Many of the top alcohol and drug treatment programs are co-ed. In other words, in residential treatment, men and women reside in the same facility. While this may surprise some, it may be helpful to understand that at top residential treatment programs such as Oceanfront Recovery in Laguna Beach, privacy and safety is always a priority. Boundaries are established. Both men and women understand the goal of attending treatment is to become healthy and free from substance use to return to their professional and family obligations.
The Benefits of Co-Ed Alcohol and Drug Treatment
A co-ed alcohol and drug treatment approach has several benefits outlined. Many of the benefits stem from a broader perspective and preparation for real-world encounters. Of course, a co-ed alcohol and drug treatment facility’s mission is not relationship counseling. However, since many individual addiction narratives often center around relationships and boundaries, a co-ed facility can be a useful starting point to prepare for the real world in a safe environment. The benefits of a coed alcohol and drug treatment center may include:
- More perspective. With both men and women in a treatment program, there’s a broader range of perspectives on addiction. During group counseling moments, this can be valuable, as each person gains insight from exposure to stories of others, notably the opposite gender.
- Role-Playing. Role-playing during group counseling can be a useful method of practicing situations and possible trigger moments in a safe environment where discussions can be held constructively.
- Ability to relate. Often when we live with addiction, we can lose the ability to connect to members of the opposite sex healthily. A co-ed drug treatment program allows both men and women to positively interact with each other in non-destructive ways based on equality. Power struggles are discouraged, and alternatives are explored. Living alongside the opposite sex and constructively engaging in group therapy gives people a chance to become more comfortable with each other.
- Preparation for the real world. We all live together at some point. Even if we live by ourselves at home, when we step outside into our professional world and interact with others, we need to interact comfortably with the opposite gender. Learning to interact in a normal healthy way can help establish better connections when treatment is complete.
Safety Within Co-Ed Treatment
A co-ed treatment program does not imply both genders are thrown together to sort themselves out. Co-ed means under one roof with any interaction taking place in a way that maintains dignity and reflects the reason you chose to attend a treatment program; to become substance or alcohol-free.
Your time in detox at Oceanfront Recovery in Laguna Beach will be comfortable, safe, and secure. The highest level of care will be administered to any physical withdrawal symptoms via any clinical or psychological support needed. When entering treatment, you can expect a private medical evaluation and psychological assessment conducted by a qualified and experienced clinical team. From there, if deemed appropriate, you will start the detox, or detoxification, phase of your recovery. Before any detoxification commences, both you and your family are provided an opportunity to select the best treatment options based on your personal needs.
Detox treatment typically takes between three to ten days, depending on the severity of symptoms, and of course, the individual. Following detox, rehabilitation begins at one of the Oceanfront Recovery facilities in Laguna Beach.
What if I Want to Live With One Gender Only?
At Oceanfront Recovery, we offer a stand-alone six-bed co-ed detoxification facility as well as 2 six-bed residential living facilities. In all of our housing, our men and women reside in separate rooms. We also recognize that males and females process the world and their experiences in different ways. For this reason, we can provide opportunities for men and women to attend groups, counseling, and activities separately. We feel it is imperative that our clients can choose to attend group counseling sessions that address their unique needs. Our clients’ individual counseling sessions allow the client to address their specific issues and challenges and can often be embedded within their gender experience.
Many women in addiction treatment have been abused physically or emotionally, making their safety a priority. Not only this, but women face different pressures in life than men. Mothers who struggle with substance use are often shunned by society, and even by friends and family, for neglecting their children’s well-being in the face of a disease they cannot control. Women are also lured into using drugs and alcohol by the promise of glamor or money. At times, women need their own place in addiction recovery.
However, men also need their own place in addiction recovery. Men often face societal pressures to be “manly,” causing them to hide their emotions. In treatment, men will explore their feelings and why they feel specific ways. Due to societal pressures, men may also feel uncomfortable expressing their feelings, which can be made easier in men’s presence only.
Many alcohol and drug rehab programs are co-ed. When administered effectively, co-ed treatment programs offer meaningful opportunities for both genders to develop effective communication with each other in a way that mirrors the real world. Preparing for the real world and creating healthy social connections is one of the adjuncts or associated treatment and rehabilitation goals. Change your story. Change your life. Your safety and privacy are always protected. At Oceanfront Recovery, we are proud to offer various specialized services to facilitate individualized recovery and clinical detoxification for busy professionals and adults. Supporting your commitment to get clean, stay clean and discover healthy lifestyle alternatives, our modern, attractive facilities nestled in the laid-back community of Laguna Beach offer ample opportunity for you to restore your professional and family life. Caring case managers, counselors, and wellness staff trained in dual diagnosis and recovery are there to support your commitment to recovery in an accessible, practical, and affordable environment. Calling Oceanfront Recovery today may be just what you need to change your story, and possibly, your life. We can’t wait to meet you. Call us today at (877) 279-1777.
