There now exist numerous types of recognized and acceptable drug treatment programs. But for the most part, the two most commonly used are still the short-term and long-term types. What are the basic differences between the two types of treatment?

What circumstances mandate which one is prescribed? These are just a couple of questions that get asked with regular frequencies when it comes to discussing the differences between the two.Short-term treatments usually involve a brief, but very intensive residential style of treatment. This type also employs the use of a modified 12 Step approach in that the original use of the short-term treatment was originally used for alcohol abuse only. That focus shifted with the advent of the cocaine epidemic during the 1980’s.

The short-term treatment programs were normally between 3 and 6 weeks in duration and those were then followed up with extended participation in self-help programs as well as continued outpatient therapy. Unfortunately, these types of programs have began to diminish over the past several years due to a reduction in health care coverage for substance abuse treatment.

A non-hospital setting and continual 24 hour a day care is the norm with long-term treatment facilities. The therapeutic community, or TC as it is called, is considered the best form of long-term care, but other methods of treatment such as the cognitive-behavioral therapy is also a popular form of treatment. TC programs normally last between 6 and 12 months and focus on the “resocializing” the individual using the key components of the entire TC — residents, staff, and TC social context.

Addiction is perceived as psychological and social deficits of the afflicted individual and the treatment usually focuses on two key facets of life:

• personal accountability and responsibility
• developing a socially productive lifestyle

Employment training and other support services are sometimes included in this form of treatment so as to enable the recovered individual an easy transition back into society.