It’s a common question people have when they’re considering a rehab stay: How long will I be there? 

It’s not a straightforward question, though, because it involves many factors that must be considered. The decision to go to rehab is a major step, and you’ll want to make sure you set yourself up for success. Deciding how long your rehab stay should be is an individual choice, and it’s all about finding the right path for your recovery. In this article, we’ll discuss rehab lengths and help you decide which option is best for you or your loved ones. 

How Long is Rehab?

The length of a rehab stay depends on a variety of factors, including individual circumstances, the type of treatment needed, the severity of the substance use being treated, and more. Some programs last just a week or two, while some others last months, and still others can last up to a year. In short, it all depends. The important consideration is that the time spent there will be sufficient for a proper detox – the process of the substance leaving the body – followed by therapy, skill-building, and the development of relapse prevention strategies. 

What Are Common Lengths of Drug and Alcohol Rehab? 

While there are a few standard lengths for rehab stays, flexibility is often built into treatment plans. Standard lengths include: 

• 30-Day Programs: This type of program works best for folks who, for whatever reasons (work, family, etc.), feel they need a shorter stay. 30-day programs are also effective for people struggling with mild to moderate addiction. They typically offer an intensive schedule of therapy, group discussions, education, and relapse prevention strategizing. 
  
• 60-Day Programs: This type of program offers more time and allows participants to go deeper into underlying issues, including co-occurring disorders. The extra time also allows for more intensive strategizing around relapse prevention and building coping mechanisms for daily life.
  
• 90-Day Programs: This type of program is more comprehensive than shorter alternatives and allows for deeper, more extensive therapeutic measures. For some, simply getting ninety days of continuous clean and sober time can be a game changer.
  
• Extended Programs (6 Months to 1 Year or Longer): This type of program can be advisable for those with more severe or long-standing addictions. Extended programs focus on sustained recovery through ongoing therapy and lifestyle changes.

What’s the Difference Between Short-Term and Long-Term Rehab?

Short-term and long-term rehabs both serve important functions. They cater to different needs and different levels of addiction and substance use disorder. To decide which one is right for you, it’s important to consider some of the benefits of each. 

What Are the Benefits of Short-Term Rehab?

Short-term rehabs – usually lasting between 30 and 60 days – offer intensive treatment in a condensed time frame. For some, a shorter-term stay will do the trick. 

One key benefit of short-term rehab is greater accessibility for people with nonnegotiable work, family, or financial constraints. Another is that such programs tend to be less expensive than alternatives. And, lastly, the condensed schedule allows participants to immerse themselves fully in their treatment and recovery. 

While short-term programs may not be ideal for people with deeper-rooted problems, co-occurring disorders, or more severe substance use disorders, they can still have a big impact on those well suited to benefit from them.  

What Are the Benefits of Long-Term Rehab?

Long-term rehabs – those where participants stay for anywhere between 90 days and a whole year – boast several important benefits. For some, a longer-term stay is the key to building a true and lasting recovery. 

People who are suffering from acute alcohol or drug addiction need to cleanse their bodies of the substance in question through a detox process. During detox, medical professionals sometimes use medications to ease the worst withdrawal symptoms, protecting your help and easing your transition to a substance-free life. 

But from there, you start to see the importance of a longer-term stay. Detox is only a first step. Long-term rehabs allow for real depth and thoroughness in your treatment. Trained professionals will help you figure out the best ways to cope with the stresses of daily life and get to some of the underlying causes and conditions of the addiction. Long-term rehabs also give you more time to develop the skills you’ll need to thrive when you return home – healthy habits for the long haul. Furthermore, long-term rehabs afford you more time to develop the relapse prevention strategies that will ensure your success moving forward. 

While long-term rehab is a longer commitment, it is often more successful than shorter-term options – especially for those with severe addictions or more complicated mental health concerns.  

What Affects the Length of Rehab?

The length of a rehab stay depends on several factors, but what it comes down to is what option will work best for your particular needs and circumstances. Trained medical professionals can help you come up with the best plan of action. Some factors worth considering include: 

• The severity of the problem: If you have a severe, long-term condition, you may want to consider a longer-term treatment. Your health is worth the time and effort.
  
• Co-occurring disorders: If you have problems besides addiction – or some kind of dual diagnosis – a longer-term stay can be especially beneficial. The extra time allows you to go deeper into a holistic approach to your recovery.
  
• Progress: You’re typically not locked into a one-size-fits-all treatment plan. If you’re making real progress, you can always leave the program earlier. Still, you want to be sure you have a solid foundation before returning to daily life outside.
  
• Support system: If you have a strong support system outside of rehab, a shorter stay may work for you. But if you have minimal support back home, you may benefit from a longer stay in a structured, supportive environment.
  
• Personal goals and preferences: Your recovery is an individual adventure. The goals you have for yourself – whether in terms of life skills or rebuilding old relationships – can determine the length of your stay in treatment. 

What Is the Longest You Can Go to Rehab?

Rehab stays can go up to a year or more, depending on the type of program you join. This is especially true for those in long-term programs or receiving some kind of specialized care. For people who have struggled for years with severe addiction and chronic relapse, a long stay can help build a foundation for a real, lasting recovery – the kind of recovery people want. Long stays can go up to a year or more. 

Some programs also include sober living homes, which offer a bridge back to the community through transitional care and housing. In such programs, your care doesn’t end the day you leave the rehab facility – the support is continuous, and thus more effective. People are also often encouraged to connect with a mutual aid fellowship such as a 12-step program or SMART Recovery.  

How Do You Choose the Right Length of Rehab?

If you’ve decided some kind of rehab stay is right for you, then you should start considering the right length of that stay. Choosing the right path is all about your individual needs, preferences, challenges, and circumstances. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery. Here are some stakes to take: 

• Evaluate the severity of your situation. Have you been suffering for years? Is your addiction more recent and relatively mild? These are questions to ask yourself. If your situation is severe, you should think about a longer-term stay.
  
• Consider your obligations. Life doesn’t stop when you seek treatment. If you have work, family, or financial obligations that prevent you from availing yourself of a long-term stay, it’s important to understand what those obligations are. That said, your recovery is of the utmost importance. Talk to your family, your employer, and your treatment provider to come up with a plan that will work for you.
  
• Think about your personal willingness. For many, the key to recovery is having the willingness to go all in. Are you ready for a longer-term commitment to your well-being? If so, try a longer rehab stay.
  
• Seek the opinions of professionals. Addiction specialists and treatment providers – including those at Aware Recovery Care – can help you determine the right path for your situation.
  

Experts at Aware Recovery Care can also help you develop a personalized plan that fits your specific needs and circumstances. Aware Recovery Care has pioneered an innovative In-Home Addiction Treatment (IHAT) that offers you care and support from the safety and security of your home with a 78% recovery success rate.