FAQ 6

How long is the treatment process?

The short answer to this question is that it is a process that never ends. Treatment itself is a process and for most substance abusers complete abstinence from drugs and alcohol is the only possible solution. However, the actual treatment process during which rehabilitation takes place can greatly vary. The length of the treatment process is dependent on a number of different factors. Some people who have a desire to get sober are unable to take time away from their job or other life responsibilities and prefer outpatient treatment to a more rigorous course of inpatient treatment.

In other cases, treatment is the last possible option for an addict and therefore they are able to commit all of their time and energy to the process. In addition, inpatient treatment can also vary in length and structure. Short-term treatment, usually 28 days or less, is a highly structured program that provides a strong foundation in recovery. People who go through this type of treatment often use aftercare, sober coaching and 12-step programs to supplement the short length of this treatment. Other longer term programs ranging anywhere from 3 months to over a year can help produce lifestyle and attitude changes, meaning more internal changes, which, in some cases, prove to be more beneficial in the long run.

Aside from the length and type of treatment, the thing that is most important is that the patient has the desire and motivation necessary to stay sober and stick out the process even when it feels uncomfortable, or when cravings and obsessions crop up. Knowing how to use the tools gained in treatment is the most important factor once rehabilitation has been completed.