How Long is Alcohol Rehab? Understanding the Length of our Alcohol Addiction Recovery Programs

The length of alcohol rehab will depend on the severity of the patient’s addiction. Those struggling with severe alcohol use disorder may benefit more from inpatient alcohol rehab as opposed to outpatient treatment, as patients are able to undergo medical detox for their alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Inpatient treatment involves a minimum 30 day stay at a treatment facility, where patients will attend daily therapy sessions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). This will help patients to understand the underlying cause of why they drink alcohol or engage in binge drinking. By understanding what drives them to consume alcohol, it becomes easier to learn healthier coping mechanisms and stop drinking.

Both inpatient and outpatient rehab programs offer these addiction counseling sessions, although it is daily during inpatient programs and usually only weekly in outpatient programs. Patients in both programs also are able to attend support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to learn more about the effects of alcohol on other people’s lives.

By understanding how alcohol abuse and alcoholism have affected other patients, patients learn that the negative effects of alcohol use is not an isolated incident. Not only does this help patients recognize the consequences of alcohol use disorder, it also shows them they are not alone.

Inpatient alcohol treatment is usually shorter than outpatient treatment as it is a more intensive program. Outpatient treatment programs can go on indefinitely as patients can fit them into their daily schedule, but the length of time spent at either treatment center is still up to the individual.

How Long Is Inpatient Alcohol Rehab?

Alcohol treatment centers typically offer 3 different lengths of inpatient alcohol rehab, and these are 30 day, 60 day, and 90 day treatment programs. Inpatient alcohol rehab requires patients to undergo addiction treatment while living at a treatment facility so they can work intensely on overcoming their alcohol use disorder.

Residential treatment begins with medical detox to ease both the effects of alcohol withdrawal symptoms and cravings so that patients are able to focus more fully on the recovery process. Without the intense symptoms that occur once you stop drinking, patients are able to dedicate themselves to working towards sobriety.

How Long Is Outpatient Alcohol Rehab?

The length of outpatient rehab can vary, although it is typically a 3 month alcohol treatment program. However, you may require a higher level of care, so patients are free to attend outpatient treatment for as long as they feel is necessary. The therapy sessions and support groups offered during these programs can benefit patients no matter where they are in the recovery process.

Even if alcohol cravings have subsided, therapy can still help patients talk through their feelings and prevent any triggers from leading to a relapse. Many patients use therapy as a continuous recovery process, so outpatient rehab can last from months up to years for them.

However long your alcohol addiction treatment program ends up being, Fusion Recovery’s alcohol treatment centers is here to help you every step of the way and work together to find the best option for your recovery. The length of treatment is entirely up to you, but our admissions counselors can help you decide what would be most beneficial for your specific circumstances. By going off of their recommendations, you’ll be set up for success in recovery.