How long should inpatient treatment last in a 12 step recovery program? Can a short 30 day program really make a life-changing difference, or would a longer stay encourage better results? Although the choices can be overwhelming, if you or someone you know is searching for help, it’s here. Below we’ll explain a few of the differences between short and long term rehab.
Short term treatment is the most common form of drug and alcohol rehabilitation and is classified as continuous in 30 day treatment programs, while long term treatment ranges from 60-90 days to a full year.
Some studies have demonstrated longer lasting results with longer treatment times. Addiction takes time to develop and recovery can also take time. The most obvious benefit of long term care is that the individual is given time in order to discover and resolve the bedrock issues which led to the use in the first place.
One unavoidable problem with short term care is that the initial drug addiction detox period may extend one or even two weeks into treatment. Depending on the substance of addiction, patients can still feel the fog of addiction until week three. This leaves just one week of care, free of the acute withdrawals, for the person to deal with their issues and get back to their lives. Most people begin their stays in rehab ready to do whatever it takes to get clean and sober, but by the end of their stay, they simply focused on doing whatever it takes to get out.
It is not uncommon for addicts to require multiple 28 day stays before the rehab “sticks.” That can be an emotional and financial drain on both the addict and the family supporting them.
The bottom line is that every person is different and the rehabilitation they undergo needs to be customized for them. In choosing what length of time to put into treatment it is most important to remain as objective as possible regarding the situation. To speak with an intervention specialist Los Angeles and learn more, contact us.