Summary:
This article explores how long drug rehab takes, which levels of care we offer, and how to choose.
At Sequoia Recovery Center, we believe that recovery is a journey, something that unfolds over the rest of a client’s life, not just a transformative experience that happens in a few weeks. To that end, we know that answers to questions like “how long does drug rehab take” are highly personalized. The length of time will vary based on factors like individual needs, history of substance abuse and/or relapse, and co-occurring disorders.
Still, research shows that longer durations of care, including coaching and support groups, can lead to better outcomes and reduce the risk of relapse, which is why we aim to support clients through every stage of the recovery process, from detox to aftercare planning.
Seamless Transitions: Our Different Levels of Care
From the first day to the last day with us, Sequoia Recovery Center is here to help each client manage transitions, aftercare, and long-term sobriety. To achieve this, we provide a step-down approach with multiple levels of care, helping clients from their initial detox through residential programs and finally to outpatient programs and aftercare.
Detox
The first level of care we provide is our medical detox, the initial step for recovery. During this time, our team helps to prepare each client for what to expect during this time frame. While the detox process is an average of 7 days long, the symptoms with which each client struggles can differ widely, from physical to psychological, depending on their respective history with substance abuse.
Our team not only provides 24-hour supervision during this process and monitors for any complications, but we also aim to make clients as comfortable as possible.
Residential
Immediately after clients are stable, we want to ensure there’s no gap between the most vulnerable days, and that’s why we transition to the next level of care, our residential programs. Our team works with each client to meet clinical goals and begin the process of managing symptoms and personal triggers.
Outpatient
As clients gain success in their residential programs, they can transition to the next levels of care, including our Partial Hospitalization (PHP) or Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). In these phases, clients no longer live in our treatment center but still come back and forth on a daily or weekly basis to practice new skills and learn to prevent a relapse.
We aim to ensure that each client is able to handle real-world triggers and have a structured approach to transitioning back to their independence. The multiple levels of outpatient treatment we provide allow for this in a natural environment.
FAQ
How Long Does Drug Rehab Take?
In general, residential programs are structured in 30-day increments, but at Sequoia Recovery Center, we believe in personalized approaches that are based on progress, not weeks. When clients reach out to our team, we review their specific clinical needs and provide a suggested time frame. As clients move through different levels of care, we can also work with them to offer suggestions on when to transition down to the next level or when they might need to extend current timelines at their existing levels.
Why Do Most Rehabs Recommend a 90-Day Program?
Most rehab facilities recommend a standard 90-day program because this has been found through clinical studies to be the most significant in reducing drug or alcohol abuse. This is the appropriate length of time to allow brain chemistry to normalize, help individuals develop new coping skills in a supportive environment, and then learn to practice those skills in their regular environment.
How Long Does Detox Last?
Medical detox can take anywhere between 5 and 10 days but this depends on the substances that have been used, how long they’ve been used, and individual health. Detox is an essential first step, helping your body clear itself of any remaining toxins so that you can focus on your therapeutic recovery from a mentally sound place.
Does Rehab End When I Finish Treatment?
No, recovery is a continuum, a long journey, which is why we provide a continuum of care. With several levels of care, individuals can transition into lower levels of care as they make progress, ensuring that safe reintegration takes place, behavioral therapies are given a chance to work, and coping skills can be practiced in real time.
What Factors Can Make Rehab Longer?
Several factors can contribute to a longer rehab recommendation, including co-occurring mental health disorders, severe withdrawal symptoms, untreated trauma, or a history of chronic relapse. When you reach out to our admissions team, we go over your personal history so that we can get a better understanding of which factors might need to be addressed with your new treatment program, such as a dual diagnosis program for co-occurring mental health disorders or a trauma-informed approach for untreated trauma.
Can I Choose a Shorter Program if I Have Work or Family Obligations?
We encourage all of our patients to prioritize the recommended treatment length, but to accommodate family and work obligations, we also offer flexible outpatient levels of care. While it might be tempting to pick a shorter rehab program simply to try and “get it done with,” studies indicate that longer time frames lead to more lasting results, and choosing the wrong level of care or the wrong duration can ultimately mean more time down the line.
Is the Length of Rehab Different for Different Drugs?
Yes, it usually is, especially when it comes to the withdrawal time frame and cravings. Cocaine, for example, often produces cravings up to six months, and withdrawal from alcohol or benzodiazepines typically requires a longer detox. This is why we work with each client to determine which substances they have a history with, how long they have used those substances, and, with that in mind, how long rehab should be to help manage things like cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
How Do You Know I’m Done with Rehab?
Our team provides continual assessments of clinical milestones, the individual goals set for recovery, and how well they have been achieved. This might include how effectively a client has demonstrated healthy coping skills, their level of emotional stability, and whether they have a relapse prevention plan in place. Our clinical team works with clients regularly to ensure each client feels confident in their transition, and we won’t recommend leaving if they aren’t ready yet.
