How Long is Rehab: Program Lengths & How to Get Help

Detox is a general term used to describe the body’s process of removing alcohol and other drugs from the system. It’s also been proven that the longer someone stays in treatment, the more likely they are to achieve long-term sobriety. 90-day programs can be a combination of inpatient and outpatient care, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse recommends this length as the best option. When you’re first deciding on whether to go to alcohol/drug rehab, 30 days could seem like a doable option. Insurance coverage is also likely for 30-day alcohol or drug addiction treatment.

• This can be difficult and draining, so make sure to take care of yourself physically and emotionally.
• Learn more about the costs of rehab and how to make sure your insurance covers treatment.
• While many drug rehabilitation programs are 60 days long, not all of them employ the same treatment approaches.
• Some people can overcome their addiction with little or no aftercare.

Taking the First Steps Toward Treatment

So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the answer to “how long is treatment,” is that it differs from person to person. While in treatment, it is best to focus on the goal of recovery — not the time it takes to get out. If you need help finding a treatment program, contact a treatment provider. In other cases, you may simply want to enter a more structured home environment while working toward long-term sobriety. In these instances, there are additional programs available in which you can immerse yourself in a sober living environment. Because addiction can affect so many aspects of a person’s life, treatment should address the needs of the whole person to be successful.

What Does an Addiction Treatment Program Include?

Throughout the first month or so, cravings will gradually decrease after the acute withdrawal symptoms have subsided. Between months two and four of sobriety, people typically “hit a wall” where depression overcomes the individual, often causing cravings to return. These timelines are meant as rough guides to determine when symptoms will present themselves and subside. Of course, another factor that affects when a person will start having withdrawals is the form of the kind of drug they are using — whether that form is fast-acting or extended-release. But one also needs to keep in mind that drug recovery doesn’t end with the end of withdrawal symptoms. There’s a lot more to be done to recover from addiction successfully.

• The more severe it is, the more time it may take for your body to adjust to being without drugs or alcohol.
• Inpatient programs include detoxing services and are typically available in 30-day, 60-day, and 90-day programs.
• Trained professionals know the physical and emotional effects of withdrawals and can provide relief and support during the worst phases of withdrawal.
• Many people in alcohol or drug addiction treatment start with detox.
• The 90-day drug and alcohol recovery timeline may seem exceptionally long and tedious.
• If you go home and live with someone who drinks or uses drugs,or if you live alone without a support system, you’re more likely to revert back to old habits.

How Long Does it Take to Get Over an Addiction?

Addiction Resource aims to provide only the most current, accurate information in regards to addiction and addiction treatment, which means we only reference the most credible sources available. However, some broad recommendations might help you comprehend drug treatment and choose the right solution. They are insufficient for persons with persistent or recurrent addictions or needing continuous care and monitoring after the program. The 2015 SAMSHA National Survey on Drug Use and Health found 21.7 million 12-year-olds needed addiction treatment, but only 2.3 million went to rehab. Keeping this in mind, they are not favored in the medical community because they offer unreliable results due to discrimination based on factors like hair color. Despite this, some high-security clearance jobs sue them before offering employment.

Many, if not most, people who enter addiction treatment are also battling other mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety disorder, and trauma. Leaving treatment without dealing with these co-occurring disorders is a recipe for failure and makes a relapse far more likely. Absent good data at the time that proved otherwise, 28 days became the standard length of drug and alcohol rehab for military personnel and civilians alike. Stopping drug use is just one part of a long and complex recovery process. When people enter treatment, addiction has often caused serious consequences in their lives, possibly disrupting their health and how they function in their family lives, at work, and in the community. One of the easiest ways to figure out how long you need to stay in drug rehab is to contact the National Rehab Hotline.

• One of the main factors that determines how long treatment will last is the severity of the person’s addiction.
• Some detox programs prescribe medications to clients to ease their withdrawal symptoms while still providing them with a supervised environment in which to treat their addiction.
• For example, someone may start in Medical Detox to manage severe withdrawal symptoms.
• This can include outpatient counseling, support groups, and sober living environments, which are crucial for preventing relapse.
• A rehab program may last 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, or more than 120 days.

What is the Rehab Process Like?

• Withdrawal can often accompany physical symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
• While some patients may have commitments that they need to tend to, whenever possible, it is always recommended that patients give themselves the time they need to heal from drug addiction.
• Depending on severity and frequency, outpatient treatment might span weeks or months.
• Because addiction can affect so many aspects of a person’s life, treatment should address the needs of the whole person to be successful.
• This can involve taking time for yourself, ensuring you are attending to your needs, and checking in with yourself often.
• AddictionResource fact-checks all the information before publishing and uses only credible and trusted sources when citing any medical data.

The frequency of outpatient sessions varies and is often tailored according to individual needs, ranging from multiple times a week to once a month. Movement to Intensive Outpatient treatment often occurs when the patient has developed stronger coping mechanisms and has stable vitals. By Buddy TBuddy T is a writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism.

Inpatient Programs

If you or a loved one is dealing with drug or alcohol how long is drug rehab addiction, you’re not alone. Call our helpline today to find out what treatment option is best for you. Outpatient treatment can last much longer than inpatient because therapy sessions are scheduled around the person’s life.

How Long Does Drug Rehab Typically Last?

Some programs may be longer than six months to provide intensive care if necessary. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), longer treatment programs reap a higher chance of success, recommending 90-day inpatient drug rehab. If you are looking for substance abuse treatment for yourself or a loved one, you can find it today. Call us to learn more about your treatment options, the recovery process, and how to get started. For many people, long-term residential treatment is followed by an aftercare program, but sometimes clients are transferred to an outpatient level of care. Sarah underwent addiction and mental health treatment in the residential program.