How Long Does Alcohol Rehab Take?

Alcohol rehab is a process that usually spans at least six months. This timeframe allows people who are struggling with alcoholism to work through the factors that led them to self-medicate with alcohol in the first place. It also helps them learn new coping skills, find sources of non-drinking support, and develop sobriety habits they can practice for life. Several programs are available to persons recovering from alcoholism and just beginning their journey to sobriety. Each therapy program has a different duration based on the program and the client.

Formal rehab programs

Formal rehab programs encourage you to stay until your doctors say you’re ready to leave. Most people do that since it’s not practical to travel back and forth every day for an indefinite period. However, you do need to be prepared to take care of yourself once you’ve completed your alcohol rehab treatment. Many people find it uncomfortable to stay at a sober living home for an extended period. In short, there is no one-size-fits-all alcohol rehab program, but when done by professionals, the results can be life-altering.

Traditional Outpatient Programs

This type of alcohol treatment involves you coming to the clinic weekly or monthly for your counseling sessions. The length of this program can vary, depending on the severity of your alcohol abuse and the factors that led you to self-medicate. These programs are not a substitute for inpatient or long-term outpatient treatment, but they can be a good way to kick start improvement if you’ve been abusing alcohol for a while and need a little extra motivation.

Long-term inpatient treatment

This type of alcohol rehab program requires you to stay in the facility for a longer time. Most long-term treatment programs last between three and nine months, but some people stay even longer if they need more time to work through their issues. Even though this type of alcohol treatment requires you to live at the facility, it is not considered residential treatment because you continue to go back and forth from the hospital. Long-term illness in a program like this can be difficult, but it can be the best option if you don’t find it helpful.

Home-Based Programs

This type of alcohol treatment is generally less expensive than inpatient or outpatient treatments. One of the major benefits of this type of alcohol treatment is that you can control your time away from family and friends. However, this type of alcohol treatment is not for everyone. It works well for people who have a job that they’re able to work from home or those who have family support or live with a partner.

Detox Programs Lengths

The length of residential and outpatient alcohol treatment programs depends on the program. Detox programs typically take at least a week, though most require two weeks. Inpatient treatment programs can last between three months and a year, depending on the severity of your alcohol abuse.

Outpatient Programs

This type of alcohol treatment focuses on giving you the skills and knowledge you need to avoid a relapse. These programs often require you to attend counseling sessions once a week. Still, the length of this program varies depending on the severity of your alcohol abuse and other factors that may affect your recovery process. Usually, this type of alcohol treatment lasts between 90 to 180 days.

Therapeutic Community

This type of alcohol treatment focuses on the whole person. The goal is to address your physical, mental, and spiritual needs. Taking the time to understand your unique personality traits and unique needs will help you make the most of this type of alcohol treatment program. Therapeutic communities offer 12-step recovery programs and peer-based support groups for sober people and those still using.

Continuing care

This type of alcohol treatment program offers you the continuing support needed after you’ve completed your therapy. This type of alcohol treatment has a significant outcome on your recovery because your therapist can give you feedback that you can use to make adjustments in your lifestyle. The length of this program can also vary, depending on the severity of your alcohol abuse and other factors that may affect your recovery process. These programs typically last one year or more.

Self-help programs

These are online tools to encourage sobriety. These programs offer you a chance to learn more about your addiction, how to manage it, and how to improve your overall health. You can access these programs at any time because they’re available online.

Conclusion

So, when you’re looking for an alcohol rehabilitation program, it’s important to narrow down your options by considering what you hope to achieve during your recovery. Of course, alcohol rehab is not for everyone. But if you’re serious about addressing your drinking problem and getting sober, then it’s worth looking into. Never hesitate to ask our doctor or one of our professional counselors for advice. If you are ready to get help, now call us today at 833-846-5669.