- Content Reviewed By:
- Andrew McKenna - JD
- Deputy Director of NCADD Westchester
Updated: 08/23/2023
Everyone’s experience in rehab is different; this often includes how long they’re in there. The exact length of time you or your loved one will spend in your program will depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to what type of treatment you’re seeking, your lifestyle obligations, your insurance resources, and your ongoing care needs.
The primary types of alcohol and drug rehab programs include:
Although these are the most common types of rehab models, the duration of each program will still vary from facility to facility. In the interest of developing a personalized and manageable care plan, it’s best to talk to the admissions representatives of the facility you’re considering prior to entering treatment.
How Long is Inpatient Drug Rehab?
While each program is different, inpatient rehab generally lasts 28-30 days. Shorter-term inpatient programs can last two to three weeks. During inpatient rehab, patients stay at their facility and receive ongoing care in a stable and supportive setting. If detoxification (detox) is part of the residential treatment experience, the program may last longer. Detox typically lasts between three and seven days.
How Long Is Outpatient Drug Rehab?
Outpatient drug rehab programs are more variable in their duration, but they generally last anywhere from four to six weeks, with patients attending three to five sessions per week. In outpatient rehab, patients report to their program for treatment but return home after their session is over. The primary difference between regular and intensive outpatient treatment is the length of time each day patients are in their program.
How Long Is Intensive Outpatient Drug Rehab?
Intensive outpatient drug rehab programs generally run five times per week, with patients attending six to eight-hour sessions each day. Programs can last anywhere from six to eight weeks. Intensive outpatient (IOP) programs are designed for those who need a targeted and more in-depth level of treatment but still cannot get help in a residential facility because of factors like scheduling, insurance resources, health issues, or others.
How Long Is Long-Term Addiction Treatment?
Long-term addiction treatment generally lasts a minimum of three months and up to a year. It’s important to realize that long-term treatment includes several phases, which may include detox, residential rehab, or “stepping down” into an outpatient program. Long-term treatment may also include sober living and medication-assisted treatment, which can last for months, depending on your ongoing care needs.
Sober living homes vary in how long they allow patients to stay, and medication-assisted treatment programs will taper off at different intervals for each person. Typically, sober living houses allow patients to stay for three months to a year as they’re completing other aspects of their treatment and making the transition back into their everyday lives. Sober living is a vital component for many who are new to recovery because it allows them to maintain stability and routine while they adjust to sobriety.
To find out how long your drug rehab program will be, talk to a representative from your prospective addiction treatment center to find out what kind of care you need, what your insurance covers, and what rehab options are best for you.