Seeking treatment for addiction is difficult. But it is also an incredibly empowering decision. In fact, it’s the surest way to reclaim your personal freedom after drug or alcohol dependence has taken the power of choice away.
Surprisingly, however, going to rehab can sometimes feel quite the opposite. If you’re planning on entering rehab, you may be worried about losing time with your family, missing time at work, or losing your sense of autonomy and independence. This is especially true when committing to an inpatient treatment center.
During your time in rehab, you may be housed in a secure, closed-campus environment. This gives patients a break from the external temptations, triggers, and stressors that may be driving them to use. Whether you’re wondering what your rehab experience will be, or are simply ready to start living as you did before drug or alcohol use, you may be asking the question, “How long is rehab?”.
Length of rehab can vary from program to program, and person to person. Studies show that longer treatment times produce the most successful outcomes. Most people need a minimum of 30 days in a formal treatment setting to completely detox, and to establish solid plans for their long-term recoveries.
Three-month or 90-day programs tend to provide the best results. 90-day rehab gives patients ample time to focus on the underlying causes of their addictions, learn new coping skills, and establish sustainable, manageable lifestyles that support sober living.
Drug and Alcohol Treatment Options
At Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center, we offer a flexible range of services so that each of our patients can get customized, needs-specific care. We offer in-house detox support, residential inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and intensive outpatient programs (IOPs). We also have a partial hospitalization program (PHP) that blends outpatient and inpatient treatment.
Detoxing is always the first and most critical step in drug and alcohol addiction treatment. During this portion of rehab, patients are given around-the-clock support as their bodies gradually adjust to being drug and alcohol-free. Detox can look different for every individual depending upon:
- The type and amount of substances being used
- The patient’s length of addiction
- The patient’s age and gender
- Individual health histories
and many other factors. Some substances are far more addictive than others. Differences in substances used result in far longer and significantly more severe withdrawal symptoms. By giving our clients ample time to progress through the various stages of detox, and multiple forms of support, we aim to make detoxing easier, less stressful, and more successful all-around.
Length of Drug and Alcohol Detox
Our detox program typically lasts between just 7 and 10 days. We believe that with the right medical and therapeutic interventions, patients can begin actively participating in addiction services after this time. Once a person’s detox is finished, they can be seamlessly transferred into our inpatient treatment program. Inpatient treatment offers continued support for all post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS), or the secondary, psychological effects of withdrawal.
Throughout this time, the patient has access to therapies, medications, and other services for alleviating:
- Depression
- Feelings of malaise
- Insomnia or other sleep disorders
- Lack of motivation
and more. However, they’ll also take part in both individual and group therapy where they’ll begin actively exploring the underlying causes of their addictions. Inpatient treatment offers the opportunity to identify and address co-occurring mental health disorders such as general anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, and others
It is also a time to address problems with unresolved guilt, grief, or shame, and to start forming healthy coping habits. The length of inpatient rehab ranges from 21 to 90 days depending upon the needs and abilities of the individual. When necessary, inpatient care can be followed with our intensive outpatient program or general outpatient services.
Inpatient Rehab for Substance Abuse
Inpatient rehab requires a full-time commitment to living in our residential program. Treatment typically lasts for 30-45 days depending on your specific needs. During this time you will receive support for both your clinical and medical needs. Our masters level therapists and on-staff medical providers offer supportive care for the duration of your stay.
Room and board are both included in your stay. Bed linens, towels, and other needs for your stay are provided. Our in-house chef provides all of our patient meals. With former culinary training, Chef Brandon cooks up delicious and nutritious meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Whether you spend just three weeks with us or three months, this treatment gives patients an extended break from toxic environments and relationships, emotional triggers, and all other outside stressors.
At the end of every person’s inpatient rehab stay, they’ll have a detailed road map for continued recovery that includes:
- Options for continued support
- Plans to establish balanced, sustainable lifestyles
- A list of essential resources and support services
and more. Inpatient drug or alcohol addiction treatment is typically recommended for anyone who’s tried and failed in recovery before, has a lengthy history of drug or alcohol addiction, or who’s been using highly addictive substances.
Outpatient Treatment
Intensive outpatient treatment offers greater freedom and flexibility for those who are ready to take a more self-managed approach to recovery. These services work best for people who have just completed inpatient treatment or haven’t been using very long and are not using highly addictive substances. Patients in outpatient programs must be willing to closely follow the recommendations and advice of outpatient counselors.
With outpatient rehab, people typically commit to receiving between 9-10 hours of care each week for 1-6 months. Length of treatment duration will depend on each patiet’s needs. Given that they aren’t actually living on-campus throughout the duration of their treatment, those using outpatient services can also continue going to work or school, and spending time with their families.
Although our IOP still takes a largely self-managed approach to addiction treatment, it offers a greater level of guidance and support, and helps mitigate some of the risks that come with choosing outpatient rehab.
Partial Hospitalization treatment serves as a reasonable middle group between full-time residential treatment and the more relaxed environment of a basic outpatient program. The length of this program is 2-4 weeks. Patients check-in and stay for 6 hours daily, and check out in the early evening to return home. PHP is frequently referred to as day rehab. It offers the intensity and support of inpatient care, and has many of the same components.
Aftercare for Long-Term Recovery
Addiction or substance use disorder is a chronic, lifelong disease. People who are able to successfully manage this disease, and maintain their sobriety over time, often do so by committing to various forms of ongoing care and support. Relapse can happen within days or weeks of choosing to quit. It can also occur months or even years after a person has stopped using.
At Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center, we work hard to mitigate the ongoing risk of relapse by offering options in aftercare, helping our patients learn more about their choices in sober living facilities, and by aligning people with essential resources and support group services. Our goal is to ensure that no client ever feels truly alone.
If you’re ready to get started on the path to addiction recovery, we can help. Call us today to learn more about our rehab programs or to speak with an admissions counselor.
