“How long does rehab take?” If you’re planning to get treated for addiction, this is perhaps one of the questions on your mind right now. And it’s pretty understandable! You surely want to know what you are getting yourself into and, more importantly, how long you will be away from your loved ones and friends.
Want to know the answer to this? It depends. Yeah, I know—that’s not the most satisfying answer. But hear me out.
Rehab programs vary greatly. Some will only last for 30 days, while others can go up to a year! Most are enrolled in programs that last 30, 60, or 90 days. However, even these figures cannot give a definite answer to your question.
So, what actually determines how long you’ll be rehabilitated? Below, I will break down the different phases of rehab, what influences the timeline, and everything else you need to know.
One Size Definitely Does Not Fit All
Story, struggles, and strengths – no two journeys are exactly alike. Some may require more time to physically heal, while others need deeper emotional work.
Factors like the severity of addiction, mental health conditions, and personal support systems can play a role in how long the recovery process will take.
This is why there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to rehab. The key is finding a program that meets you where you are and will provide the tools you need to create a healthier and more fulfilling life.
- Substance use history
- Mental health considerations
- Physical health status
- Support system (or lack thereof)
- Life circumstances
- Previous recovery attempts
Consider this: would you anticipate someone who developed a prescription medication addiction over 8 months to require the same treatment period as someone who has been drinking heavily for 25 years? Certainly not.
A psychologist at a Melbourne treatment centre explained it to me this way: “Addiction doesn’t form overnight; neither does rehabilitation. Healing takes time, hence the timing for rehab must consider the length of the damage.”
Typical Length of Rehab Program
Although everyone’s path is different, treatment programs do seem to fall into the usual timetables. Let’s see what these various options usually provide:
Detox Programs (3-14 days)
Detox is just the first step – it’s not complete rehabilitation. This is a professionally supervised program that will safely remove drugs from your body and control withdrawal symptoms.
A nurse at a Sydney detox facility once told me, “Detox alone is like removing a splinter but not cleaning or bandaging the wound. It’s a critical first step, but just the beginning.”
The length varies according to:
- Substance used
- Amount and frequency of use
- Overall health condition
- Presence of multiple substances
While opioid detox might last 10 to 14 days, alcohol detox could last 3 to 7 days. Sometimes, benzodiazepine detox takes even longer.
Short-Term Programs (30 days)
These short-term programs will cover everything in only a month, including:
- Initial assessment and treatment planning
- Basic counselling and therapy
- Introduction to recovery principles
- Early relapse prevention skills
- Aftercare planning
This program might be sufficient if:
- This is your first time receiving treatment
- You have only recently developed an addiction.
- You can always rely on your solid support network.
- You are unable to stay longer due to work or family obligations.
- Your options are limited due to insurance or financial constraints
The truth is, however, that many addiction specialists view 30 days as the bare minimum of effective treatment, rather than the optimal duration.
“It’s like trying to squeeze a year of school into one month,” explained a counselor from Perth. “The basics can be learned, but it takes more time to master.”
Medium-Term Programs (60-90 days)
Research consistently demonstrates improved results from these programs. They provide:
- More time to achieve sobriety outside of physical withdrawal.
- Deeper treatment that targets the underlying causes
- Additional coping skills practice
- Stronger recovery community connections
- More comprehensive mental health care
A 60–90 day program might be suitable if:
- You’ve tried shorter programs without long-term success
- You suffer from co-occurring mental health issues
- You’ve been abusing drugs for several years
- You need to spend more time away from situations that trigger you.
As one recovery coach explained to me, “The brain needs time to heal and rewire itself. Ninety days is not just some random number, but about the period by which new habits really hold.”
Long-Term Programs (6-12 months)
Intensive programs, also known as therapeutic communities, offer the following benefits:
- All-encompassing care for severe or chronic addiction
- Support and structure for people who don’t have much outside help
- Developing abilities for self-sufficiency
- Time to deal with complicated trauma or mental health problems.
- Support for education or vocational training
Long-term care may be suitable when:
- The client has severe comorbidity, and short programs have proven inadequate,
- No supportive environment, or stable housing
- Your level of functioning has been seriously compromised by substance use.
- You have some involvement with the legal system
According to a director at a Queensland long-term facility, “For some it’s like learning to live in an entirely new country … especially after being addicted for decades. You need time to learn the language, culture and ways of moving around in this new environment.”
Factors That Influence Your Treatment Timeline
Although there are standard program lengths, several factors could make your treatment journey longer or shorter:
Dual Diagnosis/Co-occurring Disorders
Treatment may take longer if you have mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, PTSD, depression, or anxiety in addition to your addiction. For recovery to be sustained, these conditions must be treated concurrently.
A psychiatric nurse I interviewed explained: “If addiction is treated without addressing underlying mental health issues, it is akin to patching a hole in a boat without examining what caused the hole. You might be able to stay afloat for a while, but you’ll probably sink again soon.”
Substance Type and Usage History
Substances have varying effects on the body and brain. In general:
- Longer treatment is needed for alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids.
- Recovery usually takes longer the longer you’ve been using.
- Higher substance use typically necessitates longer treatment periods.
Previous Treatment Experiences
Have you previously tried any kind of treatment? What did and did not work? Occasionally, prior attempts offer important insights into the type of care you require.
A counsellor in Adelaide once said: “A relapse is not just a failure, it’s a reality. It’s a sure sign that someone needs something more intense if they’ve completed 30 30-day program four times and have not experienced lasting success.”
Support System
The length of treatment depends greatly on the support you have available. Individuals who have supportive family members, stable housing, and positive social networks might require less intensive residential treatment than those who don’t have any of these.
Financial and Insurance Considerations
Unfortunately, the length of treatment is frequently influenced by practical factors like insurance coverage and financial resources. While public health funds may have program durations, some private health funds only cover specific lengths of stay.
What Happens During Different Treatment Phases?
The timeline will make more sense if you know what really occurs during rehab. So, here’s what to expect:
Early Phase (Week 1-2)
- Physical stabilisation and withdrawal management
- Medical and psychological assessments
- Treatment plan development
- Basic education about addiction
- Adjustment to the treatment environment
This stage can be emotionally and physically taxing. You’re acclimating to an entirely new routine in addition to detoxing from drugs.
“The first two weeks are about stopping the bleeding,” said a Brisbane addiction specialist. “We’re stabilizing the situation and establishing sufficient security so that the actual work can start.”
Middle Phase (Weeks 3-8)
- Work on core therapy begins
- Taking care of trauma and underlying problems
- Creating constructive coping strategies
- Developing techniques to prevent relapses
- Family involvement or therapy (when necessary)
The most profound therapeutic work usually takes place at this point. According to a therapist, “this middle phase is where we dig into the why behind the addiction, not just the what.” “Emotionally, it can be the most difficult, but it’s also where the biggest breakthroughs happen.”
Late Phase (Weeks 9+)
- Refining recovery skills
- Solidifying healthy habits
- Developing post-treatment plans
- Addressing practical concerns, such as housing, employment, etc.
- Transitioning to less intensive levels of care
The goal of this phase is to get you ready for life after residential treatment. A case manager from a treatment center close to the Blue Mountains stated, “We’re building the bridge between the structured treatment environment and the real world.”
Does Longer Always Mean Better?
Here’s something intriguing: studies consistently indicate that longer treatment periods are associated with better results, but there are some crucial disclaimers.
Just as important as the duration of treatment is its quality. An outstanding 30-day program with robust aftercare may be more effective than a subpar 90-day program.
Adapting the length and intensity of treatment to the individual’s needs appears to be the most important factor. While some people require the longer-term structure, others actually benefit from shorter programs followed by intensive outpatient care.
One recovery specialist from Canberra told me: “Time spent actively participating in recovery work, wherever that may be, is more important than simply spending time in a facility.”
The Reality of “Graduation” from Rehab
They don’t always tell you this right away, but there isn’t a real “graduation” from recovery. Long after you finish a formal treatment program, the work continues.
A step-down strategy is used in the majority of successful recoveries:
- Residential/inpatient treatment
- Partial hospitalisation or day programs
- Intensive outpatient program
- Regular outpatient therapy
- Support groups and maintenance care
A sports-loving counselor from a rehab facility in Victoria shared, “I like to tell clients that their time in residential treatment is just pre-season training. When you leave, the real game starts. All we’re doing is assisting you with the play practice.”
How to Decide What’s Right for You
When deciding how long a course of treatment is appropriate for your circumstances, take into account the following:
- Be honest about severity: To what extent has addiction impacted your life? Shorter programs might not be enough if the response is “significantly.”
- Consider your history: Prior recovery attempts offer important insights into the type of care you may require.
- Assess your support system: The speed at which you can safely leave residential care depends on the quality of your external support system.
- Consult professionals: An appropriate evaluation by an addiction specialist can offer situation-specific advice.
- Check insurance and finances: Recognize the financial resources you can use and what your insurance coverage permits.
- Think about commitments: Practical factors like work and family obligations are important to take into account, even though recovery should be your top priority.
The Cost-Benefit Analysis
Because of financial concerns, people occasionally choose shorter programs. On the surface, this makes sense because rehabilitation is expensive. However, take into account this viewpoint from a financial advisor who specializes in assisting individuals in obtaining treatment:
“I always ask my clients to figure out the true cost of their addiction, which includes lost income, medical bills, legal troubles, and strained relationships in addition to the money spent on drugs. From that perspective, the expense of proper treatment frequently seems insignificant when compared to the cost of ongoing addiction.”
A former client put it even more directly: “Because it was less expensive and I wanted to return to work, I kept going with the shortest route. I eventually completed the 90-day program that my counselor had initially suggested after my third attempt at treatment. If I had followed the correct program the first time, I could have avoided a great deal of pain, time, and money.”
A Personal Note About Expectations
When people start treatment, I’ve noticed that they frequently want a clear timeline and an exact end date. It’s perfectly reasonable to want to be sure.
However, our ideal timetables for recovery aren’t always followed. Some take longer than what was thought initially – others take a shorter period of time.
“Your recovery will take however long it’s going to take,” a therapist I highly respect once told a client. “Not one day longer, not one day shorter. It just makes sense to accept that fact.”
Bottom Line
So, how long does rehab take exactly? It depends on you, your situation, and what you want, which is a correct but not very satisfying answer.
For most people, 30 days should be the minimum required; 60 to 90 days would give much better odds for lasting change. Some might need even longer. Almost everyone will need some kind of aftercare post-residential treatment.
After many years of working with people in recovery, I can say with certainty that the time spent getting appropriate treatment improves your quality of life in the long run. Your future self will surely thank you for taking the time to heal, whether it’s 30 or 300 days.
