How Long Should Inpatient Drug Rehab Be?

The length of your program will depend on your own situation, as determined by you and your doctors.

Each patient will progress through drug treatment at a varied pace. Some will require little to no time for detox and can roll immediately into counseling and therapy, others may require an extensive amount of time to overcome physical withdrawal before they can even think about focusing on psychological healing. Determining how long inpatient drug rehab should last involves the consideration of various elements including the health of the user, the severity of the addiction, the commitment that the individual is willing to make to recovery and other personal factors.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, participation in any type of treatment program for a period of less than 90 days is limited in how effective it can be. Recovery is contingent upon spending an adequate amount of time in treatment which allows for improved outcomes and motivational change. For many, rehabilitation takes much longer than the standard 90 days which is why it’s important to recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all length of time that is guaranteed for successful recovery.

Health of the Patient

Individual patient health can have a strong impact on the length of time that inpatient rehab should be taken part in for effective recovery. Patients with a strong immune system who do not have any underlying mental health disorders can often spend a shorter duration of time in treatment with the same level of success as those who do have poor health. Underlying mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression or other conditions can also lengthen the amount of time that a patient needs inpatient treatment as it can take longer for adjustments to take place and to set in for those who have dually diagnosed conditions.

Severity of Addiction

Certain types of addiction, such as opiate addiction or addiction to alcohol, as well as the severity of the addiction can play a significant role in the length of time that a patient must spend in inpatient drug rehab. People who suffer from opiate addiction often require a more extensive detox period in order heal physically and this prolongs the amount of time that it takes prior to a patient being ready for psychological healing.

Commitment to Recovery

Patient attitude can also play a role in the amount of time that must be spent in inpatient rehab. Patients who are committed to their recovery, who enter treatment willingly and are willing to participate fully in the healing and help that is being provided generally require less time in treatment than those who are unwilling and who must first be convinced of the importance of the help they are receiving prior to making positive change.

Other Contributing Factors

Various other factors can also contribute to the amount of time that is needed in an inpatient rehab facility. Such factors include the use of maintenance drugs such as methadone or Suboxone which can prolong the amount of time needed for full recovery. Patients who relapse or who have tried other methods of treatment and have failed in the past may also require a more extensive treatment period than those who are entering inpatient drug rehab for their very first time.