Question:
How long is rehab?
Answer:
The individual and a number of personal factors can influence how long someone is in treatment, including:
- The severity of drug or alcohol abuse
- The presence of co-occurring mental health disorders (dual diagnosis)
- Motivation to get better
- Outside support system
Most people who receive treatment for alcohol or drug addiction need to participate in some form of therapy for at least a few months.
Key Takeaways
How long rehab is varies by person: How long addiction treatment lasts depends on factors like substance use severity, co-occurring mental health disorders, motivation, and support systems.
Treatment intensity affects duration: Inpatient rehab typically lasts 30–90 days, while PHP, IOP, and standard outpatient programs can continue for weeks or months at decreasing levels of intensity.
Recovery is a long-term process: While structured rehab may last months, long-term recovery requires ongoing effort through therapy, support groups, and relapse-prevention strategies.
Comprehensive care improves outcomes: Effective rehab addresses both addiction and underlying mental health issues using individualized, evidence-based treatment plans.
Aftercare is essential for lasting sobriety: Continued support through therapy, support groups, alumni programs, and other aftercare services helps reduce relapse risk and sustain recovery.
Introduction to Addiction Rehab
Addiction rehab is a comprehensive process designed to help individuals overcome drug or alcohol addiction and build a foundation for long-term recovery. The average length of stay in addiction rehab can vary widely, depending on the severity of the addiction, the presence of underlying issues, and each person’s unique needs. Outpatient programs are a popular option for those seeking addiction treatment, offering a supportive and structured environment that allows individuals to maintain their daily routines while working toward recovery. For those who require more intensive support, inpatient treatment provides round-the-clock care in a treatment center, ensuring a higher level of supervision and structure.
When seeking addiction treatment, it’s important to choose a rehab program that offers individualized treatment plans and evidence-based therapies. These approaches address not only the addiction itself but also any underlying issues that may contribute to substance use. By focusing on the whole person and providing a structured environment, addiction rehab programs help individuals develop the skills and coping mechanisms needed to prevent relapse and achieve long-term recovery from alcohol addiction or drug addiction.
Benefits of Rehab
Rehab offers a wide range of benefits for individuals struggling with addiction. One of the most significant advantages is the safe and supportive environment it provides, allowing people to focus on their recovery without the distractions or triggers of everyday life. Outpatient drug rehab programs offer flexibility, making it possible for individuals to continue working or caring for loved ones while receiving treatment. Inpatient treatment, on the other hand, delivers a higher level of care with 24/7 support, which can be crucial for those with severe addiction or complex needs.
A well-designed treatment plan typically includes a combination of individual therapy, group counseling, and evidence-based therapies, all of which are proven to support lasting recovery. Rehab programs also address co-occurring disorders, such as mental health conditions that often accompany addiction, ensuring that individuals receive comprehensive care. By tackling both addiction and underlying issues, rehab helps individuals build a strong foundation for recovery and develop the tools needed to maintain sobriety long after treatment ends.
How Long Is Inpatient Treatment?
Addiction affects all areas of life. It is a chronic, relapsing disease that requires intensive treatment and monitoring. Inpatient rehab (or residential treatment) provides 24-hour care and supervision. This is vital for people in early recovery. Inpatient treatment also allows you to focus only on your recovery, without the distractions and temptations of daily life.
An inpatient treatment program for addiction typically lasts 30 days or more. Often, residential treatment at a recovery center is offered in increments of 30-, 60-, and 90-day programs. After completing inpatient treatment, most people transition to some form of outpatient treatment. This helps you gradually reintegrate into society and begin rebuilding your life.
Outpatient treatment typically lasts for several months, although the exact length of time varies depending on the level of outpatient care you’re in and your specific needs.
How Long Is a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)?
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a type of outpatient treatment that provides intensive, structured care. Treatment length for PHPs is several weeks or months, although the exact length of time depends on your needs. PHPs are often used as a step-down from inpatient treatment or as an alternative to residential treatment for people who can’t or don’t want to live at a treatment facility.
PHPs typically involve attending addiction treatment for several hours each day, five to seven days per week. These sessions are led by a team of addiction counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists. PHPs include group therapy, which can provide support and accountability as you recover from addiction. You may also participate in individual therapy sessions and other activities, like meditation or yoga.
The goal of partial hospitalization programs is to help you learn the relapse prevention skills needed to stay sober and live a healthy, happy life in addiction recovery.
How Long Is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) meets for fewer hours per week than a residential or PHP program but more than a regular outpatient program. IOPs typically last for several weeks or months, although the exact length of time depends on your needs.
IOPs typically involve attending therapy sessions for several hours each day on three to five days each week. These sessions are led by a team of addiction counselors, psychologists, and recovery support staff. Intensive outpatient programs are mainly comprised of group therapy, which provides support and accountability in recovery. You may also take part in individual therapy sessions and other activities, such as meditation or yoga.
The goal of an IOP is to help you build on the relapse-prevention skills learned in a residential or partial hospitalization program while gradually getting back to your everyday life.
How Long Is an Outpatient Program (OP)?
An outpatient program (OP) is addiction treatment that provides less intensive outpatient care than an IOP or PHP. OPs last for several weeks or months, although the exact length of time varies depending on your individual recovery journey and the type of support you need to navigate early sobriety.
Outpatient programs typically involve attending therapy sessions for one to two hours per week. These often take the form of group therapy, though some treatment programs will offer individual therapy as well.
The goal of an outpatient program is to provide you a “home base” as you fully re-integrate into everyday life. As you encounter triggers and challenges at work, school, or in relationships, outpatient rehab provides a regular time each week to get support and strengthen your recovery with the help of professionals and peers.
How Long Is Aftercare?
Aftercare provides continued support for people in recovery from substance use disorders. Aftercare can last for months, or as long as you need it. Before you leave a structured addiction treatment program, a case manager or therapist will help you plan for life after rehab. An aftercare plan helps prevent relapse because it makes sure you have supports in place to maintain sobriety.
Aftercare may include:
- Individual therapy appointments
- 12-step groups or alternatives to 12-step groups
- A sober living residence
- Specialized trauma and addiction treatments like EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing)
- Psychiatry appointments for medication management
- Nutrition counseling
- Treatment center alumni meetings
Choosing the Right Program
Selecting the right addiction treatment program is a critical step in the recovery journey. It’s important to consider the type of treatment that best fits your needs, whether that’s inpatient rehab for more intensive support or outpatient programs for greater flexibility. If you or your loved one is dealing with co-occurring disorders, such as mental health challenges alongside addiction, choosing a treatment center that offers integrated care is essential.
Insurance coverage is another key factor to consider, as most insurance providers offer some level of coverage for addiction treatment. Be sure to check with your insurance carrier to understand what services are included and whether the treatment center is in-network. American Addiction Centers and other reputable providers offer a range of rehab programs, including both inpatient and outpatient care, to meet diverse needs. When evaluating a treatment program, look for a qualified medical team, a variety of effective treatment services, and a strong aftercare plan to support long-term recovery. By carefully considering these factors, you can find a program that offers the best chance for lasting recovery and a healthier future.
Does Insurance Cover Drug Rehab?
Substance abuse treatment is considered an essential health benefit under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which means insurance plans must provide coverage for addiction treatment. There is still a lot of variation in how alcohol and drug rehab programs are covered by different insurance plans.
Some insurance plans cover all or most of the cost of rehab, while others only cover a portion of the costs. It’s important to check with your insurance provider to find out what is covered under your particular plan.
In some cases, substance abuse treatment may not be covered by insurance. If this is the case, there are still options for financing treatment. Many substance abuse treatment facilities offer financing options.
If you’d like help determining if your insurance pays for drug rehab at Footprints to Recovery, contact us. Our admissions specialists will work directly with your insurance company to determine your addiction treatment benefits.
Looking for Help?
If you are ready for rehab for substance abuse, there are many different treatment options available. Drug and alcohol rehabs in New Jersey like Footprints to Recovery offer a variety of programs, such as inpatient, outpatient, and intensive outpatient programs. There are also many different types of therapies available, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), group therapy, and individual therapy. The most important thing is to find treatment and a treatment program that’s right for you. To be effective, treatment needs to be tailored to your specific needs. If you have any questions or need help finding a rehab facility, please call us. Footprints to Recovery offers a full continuum of care that includes inpatient and outpatient treatment, as well as sober living homes and dual diagnosis treatment. Call for a free, confidential consultation today.
How long does alcohol rehab last?
How long is drug rehab?
