How Long is Alcohol Rehab?
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1.4 million people in the US seek treatment for alcohol use disorders each year. The majority of people who seek treatment for alcohol addiction are adults.
If you or someone you know suffers from alcoholism, you may be wondering about treatment options. Many people choose to begin their recovery journey at an alcohol treatment center, also known as rehab.
But how long is alcohol rehab? This is one of the top questions people want to know. After all, the answer determines how much time you will be away from work, school, or your family.
Today, we want to help you understand the treatment timelines for different types of alcohol recovery programs. Keep reading to learn more, and stick around to find out how Embark can help people who are addicted to alcohol.
What Is Alcohol Rehab?
Alcohol rehab is a place where people with alcohol use disorders can get treatment. Not all people who drink alcohol have a disorder. Signs of alcoholism or an alcohol use disorder include:
- Finding it difficult to stop after one drink
- Spending lots of time thinking about alcohol or drinking alcohol
- Wanting to quit drinking but feeling unable to do so
- Craving alcohol
- Using alcohol to cope
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you quit using alcohol
You should consider going to a rehab center for alcoholism if you have started to suffer negative consequences from drinking. This could include legal trouble, difficulties at work, or interpersonal issues.
It is a major warning sign if you continue to drink despite these problems. Getting help can not only reduce your desire to drink. It can also teach you skills to repair lost opportunities and relationships in your life.
Why Should You Consider Going to Rehab?
Going to rehab for alcohol use disorder can literally save your life, as over 140,000 people die each year because of alcohol. Alcoholism can cause fatalities directly but also indirectly through liver disease, cancer, and more.
Getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol is also deadly. In 2020 alone, nearly 12,000 people died after getting in an accident where alcohol was a factor. That was 30% of all auto accident fatalities that year.
Sadly, alcohol use disorders can also lead to suicide. This mental health condition is prevalent in approximately 25% of all deaths by suicide. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988.
How Long Is Alcohol Rehab?
The duration of alcohol rehab depends on the individual, but the average length of stay for all substance use disorder programs is 27 days. Factors affecting an individual's recovery timeline include but are not limited to the following:
- How devoted the individual is to getting clean
- How long the individual has been drinking
- How much alcohol the individual drinks per session
- Whether or not the individual has a co-occurring mental health disorder
- Whether or not the individual has a secondary substance use disorder
Recovery timelines also depend on the type of program you choose. For example, say you want to do a 12-step treatment program. In that case, you must admit yourself to rehab for at least 30 days.
Below, we explain the average lengths of stay and weekly time commitments for the various types of alcoholism treatment programs. These programs include detox, inpatient treatment, and outpatient treatments.
How Long Does It Take to Detox from Alcohol?
Alcohol detox can take anywhere from seven to 14 days, depending on the severity of the addiction. People who experience minor to moderate symptoms of withdrawal may recover after only two to three days.
People with more severe symptoms typically spend five days to a few weeks detoxing. It is essential for these individuals to undergo supervised detox.
Alcohol addiction can cause life-threatening withdrawals, such as seizures, hallucinations, and delirium. Common but less serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Rapid heartbeat
- Trouble sleeping
- vomiting
- Anxiety
During a medically-assisted detox, you can also get prescription drugs to ease withdrawal symptoms. Medication is particularly helpful for people who experience moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms.
Most inpatient rehab programs feature supervised detox. Many programs require patients to undergo detox before starting other treatments for alcohol use disorder.
Even if you choose outpatient rehab, programs usually recommend at least 24 hours at the facility for detox. Detoxing from alcohol can be dangerous. These supervised detox programs can reduce the risk of complications.
How Long Is Inpatient Alcohol Rehab?
Patients can choose between 30-day, 60-day, and 90-day inpatient programs. Some treatment centers offer shorter-term programs lasting 7–10 days. Some programs last even longer (more than six months).
Inpatient programs are also called residential rehab treatments. That is because patients live at the facility where they undergo treatment. Patients typically can not go to work or school while attending an inpatient program.
So, the length of stay you choose depends on how much work or school you can miss. You should also determine the length of stay that's right for you based on your individual goals.
For example, say you want to maximize your long-term recovery. In this case, studies show that long-term treatment programs lasting six months or longer may reduce the risk of relapse.
Of course, length of stay is not the only indicator of success after rehab. Finishing your treatment program can improve your chances of not relapsing. Your age and co-occurring mental health symptoms also play a role.
Some people attend outpatient rehab or aftercare programs post-discharge. The addition of these treatments can extend the timeline for recovery. Find out exactly how much they lengthen recovery timelines next.
How Long Is Outpatient Rehab?
Outpatient rehab programs typically last anywhere from three to six months. In more severe cases, people can receive outpatient addiction treatment for over 12 months. The exact time spent in outpatient rehab depends on the program.
For example, say you attend a regular outpatient program. You meet for a few hours one or two days a week. Mild alcoholism may only require a few months of weekly sessions, while more severe forms may require a year or more.
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) and partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) take longer to complete. These types of outpatient treatment programs use a hybrid structure. Here's how much time you'll spend attending each.
How Long Is Partial Hospitalization Rehab?
The minimum amount of time someone can spend in a PHP is 20 hours per week. Most PHPs require patients to attend 5–6 hour treatment sessions every day for 5–6 days per week. That equals about 25–36 hours per week.
Individuals attending these programs come to the treatment facility during the daytime. But they have the flexibility to return home at night. PHPs are best for people with strong support systems.
How Long Is Intensive Outpatient Rehab?
IOPs require patients to attend sessions lasting at least three hours for anywhere from 3–5 days per week. These programs sit somewhere between traditional outpatient services and PHPs on the treatment time spectrum.
Like traditional outpatient programs, patients live at home while attending an IOP. But you spend far more time at the treatment facility with an IOP than you would with a regular outpatient program.
Treatments for Alcohol Use Disorder
There is no cure for addiction. Addiction is a chronic condition, meaning it presents a high risk for relapse. Alcohol addiction relapse rates are on-par with other chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.
Yet, there are treatments available to help you quit drinking and stay sober for life. Below, we discuss the top three treatments for alcoholism available today.
Therapy
Behavioral therapy is one of the top treatments for people with alcohol use disorders. People with mild alcoholism may only need therapy. For moderate to severe addictions, therapy plus medication may be more suitable.
The most common type of therapy used for alcoholism is CBT. CBT stands for cognitive-behavioral therapy. Its main goal is to help people identify negative thought patterns that drive them to drink.
CBT also encourages the development of healthy coping skills. Stress is often a trigger for alcohol use. Learning new coping mechanisms to deal with stress can help reduce the urge to drink.
Medication
Some medications can help people who are recovering from alcoholism. The top three medications prescribed for alcohol use disorders are:
- Acamprosate
- Naltrexone
- Disulfiram
Naltrexone and disulfiram are similar. The goal of disulfiram is to make people feel sick when they drink alcohol. Naltrexone blocks the euphoric effects of alcohol, but it will not make you feel sick.
Acamprosate helps treat some of the side effects of excessive or long-term alcohol use. Specifically, it can help restore normal balances of neurotransmitters like dopamine.
Mental Health Treatment
Up to 50% of people with substance use disorders have one or more co-occurring mental health conditions. Around 37% of people who misuse alcohol or have an alcohol use disorder suffer from a mental health disorder.
The most common mental health conditions that occur alongside alcoholism are anxiety, mood disorders, and PTSD. 20–40% of people with alcoholism deal with an anxiety disorder, such as social phobia or generalized anxiety.
In some cases, people start drinking to self-medicate their mental health symptoms. In others, excessive alcohol use leads to disorder-like symptoms.
For these reasons, most alcohol treatment programs incorporate a mental health component.
What Is the Recovery Rate for Alcoholics?
People who remain sober after rehab for at least five years have a high likelihood of abstaining from alcohol for life. The rate of relapse for addicts who abstain from alcohol for one or two years is 80% and 40%, respectively.
Factors that can increase your chances of success after rehab include:
- Getting help as soon as possible
- Attending a longer rehab program
- Finishing your rehab program
- Enrolling in an aftercare program
- Adhering to all aftercare recommendations
- Seeking treatment for co-occurring disorders
- Maintaining a strong support system
Even if you do follow these guidelines, you may find yourself relapsing. If that happens to you, get in touch with a local treatment facility to get back on the road to recovery.
Alcohol Treatment Program Steps
At Embark Recovery, we offer treatment services for people with alcohol use disorders. We offer inpatient and outpatient programs to suit your unique needs. Our dedicated medical team will support you every step of the way.
Our treatment approach is a three-step process. Learn more about what to expect from your Prescott alcohol recovery program next.
1. Intake
During the intake phase, an Embark Recovery professional will ask about your medical history. They will also want to hear about your alcohol use. Make sure to include information about your family history of alcohol use and abuse.
At Embark Recovery, we use intake assessments to inform treatment plans. We strive to customize each plan based on an individual's unique needs. This includes determining which program and length of stay is right for you.
2. Treatment
For most people, treatment begins with alcohol detox. A medical professional will supervise and support you through your withdrawal symptoms. There may be medications available to make you feel more comfortable.
Once your withdrawal symptoms cessate, you can get the treatment you need. As mentioned, your treatment plan may include therapy, prescription medications, or a combination of the two.
3. Recovery
Getting treatment is only the first step of your journey to recovery. You need to learn strategies to help you stay clean after rehab. That may include a group program like AA or fostering a support system at home.
Relapse is unfortunately common, especially during the recovery phase. But do not approach relapse as a failure. Instead, use relapse as a motivation to re-enroll in a rehab program that is right for you.
Alcohol Rehab in Prescott, AZ
So, how long is alcohol rehab? The answer is that it depends on the type of treatment program you choose. The average inpatient program lasts about 27 days, while outpatient treatments last anywhere from 3–12 months.
Are you searching for 'alcohol rehab programs near me'? Embark Recover in Prescott is waiting for your call. Contact us today to learn more about our alcohol use disorder treatment programs.