How Long Does Rehab Take in West Palm Beach?

Before going to a West Palm Beach rehab center, you probably have a lot of questions. People usually wonder how much rehab will cost, what treatment will be like, and how long rehab takes. While it’s easy to describe a day in rehab and you can always obtain a cost estimate from the treatment provider, estimating how long rehab will last is a little more difficult.

The length of a treatment program is highly dependent on your progress throughout treatment. Some people will make rapid progress and only need to stay in treatment for 30 days, while others will require more extensive long-term care. On the other hand, most addiction treatment providers will also offer several different program lengths.

The general length of most rehab programs are:

28- or 30-day programs
60-day programs
90-day programs
Long-term programs

Rather than focusing on how long a program takes, it’s best to focus on the quality of the treatment provided and which program will be best for your needs.

The Benefits of Long-Term Addiction Treatment

Although longer programs can seem intimidating, they tend to be more successful in providing positive outcomes. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, most people need at least 3 months of rehab to stop their drug use and that better treatment outcomes occur in people who spend longer amounts of time in treatment.[1]

Addiction is a chronic and often progressive illness that has relapse rates similar to those of asthma and hypertension. Approximately 40-60% of people will relapse if they stop following their treatment plan.[2] However, the longer a person stays in treatment, the more time they have to learn and reinforce new, healthy behaviors.

There’s Plenty of Time for Detox, Therapy, and More

The first benefit of extended care programs is that they provide plenty of time for detox, therapy, and aftercare planning. Even though many drugs will leave a person’s system in a matter of days, some people may experience withdrawal symptoms for a month or more. In addition, detox alone doesn’t eliminate the need for treatment – it simply makes sure a person is safe and comfortable while substances are leaving their system.

Someone who is still experiencing withdrawal symptoms may relapse if they leave rehab too soon. Whether their symptoms drive them straight to a drink or a drug or they simply don’t know how to deal with cravings, leaving rehab before being medically stabilized is risky.

Highly Individualized Care

Long-term treatment programs, those that last 90 days or more, are also able to provide highly individualized care that cannot be obtained in just 30 days or in an outpatient setting. By staying in rehab for several months, patients are able to develop transparent and trusting relationships with their therapists. At the same time, therapists are able to thoroughly understand their patients as they work with them over the course of time.

In addition to allowing for plenty of time for healing, long-term programs also give patients time to build relationships with their peers. Peer support is an integral aspect of addiction recovery and is often considered the key to long-term recovery. Patients who attend long-term rehab programs will learn communication skills to help build and nourish these relationships.

The Benefits of Shorter Rehab Programs

Even though there are many benefits to a 90-day or longer treatment program, there are many people who can benefit from 30-day and 60-day rehabs, as well.

For example, single parents who do not have long-term childcare or individuals who cannot afford to take off work for several months may be better suited for a shorter rehab program. This is because some treatment, no matter how minimal, is better than none at all, and a quality 30-day program can be enough for many people to begin their journey to sobriety.

30-day and 60-day rehab programs typically offer the same services and therapies as 90-day rehabs do – they are just shorter and, therefore, aren’t able to provide the same level of intensity as longer programs.

Another reason why someone may choose a 30- or 60- day addiction treatment program is due to the cost. Although the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that insurance companies must cover behavioral health treatment, it doesn’t specify for how long.[3] As a result, many insurance companies will only provide sufficient coverage for short-term drug and alcohol rehab programs.

In the end, how long rehab takes is usually dependent on three factors:

The severity of a person’s addiction and his/her individual treatment needs
The person’s financial situation and/or their health insurance benefits
The person’s schedule, availability, and willingness to remain in treatment

Aftercare Services

Regardless of whether a person chooses a 30, 60, or 90-day rehab program, the treatment journey doesn’t end with inpatient rehab. Substance abuse counselors usually encourage patients to participate in some form of aftercare program. Depending on the type of aftercare, patients may continue with their treatment for anywhere from one month up to a year or more.

Examples of aftercare or extended care programs are:

Sober living homes – Some patients will stay in sober living for several months or even years after finishing rehab.
Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) – IOP programs are a step-down from inpatient care and typically last anywhere from 30-90 days. These programs are flexible so patients can work and care for their children, if applicable while obtaining treatment.
Outpatient programs (OP) – OP is a step-down from IOP and patients only have to attend a few group therapy sessions each week. These can last anywhere from one to six months.

Find Help Today

Instead of focusing on how long rehab is going to take, it’s more important to focus on the quality of care provided.

The experienced staff at our West Palm Beach treatment center have developed a unique program that is based on a personal approach. It focuses on not only the addiction but on treating the underlying causes that started the addiction.

Comprehensive Wellness Center’s drug and alcohol program addresses the following key components that help each client achieve long-term recovery success: