The purpose of this treatment is to sustain a lasting abstinence, but the immediate goal is to reduce the patient's use of drugs. Short-term residential treatment involves a 3 to 6 week inpatient phase ending with outpatient therapy. Outpatient drug-free treatment utilizes clinic visits rather than the use of medications. This program is for those who have relatively stable and well-integrated lives, with the exception that they abuse drugs. For opiate abusers, this type of maintenance therapy is not recommended.
Therapeutic communities are residential programs.
Patients reside in a residence between 6 to 12 months. This treatment is encouraged for those whose abuse have driven patients to create criminal acts or become highly introverted due to the addiction. 21 H 27 N O , that is less addictive than morphine or heroin and is used as a substitute for these drugs in addiction treatment programs. Methadone programs are usually more successful with patients that have an opiate dependence. The best results come from programs that also provide counseling and medical care.