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What is Residential Treatment?

Sheri Cyprus
Sheri Cyprus

Most states and many regions of the world have different types of residential treatment centers. Unlike counseling and treatment sessions that are attended by appointment by outpatients during the day, residential therapy means that the patient lives on site. The patient’s stay could be as short as a few days or as long as several months. The different types of residential treatment include mental health, adolescent, alcohol and drug.

Some substance abuse treatment centers have residential therapy for both alcohol and drug addicts who want to quit. Other types of these centers are divided into separate residential treatment facilities. Drug residential rehabilitation centers help people deal with physical and psychological dependency on drugs such as cocaine, heroin and many prescription pills. Alcohol treatment centers assess resident patients and treat them individually even though they may have group counseling sessions.

People with prescription pill addictions may get help at a residential treatment center.
People with prescription pill addictions may get help at a residential treatment center.

An adolescent residential treatment center may treat teens who have different types of problems or specialize in just one area. Common specialty areas are substance abuse and eating disorders. Residential therapy facilities for teens aren’t designed for adolescents with light or minor problems, but rather are usually an option after outpatient treatment hasn’t been successful.

Residential treatment can include group counseling.
Residential treatment can include group counseling.

Adolescent residential treatment often lasts between six and 18 months. Some teen treatment centers are also schools. Combination boarding schools and adolescent treatment centers are usually aimed at teens whose behavior problems at school have escalated; in some cases, these adolescents have also been in trouble with the law. Therapists and 24-hour staff work on changing problem behavior and preparing teens for a healthier, more productive life.

Residential therapy facilities for teens are designed for patients that haven't responded to outpatient treatment.
Residential therapy facilities for teens are designed for patients that haven't responded to outpatient treatment.

Mental health residential treatment centers may be divided into adult and teen types. A mental health facility made for live-in patients is also called a residential psychiatric center. The treatment here could be as short as three days depending on the needs of the patient. The goal in mental health residential therapy is to provide therapeutic help so patients can better manage their illness.

Cocaine users may seek treatment at a drug residential rehabilitation center.
Cocaine users may seek treatment at a drug residential rehabilitation center.

Residential treatment centers must have sleeping and bathing facilities for the patients. Food or cooking facilities are also provided. Residential therapy centers are often divided into male and female sections. Most types of residential centers offer programs such as art and music therapy to help patients in the healing process.

Discussion Comments

anirudh

I have been introduced the the various types of treatment centers with the help of this site. Outpatient treatments are successful but it depends on the doctors. Nothing is impossible. Highly qualified experts are capable of reducing the problems of addicted patients.

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    • People with prescription pill addictions may get help at a residential treatment center.
      By: fabiomax
      People with prescription pill addictions may get help at a residential treatment center.
    • Residential treatment can include group counseling.
      By: Monkey Business
      Residential treatment can include group counseling.
    • Residential therapy facilities for teens are designed for patients that haven't responded to outpatient treatment.
      By: Monkey Business
      Residential therapy facilities for teens are designed for patients that haven't responded to outpatient treatment.
    • Cocaine users may seek treatment at a drug residential rehabilitation center.
      By: HamsterMan
      Cocaine users may seek treatment at a drug residential rehabilitation center.
    • Those seeking treatment for a heroin addiction may benefit from entering an inpatient treatment facility, where access to the drug will be completely cut off.
      By: arska n
      Those seeking treatment for a heroin addiction may benefit from entering an inpatient treatment facility, where access to the drug will be completely cut off.
    • A residential treatment program may be used to help people work through mental health issues.
      By: Monkey Business
      A residential treatment program may be used to help people work through mental health issues.