highly susceptible to addiction despite your own better judgment, or desire to remain healthy. And some patients may be at a higher risk for developing a psychological dependence on cocaine.

Risk Factors for Cocaine Addiction

Certain demographics are especially vulnerable to cocaine misuse. Patients who exhibit one or more of the following risk factors may be at higher risk for this condition, or may require specialized care.

Adolescence

Teenagers may be more susceptible to developing cocaine addictions.9 Relative to adults, “adolescents show greater intake of cocaine, acquire cocaine self-administration more rapidly, work harder for the drug and are less sensitive to increases in price.” In layman’s terms, young people do more of this drug than adults, and are willing to work harder to obtain it.

Adolescents also face social pressures that may not impact adult behavior. Specifically, many teenagers develop substance use disorders10 while trying to fit in with their peer groups. Parents of adolescents should take note of any drastic behavioral changes, as these may indicate the onset of addiction. Teens with substance use disorders may show less interest in activities they used to enjoy, pay less attention in school, or start spending time with new friends who encourage these behaviors. By itself, any one of these signs may be a normal part of adolescence; however, sudden and extreme behavioral changes can be a cause for concern.

Novelty-Seeking Personality Traits

According to one study, “cocaine addiction has been associated with several distinct behavioral/personality traits.” For example, novelty-seeking behavior is associated with cocaine abuse.11 And in particular, people with sensation-seeking tendencies may be more vulnerable to cocaine use. However, people with high impulsivity are more vulnerable to cocaine addiction.

These traits may be genetic, learned, or influenced by a person’s environment and life circumstances. More research is needed to understand the link between personality, behavior, and substance use disorders.

Neurochemical Effects of Cocaine Use

Cocaine has a direct effect on the way the brain processes dopamine, which regulates the reward system.12

During normal brain activity, this neurotransmitter is released, binds to dopamine receptors, and is then recycled by a protein called the dopamine transporter. “If cocaine is present,” however, “it attaches to the dopamine transporter and blocks the normal recycling process, resulting in a buildup of dopamine in the synapse, which contributes to the pleasurable effects of cocaine.”13

In the short term, this can be enjoyable. In the long term, however, cocaine use can change brain function.14 The drug causes neurochemical imbalances, which make it difficult for the patient to feel a sense of pleasure or achievement without substance misuse. Over time, “the brain will gain a tolerance to feelings of pleasure and it will take more and more of the drug to achieve the same level of euphoria.”

What’s more, the act of abusing any substance affects dopamine levels.15 This is because the experience of ingesting a drug can trigger the release of the chemical, whether or not that drug has an effect on dopamine levels. This feeds into the cycle of addiction, in which the patient continues using illicit substances in order to feel any sense of reward. This effect is amplified with substances that have a direct effect on dopamine to begin with.

Treatment for Cocaine Addiction

Substance use disorders are treatable. No matter how long you’ve been using cocaine, or what impact it’s had on your life, change is always possible. And because its misuse is so prevalent, experts have been perfecting cocaine addiction treatment options16 for decades.

At present, “there are no medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat cocaine addiction,17 though researchers are exploring a variety of neurobiological targets.” However, there are a number of effective therapeutic and behavioral interventions. And the first step toward healing is to learn about the options available.

Detox

Cocaine withdrawal18 may or may not have any physical symptoms. Unlike alcohol and opiates, detox from this substance is rarely life-threatening. That being said, it can be extremely uncomfortable and psychologically distressing.

If at all possible, it’s best to go through this process under medical care. If you attend a detox program, you’ll be closely monitored by a team of doctors, nurses, and therapists, possibly including a psychiatrist. Patients may receive non-addictive prescriptions to help them manage the symptoms of withdrawal. This experience can also help you transition into a longer-term rehab program.

Learn More: What You Need to Know About Detox

Rehab

Studies have shown that long-term rehab for cocaine dependence can be extremely effective.19 By attending a residential program, patients can take time away from triggers and difficult life circumstances, which may have been caused or exacerbated by their substance use. During that time, they can begin talk therapy, attend support groups, and make plans to live a healthier, more sustainable life after treatment.

Psychotherapy

Several therapeutic modalities can be effective in treating cocaine misuse. Researchers are most optimistic about contingency management (CM), a behavioral therapy that activates the patient’s reward system.

According to one study, contingency management is “perhaps the most effective psychosocial treatment” for cocaine use disorder.”20 In this treatment, patients receive vouchers redeemable for goods and services in the community, contingent upon achieving a predetermined therapeutic goal. CM treatment has been found to be especially effective in promoting initial abstinence from cocaine.”

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has also been shown to help these patients, although it may not be as productive as CM. This might be because CM has a more direct impact on brain chemistry, whereas CBT is skills-based.

Long-Term Recovery From Cocaine Addiction

Patients with a history of cocaine abuse can improve dramatically. In fact, detox and recovery from cocaine misuse can help you recover brain function.21 One 2017 study provided “early evidence that individuals with cocaine use disorder have the potential to at least partially reverse prefrontal cortex damage accompanying cocaine misuse, and regain associated cognitive abilities important for executive functions when cocaine use is stopped or significantly decreased.” In other words, you may be able to physically heal your brain during recovery.

But healing isn’t just about physical improvement. It’s also the process of building a better life. And in order to achieve that, patients must stay focused on recovery even after completing inpatient treatment. This ongoing commitment to healing may include regular talk therapy, attending support groups, or other modalities. For example, some studies have found that “greater participation in self-help programs” is an important factor in sustained recovery from cocaine dependence.221

Building a Better Life

When you have a history of substance misuse, recovery is often a lifelong process. That being said, it is absolutely possible to live a fulfilling life without cocaine use. Healing can even be fun! As you recalibrate your internal system of rewards, it’s important to do things you find enjoyable and exciting.

As you learn to make healthier choices, you can also begin building a new kind of confidence. And, best of all, you won’t be held back by the destabilizing pattern of substance abuse. Over time, you may find that joy is both more accessible and more sustainable.

If you’re ready to begin recovery, you can find a rehab center that treats cocaine addiction here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cocaine Addiction Treatment

What are the treatment options for cocaine addiction?

Treatment options for cocaine addiction often include a combination of behavioral therapies, counseling, support groups, and medication in some cases. Individualized treatment plans are designed to address the specific needs of each person seeking recovery.

How long does treatment for cocaine addiction typically last?

The duration of treatment for cocaine addiction varies depending on factors such as personal progress, treatment goals, and circumstances. Treatment usually ranges from 2 weeks to 60 days. Some people benefit from longer treatment and ongoing aftercare support.

What should I look for in a luxury rehab for cocaine addiction?

When searching for a luxury rehab for cocaine addiction, it’s important to consider factors like clinical expertise, the level of personalized care, comfort, staff credentials, and confidentiality. It’s also important to verify accreditation and success rates. Most centers list accreditations directly on their site; CARF and the Joint Commission are the most common accreditation bodies.

  1. McKay, J. R., Van Horn, D., Rennert, L., Drapkin, M., Ivey, M., & Koppenhaver, J. (2013). Factors in sustained recovery from cocaine dependence. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 45(2), 163–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2013.02.007 [↩]
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Mutual Support in Therapeutic Communities

Substance misuse can be extremely isolating. For some clients, rehab is a good time to break out of old patterns and start rebuilding interpersonal relationships. And, as valuable as talk therapies are, there are some skills you can only learn by engaging in mutual support. If your goal is to focus on those skills, you might benefit from joining a therapeutic community.

While many of these programs take place within rehab facilities, they take a unique approach to the healing process. Residents receive some level of professional care, which may include talk therapy, medical supervision, and various other programs. In addition to this, clients actively cultivate a community of mutual emotional support.

What Is a Therapeutic Community?

Therapeutic communities, or TCs, are “a form of long-term residential treatment for substance use disorders.”1 Originally—starting as early as the 1950’s—most of these organizations were run entirely by residents, who provided support to each other during recovery. This model uses “the peer community as the agent of recovery,”2 with an emphasis on healthy relationships between members.

In some of these earlier programs, members were prohibited from using medications of any kind, even to help with detox. Over time, and as public opinion has shifted, many facilities have adopted a more modern approach. Today, it’s quite common for TCs to be connected with more traditional rehab facilities. This allows clients to benefit from recent medical advances, while still connecting deeply with one other. If you attend one of these programs, you will also be asked to take on greater responsibilities than you would be in a more traditional rehab program.

Collective Responsibility

In a therapeutic community, clients are often expected to participate in group activities, engage directly with one another, and even perform daily chores. These activities are intended to help you cultivate life skills and build healthy relationships. By behaving as an important part of a larger collective, you may become more confident in your own personal strengths.

As psychiatrist Penelope Campling explains, this philosophy is founded on the ideas of self-empowerment and collective responsibility. She writes, “therapeutic communities3 are deliberately structured in a way that encourages personal responsibility and avoids unhelpful dependency on professionals. Patients are seen as bringing strengths and creative energy into the therapeutic setting, and the peer group is seen as all-important in establishing a strong therapeutic alliance.”

TCs conceive of the “community as [the] method“4 or mechanism of healing. In this model, clients are not only accountable for their own recovery; they also assume a certain level of responsibility for each others’ healing processes. There is “an emphasis on social learning5 and mutual self-help…This aid to others is seen as an important part of changing oneself.”

Length of Stay in a Therapeutic Community

These programs often last longer than other forms of treatment, and your length of stay will likely be determined by your unique needs. At Start2Stop, a facility in London, offers a Secondary Care Programme for those who have completed 28-day inpatient treatment. “Everyone is different and the length of stay will depend upon individual circumstances,” says the provider. However, most clients stay on-site for approximately three months.

Research suggests that it is especially important for clients to prioritize aftercare following their stay in a TC. According to one study on therapeutic communities’ effectiveness,6 both “length of stay in treatment and participation in subsequent aftercare were consistent predictors of recovery status.” This may be related to the well-documented importance of community for mental health.7 After you learn to engage with fellow residents in a TC, it may be difficult to return to a less communal setting.

Group Activities

While therapeutic communities share a particular approach, various TCs have slightly different philosophies regarding recovery. For instance, some of these programs are founded in the 12 Steps of A.A. or N.A. Others may host only teens, or offer gender-specific treatment. No matter who is part of your cohort, you can expect to participate in focused group activities.

It’s quite common for clients to engage in group therapy or support groups during their stay. You may also join in group outings or even shared meals. These experiences help residents cultivate a sense of community by both offering and receiving emotional support from peers. When this exchange occurs outside of traditional talk therapy, clients can practice interpersonal skills in a variety of contexts. This may help you prepare for life after rehab, when you’ll start interacting with people who aren’t necessarily in recovery.

A growing body of evidence suggests mutual support between clients with substance use disorders8 is hugely beneficial. Experts have found that these relationships “fill a gap that often exists in both formal and informal treatment for individuals with SUD by focusing on recovery first and by helping to rebuild and redefine the individual’s community and life.”

You are more than your illness. Simply watching a movie with a friend, going on a hike, or talking about a good book can help you remember that. And during your time in residence at a TC, you may have more and more opportunities to engage in these activities.

Stages of Recovery

Many therapeutic communities employ a “hierarchical model of care”.9 In this dynamic, clients gain more privileges as they work through predefined stages of recovery. These privileges often include access to the outside world, such as receiving an allowance, using a laptop, or going off-site. For example, you might be allowed to spend a night away from the facility after being in the program for a certain period of time.

Because of this philosophy, TCs may be a good fit for people with responsibilities they can’t set down for months at a time. In particular, students and employed professionals may be able to keep up with school and work during treatment. Some clients might need to do this remotely, while others may be allowed to leave the facility during the day.

Unlike other rehab models, therapeutic communities actively encourage clients to reintegrate with the outside world10 before completing treatment. According to the National Institutes of Health, “as program participants progress through the stages of recovery, they assume greater personal and social responsibilities in the community. The goal is for a TC participant to leave the program not only drug-free but also employed or in school or training. It is not uncommon for program participants to progress in their recovery to take on leadership and staff roles within the TC.”

This flexibility should not be confused with a lack of structure. On the contrary, clients enjoy certain freedoms precisely because they remain accountable to themselves, each other, and their healthcare providers. At every stage of recovery, you’ll be expected to follow certain house rules.

Common Regulations in Therapeutic Communities

Life in a TC strikes a delicate balance. On the one hand, you’ll slowly gain privileges that aren’t available in other rehab programs. And on the other hand, you’ll be expected to take on responsibilities that are rarely associated with inpatient treatment. These two components work in concert to empower clients. The daily practice of caring for yourself and others, while watching the impact of your behavior in real time, can have a huge impact on the recovery process.

Sobriety

Most therapeutic communities have a zero-tolerance policy for substance use. You may undergo regular tests to confirm your sobriety. This practice is especially important for clients who spend significant time off-site. By gathering data about your health, your clinicians can monitor your progress and make adjustments as needed.

If you do test positive for substances during your stay, you may have to leave the program permanently. While this may sound extreme, it’s in line with the philosophy of community accountability. In a TC, even more than in some other programs, your behavior has a drastic impact on the health of other residents. This strategy not only discourages substance misuse; it also protects clients from engaging in enabling behavior.

Household Chores

Living in a community means being partially responsible for the well-being of the whole group. With this in mind, most TCs require residents to take care of their own living spaces. These activities aren’t simply utilitarian; they’re also an exercise in interpersonal dynamics. A task as simple as sweeping the floor can become an act of caring for your cohort.

Each program has its own unique expectations of clients. At MARR, a TC in Georgia, clients “complete chores, buy groceries together, have dinner at the dining room table every night, and navigate day-to-day activities. This sense of community has proven to be a huge factor in the recovery process. It lets clients know they’re not alone while challenging their old habits at the same time.”

This practice teaches valuable life skills, helps clients develop healthier habits, and fosters strong relationships. It may also have a long-lasting positive effect on the psychological aspect of healing. Data suggests that life skills training11 and related activities may be an important preventive measure for those in recovery from substance use disorders.

Curfew

TCs have a strong focus on building healthy habits into your daily routine. Because of this, you can expect to follow a clearly defined schedule during your time there. Although it will likely include much more free time than a traditional rehab, you’ll still have to abide by a curfew. This curfew may change over time, as you progress through the stages of recovery. And even if you’re able to spend the occasional night off-site, you’ll still likely need to return at a predetermined time. Much like regular drug testing, this practice helps clinicians gather data about your recovery process—specifically your ability to keep your commitments and respect healthy boundaries.

Does Scientific Data Support Healing in a Therapeutic Community?

Significant research supports the idea that clients benefit from building community during recovery. Connecting with your peers not only gives you access to support; it also positions you to help the people around you. By empathizing with the people in your cohort, you may gain new insights into your own recovery process. As you develop mutual compassion and respect, you may also gain new confidence in your own role in the group.

However, much research is needed into the efficacy of TCs.12 Despite their lengthy history, there is little scientific data regarding their clients’ long-term recovery. One commonly cited study from the 1980s found that “nearly 30% of addicts treated in TCs maintain maximally favorable outcomes, while another 30% show significant improvement over their pretreatment status.” Because our clinical understanding of substance use has progressed so much since then, those findings may or may not reflect present-day outcomes.

More recently, a 2016 study found that “peer-led recovery support services13 may be a helpful addition to traditional professional services. More research is needed to make definitive recommendations.” However, it’s important to note that this is an analysis of specific peer-led services which may or may not be available in every therapeutic community. Based on related information, it’s very likely that TCs continue to have a positive long-term effect on recovery. But—just like any healing modality—treatment in a therapeutic community may be best when combined with traditional modalities, such as talk therapy and medical care.

Is a Therapeutic Community Right for You?

There’s no doubt that therapeutic communities offer a unique approach to recovery. This type of environment might be a good fit for clients who want to focus on improving their interpersonal relationships and developing life skills. And because residents may gain off-site privileges during their stay, this model may be especially appealing to people with certain commitments, such as work, school, or family responsibilities.

However, some clients may find that the lifestyle of a TC is incompatible with their own needs. For example, highly visible people—especially high-level executives and those with celebrity status—may require greater discretion. Others may need specialized medical care that isn’t available in this environment. And if you feel that you would benefit from more structure, or a greater level of protection from the outside world, you might consider attending a more traditional rehab program.

It’s also possible to take a combined approach, and attend a TC after completing detox or another inpatient treatment program. And, at any rehab, you can find ways to participate in a community both during and after the program. Even individual treatment programs may allow you to connect with loved ones during your stay. Whatever modality feels right for you, remember that healing your relationships is an important part of recovery.

To learn more about this approach, explore our list of therapeutic communities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Therapeutic Communities in Addiction Treatment

What is a therapeutic community in addiction treatment?

A therapeutic community in addiction treatment is a supportive environment where individuals in recovery live together, fostering personal growth through peer support, self-help, and shared responsibility.

What are the benefits of a therapeutic community in addiction treatment?

Therapeutic communities in addiction treatment provide a sense of belonging, support, and accountability, helping people develop life skills, coping strategies, and form healthy relationships.

How does a therapeutic community in addiction treatment promote recovery?

Therapeutic communities promote recovery by offering a structured environment for building healthy relationships, encouraging self-reflection, personal growth, and the development of healthier behaviors and coping mechanisms.

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Why Choose Residential Rehab? 8 Benefits to Consider

When it comes to addiction treatment, there’s no one, universal approach. Psychologists and medical experts today have a better understanding of substance use disorder treatment than ever before. We now know that everyone’s path to recovery is unique and that there are many different ways to heal.

Some people want to keep up with daily responsibilities and have a strong support system at home. For these people, an outpatient program may be the best fit. Others might find their support network lacking, or face everyday stressors that could hinder their recovery efforts. In these cases, attending a residential rehab might be a more effective choice.

Residential rehab, also known as inpatient rehab, isn’t just for people who need distance from their everyday environment. Residential treatment provides you with round-the-clock care, the opportunity to fully focus on achieving your sobriety goals, an empathetic community of people undergoing similar experiences, and other supportive aspects, from on-site detox opportunities to a peer support network.

1. On-Site Detox Opportunities

Residential rehab can be an appropriate option for clients who require specialized treatment, including those who are concerned about substance withdrawal. It can be physically and psychologically uncomfortable or even dangerous to quit certain substances cold-turkey following prolonged use. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), withdrawal symptoms from substances like opioids, alcohol, and stimulants1 can range from anxiety, headaches, and nausea to delirium, hallucinations, and seizures. For this reason, undergoing detox under the supervision of experienced professionals is the safest option.

With this in mind, some inpatient rehabs provide on-site detox services. Completing a safe, medically supervised detox at the same location as your program can result in a smoother transition into treatment.

In contrast, Boston Medical Center’s HealthCity platform reports that the period following detox can “be a dangerous time if it doesn’t lead to continued treatment.”2 This is because the possibility of relapse combined with the risk of unintentional overdose. In a study by the Grayken Center for Addiction at Boston Medical Center, out of 30,681 patients who were admitted to a detox facility, those who didn’t receive any treatment in the month following the detox program had the greatest mortality rates.3 By 12 months after detox, 2% had died. On the other hand, “the greatest mortality reduction, 89%, was seen among the few patients who received both medication and an inpatient residential stay within the month following detox.” These rates show a vital benefit to continuing treatment as soon as possible post-detox.

The length of an average detox program is 3 to 7 days. However, if you’re detoxing from certain substances like benzodiazepines, withdrawal symptoms can persist even after you’ve completed the program. In these cases, it’s valuable—and potentially life-saving—to have access to experienced medical staff on campus. Any continuing withdrawal symptoms can then be addressed and treated alongside therapy to help with deeper issues.
Some residential rehabs that don’t offer on-site detox work closely with detox centers in the area and can help with the transition from detox to addiction treatment.

2. A Structured Schedule

Whether it’s pressure at work or friction at home, day-to-day life is full of triggers. These triggers can lead to substance use that disrupts your daily schedule. In turn, a lack of structure in your day can produce ripe conditions for engaging in damaging habits. This is where residential rehab programs can offer unique support. When you live on-site at a facility, you’ll be following a fully scheduled treatment program.

A typical schedule at a residential center often includes opportunities for individual therapy, group meetings, and recreational activities. Medical support is also incorporated into the day’s program. Most residential programs also allow participants some downtime to unwind and digest what they’re learning. But regular schedules are strongly featured, though the level of intensiveness may vary from program to program. This routine can serve to close the gaps in time that allow cravings to grow and instead help you fully concentrate on your recovery. Time and attention that you would otherwise spend on household, family, and job responsibilities can go on pause during inpatient treatment. All scheduled activities share the goal of providing opportunities for you to give attention to yourself and your needs. At the end of the day, the most important item on your agenda at residential rehab is to work on changing your life.

Sierra Tuscon offers an example of a well-structured day at rehab.

“The residential treatment structure at Sierra Tucson makes for a busy day. Typically, individuals will wake up somewhere between 6:30 and 7:00. They receive support from nursing and our residential safety coaches in the morning, followed by breakfast and then a lodge meeting. Later in the morning, they’ll go to group lectures, group therapies, complete a two-hour process group and then they’d have a number of individual appointments. When the day starts to close down, they go for dinner and join wind-down group activities, which are meditative or artistic expressions. Finally, they end with a lodge meeting, connecting with peers, and say gratitude for the day. We start the day by setting intentions and end the day with gratitude.”

– Dr. Chasleen Chhatwal, Chief Medical Officer, Sierra Tuscon

3. A Helpful Change of Scenery

A change in environment can have a positive impact on brain chemistry,4 according to research published in the journal Nature Neuroscience. “New and diverse experiences are linked to enhanced happiness, and this relationship is associated with greater correlation of brain activity, new research has found.”

Going away for addiction treatment may provide you with the motivation you need to work on your relationships with the goal of rebuilding them when you return. On the other hand, creating physical distance can encourage emotional separation from bad influences. The time away can be a good start in distancing yourself from destructive relationships, whether you’re beginning to create permanent boundaries or taking a break to regroup and consider your options.

A change of scenery can also be a catalyst for a change in perspective. In fact, behavioral health experts recommend that we “place ourselves in situations and locations that spark growth.” But what if our regular environment seems to spark only negativity? Spending time away in different surroundings and participating in new experiences can help us view life through a different lens. This, in turn, can assist us in moving away from a negative mindset and toward a more positive outlook on life.

It’s worth noting, too, that triggers may not necessarily come from toxic relationships or stressful situations. They may also come from the mundane sights, sounds, or smells that are present in our everyday environments. Physically stepping away from these possible triggers can do a world of good and can help you find freedom from some of the basic, yet sometimes unnoticed, habits of addiction. You’re less likely to encounter some of those signals that trigger cravings when you’re in the organized, healing-focused environment of a residential facility.

4. An Immersive, Sober Environment

Residential rehabs provide a sober living environment. In most accredited rehab centers, you wouldn’t have access to the substances that could jeopardize your recovery. These centers provide an environment that’s carefully formulated to be conducive to your sobriety. This confidence can help you cope emotionally during the challenging phase of coming off of substances and transitioning into the deeper work of recovery.

5. An Understanding Peer Support Network

According to studies conducted by the U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH) on groups and substance abuse treatment,5 “Groups intrinsically have many rewarding benefits—such as reducing isolation and enabling members to witness the recovery of others—and these qualities draw clients into a culture of recovery. Another reason groups work so well is that they are suitable especially for treating problems that commonly accompany substance abuse, such as depression, isolation, and shame.”

These benefits can be attained in the residential rehab setting. Some are hesitant to seek treatment because of the stigma associated with substance abuse. But entering a residential treatment environment can connect you with people who truly understand the suffering that addiction brings. Clients benefit from the social dynamics at rehab facilities since they provide group support and opportunities to improve interpersonal and communication skills.

The professionals you’ll meet on campus act as understanding guides, while your recovery peers’ shared experiences create a sense of camaraderie. This environment fosters a valuable sense of connection that, in turn, can be empowering. Even meals shared with people who can relate to what you’re going through can provide comfort when you need it most.

6. Personalized Care

A person in residential treatment can truly focus on themselves, free from the constraints they left at home. It might seem difficult at first to put other obligations aside along with destructive habits, but one-on-one therapy sessions can help clients begin caring for themselves again. Opportunities to express your feelings in a confidential setting with a trustworthy therapist can help you stay on course throughout the process. Studies even show that building rapport between counselor and client can contribute to a higher possibility of continuing recovery.6

Residential rehabs offer a wide variety of programs that can cater to different clients’ needs. Since you’ll be spending considerable time at a facility, you may find it helpful to choose a treatment format that suits your personal philosophies. Many residential facilities, for example, include faith-based rehab programs; others may offer a form of animal-assisted therapy or a pet-friendly environment. Other centers may place a greater emphasis on family participation. With so many options, clients have a better chance of finding the right center for their unique set of needs. This can provide a measure of comfort during a challenging time.

7. Incorporated Complementary Therapies

According to the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), complementary therapies are non-mainstream therapy approaches7 that are used together with conventional treatments, such as talk therapy. If non-mainstream therapy is used instead of conventional medicine, it’s considered “alternative therapy.” The research shows that “most people who use non-mainstream also use conventional health care.”

Following are some examples of complementary therapies:

An important aspect of many residential rehabs is the incorporation of complementary therapies as an integral part of the treatment experience. Residential facilities that utilize these therapies recognize that this can help clients learn more about themselves by breaking old patterns and experiencing something new. Complementary therapies can integrate different aspects of a person’s thinking besides just the psychological component involved in talk therapy.

In some circumstances, talk therapy may not be as conducive to healing. Those who have experienced trauma, for example, may even risk becoming retraumatized by talking about their experiences. This is why, for example, many PTSD sufferers drop out of exposure-based therapy before seeing any results.

On the other hand, complementary therapies allow clients to access their emotions in a different, relaxing, or fun context. This can actually help them become more receptive to treatment. For example, art therapy can immerse you in the process of creative expression and open the door for breakthroughs that you may have never expected. These benefits can be a key part of the therapeutic experience and are part of the program at many residential treatment centers.

Complementary therapies are important for healing.

“In the wintertime, we’re able to go out and take advantage of skiing or snowshoeing and hiking in the mountains. In the summer we have activities like fly fishing and rafting, so that individually and together, clients can also have fun. Fun and play are super important to getting well.”

– Ryan Soave, Director of Program Development, All Points North Lodge

Whitney Armistead on All Points North’s hospitality team adds, “We offer a lot of holistic approaches to our clients’ healing process, including massage, Reiki, detox facials, a float tank; anything we can do to help our clients relax and help reset their bodies.”

8. Aftercare Provisions

Recovery doesn’t end once your time in rehab is up. Setting clients up for success when they leave residential therapy is a practical and important component of treatment. According to the U.S. National Institute of Health, “There is convincing evidence that continuing care can be effective in sustaining the positive effects of the initial phase of care.”8 With this in mind, residential rehab facilities may arrange for aftercare provisions:

  • Continuing individual therapy
  • Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs)
  • Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs)
  • Support groups (12-Step and non-12-Step)
  • Activity – or interest-based groups

Exploring Your Options for Residential Rehab

Unplugging from your everyday surroundings for a time can be a wise choice in taking the first steps toward recovery. Making this significant life change requires time, focus, and the support of experienced treatment professionals.

Residential rehab can help by affording you the time and space you need to focus on getting well. This immersive environment provides a way to disconnect from potentially toxic relationships and surroundings, as well as important opportunities to share this journey with others who understand what you’re going through. And the complementary therapies and recovery-friendly facilities at residential treatment centers can provide enjoyable ways to access and heal new parts of yourself.

Explore our collection of luxury rehabs for more information on residential rehab facilities around the world.

Frequently Asked Questions About Residential Rehab

What are the benefits of residential rehab?

Residential rehab offers several benefits: 

• On-site detox at some centers
• Round-the-clock support
• A structured environment 
• A break from triggers
• Access to medical professionals
• Personalized treatment plans
• Therapeutic activities
• Peer support

These benefits enhance the chances of successful and long-lasting recovery.

What kind of treatment plans are offered in residential rehab?

Residential rehab offers treatment plans tailored to individual needs, although the level of personalization depends on the center. Treatment plans often include evidence-based therapies, individual and group therapy, and complementary therapies. Types of therapies and treatments vary based on the facility.

How does residential rehab provide 24/7 support?

Residential rehab provides round-the-clock support through a team of dedicated professionals. They offer continuous monitoring, guidance, and assistance. This level of support helps create a safe environment for individuals to navigate their recovery journey.

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What Happens When You Arrive at Rehab?

When you first begin rehab, you’re at the start of a big transition. It’s often helpful to know what to expect when you arrive at a residential facility. Although every luxury rehab center has a slightly different process, there are certain things you can reasonably expect.

Above all, try to remember that the staff at your rehab facility is on your side. Their job is to help you navigate the healing process as seamlessly as possible. As daunting as recovery can be, your providers will be on hand to guide you through every step.

Traveling to Rehab

After you choose a rehab center, you’ll start making travel plans. If you’re attending rehab locally, this might be as simple as packing a bag and getting into a car. On the other hand, if you’ve chosen a destination rehab, you may need to book plane tickets, schedule a ride from the airport, and make sure your passport is up to date. These logistics may sound overwhelming; remember that you are not alone. Your program’s admissions team can answer your questions and help you decide between various options.

Many rehab centers offer their clients free transportation to and from the airport. If at all possible, it’s best to avoid traveling alone. This ensures that you’ll have emotional support throughout the process, and that you’ll arrive at the facility at the time you planned.

Arriving at Rehab

When you arrive at the rehab center, you’re beginning a new chapter of your life. As soon as you enter into the care of the program, you’ll have round-the-clock care from a team of experts.

For many people in recovery, this is a starkly different environment from the one they’ve most recently experienced. As positive as it is to have support, the adjustment period can be uncomfortable. That’s normal. It doesn’t mean that you’re doing it wrong, or that rehab isn’t for you. Do your best to be patient with yourself as you get used to your new surroundings.

One of the biggest differences between life before rehab and life in an inpatient program is the level of supervision. You can expect your providers to set clear boundaries around what is and isn’t allowed at the facility. These guidelines will be implemented from the moment you arrive on site.

Restricted Items

When you check in, someone on staff will perform a bag check. During this process, they’ll inspect your luggage, going through your belongings to see what you’ve brought with you.

Each facility has its own rules about which items are and are not allowed in the program. Sierra by the Sea, for instance, has a dress code. Clients are instructed to pack “casual, comfortable clothing that fits appropriately (no large, baggy clothing or any clothing that exposes your midriff or underwear).” Many rehabs also regulate their clients’ use of personal electronics during rehab. And you almost certainly won’t be allowed to bring weapons or substances of any kind.

Sierra by the Sea interior
Located in sunny Newport Beach, California, Sierra by the Sea requests clients to pack casual and comfortable clothing.

If you bring an item that’s not permitted, it will either be sent home with family members, or stored until you leave the program. Substances will likely be disposed of. Because this process may feel invasive to some clients, it’s best to emotionally prepare yourself in advance. Remember that you’ve come to rehab in order to get help from experts. And when you first arrive, your providers may have a better sense than you do about which boundaries are appropriate.

Health and Wellness

In this post-2020 world, you can expect to take a COVID test when you first arrive at rehab. If you test positive, different facilities may have different rules about how to proceed. As we continue to research the virus, and as more treatments and preventative measures become available, these rules may change quickly. If you have concerns about your program’s COVID protocols, make sure to find out more from the admissions team before you arrive.

You may also be asked to take a drug test, upon arrival and/or at regular intervals throughout the program. Your facility may enact certain protocols if you test positive for substances at any point in your stay. However, because rehab is tailored to meet the needs of people with substance use disorders, you can talk openly with your team about what will happen if this occurs. The more information you have, the better equipped you will be to navigate residential treatment.

Initial Assessment

During your initial assessment, you’ll talk to at least one provider about your personal history, including symptoms related to your physical and mental health. Some programs perform these assessments over the phone, before you even arrive at rehab. Others wait until you can speak to your team in person. You may even do both. This is especially likely for people who attend medical detox before rehab, and have already begun the process of recovery.

An assessment is an in-depth exploration of your personal experience with substance use. According to Alex Spritzer, Family Addiction and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner at The Hope House Scottsdale, practitioners learn as much as they can about each client, looking at “social factors such as where the client existed in their illness. Were they at home? Were they far away from their family?”

“We consider their barriers to recovery, which could include fractured relationships, homelessness, joblessness and other social factors that promote continued use. And through a systematic process, we seek to reduce those barriers to recovery.”

– Alex Spritzer, Family Addiction and Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, The Hope House Scottsdale

Clients may fill out paperwork, including a number of questionnaires. This information may help the psychiatric team diagnose co-occurring disorders, such as depression and anxiety, or just get a better understanding of your emotional experience.

the orchard on the brazos
Your initial assessment with the clinical staff at The Orchard on the Brazos is held on their property in Wallis, Texas, or via telephone before you arrive.

“​​After completing the initial paperwork” at rehabs like The Orchard on the Brazos, “you will have a one-on-one meeting with a member of our clinical staff. This meeting will allow our doctors to assess your unique substance abuse patterns, as well as your medical and mental health history.”

This comprehensive process is intended to give your team all the information they need for the next step: developing a treatment plan.

Creating a Treatment Plan

Every person’s needs for recovery are unique. With this in mind, you’ll work with your treatment providers to design a plan that meets your specific needs.

Rehabs with personalized treatment take this to the next level, giving each client a great deal of control over their own experience. At these facilities, you might get to set your own schedule or choose between various therapeutic modalities.

Other rehabs have a much more structured approach to healing. Nevertheless, no recovery experience is one-size-fits-all. Even if you attend a program with a stricter framework, your providers are there to help you heal, in whichever way will be most effective. With that in mind, your treatment plan is likely to include several different components, such as:

Talk Therapy

During individual therapy, you’ll have regular one-on-one conversations with a provider. This relationship may serve as an emotional anchor throughout your time in rehab. You’ll have the opportunity to learn new strategies for managing your mental health, process what happened in your life before rehab, and integrate insights from your other experiences in the program.

Psychiatry

Some clients work with a psychiatrist during rehab. This provider will prescribe you psychiatric medications intended to help you manage your mental health. In some cases, these are only intended to help you stabilize during and immediately after detox. Other clients find that ongoing medication is an important part of their continued recovery.

Group Therapy

In group therapy, you’ll connect with the other people in your cohort. This process invites you to practice building healthy interpersonal relationships. It also encourages clients to provide each other with mutual emotional support. You may find that connecting with your peers gives you insight into your own experience that would be harder to glean from individual therapy alone.

Some clients attend focused group therapy using a specific therapeutic modality, such as DBT. You may benefit from support groups, including 12-Step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous.

Experiential Therapies

Many rehabs offer some form of experiential therapy, in which clients engage in activities that help them process emotions from a new perspective. For example, you might take a dance class, go on a safari, or do a ropes course. These experiences have the potential to be both fun and meaningful.

kruger
One of the more unique experiences offered atWhite River Manor in Mpumalanga, South Africa includes a wildlife safari.

Jeanine Fourie, Therapeutic Director and Co-Owner of White River Manor explains that this rehab offers “quite a wide selection of activities. We feel that it’s important for people to find themselves. This fits into the therapeutic program.”

“Sometimes people can overcome their fear only in a practical setting, whether it’s ziplining, or bungee jumping. Sometimes that’s an important component: just learning how to have fun without being high or needing any external source of comfort.”

– Jeanine Fourie, Therapeutic Director and Co-Owner, White River Manor

Complementary Therapies

Many rehabs offer holistic modalities, such as massage, yoga, and even acupuncture. These therapies are designed to help you stay present in your body as you become reacquainted with your own needs, and learn how to meet them in a sustainable way.

Strengthening the mind-body connection may help you learn how to work through triggers whenever they arise. Simply taking a deep breath, stretching, or coming back into your body can be extremely powerful. These therapies can also have a positive impact on your physical health.

Medical Treatment

It’s quite common for clients to work with a medical team during their time in rehab. Even if you don’t have pre-existing physical health conditions, recovery can be hard on your system. As you learn or relearn how to stay in tune with your body, you may benefit from certain prescription medications, especially if you choose to undergo medical detox.

There’s more to health than treating illness. For example, even if you’re perfectly physically fit, it can be helpful to work with a nutritionist. These strategies are designed to help you build healthy habits that will support you during and after residential treatment.

Rehab Can Be a New Beginning

When you first arrive at rehab, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. You’re going through a major life transition, and there’s a lot to take in. During this time, be as gentle with yourself as you can. It may take you some time to acclimate to your surroundings.

Once you settle into residential treatment, you’ll start to find a rhythm. Your internal experience may continue to change quickly, due to insights gleaned in therapy, physical recovery, or a combination of the two. Rehab itself, however, is intended to be a stable environment in which you can do this important work.

Browse our list of luxury rehab facilities and filter by price, location, amenities, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions About What Happens When You Get to Rehab

What happens when you arrive at rehab?

When you arrive at rehab, you’ll undergo an intake process including assessments, paperwork, and orientation. You’ll get to know the center’s rules, meet your treatment team and other staff, and receive a treatment plan. This process sets the foundation for your recovery journey.

What should I pack for rehab?

You should pack essentials for rehab, including comfortable clothes, toiletries, and key documents, such as medical records. It’s important to check with the center beforehand on what to bring and what to leave behind. For example, some rehabs allow cell phones while others don’t.

What support can I expect upon arrival at rehab?

You can expect rehab staff to provide a supportive environment and guide you through the intake process. Luxury rehabs tend to be more hands-on. You can expect one-on-one meetings with clinical staff, where they get to know your unique background.

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Building Community in Rehab

Substance use disorders can be extremely isolating. These conditions are often related to difficult relationships with family, friends, or colleagues. In some cases, challenging relationships encourage unhealthy behavior. On the other hand, even the healthiest of dynamics can be undermined by untreated mental health concerns. In both cases, many people find that building community is an important part of recovery. This process can begin during residential rehab.

When you first enter inpatient treatment, you may be struggling with the idea of community. During your time there, you can work on your interpersonal skills and begin to define or redefine what social support means to you. Different facilities take various approaches to this aspect of healing. You may be getting to know a cohort of your peers, staying in touch with far-away loved ones, attending groups, or all of the above. Whatever therapeutic modalities you use, you’ll likely learn how to relate to the people around you in a healthier way.

The Impact of Substance Use Disorders on Relationships

Your illness is not your fault. It’s all too easy to blame yourself for factors outside of your control, including genetic predispositions and traumatic life experiences. No matter what, you are not to blame for simply having a substance use disorder. That being said, you can choose to change your behavior in ways that will make your relationships more sustainable. It can be very challenging to make those changes. But, with appropriate support, it is possible.

There is a complex association between social support and substance use disorders. For some clients, substance misuse feels like a solution to social isolation.1 On the other hand, previously healthy relationships may deteriorate when a person develops a substance use disorder. This often results in unsustainable social dynamics and interpersonal strife. Depending on how your community is structured, these difficulties may play out in a number of ways.

Family Dynamics

All Points North Lodge
All Points North Lodge in Vail Valley, Colorado, offers different forms of family therapy including virtual options.

Research has established that substance use disorders strongly impact immediate family members.2 Spouses and children, in particular, may experience psychological effects. This can result in codependent relationships, in which one partner tries to support a person with a substance use disorder, but unintentionally enables them instead.

If your family is struggling with issues like these, it’s important to focus on how you can heal, both individually and as a group. Family therapy may be especially beneficial here. Reconnecting with your loved ones may have a direct impact on the outcome of treatment. Research has found that “family support in the intervention process3…contributes to a higher rate of recovery success among addicts.”

Substance-Based Relationships

According to one study, “individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD) often have fewer social support network resources than those without SUDs4…these findings suggest that, to reach and maintain abstinence, it is important to maintain positive relationships and to engage self-agency to protect oneself from the influences of negative relationships.”

When you first begin healing—and especially if you start by attending inpatient rehab—you’ll probably take a break from certain relationships. And if there are people in your life who actively interfere with your recovery, your break from them might be permanent. One expert writes that even “thinking about people, places, and things associated with past [substance] use” may be associated with relapse.

As beneficial as it can be to let go of toxic dynamics, it can also be painful. Residential rehab can provide a buffer during this process. If you attend an inpatient program, you’ll be surrounded by trained professionals who have experience helping clients navigate this type of grief. In some programs, you’ll also be able to build relationships with the other people in your cohort.

Finding Comfort in Peer Support

The Hope House Scottsdale
The Hope House Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona takes in just 10 clients at a time.

At most residential rehab facilities, you’ll be in recovery alongside a group of your peers. Some rehabs have an especially strong focus on these relationships. The Hope House Scottsdale, for example, hosts no more than ten clients at a time. Brenna Gonzales, Clinical Director, describes this environment as “a tight-knit community.” These settings give you more time with your providers and may foster stronger relationships between clients themselves. And there are numerous ways to build relationships during inpatient treatment.

Group Therapy

In a group therapy setting, you’ll have the opportunity to talk about your emotional experience in a protected environment. Some modalities encourage clients to speak directly to each other, offering insight and support during the session. And even if you’re instructed not to discuss much of your personal history during therapy—as is true in dialectical behavior therapy—you may still develop an emotional connection to the people around you.

Support Groups

Although more research is needed, “peer support groups included in addiction treatment5 show much promise in potentially reducing substance use.” Some programs include 12-Step groups, such as A.A. or N.A. Others offer non-12-Step support groups that serve a similar purpose, with a slightly different philosophy. Most of these groups are designed to help you connect with those who have similar life experiences. You may find that the people in your group can offer insights you simply wouldn’t reach in more traditional talk therapy.

Experiential Therapy

Sierra by the Sea interior
Sierra by the Sea in Newport Beach, California offers experiential therapies unique to their beachside location.

In experiential therapy, clients engage in a wide variety of activities, from skiing to visiting museums. Along with other therapeutic benefits, these experiences allow you to practice interpersonal skills in a new setting. For example, if you and your cohort go through a ropes course together, you may learn valuable lessons about communication, trust, and how to take risks in a healthy way.

Healing Past Relationships

Not every rehab will connect you with a cohort. Some facilities offer individual treatment, serving only one person at a time. This can be very important for well-known clients, who may require high levels of discretion in order to effectively begin healing. However, healing in private does not mean healing in isolation. These programs are extremely personalized, with treatment plans tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual client. Sometimes, that means staying in touch with your family, loved ones, and even your colleagues during treatment.

Family Therapy

Many rehab centers offer family therapy. “Family” may be defined in many ways, including people such as parents, children, partners, dear friends, and chosen family members. If this modality is right for you, you may participate in regular sessions, either in person or online. Some facilities also offer support groups that are only for family members, helping them heal from adverse experiences related to a loved one’s substance use disorder.

Family therapy isn’t right for everyone. Some clients may even decide to cut ties with family members to focus on recovery. There is no right or wrong way to approach this; only the way that works best for you. It’s important to remember that you get to decide who is part of your community. And if your family is included in that, they may be a valuable source of support both during and after rehab.

Forming a Sober Support Network

Recovery doesn’t end when you leave rehab. At this stage, you’ll find yourself in a new environment, and therefore, within a new community. This community may be made up of your family and old friends, or it may be something you haven’t experienced before.

For example, before returning home, you may choose to spend time in a therapeutic (or sober living) community. These programs provide less structure than inpatient rehab, while still supporting a healthy lifestyle for people with substance use disorders. These environments can be helpful for people who do not have strong support networks to return to. As one expert writes about the value of community in recovery,6 “Individuals with substance abuse problems who are living in a collaborative housing setting will have their addiction treated more effectively than [those] not residing in a community-based facility.”

If and when you do return home, community will continue to be important. You may find support from 12-Step or similar support groups, which will allow you to connect with peers in your area. Many rehab programs also have strong alumni programs, through which you can stay connected with your cohort.

And as important as these programs are, they aren’t everything. After rehab, you’ll also start to create a life that feels rich and meaningful, without relying on substance use. You may engage in new hobbies, meet people with similar interests, and find healthy ways to have fun. This may sound frivolous, but in fact, it is an absolutely essential part of recovery. Research has shown that “increasing recovery-supportive social connections can have a profound benefit for achieving and maintaining abstinence.”7

The Effect of Community Support on Long-Term Recovery

When considering the importance of community for people recovering from substance use disorders, many researchers refer to a study conducted in the early 1980s, commonly known as “Rat Park.”8

In his study, researcher Brian Alexander began by giving rats free access to water laced with opiates. He found that when given a choice between plain water and drugged water, solitary rats would continue drinking the opiate solution until they overdosed. Another group of rats was placed in an enclosure he called Rat Park. As it was later described by journalist Johann Hari, this environment was “basically heaven for rats. They’ve got loads of cheese, they’ve got loads of colored balls, they’ve got loads of tunnels. Crucially, they’ve got loads of friends.” Faced with the same choice between drugged and pure water, none of the subjects in Rat Park overdosed.

This research paints a clear picture. When a subject’s needs for food, enrichment, and— perhaps most importantly—community are met, then they’re able to create healthier habits. In light of this, it is absolutely essential for people with substance use disorders to build strong support networks.9

The Rat Park experiment is not without flaws.10 Some experts critique it as an oversimplification. And indeed, this theory of substance misuse focuses only on the idea of a subject’s current environment. It ignores genetics, life history, and the effects of long-term stress, all of which can contribute to a person’s mental health. However, more robust research continues to support one of its findings: that strong communities can help guard against substance misuse.

One study, conducted in 2021, analyzed several social factors as potential risk and protective factors for substance misuse.11 Researchers found that “those with a greater number of close friends had more strengths and fewer barriers” to addiction recovery. This suggests that one’s relationships, and not just one’s environment, support the process of healing.

Recovering Your Relationship With the World Around You

Much like the process of recovery, building community takes time. Many clients enter rehab with much to learn about how to engage in healthy relationships. You may need to practice setting boundaries, expressing your needs, or navigating group dynamics. And as much progress as you might make during rehab, you’ll find yourself learning a whole new set of skills after treatment.

Remember that a strong community is more than a checkbox. It is a complex, living, breathing, changing group of people, all of whom relate to each other in unique ways. And as you reconsider your relationship with substances, you may also redefine what you need in your relationships with other people. Your support network might look very different after rehab than it did earlier in your life. And for some people, that can be extremely healthy.

To learn more about the ways different facilities foster community, browse our list of luxury rehab centers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Building Community in Rehab

Why is building community important in the rehab process?

Building community in rehab fosters support, connection, and a sense of belonging. It creates a safe environment for patients to share experiences, offer encouragement, and learn from each other. Strong interpersonal relationships help support the healing process.

What are the benefits of peer support in rehab?

Peer support in rehab offers several benefits:

• Fosters mutual understanding and empathy
• Enhances motivation and accountability 
• Creates a sense of shared journey  
• Provides inspiration 
• Reduces feelings of isolation
• Increases the likelihood of long-term recovery

How is community built in rehab?

Community is built in rehab through various activities including group therapy, support groups, experiential therapy, outings, and shared responsibilities. These activities promote social interaction, communication, and collaboration. They foster a supportive environment for people to share and learn from one another.

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Detoxification: Frequently Asked Questions

Detoxification is the first step in addiction treatment for many people. We’re here to help you learn more about what it entails, what it feels like, and whether or not you can detox at home.

Understanding Detox

How Does Detox Work?

Detoxing is the process of allowing substances to leave your system and managing withdrawal symptoms that may follow. Your substance use history will affect your detox experience and determine whether or not you need medication-assisted treatment.

A few hours after you stop using substances, your body begins to recalibrate as they leave your system. During this adjustment period, you may develop withdrawal symptoms, which occur in stages:1 early, peak, and late.

Early stage: Generally 6 to 12 hours–or even up to 30 hours after you’ve stopped using–mild withdrawal symptoms like anxiety or difficulty sleeping may occur.

Peak stage: At the peak stage, symptoms are at their worst and can include vomiting, tremors and chills. This usually occurs 72 hours after you’ve stopped using opiates or 24 to 48 hours after you’ve stopped drinking. Because of the discomfort, relapse is likely during this stage. It’s important to have a strong support system around you, along with medical supervision.

Late stage: At this stage, your body is starting to get used to the absence of substances. Any withdrawal symptoms you may have had will start to die down.

Why supervised detox? Remember that the purpose of a supervised detox is to minimize the severity of withdrawal symptoms and ensure you’re safely clearing your body of substances.

When Is Detox Required?

Whether or not you need detox depends on your history of substance use, including factors such as the type of substance used as well as the duration and level of use.

Withdrawal from certain substances, such as benzodiazepines or alcohol, can be life-threatening. That, combined with the physiological effects of frequent exposure to substances,2 means it’s recommended to receive a medical evaluation from a medical professional before attempting to detox.

You may want to consider getting an evaluation for detox if you notice the following signs of substance or alcohol abuse, as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5):

  • Cravings for substances
  • Using more substances than you plan to
  • Inability to cut down or stop substance use
  • Taking substances for longer than intended
  • Trouble maintaining relationships due to substance use
  • Continuing to use substances, even when it negatively impacts your life

Can I Detox From Drugs at Home?

For your safety, it’s never recommended to detox from drugs at home without supervision.

Not all substance detoxification is lethal. However, withdrawal from certain substances, such as alcohol withdrawal, can potentially be life-threatening.3 More serious symptoms include hallucinations, seizures, and delirium tremens.

It’s always safest to detox under the supervision of specialized, experienced medical professionals.

You don’t always have to go through detox at a hospital or rehab facility. If you have a strong support system at home and your condition doesn’t require hospitalization, you may be able to opt for outpatient detox.4

How Long Do I Need to Detox For?

How Long Does Detox Typically Last in Rehab?

The duration of the detoxification process in rehab depends on your substance use background and the substance you’re detoxing from. On average, detox takes 3 to 7 days.

The time it takes to detox from commonly used substances varies:

  • Alcohol: 5 to 7 days
  • Benzodiazepines: One day to several months until treatment is introduced
  • Opiates: Up to 7 days (however, it’s possible to develop post-acute withdrawal symptoms5 that last weeks, months, or even years)
  • Cocaine: Up to 7 days
  • Heroin: 5 to 7 days

Detoxing From Different Substances

Alcohol

Do I Need to Detox From Alcohol?

Whether or not you need to detox from alcohol depends on how long and how much you’ve been drinking.

The media often portrays people who are addicted to alcohol as living disarrayed lives. The truth is, addiction can affect anyone—many people suffer from high-functioning alcoholism. If you notice signs of alcohol addiction, you may consider getting an evaluation for detox:

  • drinking more, or for a longer, than intended;
  • trying to stop drinking, but being unable to;
  • spending a lot of time drinking or dealing with the aftereffects of drinking;
  • continued drinking even when it negatively interferes with work or relationships;
  • and more.

Alcohol detox carries a high risk for potentially life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, like delirium tremens (DT).6 It’s safest to detox from alcohol under medical supervision.

If you plan to attend rehab, most residential facilities require you to be substance-free for a certain period of time before starting treatment. You can find out whether or not you’ll need to detox from alcohol during the admissions process. You have several options for detox, including on-site detox at certain luxury rehabs.

Can I Safely Detox From Alcohol at Home?

No. Complications from alcohol withdrawal7 can pose severe to life-threatening side effects. It’s never recommended to detox from alcohol at home.

Side effects like delirium tremens (DT) can lead to chronic memory disorders or life-threatening seizures. DT side effects often don’t show up until 2 to 3 days after you’ve last ingested alcohol.

Even if you don’t experience life-threatening side effects, because of the extreme discomfort of withdrawal, you’re more likely to relapse if you try to detox from alcohol at home8 in comparison to detoxing under medical supervision.

How Long Does It Take To Detox From Alcohol?

It usually takes about 5 to 7 days to detox from alcohol.

What Does Alcohol Detox Feel Like?

Most people experience varying levels of discomfort when detoxing from alcohol. As alcohol leaves your system, you can experience mild to severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms:9

  • Sleep disturbances, like insomnia
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Sweating
  • Irritability
  • Tremors
  • Headaches
  • Anxiety
  • Visual and auditory disturbances
  • Cardiovascular complications, like rapid heart rate
  • Muscle pain and stiffness

The discomfort alcohol withdrawal causes can lead people to relapse, especially if they try to detox alone at home.

When you detox under medical supervision, clinical staff help monitor your condition, soothe your symptoms, and offer round-the-clock support. Detoxing under medical supervision enhances both your safety and comfort.

Benzodiazepines

Can I Detox From Benzodiazepines at Home?

You should never try to detox from benzodiazepines, or “benzos,” alone at home.

Unsupervised withdrawal from benzodiazepines can result in life-threatening side effects.10 Because of the potential severity of these withdrawals, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends “patients taking benzodiazepines should not suddenly stop taking them11 without first discussing a plan with your health care professional for slowly decreasing the dose and frequency.”

It’s also not recommended to quit cold turkey following long-term use; a large number of people have reported negative and long-lasting side effects of benzo withdrawal.12

How Long Does It Take To Detox From Benzodiazepines?

It takes one day to several months (until treatment is introduced) to detox from benzodiazepines. Withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, vomiting, and nausea peak within the first 14 days after you last ingested benzodiazepines.

What Does Benzodiazepines Detox Feel Like?

Detoxing from benzodiazepines can present a wide range of uncomfortable side effects. Because detoxing from benzos can be so uncomfortable, one of the goals of medically supervised detox is to help soothe patients’ discomfort while ensuring their safety.

Some of the most commonly prescribed benzodiazepines13 include Valium, Xanax, Halcion, Ativan, and Klonopin. They have similar withdrawal symptoms, however, Xanax may cause more severe symptoms.

When you detox from benzodiazepines after your body has become physiologically dependent on them, you may experience mild to severe withdrawal symptoms:

  • Headaches
  • Increased anxiety
  • Sweating
  • Racing heartbeat
  • Insomnia
  • Muscle spasms
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Restlessness
  • Hand tremors
  • Aches and pains

Benzos withdrawal symptoms occur in stages and depend on your history of substance use.

Stage 1: You may first notice short-lived symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia within 1 to 4 days of benzos discontinuation.14

Stage 2: Peak withdrawal symptoms occur in the second stage, which many people describe as the most difficult phase to overcome. This usually lasts 10 to 14 days.

Stage 3: An estimated 10 to 25% of people who use benzodiazepines for an extended period of time experience post-acute withdrawal symptoms,15 or PAWS. During this stage, you’ll notice a return of anxiety and other withdrawal symptoms until you begin to address them with some form of professional addiction treatment.

Opioids

What Does It Feel Like to Detox From Opioids?

Detoxing from opioids can present highly uncomfortable psychological and physical effects16 depending on your past substance use and severity of dependence. These symptoms can arise whether you’re detoxing from medically prescribed pain relievers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and codeine, or illicit opiates, such as heroin.

During detox, as substances leave your system, you’ll begin to experience withdrawal symptoms. The extent of these symptoms depends on your substance use history, severity of use, and whether you’re detoxing from immediate-release opioids17 (such as morphine) or extended-release opioids18 (such as methadone), as defined by the CDC.

Opioid withdrawal symptoms19 are often uncomfortable. They can include anxiety, rapid heart rate, muscle pain, runny or watery eyes, nausea and vomiting, insomnia, and more.

Opiate withdrawal can be lethal.20 It’s always recommended to detox under the guidance of an addiction-specialized healthcare professional.

With short-acting opioids, withdrawals typically begin 8 to 24 hours after your last use. With long-acting opioids, withdrawal symptoms can onset 12 to 48 hours after the last use.

How to Detox From Opioids

While usually not life-threatening, opiate withdrawal can be lethal. Therefore, you should always detox from opiates under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.

Whether you detox at a hospital, private detox center, or on-site at a residential rehab facility, you should have healthcare workers available to you 24 hours a day.

If you were using short-acting opioids, withdrawal symptoms will onset 8 to 24 hours after your last use. For long-acting opioids, withdrawal symptoms present themselves 12 to 48 hours after last use.

Mild opioid withdrawal management:
If you have mild withdrawal symptoms, treatment providers will ensure you consume 2 to 3 liters of water a day, along with vitamin B and C supplements to replenish lost fluids. They will also observe and monitor your symptoms 3 to 4 times a day using a Short Opioids Withdrawal Scale (SOWS).21

Moderate to severe opioid withdrawal management:
Clinicians will follow the same management techniques as with mild withdrawal cases. However, they may also use medication to minimize the severity of symptoms.

It should be noted that while detox is the first step in addiction treatment, it should be followed up with an addiction treatment program to create lasting changes to addictive behaviors.

How Long Does Opioid Detox Take?

It may take up to 7 days for opioids to fully leave your body. However, withdrawal symptoms may last longer than that.

For immediate-release opioids, withdrawal symptoms can last 4 to 10 days. For extended-release opioids, withdrawal symptoms can last 10 to 20 days

Depending on your opioid use background, it’s possible to develop post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS).22 These can last weeks, months, or even years after you’ve last taken opiates. Some of these symptoms include memory issues, irritability, and depressed moods.

There is treatment for PAWS, which can be administered over the period of time you’re experiencing symptoms. Aftercare is critical to addiction treatment. If you’ve completed a treatment program, your aftercare counselor or therapist can help you identify PAWS symptoms and recommend a treatment plan. Or, you can search for rehabs that offer detox programs and speak to an intake specialist about PAWS treatment.

Cocaine

How long does it take to detox from cocaine?

It takes up to 7 days to detox from cocaine. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms are generally more psychological than physical and can include agitation, depression, anxiety, and other effects on your mood.

Where can I Detox?

You can detox at several different types of facilities. While it should be noted that not all at-home detox is lethal, detoxing from certain substances can pose life-threatening risks. It’s always recommended to detox under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

You can undergo substance abuse detox at several types of facilities:

  • Hospitals
  • Residential rehabs (not all inpatient rehabs offer on-site detox)
  • Private detox centers

How Long Do Withdrawal Symptoms Last?

On average, it takes 3 to 7 days for substances to leave your system. However, withdrawal symptoms can persist even after you’re substance-free.

Alcohol withdrawal timeline: Withdrawal symptoms from alcohol typically begin about 6 hours after you’ve last ingested a drink. They can last up to 72 hours after your last drink. In more severe yet rare cases, moderate withdrawal symptoms, such as alcohol hallucinosis, can last for up to a month.23

Benzodiazepines withdrawal timeline: Withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepines usually last 10 to 14 days. However, some people can develop post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS), which is a return of withdrawal symptoms several months after last use.

Opioid withdrawal timeline: For immediate-release opioids, withdrawal symptoms can last 4 to 10 days. For extended-release opioids, withdrawal symptoms can last 10 to 20 days. Depending on your substance use history, it’s also possible to develop PAWS from opioids. These symptoms may last weeks, months, or even years after you’ve last taken opioids.

Cocaine withdrawal timeline: Withdrawal usually begins 90 minutes following the last dose. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms,24 such as irritability and cravings, can last up to 10 weeks depending on your level of dependency.

Detox Costs

How Much Does Detox Cost?

The cost of detox This depends on the substance you’re detoxing from, the level of care, the length of treatment, and the detox facility.

In the U.S., the cost of detox at a private luxury rehab can range from less than $10,000 to over $75,000 per month. Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA), most of these private rehab centers accept insurance.

To learn more about your options for detox treatment, browse through our list of luxury detox centers.

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Going to Family Therapy in Rehab

Substance use disorders don’t develop in a vacuum. They often develop due to genetics, trauma, or social pressures. Any of these factors may be caused by difficult family dynamics. Because of this, many people in rehab benefit from attending family therapy in rehab.

“Family” is a complex idea. For some people, it means only their family of origin, such as parents and siblings. Others use the term to refer to their spouses and children. Many people also have chosen families, which may include friends, collaborators, and even more complex relationships. And whomever you consider to be your family, you can be sure that your group dynamic is unique.

Depending on each specific family’s interpersonal relationships, commitment to healing, and availability, this type of therapy may or may not be a good fit. However, many people in recovery find it to be extremely beneficial.

Who Benefits From Family Therapy

When you first enter treatment, it may be difficult to disentangle your own behaviors from the behaviors of those around you. Many people benefit from traveling to rehab, putting both physical and emotional space between themselves and their loved ones while they begin recovery. Over time, you’ll likely reach a nuanced understanding of what caused your past behaviors. Through this process, many people with substance use disorders learn how to be accountable for their own behavior, without blaming themselves for the actions of those around them.

No matter what led you to misuse substances, it can be extremely helpful to examine the external and interpersonal circumstances of your life. This process empowers clients to make sustainable changes, with the goal of living a healthy lifestyle even when faced with challenging situations. By focusing on yourself, and staying in your lane, you can consistently make choices that support your own values.

The Person in Recovery

For many clients, family therapy is an essential component of recovery. As you learn more about the dynamics that enabled your past behavior, you’ll become better equipped to create more sustainable interpersonal relationships. This process can also help you come to terms with past traumas, such as growing up with an alcoholic parent, especially if those traumas were either shared with or caused by family members.

“Family work helps people achieve and maintain long-term emotional resolve and resilience.”

– Ameet Braich, Clinical Director, Camino Recovery
Camino Recovery exterior pool
Set on a lush campus in Vélez-Málaga, Spain, Camino Recovery‘s robust family program runs 4 to 5 days.

Significant data supports the idea that healthy family dynamics can help you commit to long-term recovery. Specifically, “Involving family members in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment1 can positively affect client engagement, retention, and outcomes. Positive social/family support is related to long-term abstinence and recovery, whereas negative social/family support (e.g., interpersonal conflict, social pressure to use) is related to increased risk for relapse”.

This modality not only helps clients do inner, emotional work; it can also be the first step in building a support network to help you navigate life after rehab. That network may ultimately include your family, friends, loved ones, and even work colleagues. Family therapy can help you bolster your closest relationships, giving you a strong base from which to cultivate a wider community.

One study on the effects of family therapy in addiction treatment2 found that “Family therapy enhanced family resilience, structure, and strong ties; the program improved problem-solving skills, coping skills, and family resiliency levels” of people with substance use disorders. Although this particular research focused on adolescents in recovery, the same theory may apply to adults in recovery. And these same skills may also improve the lives of the other people in your family.

Family of Origin

In most families, members play multiple roles at once. You might be a parent, a grandchild, and a spouse, all at the same time. These dynamics are always complex, even in the easiest and healthiest of circumstances. Family therapy is not only intended to help you heal; it’s also designed to help the people around you heal, and to heal the ways in which you relate to each other.

“Family members assume certain roles, which often relate to…cultural attitudes, family beliefs, gender, and overall family functioning. Some roles develop in response to stress or the underfunctioning of a family member.” When you attend rehab and begin recovery, the roles of your family members may begin to shift. Although this process can be extremely healthy, it can also be stressful and confusing. For example, if your spouse has learned to care for you in a certain way, you may no longer benefit from that specific kind of care. Family therapy creates a safe space in which you and your loved ones can process these changing relationships.

Loved Ones and Chosen Family

Not everyone considers their family of origin to be their family. And not everyone should. If your relationships with your original family were particularly traumatic or harmful, it can be healthy to surround yourself with people of your own choosing. Many rehab centers define this word much more broadly, inviting clients to focus only on loving and supportive relationships.

“‘Family’ means a group of two or more people with close and enduring emotional ties. Using this definition, each person in treatment for a behavioral health disorder has a unique set of family members. Therapists don’t decide who should be in family therapy. Instead, they ask, ‘Who is most important to you?’” By answering this question, clients can start to regain agency in their own lives. You have both the ability and the right to choose which relationships are healthy for you. Even before your loved ones start attending therapy, defining “family” for yourself may help you understand your core values and your deepest needs. “It is up to clients to identify whom they would like to include in family counseling.”3

Some rehab centers have a special focus on providing therapy for chosen families. In the LGBTQ+ affirming program at Caron Ocean Drive, for example, some clients may be estranged from their families of origin. The team at this rehab strongly believes that “family members, including people you identify as your family of choice, should be part of the treatment process. If you are dealing with rejection from your family because of your sexuality, our therapists can provide counseling for you and any family members you wish to include.”

Caron Ocean Drive OurCampus Grounds
Caron Ocean Drive in Boca Raton, Florida offers a warm, nurturing environment for family therapy.

However you define family, it’s likely that you can find a rehab program that can support you and your loved ones. Some rehab centers—especially those that offer personalized treatment—may work with you to create a specialized program that meets your exact needs, making family therapy as accessible as possible.

Making Family Therapy Accessible

Even if family therapy is the right fit for you, as an individual, it may or may not be accessible for your loved ones. This is especially true for clients who attend destination rehabs. When you’re located in a different city or country from your family, you may need certain accommodations in order to schedule group conversations. Fortunately, in this technological era, there are many options available.

Phone Calls

If family therapy sessions aren’t the right fit for you or your loved ones, you may still benefit from staying in touch. Some rehabs allow clients to use cell phones and other electronics to contact far-away family members.

Every program has its own regulations. In some facilities, you may have free access to your personal cell phone or computer throughout treatment. Others may allow you to schedule phone calls in advance. You may also be required to spend some time in therapy before you’re allowed to reach out to family, or to begin focused family therapy.

Virtual Family Therapy Sessions

Thanks to the growing popularity and accessibility of online medicine, you may be able to try family therapy even if your loved ones are far away. There are a number of HIPAA-compliant telehealth platforms4 that allow clients to safely meet with therapists, trusting that their conversations will remain private and protected.

Research suggests that virtual therapy may be just as effective as in-person therapy.5 David Mohr, Ph.D., director of the Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, asserts that “telehealth is essentially just as effective as face-to-face psychotherapy—and retention rates are higher.” However, since the popularity of this format has grown so quickly, there is still much we don’t know about its efficacy.

Some programs also offer telehealth options that are only available to families, in addition to family therapy with the client. All Points North Lodge, for example, hosts weekly virtual support groups for people with a loved one in recovery.

All Points North Lodge theater room
Known for their cutting-edge facilities, All Points North Lodge in Vail Valley, Colorado, includes telehealth options specifically for families.

In-Person Family Therapy

If you attend rehab locally, you and your family may prefer to attend therapy together in person. This is an important option for people whose loved ones may not be comfortable using technology to discuss personal information, and those whose families include small children.

Many programs offer various versions of this modality, ranging from regular meetings to occasional visits. Aurora Recovery Centre offers a wide variety of robust programming for families, which people can attend either with a loved one in recovery or on their own. While these programs are therapeutic, they also share practical skills, teaching attendees “how family and community systems are affected by substance use disorder.” PROMIS London takes a different approach, hosting a family week during which your loved ones come together as a group for several days in a row.

Benefits of Family Therapy

Because every family is unique, every family is affected by substance use disorders6 in a slightly different way. These conditions can easily influence “breakdown in the ways in which family members get along, communicate, and bond with each other. A family is a system consisting of different ‘parts’ (the family members), so a change in one part can cause changes throughout the system.”

Family therapy is intended to heal not just the involved individuals, but the whole system. This process may teach you and your loved ones how to better support each other through hardships, encourage each other to use healthy coping mechanisms, and engage in activities you all find meaningful. Rehab is, among other things, a time for you to get to know yourself again. And you may find that you’ve changed. Family therapy invites your loved ones to get to know you again, too.

“Although family counseling may temporarily shake up the family system and activate intense feelings, these feelings are a normal part of counseling.” This process isn’t easy. However, for many clients, it is an extremely important part of recovery.

Aurora Recovery
Aurora Recovery Centre invites family members to their verdant campus in Manitoba, Canada.

Limitations of Family Therapy

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to healing from a substance use disorder. As helpful as family therapy can be, it may also be detrimental to certain clients. For example, some clients find that attending rehab—and especially traveling to rehab—is a helpful way to distance themselves from toxic interpersonal dynamics. In these cases, it may be better to take a break from communicating with loved ones until after you complete residential treatment.

In other cases, family therapy may be detrimental to a client’s loved ones. According to experts, “certain family members should not be included in SUD treatment and services. Such situations include when intimate partner violence has occurred, when child abuse or neglect has occurred, when individuals are currently withdrawing from substances, when clients with SUDs are also struggling with psychosis or are suicidal, and when clients have significant cognitive problems (like severe learning or memory problems).”

And even if you and your healthcare providers agree that family therapy would be beneficial for all involved, it may not be a realistic option. Your family may even be resistant to treatment,7 refusing to join you in the process of recovery. If this is the case, it’s best to focus on your own healing, and rely on your clinicians to provide you with more direct support. You may also benefit from attending support groups, and connecting with other members of your cohort.

Your Family and You

Family therapy is a way of healing not just your psyche, but also your relationships. By improving your communication skills, you’ll learn how to navigate stressful situations without losing much-needed interpersonal support.

It’s important to remember, though, that you are not your relationships. Working on your family dynamics can be extremely helpful. But regardless of their mental health, and regardless of their approval of your behavior, you have the right to be well. Whether or not you decide to attend family therapy, rehab is an opportunity for you to focus on your own personal healing process.

To learn more, view our collection of luxury rehabs offering family programming.

Frequently Asked Questions About Family Therapy in Rehab

What is the role of family therapy in rehab?

Family therapy plays a vital role in addressing the impact of addiction on the family system. It promotes healing, communication, and understanding among family members. This process can teach members how to better support each other, building a foundation for lasting recovery.

How does family therapy benefit the addiction recovery process?

Family therapy benefits the addiction recovery process by fostering a supportive and healthy family environment. It helps identify and address enabling behaviors, improves communication skills, rebuilds trust, and provides a strong foundation for sustained sobriety and emotional well-being.

Who participates in family therapy sessions during rehab?

Family therapy sessions in rehab typically involve the person in treatment and their family members. This can include parents, siblings, spouses, and chosen family. The goal is to address dynamics within the family system and strengthen relationships for long-term recovery.

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Plugging Into Rehab: A Closer Look at Tech Usage Policies

During inpatient rehab, clients step away from the hustle and bustle of their daily lives. This can give you much-needed space from issues like complex relationships, work stress, and social pressure. Some facilities enforce this by limiting your access to the outside world. In many programs, clients are not allowed to use their phones or computers during the course of addiction treatment. However, that’s not universally true.

Everyone’s experience of recovery is unique. For some people, stepping away from friends and family is a vital component of healing. In other cases, that level of isolation can be a barrier to treatment. Many high-powered executives, for example, simply can’t take that much time away from their responsibilities.

Fortunately, there are a wide variety of treatment approaches to choose from. You can find a program that prohibits device use entirely, limits it, or allows you to stay connected throughout your stay. However you decide to engage with—or disengage from—technology during rehab, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of each option.

The Psychological Impact of Cell Phone and Computer Use

Whether or not you have a mental health condition, such as a substance use disorder, technology may have an impact on your emotional state. A significant body of research has linked screen use to the brain’s release of dopamine,1 a neurochemical that plays a role in motivation, pleasure, and rewards. This may be of particular interest to current and former substance users, especially those who have used cocaine, who often experience dopamine imbalances.2

Potential Pros of Tech Use

In certain situations, technology—and especially social media—may help people feel connected. When used in an intentional way, this collection of tools may help alleviate loneliness. “Research reveals social media is most effective in tackling loneliness3 when it is used to enhance existing relationships, or forge new meaningful connections.” However, it can be difficult to set clear boundaries around your phone use. And when overused, technology can have a negative impact on mental health.

Potential Cons of Tech Use

Research suggests that too much screen time can cause sleep disturbances,4 and may also be correlated with depression.5 Some believe that overuse of technology may cause cell phone addiction.6 While this is not yet classified as a mental health diagnosis, more experts are considering it a serious condition.

However, this is a relatively new field of study. Smartphones have only been on the market since 2007. Technology is changing quickly, as is its importance in the larger culture. It may be a long time before experts understand the long-term psychological effects of modern-day connectivity.

As we continue to learn about the impact of cell phones and computers, it’s best to proceed with caution. This is extremely important for people in recovery, and especially those in medical detox, whose brain chemistry may be rapidly changing. When you’re deciding between rehab programs, you can always talk to your admissions team to determine the best option for you.

Reasons to Limit Technology Use During Rehab

Many rehab centers completely prohibit clients’ use of personal devices, including cell phones and computers. Others restrict access to technology, setting clear boundaries to limit clients’ screen time. There are a number of benefits to this approach.

Minimizing Distractions

Using technology can direct your energy away from the healing process. Whether you’re reading the news, scrolling social media, or talking to loved ones, you’re still receiving uncurated information about the outside world. Your innate response to these narratives is an expenditure of your emotional energy, which may be limited in the first stages of recovery.

“One goal of rehab is to take a person out of their normal environment. These days, we have so many distractions at our fingertips: our cell phones, laptop, computers, television.”

– Dr. Thomas Gazda, Medical Doctor at Soberman’s Estate

For some clients, these distractions make recovery much more difficult. You might be exposed to triggers, confronted with peer pressure, or just overstimulated.

sobermans estate pool
Soberman’s Estate in Cave Creek, Arizona, is located in the breathtaking Sonoran Desert, free from technological distractions.

Rehab is hard work, even when all of your energy is focused on healing. For many clients, it’s better to eliminate these types of distractions, and instead stick to a clearly defined recovery program.

Time Management

In rehab, you’ll likely follow a very structured schedule. These programs are designed by experts to help you make the most of your time in rehab.

Having access to technology may not only prove distracting during sessions, especially if you have your phone with you; it may also interfere with your limited free time. Your carefully scheduled breaks are intended to help you process the hard work of therapy. Clients often find that time spent thinking about therapy sessions on their own terms can result in important breakthroughs. If you use that time to talk to distant friends, or to provide emotional support to other people in your life, you’re likely to miss out on many of the benefits of your program.

Reexamining Relationships

Substance misuse can have a serious impact on interpersonal relationships.7 For that reason, some clients may benefit from taking space from their families, friends, and colleagues, during rehab. This can give you time to process your recent interactions with loved ones, reevaluating your role in your personal community. If your goal is to heal those relationships, this can also give your loved ones time to step back and process their own emotions.

Many clients also have substance-based relationships. These might include dynamics with people who have enabled or even encouraged you to use substances, or people who have untreated substance use disorders themselves. When you decide to begin healing, it can be very difficult to engage in healthy interactions with these people. By stepping away, you can take time to objectively consider whether it’s healthy for you to continue being in touch with them.

Taking a break from your immediate community can also give you time to reconsider any role you may have played in toxic dynamics. During rehab, you can discuss your past behavior in therapy, and practice building healthier relationships with your cohort. Because these are likely to be new relationships, you’ll be under far less pressure. Accidentally offending a person you’ve known for a month will have a smaller impact on your life than getting into a fight with a sibling, for example.

spark to recovery dbt
Spark to Recovery in Los Angeles, California includes dialectical behavior therapy as part of their treatment program.

Some therapies, like dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), have a particular focus on healing interpersonal dynamics. If this is a high priority for you, you can talk to the admissions teams at a few facilities in order to find the right program. Remember, though, that healing your relationships may or may not mean staying in communication with loved ones while you’re at rehab.

Reasons to Use Technology During Rehab

Certain facilities allow or even encourage clients to use their cell phones and computers during rehab. This varies from one program to another, and it can also vary among clients. If you attend a rehab that offers personalized treatment, you can likely work with your team of providers to decide how much screen time is healthy for you.

Dr. Gazda says, “People are complicated individuals. We really want to tailor our program to each individual patient and we live by that…Some of our patients can use their cell phones or have free time at points because they need it.” In these cases, technology use is also intended to achieve a particular goal, or to serve the needs of specific demographics.

Executive Treatment

Many luxury rehabs offer executive treatment programs, which cater to the unique needs of high-achieving professionals. People in these roles may find it difficult to take time off to attend rehab. When faced with the choice between keeping work commitments and going to rehab, many people choose to delay recovery.

However, at some of these facilities, you don’t have to choose. At Gallus Detox Centers, for example, professionals may stay connected to work throughout treatment. Your providers will “allow patients full access to their electronics. So if you’re the CEO of a company, you can set up your office for however long you’re with us,” says Douglass Weiss, President and Chief Customer Officer.

gallus
Upscale detox center Gallus Detox allows clients to stay connected to work throughout treatment.

There are many ways to approach treatment. Many luxury rehabs strive to be as accessible as possible to their clients, including those with pressing responsibilities. If the use of electronics is what makes rehab an option for you, you can certainly find a program that supports your needs.

Cultivating a Support Network

Experts agree that social support is a very important part of recovery.8 “To reach or maintain abstinence, it is crucial to maintain positive relationships,” one study claims. By staying connected to their long-term community during treatment, some clients may be able to strengthen relationships and prepare for life after rehab.

With that in mind, some rehabs allow every client to use personal electronics. The team of providers at Monarch Shores, for example, firmly believes that having the ability to stay in close contact with loved ones is a valuable way to “help you make it through the recovery process, and eventually have an easier time reconnecting with society.”

monarch shores outdoor deck
Overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean, Monarch Shores serves executives and allows clients to use electronics during treatment.

Programs like this one may be a good fit for those who are interested in healing family dynamics. Certain programs have a special focus on this goal, and even provide in-person family therapy.

Family Therapy in Rehab

While many clients benefit from attending family therapy during rehab, this is certainly not true for everyone. You might not decide whether this modality is right for you until after you begin an inpatient program.

If you and your family do decide to go to therapy together, there are a number of options available. Various programs offer family visits, regular phone calls, and in-person and remote sessions. Bear in mind that, no matter which therapies feel right for you, your family members’ needs must also be taken into consideration.

Technology as a Tool for Recovery

It can be difficult to accept that, in order to live a healthy life, you may have let go of certain relationships. This can include relationships that are very important to you. But your health has to come first.

In order to assess which relationships are most supportive, which need time to heal, and which are no longer serving you, it can be extremely helpful to take space from everyone in your life. And for some clients, physical space with remote contact is sufficient. Others may need to set stricter boundaries, temporarily ceasing all communication with loved ones outside the program.

Ideally, your time in rehab will help you learn how to build and maintain positive relationships. That’s true for everyone, whether or not you use electronics during your time there. However, the primary purpose of treatment is for you to begin recovery. As you begin to define what a healthy lifestyle means for yourself, you’ll develop the tools to build a community that supports your growth.

To learn more about programs that offer various levels of access to personal electronics, browse our list of luxury rehabs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Technology Rules In Rehab

Can you use technology during rehab?

Whether or not you can use technology during rehab depends on the center and treatment program. Some rehabs allow limited technology use for clients to stay connected to work or loved ones. Executive programs may allow internet access, for example. Other rehabs may restrict tech use to create a focused and immersive environment.

What are the benefits of limiting technology use during rehab?

Limiting technology use during rehab has several benefits:

• It promotes a focused, distraction-free environment.
• Individuals may fully engage in therapy and reflection.
• It encourages social interaction within the rehab community. 
• It reduces potential triggers associated with excessive technology use.

What are the benefits of using technology during rehab?

Using technology during rehab has several benefits. Professionals may need to keep up with work during treatment. Executive programs often have flexible technology policies to cater to their client’s unique needs. Flexible technology policies also let clients connect with loved ones back home and may facilitate remote family therapy.

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How Long Is Rehab for Drug and Alcohol Addiction?

The short answer is: it depends on your recovery goals. If you’re going through withdrawal, for instance, you may need short-term medical care. And after detox, most people go on to attend a 30-day rehab program. But many patients need more time in treatment—and that’s okay. As you compare different rehab programs, it’s important to think about how long your program will last. 

What Determines How Long Rehab Lasts?

Several factors affect how long you’ll spend in rehab. Your care team will evaluate your needs based on a number of criteria. 

How Severe Is Your Addiction?

Everyone’s experience of addiction is a little different. That includes the frequency and intensity of your drug use and your timeline for starting recovery. You could enter rehab with serious health issues due to years of untreated alcohol addiction. Or you might start treatment for meth addiction after taking it only a few times, already aware that you need help. Patients with more severe physical and mental health symptoms typically need more time in residential rehab. 

Do You Have Co-Occurring Disorders?

If you’re healing from co-occurring disorders, you may benefit from a longer stay. This gives your brain chemistry time to adjust—first to life without drug use, and then to any medications your care team prescribes. You may also need extra time to find the right types of treatment.

Are You Healing From Trauma?

Addiction and trauma often go hand in hand. Either one of these experiences can lead to the other. If you’re healing from both, your recovery journey might not be a linear experience. Some clients take a long time to unearth traumatic memories, and need expert care throughout that process. You could also find that after a short stay in rehab, returning home is the best way to continue your recovery. 

What Type of Treatment Do You Need?

There are many different ways to heal from drug addiction. In more traditional rehabs, you might start with detox and then go on to residential care. But some providers take a different approach. For example, ibogaine therapy is an alternative treatment that lasts just a few days. After you complete this type of therapy, you can return home, join an outpatient program, or go to residential rehab.

Other centers don’t adhere to a set timeline at all. In a luxury rehab with individualized care, a team of experts will design a treatment plan just for you. Sometimes this means the length of the program itself can change to meet your needs. 

How Do You Respond to Treatment?

When you’re just starting recovery, you can only plan so far in advance. Your needs will almost certainly change over time. Along the way, you and your care team might decide you need more or less time in rehab than you originally planned. It’s important to remain flexible throughout your recovery journey. By taking adequate time to heal, you can set yourself up for long-term success.

The Length of Stay in Addiction Rehab

Although you can’t predict every aspect of your recovery, it’s still a good idea to think ahead. Talk to your doctor, therapist, or a rehab’s admissions team before you choose an addiction treatment program. They can recommend an initial length of stay, even if that changes in the future.

Short-Term Medical Detox

Medical detox can keep you safe during withdrawal. Depending on your health history, you may or may not need inpatient care at this stage. However, medical treatment is essential for people detoxing from alcohol, benzodiazepines, or opioids. Quitting these substances has serious physical side effects. In some cases, withdrawal can even be fatal.1 

Most detox programs last 1-2 weeks. During that time, your care team will keep you as comfortable as possible. You might see a doctor, nurses, psychiatrist, talk therapist, or other specialists. Some luxury programs also offer complementary treatments like massage therapy.

Inpatient detox is just one step in your healing journey. Many programs require patients to plan for longer-term care before they start withdrawal. Then when you finish detox, you’ll go directly to rehab. 

30-Day Rehab Programs

For most patients, this is an average rehab stay. A 30-day program gives you plenty of time to get used to your new environment and focus on the hard work of recovery. But because it’s only a month, you won’t need to make long-term arrangements before you leave home. 

This time frame works well for people who need brief but specialized care so they can plug back into their lives. It’s an especially good fit for clients with a strong support network. You can turn inward while you start treatment, and reconnect with loved ones in the next stage of recovery.

A 30-day program can also help you keep your recovery private. High-profile clients might have a hard time explaining a long time out of the spotlight. 

60-Day Rehab Programs

If you have a more complex diagnosis, you might benefit from a longer stay in rehab. These programs can work well for people with multiple addictions. They can also help you recommit to recovery after relapse. 

Patients with co-occurring disorders may also need more time in treatment. It takes up to 6 weeks for most psychiatric medications to take full effect.2 If you start new meds when you arrive in rehab, it’s a good idea to stay until you know they’re working well. Otherwise, you might need to adjust your dosage as soon as you get home. Of course, this timeline depends on finding the right prescription shortly after arriving at rehab. Treatment sometimes takes more trial and error than that. 

90-Day Rehab Programs

These programs are a good fit for people who need highly specialized care. You’ll have time to find the right medications, try several different types of therapy, and get to know yourself again. In some rehabs, you can also spend this time building community with your peers. 

If you want to start treatment by attending a 90-day program, you’ll probably need to make certain arrangements in advance. For example, you might need to take time off work or hire a house sitter. And if you’re hoping to pay for treatment with insurance, check to see if it will cover this type of care. 

6-Month, 1-Year, and 2-Year Rehab Programs

An extended stay in rehab does more than kick-start your recovery. It offers you a whole new foundation. You’ll have time to reinvent yourself in a completely different context, without the pressure of the life you’re used to. 

When you attend a long-term program, you can expect things back home to change while you’re away. You may lose touch with certain people, or return to find they’ve changed as much as you have. That can be overwhelming—but it can also aid in your recovery. If you want to reenvision your life from a brand new perspective, this type of rehab can help you get started. 

Sober Living Environments

Sober living centers serve a different purpose than short-term treatment facilities. While these programs offer some structure, they rarely include clinical care. You may or may not attend therapy, or even have access to on-site staff. But you’ll still need to follow certain rules.

Most sober living environments require residents to pass regular drug tests. You’ll probably also join in mandatory activities, like support group meetings or shared meals. Residents can usually leave the house alone, but you might have to adhere to a curfew. 

With these structures in place, sober living centers encourage you to take control of your own life. You’ll probably get a job or go to school outside the house. You may need to pay rent or maintain a certain GPA to stay in the program. Some of these environments will limit the time you can live there, but others allow you to stay on indefinitely. 

Trust the Process

Healing is unpredictable. You might be able to choose how long you spend in rehab—but you can’t decide how long it will take to heal. Some clients need to extend their stay, and some return to treatment more than once. By staying present with yourself and your changing needs, you can make the best possible choices about your recovery. 

Search our list of luxury rehabs to find detox programs, sober living environments, and everything in between.

Frequently Asked Questions About Length of Stay in Drug and Alcohol Rehab

What factors determine how long rehab lasts?

The duration of rehab depends on several factors, including the severity of addiction, underlying trauma, and the presence of co-occurring disorders. People with more severe physical and mental health symptoms typically require longer stays in residential rehab.

What are the different types of rehab programs and their durations?

Rehab programs vary in length based on individual needs. Short-term medical detox typically lasts 1-2 weeks, while 30-day residential programs are common for those who need brief but intensive care. Complex diagnoses or co-occurring disorders may require longer stays of 60-90 days. Extended rehab programs of 6 months, 1 year, or 2 years offer a more comprehensive foundation for recovery. Sober living environments provide structure to support your transition back to daily life.