How Long Does Rehab Take?
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Substance use disorders can be debilitating, affecting all areas of your life including your physical and mental health. This is why it’s so important that you receive treatment for your addiction.
However, if you don’t know much about the rehab process, the thought of it may be daunting. Some people may think rehab lasts for months at a time, and be scared away from the idea.
But how long exactly does rehab take to work? How long do people stay in residential rehab facilities? What about detox programs?
That’s what we’re going to explore on this page. Read on to learn more about the alcohol and drug addiction rehab process, and how long rehab lasts. We’re also going to explore how to find the right addiction treatment that meets your needs.
What Does Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment Entail?
Different rehab clinics will have different treatment processes – however, the three core stages of rehab often remain the same.
There are two main forms of rehab treatment – inpatient rehab treatment/ residential rehab and outpatient rehab treatment. Inpatient rehab involves residing in a rehab facility and attending sessions at the same place, whereas as an outpatient, you’ll live at home and travel to rehab sessions.
Read on to learn more about alcohol rehab and drug rehab – specifically what addiction treatment entails.
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Detoxification for Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Drug and alcohol abuse can quickly lead to a physical addiction. If you are dependent on alcohol or drugs, then we always recommend that you complete the detoxification process.
The type of detox you should have depends exact on your personal circumstances and the severity of your addiction.
If you have a severe dependence, then you will likely benefit from completing a medical detox. During medical detox, you may be supervised by medical professionals. Medical professionals may also administer detox medication, which can help to relieve the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.
Addiction Therapy
Detoxification alone doesn’t address the psychological and behavioural aspects of addiction, which is why addiction therapy is so important.
Different clinics may offer different treatments, and therapy options can vary. However, CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) is a particularly common and effective form of treatment for addiction.
CBT is based on the belief that your thoughts, feelings, behaviour and actions are linked, and that with work, negative cycles can be broken.
Counselling is also effective in addiction treatment. Through regular counselling sessions with addiction counsellors, you can gain an understanding of yourself and your addiction. You may begin to understand your addiction triggers, as well as any root causes of your addiction.
Some other forms of addiction therapy, whether it be for drug addiction or alcohol addiction, include DBT (dialectical behavioural therapy), family therapy, interpersonal therapy, or group therapy. Other rehab clinics may also offer holistic therapies such as art therapy – or host mindfulness sessions (e.g meditation).
Secondary Treatment/ Aftercare
Secondary treatment ultimately aims at relapse prevention and maintaining sobriety. It’s a way of receiving ongoing support once you finish the rehab process – after all, the support you receive doesn’t have to end once you leave the rehab gates.
There are many forms of secondary treatment – for example, attending leisure facilities, speaking with addiction counsellors, group therapy, or even support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
You may also receive telephone support or online support, which is convenient in times of crisis. However, it’s important to note that secondary treatment is about maintaining sobriety – primary treatment is effective in terms of immediate care.
How Long Does Detoxification Take?
The length of a detoxification plan varies depending on the severity of the substance abuse and addiction, as well as additional factors such as your height, weight, and age. At Help4Addiction, we can find a rehab program with a detox that lasts for 7-days, 14-days, or 28-days.
Discuss with your treatment provider the expected length of stay. You may not begin experiencing withdrawal symptoms for a few days – but in more severe cases of addiction, withdrawal symptoms can begin in just a few hours.
Withdrawal symptoms can last for weeks – with milder symptoms persisting for longer, depending on certain factors.
How Long Does Intensive Rehab Last For?
Intensive rehab typically lasts longer. Inpatient rehab as part of a residential treatment package plan can last for weeks – but generally speaking, it can last as long as you like it to.
Typically, the more severe your addiction, the longer your rehab treatment plan will be. Treatment programs can be as short as a week in length or can last for over a month.
Shorter treatment plans are often recommended for those with a milder addiction – for example, a mild addiction to cannabis.
The alcohol recovery timeline can vary from person to person, which is why most clinics give you a chance to extend your stay at the residential rehab facility.
However, if you’re receiving hospital residential treatment, you’ll have less control over how long you’re there – as you’ll likely be discharged into a rehab facility.
Likewise, you can also leave rehab facilities if you feel like you need to – however, this isn’t recommended. We always recommend that you see rehab treatment all the way through for optimal effectiveness.
If you’re currently in rehab and want to know how long it will take, we recommend that you speak to your rehab provider or seek professional medical advice if you’re in a hospital environment.
To gain a further understanding of the length of your rehab treatment, discuss your needs and thoughts with your rehab provider beforehand – or speak to our team at Help4Addiciton. We can find a treatment plan that suits you.
Finding The Right Rehab Treatment
Nobody should deal with addiction alone, whether it be an addiction to illicit substances such as heroin or cocaine, addiction to prescription drugs such as oxycodone or fentanyl, or addiction to alcohol.
Our friendly team of addiction experts at Help4Addiction can help you make a decision on the right treatment plan and rehab facility for you. We’ll discuss your treatment options, taking into account your personal circumstances, requirements, and preferences.
Likewise, we understand the cost of rehab can be daunting. This is why we’ll speak about your options beforehand, and explore both NHS-operated and private options.
If you’re looking for long-term treatment for addiction, or a short-term detox, we can find the best rehab facility for you.
Contact us today to start your journey to recovery, and learn more about the substance abuse treatment process. We’ll get you in contact with licensed treatment professionals and help you begin the admissions process. Everyone deserves support, and you are no exception.
About Author
Nicholas Conn
Nicholas Conn is a leading industry addiction expert who runs the UK’s largest addiction advisory service and is regularly featured in the national press, radio and TV. He is the founder and CEO of a drug and alcohol rehab center called Help4addiction, which was founded in 2015. He has been clean himself since 2009 and has worked in the Addiction and Rehab Industry for over a decade. Nick is dedicated to helping others recover and get treatment for drug and alcohol abuse. In 2013, he released a book ‘The Thin White’ line that is available on Amazon.
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