Long term drug treatment is long because addicts need to learn how to live again. Live without drugs and alcohol, function in society, go to work, be responsible, treatment is not about ceasing the use of drugs, its about learning how to not be an addict. The life of a drug addict is so full of lies, deception and manipulation, and avoiding the truth, that when we stop using, we don't remember how we are supposed to act.
Some addicts steal to support their addictions, when you stop using, you must stop stealing also. It sounds strange to "normal" people, but that is one of the hurdles you need to face. Drugs make us immune to your conscience. When you don't have feelings, or your feelings are numbed to what is right and what is wrong, it's easy to steal, and manipulate, to buy drugs, because as soon as you get your drugs, you don't feel guilty about the stealing anymore, it's another one of the vicious cycles addicts get stuck in.
Long term treatment helps you to learn the whole new way of life you will have to learn how to live if you are going to stay sober. There are rules that are very basic, but serve a definite purpose, things like you have to get up at a certain time, make your bed, attend groups, and usually a 12-step meeting of some sort a regulated amount of times a week. You must go to counseling, and usually after a certain amount of time get a job. There are all different levels of treatment to go through, at first you'll probably have very few privileges, you will have a curfew, and probably won't be able to go anywhere alone for at least a few weeks. All of these rules serve the purpose of supporting you through the process of recovery.
I know I've said it many times before but recovery is a PROCESS, we did not become addicts over night, it was a process that steadily became worse and worse, crossing the lines of "I'll never do that", it's so funny how drug addicts set little limits for themselves and if they don't cross that line then they are fine, they don't have a problem. For example, "I'll never use a needle" is a big one. As long as you don't use a needle that you don't have a problem, well of course, that is ridiculous, but it is an addicts way of saying what they are doing is ok. Of course everyone who uses iv drugs at one time or another said to themselves, "I'll never use a needle". When it come to getting high we addicts will do anything we have to in search of that high we want so badly, but never seem to find.
Long term treatment should not feel like a sentence - a certain amount of months or days until you get out. It is a new life style that you slowly learn to live. Many addicts started using at such early ages, that they've never been "responsible" before. Learning how to make the correct life choices is not an automatic thing, we have to learn to live that way, and that's what the counselors, therapists, and other recovering addicts are going to help you learn to do. If you are serious about your recovery and have quit using many times but have a hard time staying sober, long term treatment is something you should consider. It's a process, take the time you need to learn everything you need to, to live a happy life, without drugs and alcohol. It's a small amount of time in the big picture, but a very valuable foundation for a life of serenity.
