Alcohol rehabilitation programs are in place to help recovering alcoholics recover from alcoholism and develop the tools needed to avoid a relapse. If you find that you’re ready to enter alcohol rehab, you might have a few questions on your mind. For example, just how long does alcohol rehab last? This is a difficult question to answer because the answer is subject to the severity of the alcohol problem. Rather than trying to provide a blanket answer for entire alcohol rehab treatment programs, it’s a good idea to look at the different types of programs and their typical duration times.
Detox
The detoxification phase is the first segment that any newly admitted patient will experience once they enter an alcohol rehab. It consists of going through the appropriate protocol and taking medication to return to a state of complete sobriety. This process can last anywhere from three to five days, and in some newer cases, the patient is sent home once they’ve been cleansed of the drug.
Residential/Inpatient Programs
In most cases, however, the patient will go on to an inpatient or residential program where they work with medical professionals to overcome the crippling disease of alcoholism. Supervision is almost always constant, and medical professionals track the progress of patients to make an educational estimate of when they’re ready to complete treatment and return home. These types of programs can last anywhere from 30 days to multiple years. The most common maximum inpatient program duration is around two years.
Outpatient Programs
Outpatient programs or sober living environments require that patients receive treatment while living at home or in a designated living space. In some cases, patients will live with other recovering alcoholics for support in returning to society while staying above the influence. Sometimes outpatient programs have a prerequisite of a previous inpatient program, but in some cases, this is not required. Outpatient programs typically last for more than six months.
12 Step Programs
Lastly, some recovering alcoholics choose to go through with 12 step programs that typically make use of therapeutic environments and group support to function. Participation is required for a set amount of time, usually more than six months and no more than two years. In these types of rehab settings, patients work together and utilize strong group support to work through the underlying causes of their addictions and make a strong and solid recovery with little chance for relapse.
If you or someone you know needs help with addiction or finding an alcohol detox, we can help: Call Today (800) 305-3417
