Long-term residential treatment is a unique recovery opportunity for individuals struggling with substance abuse. 

Three of our directors from Pyramid Healthcare Hammonton detox and residential treatment center — Ann Roberts, the executive director, Stephanie Laskowski, the assistant executive director and Erica Scott, the clinical director — took time to share their thoughts and experiences with residential programs to educate our readers. This discussion on the benefits and details of long-term care can help you determine if this treatment option is right for you or a loved one.

What is long-term residential care?

Typically, long-term residential treatment involves, programs that entail patients residing in a facility for the duration of their treatment that’s all dependent on their needs. These programs feature 24/7 staff on premises to offer round-the-clock support for each client.

At Pyramid, we encourage a residential stay of 60 to 90 days. Medicaid approves 60 days, but our staff encourages the additional 30 to really allow residents the time to dive deep into their treatment and turn newly learned practices into life-long habits.

According to our directors, those who stay in residential treatment care for extensive periods of time tend to regress over time. Long-term residential care is important for those who need more time away from triggers and a safe environment in which to work on themselves, but after a certain period, they need to leave in order to put their skills to use.

What are the benefits of long-term residential care?

The benefits of long-term residential care are numerous, especially because of the program’s ability to be crafted in a way that meets the individual needs of each client.

In their interview, Roberts, Laskowski and Scott named multiple benefits clients can experience while undertaking long-term residential treatment. 

They said, “Long-term residential care gives clients an opportunity to have that time away from the triggers… in a safe environment that allows them to continue working on themselves, learning about themselves [and] finding out what they really need to change within themselves in order to get better and to stay better longer.”

Clients most often benefit from being withdrawn from the inevitable stressors of the real world in order to have time to really stabilize their mental health and/or medication-assisted treatment. This way, when they do step back into routine life, they have the foundation they built in treatment to rely on.

Additionally, with long-term treatment, clients are able to fully delve into their treatment programs. Detox and short-term treatment really just set the stage and introduce certain modalities and coping methods. Still, long-term allows clients to become familiar with and claim ownership over their recovery. 

What does a day in long-term residential treatment look like?

Days in a residential treatment facility are very structured and routine, with some variety thrown in here and there. Typically speaking, residents will wake up and prepare themselves for the day before breakfast and medication dispersal. 

Throughout the day, they will participate in therapy groups, and various activities, including life skills classes, yoga, music therapy and even activities they may leave the facility for. This structure will repeat at lunchtime, with meds following and groups/activities in the afternoon.

The intention behind the rigorous structure of the program is to teach residents the importance of building a structure for themselves in their day-to-day lives. Not only does routine keep them accountable, but it can foster motivation and discourage boredom, both of which are important for sustained recovery.

In the midst of this standard routine, there is the variety of three tracks offered at Pyramid Healthcare which help individuals focus on their personal recovery goals: 

• Trauma
• Relationships
• Anger management 

Based on the particular needs of the individual, they will follow the curriculums of these tracks during their stay. They will participate in a variety of treatment modalities, including motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy, depending on which method(s) best caters to addressing those concerns.

How does a residential program adapt to changing needs?

Roberts, Laskowski and Scott addressed this question by stating that after 30 days of residential treatment, clients are eligible to participate in certain new activities.

At this point in one’s treatment journey, family members (after going through educational training on the journey their loved one is pursuing), can come into the facility for visits. These visits can be challenging but can lay the groundwork for further recovery within the family.

Additionally, clients are allowed to leave the facility in order to participate in meetings in the community. This interaction with other individuals outside the treatment facility can be very beneficial in providing a sense of a healthy community on which to fall back once time within the treatment facility has been completed.

Lastly, at Pyramid’s residential facilities, we have a client ambassador program where, after a period of time, clients take on a leadership role in the unit and lead community meetings for both their units and other units as well. This gives them the chance to practice skills they have learned, as well as allows them a level of responsibility crucial to recovery. 

It’s important that these new additions and changes are made as clients progress through their treatment programs. By adapting to their changes, they can be better prepared for when they step back into the real world or into whatever aftercare program they and their counselor choose.

Ready to enroll in long-term residential treatment?

If Pyramid Healthcare’s residential treatment program sounds like the right fit for your needs, contact us today by calling 888-694-9996 to learn more.