How Long is Rehab for Drug or Alcohol Addiction?

The Length of Stay for Substance Abuse Varies

Because addiction affects everyone differently, the length of stay for rehab can vary. Depending on the needs of the individual, rehab can last anywhere from a few days to undergo detox, to weeks, months, and beyond. The following are common rehab durations for substance abuse treatment programs:

• 7+ Days
• 30 Days (Most common and frequently covered by insurance)
• 60 Days
• 90 Days
• >90 Days which may include long term situations, sober living homes, and part time programs (outpatient).

Benefits of Longer Rehab Programs

The benefits of longer lengths of stay include:

• More time to get used to the treatment program, process, and set long-term goals.
• More time to attend therapy and treatment programs in a supportive, structured, and supervised environment.
• More time to understand and reflect on their addiction, identify causes, and learn and implement coping mechanisms.

What Factors Impact Rehab Duration?

Rehab duration can be impacted by a variety of variables that are unique to each person. Cost and insurance may play a big factor as to whether an individual will be able to afford a longer stay. Insurance may only be able to cover part of the cost of rehab which could make longer stays less feasible even if it may be more beneficial to the individual. Other financial concerns such as childcare or employment concerns may also factor into your decision for the affordability of a longer than average stay. Questions such as who will watch my kids and whether your employer will allow you to have time off to attend treatment may all factor into your decision.

Other factors that impact rehab duration include:

• Whether you need detox. Medically supervised detoxification to overcome the symptoms of substance abuse withdrawal can take a couple of days to weeks. From there, one may choose to enter a live-in inpatient rehab program where further monitoring and therapies can take place to ensure long term recovery.
• Whether you decide on a part-time outpatient or live-in inpatient program. Because outpatient programs are less intensive, it may take longer to complete the program as you may be attending treatment part time.
• Which drug or substance you are abusing. Different substances have different impacts on the mind and the body. A drug that is more addictive may be harder to give up or take longer to withdraw from.
• Whether you are receptive to treatment.
• Whether you have a relapse and may need to return to treatment. Relapse is not uncommon as once treatment is over, individuals have less support and must return to potentially triggering situations and environments.

How to Find Rehab Treatment Near You

American Addiction Centers has rehab centers across the U.S. Explore the various amenities and services featured at our facilities. And just because there isn’t a rehab in your state, doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t attend treatment. Call us today and we’ll work with you to find you the best treatment suited to your personalized needs.

• Orange County, California Rehab Center
• Miami, Florida Rehab Center
• Tampa, Florida Rehab Center
• Worcester, Massachusetts Rehab Center
• Oxford, Mississippi Rehab Center
• Las Vegas, Nevada Rehab Center
• Kingstown, Rhode Island Rehab Center
• Dallas, Texas Rehab Center
• Locations Nationwide: Resolutions Recovery
  Residences
• All Treatment Centers

Will Insurance Cover My Rehab Stay?

Most insurance providers may be able to help cover at least part of the cost of rehab. The length of stay covered will depend on your plan details, though 30 days is commonly covered by insurance. Some of our facilities accept TRICARE and/or work with the VA Community Care Network to provide treatment to veterans. Contact us at or fill in our online insurance verification form below. Once we learn more about your situation and gather the information we need, we can help you determine the length of rehab you may need and work with your insurance provider directly to see how long you may be covered for.

How to Choose the Best Program for Me

As mentioned previously, the best and most effective program for you will depend on your unique needs. The best program will help you achieve long-term recovery. Items to look for when determining the best rehab facility for you may include:

• If the rehab center is certified and employs qualified personnel.
• Whether the rehab facility offers multiple levels of care, with 24-hour monitoring where needed.
• Whether there are specialized programs such as 12 step based, evidence based, spiritual based, and/or veteran centric programs to fit your unique needs.

A number of our facilities offer the Salute to Recovery program which is a 4-week curriculum tailored towards veterans & first responders. This program, created specifically for veterans, focuses on PTSD, the neurobiology of addiction, and learning to rebuild and/or expand resources to improve daily life coping without the need of substance use.

Components of this program include:

• Group & Individual Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Trauma Groups & Relapse Prevention
• Exercise & Holistic Therapies
• Coping
• Pain Management
• Dealing With Grief & Loss
• Rebuilding Healthy Relationships