How long to break an addiction? The length of addiction treatment in rehab varies and depends on numerous factors, including the person’s physical and psychological conditions, the type of substance that is used, and the severity of drugs or alcohol abuse. Another important factor is insurance coverage, which often determines the duration of stay a person could afford. In this article, we will cover the most common terms of treatment and which are more suitable for different situations.
How Long Do People Stay in Rehab?
The approach to overcoming addiction varies from person to person. However, several basic options are available, tailored to an individual’s specific needs. The typical duration of most treatment programs is:
- Short-term programs (28-30 days). Provide intensive therapeutic and medical services and help stabilize substance use disorders.
- Medium-term programs (60-90 days). Allow more time to focus on the causes behind addiction and teach life skills and tools to prevent relapse.
- Long-term programs (6 months to 1 year). Extended programs provide the most thorough approach, allowing for extensive therapy, lifestyle changes, and relapse prevention strategies.
Factors Influencing Rehab Treatment Duration
The length of stay in a rehab program is one of the key factors that affects the recovery process. From short outpatient programs to year-long residential stays, treatment length correlates to addiction severity, setting intensity, and a person’s unique challenges.
Severity of Addiction
It plays a major role in determining how many days does it take to break an addiction. More severe dependencies often require longer inpatient stays and continuing care. The level of addiction is assessed by examining factors like withdrawal symptoms, tolerance, inability to quit, and the negative impacts substance use has had on a person’s life. People who have battled substance addiction for many years usually have more difficulty overcoming it. The longer addiction goes unchecked, the more strongly it becomes.
The specific substance being used also impacts the treatment duration. Some substances, like opioids, may require longer detoxification and rehabilitation periods, causing stronger physical and psychological dependence. The severity of addiction also depends on the frequency, dosage, and delivery method of substance use.
Type of Treatment Program
All programs could be divided into inpatient, outpatient, and specialized. Each of them has a different length, treatment, and approach.
- Inpatient or residential programs provide 24/7 supervised care in a controlled environment, completely removing access to temptations and triggers. Most inpatient rehab centers start with 30 days, with 60, 90, or 120+ days being common for more stubborn addictions. Strict schedules, medical oversight, and comprehensive services give patients the intensive care needed to overcome addictions.
- Outpatient programs offer treatment services while allowing the person to live at home. There is less supervision and more flexibility. Sessions are typically held a few times per week, for several hours a day. Outpatient treatment lasts at least 3 months and may continue for over a year. The length depends on the progress in meeting treatment goals.
- In some cases, specialized programs could be offered. For example, patients with a dual diagnosis (co-occurring mental illness) generally require longer treatment durations because of difficult mental health conditions. Also, such programs could strike a balance between inpatient and outpatient treatment, offering flexibility for the patient. The duration of such programs is flexible too, ranging from a few months to a year or more.
Patient’s Health and History
The patient’s physical and mental health, as well as their rehab history, help guide the appropriate treatment plan. Multiple complex issues usually necessitate longer care.
- Physical health conditions. Patients with chronic conditions like heart disease, liver damage, chronic pain, and infectious diseases often need medical detox, stabilization, and longer rehab plans. Residential treatment lasting 60 to 90 days is usually recommended for medically compromised patients.
- Mental health conditions. Preexisting psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety, and PTSD commonly co-occur with addiction. Dual diagnosis care properly treats both illnesses through integrated counseling, therapy, support groups, and medication management and needs more time to be cured.
- Previous rehab attempts. People who’ve been through treatment centers before without long-term success may require more time in treatment. Therapists need to take a deeper look at their care plans to understand what caused previous failures. Long-term residential treatment is often needed for those with repeat relapse patterns.
How Long Do People Stay in Rehab During Specific Treatment Phases?
Treatment generally consists of several phases: detoxification, inpatient or residential care, and outpatient follow-up. Their duration varies widely depending on the factors mentioned above.
Detoxification
Is the first step of addiction treatment, allowing the body to clear itself of addictive substances while managing withdrawal symptoms. The detox process typically lasts 3-10 days, depending on the substance and severity of the addiction.
Inpatient/Residential Treatment
It involves staying at a rehab facility 24/7 while undergoing intensive therapy. Treatment duration could be short-term and long-term. Short-term inpatient treatment typically runs for 30 days and provides intensive support and therapy while separating the individual from their typical environment. Thirty days allow time to stabilize, set recovery goals, and make plans for continued care.
Long-term inpatient treatment runs from 60 to 90 days or longer. The extended duration allows individuals to build new life skills, habits, and thinking patterns around sobriety, and concentrate on cognitive behavioral therapy or family therapy. Long-term treatment significantly improves addiction recovery outcomes.
Comparison of Short-Term and Long-Term Inpatient Treatment Durations
| Duration | Short-Term (30 days) | Long-Term (60-90+ days) |
| Focus | Stabilization, initial goals, and plans | Lifestyle changes, life skills, engrain new habits |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Benefits | Fast-paced, structured | In-depth, holistic treatment |
| Continued Care | Essential for lasting sobriety | Allows seamless transition |
Outpatient Treatment
After completing inpatient treatment, the next phase in the recovery journey typically involves transitioning to outpatient programs. This stage enables individuals to return to their daily routines while continuing to receive structured support and therapy. How long is outpatient treatment depends on the type of program—intensive or standard.
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) involve 9-12 hours of services each week for 8-12 weeks. IOPs provide structured therapy and education in an intensive format while allowing a person in recovery to apply developing skills in real-world environments.
Standard outpatient programs consist of 1-2 treatment sessions or education sessions per week. As outpatient treatment is less structured and allows more independence, its duration can vary substantially based on each person’s needs.
Evidence-Based Recommendations for Treatment Duration
There are no strict medical protocols on how to choose optimal treatment lengths. However, numerous research studies provide general, evidence-based guidelines for optimal treatment cycles.
NIDA’s 90-day Recommendation
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recommends at least 90 days of treatment for effective outcomes. According to NIDA, 3 months is the minimum threshold for significant changes in the brain to support long-term recovery and normalize brain chemistry.
Research shows better outcomes for patients who complete 90 days compared to those with shorter stays. While 90 days is the minimum benchmark, longer treatment may be necessary depending on individual needs. A period of one year or longer is recommended for patients with severe addictions or co-occurring disorders.
Research Findings on Optimal Lengths for Different Substances
NIDA studies make recommendations regarding optimal treatment duration depending on the substance of abuse:
- Alcohol. How long is alcohol rehab last? For alcohol use disorders, treatment durations of 60 to 90 days are typically recommended.
- Opioids. NIDA claimed that 90-day medication-assessed treatment (MAT) is a minimum term for successful recovery in such cases.
- Stimulants (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine). Stimulant use disorders often require extended treatment periods, similar to those for opioids. Research shows that programs lasting 90 days or more are beneficial for managing intense psychological cravings and lowering relapse.
Impact of Treatment Duration on Recovery Outcomes
Studies indicate that the duration of stay in addiction treatment can significantly influence the overall success of the recovery process. While no universally recommended duration guarantees success, a longer stay in a treatment program is associated with lower rates of relapse.
Short-term vs. Long-term Treatment Effectiveness
Both short-term and long-term programs can be effective. How long is residential treatment depends on an individual’s needs.
Short-term treatment lasting 30-60 days focuses intensively on stabilizing addictive behaviors and beginning the recovery process. Such programs help people complete detox, achieve initial abstinence, identify triggers, start counseling, and lay the groundwork for ongoing recovery.
How long is long term treatment? Programs lasting anywhere from 90 days to a year or more provide sustained care to reinforce positive life changes. By allowing more time to address deeper issues through counseling, rebuild healthy habits and behaviors, and prevent relapse, long-term treatment can show better outcomes for people with severe addictions or co-occurring diagnoses.
Relapse Rates and Treatment Duration
The risk of relapse for addiction remains high for months and even years after stopping substance use. But it’s important to understand that relapse is not a failure in treatment. For some people, it can be a part of the recovery process. However, the study found individuals who were in long-term alcohol treatment or drug treatment (3 months or more) had 36% lower drug use rates and were 17% more likely to remain abstinent in the year after treatment. Staying in treatment for over a year provides even greater benefits for maintaining sobriety over time.
Extended Care and Aftercare Duration
The transition back to everyday life can be challenging. After exiting the rehab center, people struggle with cravings and lifestyle changes required to maintain sobriety. Without adequate continuing care, relapse rates in the first year can be over 70%. Addiction treatment must address both the physiological and psychological aspects of substance dependence. People can get help in peer support groups and sober living homes. Aftercare should continue for at least 1 year post-treatment, or longer depending on each person’s needs.
Typical Lengths of Aftercare Programs
- Peer support groups. Typically ongoing, attend 1+ times per week. Examples are 12-step programs like AA and NA.
- Outpatient counseling. Typically 1-2 times per week for several months post-treatment. May continue 1-2 times monthly for 1 year or more.
- Sober living homes. Typically 3-6 months post-treatment or longer if needed. Provides structured, substance-free housing.
- Case management. Varies based on need; may meet with case manager 1-2 times monthly for up to 1-2 years.
Challenges in Adhering to Recommended Durations
Completing addiction treatment is not easy. Many personalized and environmental factors influence how long someone participates. Common barriers to finishing include:
- Personal commitments and responsibilities. Work, school, family duties, and other obligations can make it difficult to attend treatment consistently or remain in a program. People may worry about taking time off for treatment or how they will manage responsibilities around their recovery efforts.
- Financial considerations and insurance coverage. Treatment can be expensive, and adequate insurance coverage is not guaranteed. Out-of-pocket costs, co-pays, and limits on covered services can determine program options and how long is drug rehab treatment lasts. Some may only be able to afford shorter or less intensive treatments. Saving up adequately for treatment or fighting with insurance providers also postpones care.
- Motivation and willingness to commit to longer programs. Entering addiction treatment requires sincerity and determination to get well. Some may underestimate the level of commitment required for longer residential or intensive outpatient programs. Motivation levels can waver once in treatment as people experience difficult withdrawal symptoms, counseling sessions, or relapse triggers. Ongoing support and encouragement are often vital to helping people fully participate.
Make a Very First Step to Sobriety
The rehab timeline varies from person to person, depending on numerous factors. However, the focus shouldn’t be solely on the length of recovery. No matter how long is rehab lasts, it will be a milestone in your new, better life. What truly matters is how effectively one responds to the treatment. Patience is essential. Take the first step towards wellness and recovery and contact your treatment provider for more information.
