How Long Do Alcohol Treatment Programs Last?

Alcohol addiction treatment programs give recovering alcoholics a base needed for successful recovery. During treatment, people learn the techniques and coping skills needed to break free from their addiction and prevent future relapse. Success usually depends on finding a treatment program that harmonizes with your life situation and needs. There is a multitude of rehab programs available. Each treatment program has different lengths based on the requirements of the program and the needs of the individual.

How Long Is Alcohol Rehab?

Alcohol addiction treatment programs are not a one-size-fits-all thing, so there is no predetermined length of time. The needs of each patient are unique, so treatment must be individualized. In most cases, treatment programs will be at least 7 to 10 days. However, they should be continued for as long as the patient needs support and treatment. Alcohol addiction treatment can be divvied into four categories. Each category has an approximate length of time. In most cases, patients will need two or more programs to help them recover.

How Long Are Detox Programs?

Detox can last for between 15 days to 6 weeks. They are usually one facet of a longer-term medically-based treatment program. For maximum results, most detox programs are inpatient and residential. They may be held in a medical facility or hospital. The purpose of detox is to help a person remove toxins from their body while simultaneously providing the support needed to handle the cravings and withdrawal symptoms present during the opening days of the recovery process.

Inpatient or Residential Programs

Inpatient alcohol treatment has two or more facets to it based on the patient’s individual needs. During the first phase, a person stays in the facility. They are under medical supervision and are constantly monitored, especially during detox. Once a person has stabilized psychologically and medically, they may be transferred to a supervised facility that provides structure and observation while at the same time providing therapy to help the patient understand the impact that alcohol has had in their life. During this second phase, the patient has more liberty and is not under constant observation.

Finally, a patient may be transitioned into an outpatient program phase. They will still come to the facility to get needed therapy and work with counselors and others to provide ongoing care. Inpatient programs can last anywhere from 3 months to a year or longer.

Outpatient Care

Not everyone dealing with alcohol addiction has the liberty of stopping their life and going into an inpatient program. In this case, treatment may be administered on an outpatient basis. In most cases, it is recommended that outpatient treatment be provided only after a patient has received some type of intensive inpatient treatment. However, the inpatient aspect may not be needed if a person is very motivated. With outpatient care, the patient lives at home and goes to the facility for treatment multiple evenings or days during the week. This program could last 6 months or more.

Benefiting from Ongoing Therapeutic Care

Getting inpatient or outpatient therapy is a positive first step in recovery. However, just because a person has completed therapy does not mean they are completely recovered. Most recovering alcoholics benefit from an ongoing therapeutic community that provides assistance by addressing the mental health aspects of addiction. An example of this is Narcotics or Alcoholics Anonymous. These programs treat addiction using a 12-step recovery process. The benefit of a therapeutic community is that it provides ongoing strategies and support for patients long after the initial recovery phase has ended. Many people have sought help from AA for several years. The therapeutic community serves as a base that helps them stay sober long-term.

Getting Help or Helping Someone You Love

When a person battles alcohol addiction, they might lie to themselves or hide their drinking from others. This can make it a challenge to get alcohol addiction help. However, when you or a loved one has made the decision to take steps to fight their alcohol use disorder, it is comforting to know that there are caring individuals who are there to lend a helping hand. Are you ready to take the steps needed to break free from alcohol dependency? If so, we want to help you. Call us today at 833-846-5669 to learn more.