Addiction is a progressive disease that often requires treatment in order for people to have a successful recovery. Treatment facilities and treatment centers across the country offer treatment options that cater to individuals with different physical and mental issues which have been caused by alcohol or drug abuse. The addiction treatment process utilizes a range of evidence-based therapy options, but ultimately it differs for everyone depending on the individual and the case in question.
If you have a substance use disorder and are thinking about seeking treatment, you may be wondering ‘how long does rehab last?’. However, alcohol and drug addiction treatment is unique for each person, and the length of stay is dependent on a number of personal factors. This includes the severity of the alcohol or drug abuse, how long it has been apparent, and if there is a co-occurring mental health disorder that also needs to be treated.
This post will explore the treatment options, the typical length of stay for rehab programs, and the general recovery process for different substances. If you are wondering about treatment it is always best to get professional medical advice.
The Length of Rehab
Substance abuse disorders affect both psychological and physical aspects of an individual’s life and rehab encompasses supporting all of these areas that are affected by the addiction. This means that the length of stay in rehab centers can vary greatly, however, there are some common lengths for treatment programs, these are:
- 30-day program
- 60-day program
- 90-day program
The different lengths available for treatment reflect the various degrees of substance abuse disorders that people can have. Although the National Institute on Drug Abuse has found that long-term programs are more successful than shorted based treatments, there are many benefits to all program types.
30-Day Treatment Programs
A 30-day program for drug or alcohol addiction treatment is a great starting point for those who are first seeking treatment. This length of stay offers individuals appropriate time to detox from alcohol or drug abuse and overcome physical withdrawal symptoms with the right help and support. Additionally, patients are able to work on destructive behaviors and thought patterns that may be contributing to the substance abuse as well as establishing relapse prevention techniques.
Although a 30-day treatment is the shortest option, it does not mean this is where treatment ends. A thorough aftercare plan should be determined to ensure you feel supported even after treatment ends. Aftercare can include weekly check-in sessions or attendance to support groups.
Treatment options that are 30 days are easier for you to commit to and are typically offered at a lower cost that many insurance companies cover.
60-day Treatment Programs
Substance abuse treatment that lasts for 60 days offers the added benefit of extra time for support throughout the beginning of your recovery journey. The recovery process for a substance abuse disorder is not limited to the length of time in rehab but also includes ongoing support to increase the chances of lasting sobriety.
Addiction treatment options that last for 60 days allow a longer period for individuals to fully detox from whatever substance they are dependent on. It also allows appropriate time to practice healthy and positive habits. Therapy sessions will cover a range of circumstances that may have contributed to your substance abuse disorder, including behavioral, familial, or situational.
90-Day Treatment Programs
90-day programs have proven to have the highest success rate compared to other options. Although the length of time may initially feel intimidating, a treatment that is 90 days or longer are extremely beneficial for a number of different reasons.
Although a 30-60 day program may be enough time for the detoxification process for some individuals, alcohol and drug abuse differ for all, and some users can even experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
Detox is only the first step in the process and some medications may be used throughout to ease symptoms, a longer program allows for support throughout this whole process, ensuring patients have a comfortable and safe experience when ridding their bodies of any remaining toxins.
When medication is used in order to provide a whole-person approach to treatment, time may be needed to ensure the mind and body become accustomed and the medication is effective for the individual in question. For more information about medication-assisted treatment, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
A long rehab program offers individuals further time to work alongside medical professionals who are able to teach and guide individuals through learning effective coping mechanisms needed to sustain lasting sobriety. It gives you the chance to become accustomed to your life without substance abuse, away from negative influences or potential risk factors.
A longer program allows for more time to tackle the root cause of the addiction. It can be daunting opening up about your struggles and pains to someone you feel you have just met. However, this length of stay allows people time to build trustworthy relationships with their therapists in order to delve into factors that may have contributed to their addiction. The National Institute on Drug Abuse believes this length to be the best option, especially for individuals who have been living with a substance use disorder for a number of years.
Inpatient Treatment
An inpatient treatment facility provides a sober and safe environment to allow individuals a comfortable space to feel at ease when undergoing treatment. Some inpatient treatment options are facilitated in hospitals, however, many longer-term inpatient rehab options are located in private, residential facilities. The goal of any long-term inpatient treatment is to ensure all individuals are able to solely focus on their recovery without any stressors or distractors from everyday life.
Within these treatment facilities, individuals are under close monitoring and supervision from licensed medical professionals. The average length of stay can last between 28-90 days, however, some treatment options can last for up six months, it is all dependent on the individual and the rehab centers.
Alcohol and drug addiction treatment options within an inpatient setting include both individual and group therapy, it may also utilize 12-step support groups, family therapy sessions, and other activities. The short-term program typically lasts 28-30 days as discussed earlier, and is recommended for those with a ‘mild addiction’ and a strong support group. When you first enter rehab, an individualized treatment plan will be established and the length of stay will vary depending on personal factors.
The length of inpatient treatment may be extended into outpatient treatment options to further aftercare and support outside of the treatment facility. This can include sober living arrangements, recovery meetings, or outpatient counseling.
Outpatient Treatment
Substance abuse treatment in an outpatient program can last anywhere from a few months to a year. They typically require individuals to attend sessions in a treatment facility from six to around 20 or more hours a week. The outpatient treatment process lasts longer than inpatient treatment as it allows patients to attend rehab on a flexible schedule that fits around their day-to-day life. 90 days is a typical average outpatient length of time, but this can be extended.
The treatment length is also depended on the individual and what stage of their recovery journey they are at. For example, an individual may have already completed an inpatient program and outpatient treatment has been recommended for further support. However, it can also be the primary treatment. Outpatient treatment requires patients to attend therapy sessions that focus on teaching life skills, relapse prevention, reinforcement of learned coping mechanisms, and support groups.
Steps for Substance Abuse Treatment
Detox
The first step of any substance abuse treatment is detox. When we talk about detoxing, we are referring to the time it takes for an individual to remove a substance and any remaining toxins from their body. So, how long does rehab last for detox? The time it takes for you to cleanse your body is dependent on a number of factors, withdrawal symptoms are influenced by:
- Amount of substance used
- Weight and age
- Type of substance used
- Length of time substance was abused
- Overall mental and physical health
As withdrawal symptoms can vary, detox is said to last anywhere from three to ten days. Once a detox has been completed, the recovery journey is continued on an inpatient or outpatient basis.
Treatment
Following detox, the main component of rehabilitation can start. The treatment phase of the recovery journey is where therapy and counseling take place with the time of identifying and changing destructive behaviors and those patterns with positive replacements. Typically, these sessions can place in an individual or group setting. Medication-assisted treatment may also be introduced here. After displaying overall improvements in both physical and mental health this stage of your recovery journey is complete.
People who are living with severe addictions may need long-term treatment. For example, individuals who have co-occurring disorders will need further treatment to address all mental health disorders.
Aftercare
Recovery from drug and alcohol addictions is a complex process and the journey does not end after treatment. Unfortunately, cravings and temptations for drug or alcohol use can occur at any time and are common to experience right after rehab. To help prevent any relapse, aftercare is recommended to continue ongoing support as well as to help keep yourself accountable. This phase of treatment can involve:
- Medication
- Self-help programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous
- Support group meetings
As with all other aspects of treatment, the length of time that aftercare should be carried out is dependent on the individual. For some people, recovery services and aftercare are a lifetime commitment. Research has found that active participation in self-help programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) throughout and after rehab encourages longer periods of abstinence.
Achieving and maintaining sobriety may be easier for some individuals compared to others, and for some, little or no aftercare is needed. However, for the majority of individuals recovering from substance use disorders, proactive participation in aftercare is needed to help prevent relapse.
Drug Addiction Treatment at Crossroads Antigua
At Crossroads Antigua, our residential rehabilitation program offers patients a holistic treatment that is customized to heal the body, mind, and spirit where we utilize the 12-step program as a guiding principle for a successful recovery. Our inpatient treatment can range from 30 to 90 days, we assess our treatment plans every two weeks to ensure each client is in the right phase of treatment and if needed, we can extend the length of stay.
Other programs that we odder include a medically managed detoxification, family therapy week, and a seven-week program called to restore and connect, designed for individuals who wish to resolve old issues.
We use evidence-based therapies combined with fitness, mindfulness, and nutrition counseling to customize a holistic treatment plan for each client. We understand that all individual’s needs are different so our client-centered approach provides a solid foundation that is needed in order to sustain recovery. Services we offer in each program include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Motivational interviewing
- Mindfulness
- Trauma-informed therapy
- Holistic programs
- Didactics utilizing the 12-step model
- Family program
- Physical, nutritional, psychiatric, psychological, and spiritual evaluation
- Continuing aftercare for up to two years after discharge
We wish to aim for the highest quality of care at an affordable price. To learn more about we can help you, contact us today to discuss treatment options.