Whether it’s court-ordered or of their own volition addicts seeking alcohol and drug treatment often have many questions regarding the recovery process. Part of the reason for these questions is due to the numerous misconceptions that people tend to have about addiction rehabilitation.
Among all the questions that an individual about to begin alcohol and drug treatment might have, perhaps the most common question is: How long is the program? How long will I need to be in treatment?
Unfortunately, there’s not a simple, definitive answer since there is a variety of different programs and different types of programs tend to be shorter or longer than others. Additionally, there are factors that vary with each individual addict and are taken into account when addiction counselors are determining what the length of an addiction treatment program should be in order to achieve optimal results.
However, the following will serve as a concise discussion about some of the factors taken into consideration when designing an addiction treatment program and determining its length as well as giving some of the average lengths of different types of alcohol and drug treatment programs.
Factors that Can Affect the Length of Alcohol and Drug Treatment
When an individual begins the recovery process, the first step is intake. Intake involves meeting with an addiction counselor for an assessment, during which the individual’s prior history with substance abuse, drug or drugs of choice, a family history of substance abuse, the existence of comorbid or co-occurring disorders, previous attempts at treatment and sobriety, and a number of other factors will be considered, allowing the counselor to recommend the most appropriate form of treatment and develop a personalized treatment plan.
Although the length of an individual’s alcohol and drug treatment in each type of addiction treatment program can fall within a predetermined range, the consultation performed during an individual’s intake will determine whether they will require the minimum, maximum, or an in-between length of treatment in a particular program. Many sources including the Center for Disease Control and the National Institute on Drug Abuse cite the length of treatment as being the most critical factor of one’s recovery since success in recovery is dependent on an individual receiving sufficient alcohol and drug treatment.
Length of Inpatient Treatment
The form of alcohol and drug treatment that most people usually think of—in which an individual lives within the facility for the duration of treatment—is what’s called inpatient or residential treatment. This is the most intensive form of treatment and, naturally, these programs tend to be the longest form of recovery treatment. However, this is also why inpatient programs are considered the most effective form of alcohol and drug treatment.
There are some extended-stay inpatient treatment programs that last for three to four months or sometimes even longer, typically intended for those individuals with more severe opioid addictions or with a prolonged history of substance abuse and previous failed attempts at recovery. Most inpatient addiction treatment programs will last up to three months and often include a period of detox as a precursor to psychotherapy and the other recovery treatments one receives in a rehabilitative program.
Short-term inpatient treatments are also available, lasting as little as a month or 28 days, and while these can be a more accessible or less intimidating option for those who find recovery daunting, these shorter inpatient programs tend to be reserved for less severe cases of addiction as they aren’t as intensive as more prolonged programs.
Length of Outpatient Treatment
When an individual does not reside on-site during treatment and instead commutes to and from the treatment facility for each day’s therapy, they are in an outpatient program. Outpatient programs lack the structured living environment and continuous care of an inpatient program, but can often be preferred alternatives for those who are trying to overcome addiction while fulfilling family and career obligations or other responsibilities as they don’t have to explain a prolonged absence.
Additionally, the length of time required to complete an outpatient program can vary considerably depending on the type of program. For instance, there are some forms of outpatient treatment, such as replacement therapies or methadone maintenance programs, that can be quite prolonged and last a minimum of twelve months or more. However, intensive outpatient programs and similar forms of outpatient treatment can last up to three months depending on one’s history with addiction.
One of the benefits of outpatient treatment is that individuals return to their own environments after each day’s therapies, allowing them to apply what they’re learning in recovery on a daily basis. However, without the structured living environment afforded by an inpatient program, individuals must remain abstinent due to their own diligence.
As such, outpatient programs are commonly utilized as a form of continued, transitional treatment for those individuals who have completed an inpatient program; this allows them the benefit of a longer period of treatment and a slower transition back into the community.
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When it comes to the length of an alcohol or drug treatment program, there’s not a single program length that works best for everyone. Someone individuals will progress through the recovery process at a faster pace than others and, consequently, require a shorter period of treatment; however, others progress a little slower and would benefit from a longer program. Working with an admission coordinator during the intake process, each individual entering recovery can find the program and length of treatment that will allow them to have the greatest success in recovery.
If you or someone you love is suffering from chemical dependency and would benefit from learning more about forms of inpatient and outpatient treatment, Drug Treatment Center Finder is here to help. Call us today at (855) 619-8070 so one of our recovery specialists can match you or your loved one to the right addiction treatment program. Begin the journey toward a better life and a happier, healthier you with just a single phone call.