Rehab is a form of substance abuse treatment or alcohol and drug addiction treatment program designed to help you overcome addiction and substance use disorders. The goal of drug and alcohol rehab is to help you stop using substances, manage withdrawal symptoms, and learn new skills and behaviors that can help you maintain long-term sobriety.
Choosing to go to treatment can be a difficult decision to make, but it’s a necessary step if you want to break free from the cycle of addiction and drug abuse. You must get the care and support you need to address your addiction and learn new coping skills for managing triggers. Ultimately, recovery is a lifelong journey, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach, but with the right treatment and support, you can find success in long-term sobriety.
The length of stay at a treatment center depends on your drug or substance of choice, duration of use, and mental health needs. A good rehab program will offer a full continuum of care, including medical detox, residential treatment, and outpatient programs to not only get you sober but also help you stay sober through changing habits and your mindset long-term. The entire process can range anywhere from 3 to 5 months.
Related: Thinking About Recovery? Here’s What You Need to Know about Addiction Inpatient Treatment
We are the trusted professionals for drug and alcohol rehab in the Los Angeles, California area. Call us today to get started.
First Stage – Alcohol and Drug Detoxification (3 to 14 days)
During the detox process, medical professionals can provide medications to help manage alcohol and drug withdrawal symptoms and keep you comfortable. The length of stay during detox may last 3-14 days or longer, depending on the substances used, body chemistry, metabolism, and how long you have been regularly using drugs.
The withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepines, opiates, or alcohol can be fatal if not properly supervised by a medical professional. For these substances, treatment cannot truly begin until the substance has cleared from your system. This is why medical detox is often the first step in recovery.
Related: What is Alcohol and Drug Detox Treatment and Why Is It So Important?
How Long Does it Take to Detox Your Body?
The average timeline to detox from opioids is around 4 to 10 days for short-acting opioids (like heroin) and up to 20 days for longer-acting opioids (such as methadone) [1]. More severe forms of drug or alcohol addiction may require a longer detox process. The ultimate goal is to get you stabilized so you can comfortably begin therapy sessions for the next phase of treatment.
During detox, it can be extremely difficult to resist cravings and stay sober, so emotional support and monitoring from professionals are important. During these first couple days of rehab, you might suffer from withdrawal symptoms including:
- Mental Health Symptoms such as anxiety, depression and confusion or mental fatigue.
- Physical Symptoms including headaches, seizures, agitation, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, sweating, stomach cramps, joint and muscle pain
While these withdrawal symptoms can make the detox stage one of the most difficult parts of addiction treatment, it’s important to know these symptoms don’t last forever. They usually hit their peak between two and three days after detox begins and then start to improve.
Alcohol and drug detox is one of the most critical stages in the addiction treatment process, and the length of time here will depend on your unique needs. It is important that this process is done under the care of medical professionals to ensure safety.
Related: How Long Does It Take To Detox From Alcohol? Stages and Timeline
Second Stage – Inpatient Drug Rehab (14-30 days)
Once you go through detox, you can begin to focus on the psychological aspects of your addiction. This includes one-on-one therapy and group sessions that help uncover the underlying issues related to your disordered coping mechanisms, such as trauma, anxiety, depression, and any environmental factors involved.
How Long Do You Stay in Rehab?
Your length of stay in alcohol and drug rehab will depend on how severe your addiction is, how long it has been going on, your progress and willingness to participate during treatment, and how many days your insurance provider will approve. Inpatient rehab treatment at Clear Behavioral Health is typically 21 to 30 days.
Related: Guide to Addiction Treatment Rehab
Third Stage – Outpatient Addiction Treatment (3-4 months)
After completing inpatient rehab treatment, you may continue your recovery journey through various forms of outpatient treatment programs. Two common types of outpatient rehab programs are PHP (partial hospitalization program) and IOP (intensive outpatient program).
PHP and IOP programs are structured treatment programs that offer more flexibility than inpatient rehab while still providing a high level of support and accountability. These programs are designed as the next step after you have completed a residential rehab program and need ongoing treatment and support as you transition back to your daily life. You’ll attend treatment during the day while going home at night.
Related: Benefits of Outpatient Addiction Treatment Rehab
What is a PHP in Substance Abuse?
PHP programs typically involve treatment up to 6 hours a day, 3-5 days a week in an outpatient setting. This level of care provides access to intensive therapy and counseling, as well as psychiatric medication management. This phase can last 2-4 weeks until you taper down into IOP.
What Happens in IOP?
IOP programs, on the other hand, offer a more flexible schedule, typically consisting of 3 hours of treatment 3 days a week. In IOP, you will receive individual and group therapy, as well as access to support groups and other psychiatric resources.
The length of PHP and IOP programs can vary depending on your needs and progress in recovery. Our outpatient addiction treatment programs at Clear Behavioral Health range between 3-4 months.
What’s Next? Aftercare and Lifelong Recovery
After completing a residential treatment program, the hard work of recovery is far from over. Lifelong sobriety requires ongoing support and follow-up care, such as aftercare groups and outpatient services, which provide that extra layer of security to ensure you don’t fall back into old habits.
Additionally, continuing therapy provides a safe space to address any new issues that may arise while in recovery, as well as giving you the opportunity to work on any unresolved emotions or traumas. Having professional guidance here can make a world of difference and help you stay focused on your sobriety.
Related: Substance Abuse Recovery: What You Need to Know
In addition, you might choose to partake in follow-up care options, including:
Sober Living (Weeks or Months)
Sober living is a great way to transition back into normal life after an inpatient stay in an addiction treatment center. During this time, you live in a safe and supportive environment with other people in recovery. The primary benefit of a sober living home is that it provides security and structure while giving you some independence as you continue on the path to recovery. In addition, you can learn relapse prevention techniques to help during the recovery process, as well as partake in scheduled group therapy.
Ongoing Therapy (Several Months or Years)
Continuing counseling sessions is essential for long-term sobriety. Not only do they help you address any underlying mental health issues, but they also provide an ongoing support system that can be invaluable in helping you stay sober. Additionally, ongoing therapy allows you to process any new traumas or emotional challenges that may come up while in recovery. Therapy is not a lifelong solution, but it is good to have a layer of support when new triggers appear.
How Long is Recommended for Rehab?
In general, the more severe the drug abuse, the longer the treatment will last. If you suffer from milder addictions or if you have only recently started abusing substances, a shorter stay may be recommended. Alternatively, if you struggle with more severe addictions, you may need to stay longer to receive comprehensive treatment and support. Additionally, certain substances can be more difficult to abstain from than others.
Plan ahead if you or a loved one is entering drug and alcohol rehab to sure they are receiving the right amount of care. If you know your or your loved one’s addiction is severe, it’s best to plan for a full 30-day inpatient treatment.
Related: How To Get Someone Into Alcohol and Drug Rehab for Addiction Treatment
Co-occurring Mental Health Disorders
If you have co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety, known as a dual diagnosis, it can take additional time for you to gain control over these issues. There are often underlying issues that need to be addressed for you to feel better.
Seek treatment from programs that offer personalized treatment plans and enough time with counselors to work through these problems to gain the skills necessary to improve your mental health.
Call our experts today to learn more about addiction treatment rehab in the Los Angeles, California area.
Find Help Today and Start the Journey
We know it can be hard to begin the journey toward sobriety. That’s why we at Clear Behavioral Health are here to help. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive care to help you overcome addiction.
From medical detoxification, including drug detox and alcohol detox, to residential treatment and outpatient substance abuse treatment, we provide comprehensive services throughout Los Angeles, CA, so you can get the help you need today. Take the first step toward recovery now. Contact us today to learn more about our addiction treatment programs and get started on your journey to lifelong sobriety.
References:
- World Health Organization. (2009). Withdrawal management. Clinical Guidelines for Withdrawal Management and Treatment of Drug Dependence in Closed Settings – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310652/
