How Long Does Drug and Alcohol Rehab Last For?

If you are struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction, the most effective way to tackle it is through a stay in rehab.

Addiction is characterised by compulsive substance use even when you know there will be negative consequences and long-term substance misuse can essentially rewire your brain, changing the way you deal with things like pleasure, reward, and impulse control.¹

How Long Is Drug and Alcohol Rehab Treatment?

The short answer is that there is no set duration for a programme of drug and alcohol treatments at a residential rehab. Programmes are tailored to the individual and may also depend on factors such as the severity of the addiction and substance misuse problems.

Different rehabs will offer different programmes but there are some common elements you can expect to find, including certain durations that are more common than others.

The most common lengths of drug and alcohol rehab programmes are:

7-10 days (detox only)

Detoxification, or drug and alcohol detox, refers to the period during which you process the drugs or alcohol already in your system and deal with the aftermath in terms of cravings and potential withdrawal symptoms.

Some people do attend rehab to go through alcohol and drug detox only but doing so is not generally the best option. This is because you are more likely to relapse if you don’t also undergo the therapies and other treatments involved in a longer and more complete rehab programme. This type of treatment will typically take between 7-10 days.

1 month (28 or 30 days)

A month-long programme is the most common length for a ‘full’ rehab addiction treatment programme. This is generally considered to be the shortest time in which to cover both detox and a holistic programme of treatments to cover the psychological aspects of a full-blown addiction. This type of addiction treatment programme may last for 28 or 30 days, depending on the rehab.

90 days-plus

Another option could be a stay that lasts for around 3 months, usually rounded to 90 days. This could be a good choice for someone who is struggling with a very severe addiction or is having difficulties overcoming it.

Other options do exist, including 2-month (60-day) programmes and ones that are longer than 90 days. If someone feels they are still struggling at the end of a 28 or 30-day programme, it may also be possible to extend their stay until they feel more confident in their recovery.

Aftercare programmes can also provide additional support beyond the actual stay in rehab.

What Happens During Rehab?

Different rehab programmes can vary quite widely but will usually start with that period of detox. Long-term substance misuse can lead to chemical dependency and when you suddenly stop or dramatically reduce your drinking or drug use, you can experience a range of withdrawal symptoms.

These can also vary depending on the substance involved and the length and heaviness of use, but they are always unpleasant and can be potentially dangerous. Therefore, it’s always best to undergo detox in a supervised setting, where you can access medical assistance and prescription medications where appropriate.

A longer stay in rehab will be followed by a series of therapies and other treatments. These could include evidence-based psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and 1:1 counselling, as well as group therapy sessions with other residents or family therapy sessions.

Well-being therapies and workshops can help you to improve your overall health and well-being and relapse prevention sessions can help you to develop strategies to avoid relapse once you leave.