How long is rehab? Length of drug and alcohol rehab

Recovery from addiction is possible, and finding the right treatment facility and program can be the first step toward lasting sobriety. If you’re beginning to explore treatment programs for drug or alcohol abuse or co-occurring mental health disorders, you likely have many questions. One of the most common questions about treatment is how long it will take to complete an inpatient or outpatient rehab program. Many addiction treatment facilities offer 30, 60, and 90 day inpatient treatment and/or outpatient rehab programs to support people beginning a recovery journey.

Whether you’re planning to attend inpatient treatment or outpatient programming (like a partial hospitalization program or an intensive outpatient program), it’s normal to be curious about how much time you’ll spend in drug rehab. Factors that impact the length of drug and alcohol rehab include:

Inpatient treatment vs. outpatient treatment

Both inpatient and outpatient options often offer 30, 60, or 90 day programs. That being said, the number of hours you spend in rehab can differ greatly depending on whether you attend inpatient or outpatient treatment.

During inpatient treatment, you’ll live at the facility where you’ll have access to around-the-clock addiction care in a structured environment. Some people begin recovery with inpatient care and later transition to outpatient care. If you choose to attend an outpatient facility, you’ll spend some hours of the day receiving treatment, while spending remaining hours at work or at home.

There are several different types of outpatient rehab, including standard outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient programming (IOP), and partial hospitalization programming (PHP). Standard outpatient care may occur on a by-appointment basis, and may include individual and group therapy. Intensive outpatient programming and partial hospitalization programming take place for several hours each day, several days a week.

Severity of drug addiction

The length and severity of your addiction can play a role in determining the duration of your treatment at a drug rehab center. If you have a severe addiction, you will likely need to spend more time in your treatment program to improve your chances of achieving long-term sobriety. Additional treatment may also be necessary if you are experiencing polysubstance addiction (an addiction to more than one substance at a time) or require co-occurring disorder treatment (the presence of a mental condition alongside a substance use disorder).

Your personalized drug rehab plan

When you start treatment, your care providers will work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan, designed to meet your unique needs. Your care providers will ask questions about your needs, including mental and physical health issues, your current coping mechanisms, and more to determine your ideal stay in treatment.

Cost and coverage

The Affordable Care Act requires that major insurance companies provide at least some coverage for mental health disorders, including substance use problems. That being said, people who are uninsured, underinsured, or whose insurance coverage doesn’t substantially offset the cost of rehab may choose shorter programs.

Short-term programs. Short-term programs may help you stop using an addictive substance before transitioning into a longer-term program. Sometimes, short-term inpatient programs can help prepare you for continued care through an outpatient program.

30-day programs. 30-day programs can be a good choice for individuals who need a higher level of support and are ready to commit to short-term treatment. While no two outpatient or inpatient programs are exactly the same, most 30-day programs offer a combination of individual therapy, group therapy, psychoeducation, behavioral therapy, and access to 12-step meetings.

60-day programs. 60-day programs often involve much of the same programming as 30-day programs. The longer stay in treatment can help you build a more robust sobriety toolkit that can support you in your day-to-day life.

90-day programs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, treatment stays that are 90 days or longer tend to result in better outcomes. 90 days of treatment can provide an immersive experience that allows you to fully step away from the people, places, and things associated with addiction. For many, this three-month period is sufficient to develop new habits and coping mechanisms that can support real-world sobriety.

6–12 month programs. While longer, residential-style programs aren’t as common as 30, 60, and 90-day options, they can be a good fit for those who need a higher level of support.

You may be unsure of what program length is the best fit for you. Your care team may work with you to utilize multiple programs within your treatment plan. For example, some people find that it’s helpful to attend a shorter inpatient care program followed by a longer outpatient rehab.