Everyone who works on recovering from a substance abuse disorder has a different rehabilitation process; and the more severe an addiction is, the longer it could take to complete treatment and develop the strategies that are required to recover successfully. Some patients are back on the right track after a few weeks, whereas others may benefit from a more lengthy and comprehensive treatment program. So how long can a patient possibly stay in rehab for?
Rehab: What Is It?
“Rehab” is the shortened term for rehabilitation, which is a type of care that helps individuals keep, improve, or get back abilities and functions that are needed for everyday life. For example, physical rehabilitation may be used to help people gain back certain physical abilities after an injury or accident. There are several different types of rehabilitation out there, but the most common type is substance abuse or addiction treatment.
Drug rehabilitation centers are facilities that are known for providing treatment for alcohol and drug addiction. When someone is addicted to alcohol or drugs, they lose some of the physical, mental, and cognitive skills that are needed to thrive in everyday life. Rehab is designed to help them gain the original skills they had back while getting to the root of the addiction. There are many different drug rehab programs available throughout the United States that offer varied environments, approaches, and treatment methods for those with substance abuse disorders.
What Happens During A Treatment Program?
The rehabilitation process will be different for every individual who enrolls in a program. When a person enrolls in rehab, healthcare specialists will work with them to figure out their needs, their conditions, and their goals. Once healthcare professionals know the patient a little better, they will create a unique treatment plan with activities that are tailored to the individual.
Most treatment plans begin with a detoxification process. During detox, the body will try to rid the system of alcohol or drugs. This process can be uncomfortable and potentially dangerous, so it is important to receive medical supervision during detox.
Treatment methods are designed to help people understand their addiction and replace drugs or alcohol with healthier and more beneficial habits. Everyone enrolled in a rehab program will likely undergo various types of therapy during their time in treatment.
Different types of therapy and treatments utilized in rehab may include CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), mental health counseling, music or art therapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, financial counseling, dialectical behavioral therapy, sports therapy, yoga, meditation, vocational rehabilitation, and more.
Treatment programs can be either inpatient or outpatient. Inpatient rehab requires individuals to live at the facility and gives them access to 24/7 care. Outpatient rehab, on the other hand, allows people to live at home and only requires them to come to the facility for scheduled meetings. Whether someone should receive inpatient or outpatient care depends on the severity of their addiction and their home situation.
The Length of Treatment Programs
How long a program will last also depends on the individual’s needs. Rehab programs can range anywhere from a few weeks to over a year at the longest. Short-term programs are typically 28 days or 30 days. Most long-term programs are either 60 days, 90 days, or 6 months long. Extended stays of about a year or more may be required if someone has a co-occurring disorder or is not showing signs of improvement with their addiction.
Out of all the options, three-month problems seem to have the highest success rates.
Continued Support & Resources
For rehab to work, individuals must be fully committed to participating in treatment and must be willing to put in work. Recovery is a lifelong process that requires continual effort, so it is important for individuals to maintain motivation throughout the program and long after.
After someone leaves a program, they may require continued care and support. They are encouraged to keep practicing healthy habits, attending therapy, and going to support meetings. Many rehabilitation centers will provide support resources after checkout.