If you struggle with drug and alcohol abuse, you are not alone. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 48.5 million people had a substance use disorder in 2023.[1]
The best way to overcome drug abuse is by attending an addiction treatment center. Many people avoid drug and alcohol rehab because they are worried about how long it will take. While drug rehab can take anywhere from 30 to 90 days, the time commitment is worth it.
During a drug addiction treatment program, you’ll receive services like medical detox, evidence-based therapies, and relapse prevention planning. Because addiction affects you physically, emotionally, behaviorally, and spiritually, you need enough time to develop the proper coping mechanisms and change negative behavioral patterns to ensure you can avoid relapse later on.
If you are wondering whether you need to attend a drug rehab, you should pay attention to the signs of substance use disorder. Having a hard time controlling your drug and alcohol abuse, experiencing cravings, developing a tolerance, and dealing with withdrawal symptoms are all signs that you need a substance abuse treatment program.
In this article, you will learn:
- How long does drug rehab last in Florida?
- Why does the treatment process take so much time?
- How to choose between inpatient treatment and outpatient rehab
- What are the signs that you need substance abuse treatment?
How Long Does Rehab Last?
The recovery journey can be a long road. Usually, substance abuse treatment facilities assess your needs to determine how long you need to attend the program. Substance abuse treatment plans can range from 30 to 90 days.
That said, it is recommended to attend treatment for at least 90 days, as this length of treatment is associated with the highest success rates. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “participation for less than 90 days is of limited effectiveness, and treatment lasting significantly longer is recommended for maintaining positive outcomes.”[2]
You should consider attending 90 days of treatment or longer durations if you have a severe addiction or co-occurring mental health issues. To explain, these characteristics make treating substance abuse more complicated, requiring a larger time commitment to achieve long-term recovery.
Why Does Addiction Treatment Take So Long?
The best outcomes for maintaining sobriety occur when a recovering addict attends treatment for at least 90 days. But why does the recovery process take so long?
While 90 days might seem like a lot of time, you need to engage in a wide variety of services to achieve long-term sobriety. For example, you’ll have to complete medical detox, which can take up to two weeks. After you overcome withdrawal, you’ll start treatment for the mental, emotional, behavioral, and spiritual aspects of addiction.
Drug and alcohol abuse treatment is designed to provide you with a solid foundation of recovery to rely on once you are out of the program. This is completed with a combination of individual therapy, group therapy, support groups, and relapse prevention planning. To see progress in counseling sessions, you’ll need to complete several weeks of inner work.
Additionally, treatment programs use in-depth assessments to determine your individual recovery needs. This can take some time and often requires ongoing assessment to ensure the type of treatment you are undergoing is working for you.
Choosing Between Inpatient Treatment and Outpatient Treatment
There are two main types of treatment facilities: residential treatment and outpatient rehab. Residential programs require you to live at the facility while you receive ongoing care. On the other hand, outpatient centers allow you to live at home and commute to treatment sessions 3 to 5 times per week, depending on your needs.
Residential treatment is ideal for people who have moderate to severe addiction issues or have co-occurring psychiatric disorders that require treatment. In other words, they are meant for people who need a significant level of support and care that can only be provided on an inpatient basis.
In contrast, outpatient rehab is meant for individuals who are not at a high risk of returning to substance use. For example, if you’ve already completed inpatient or only struggle with mild issues, outpatient might be a good choice for you. Even further, many people who need to continue working while receiving addiction care opt for outpatient care, as it allows for more flexibility in scheduling.
If you are having a hard time choosing between inpatient and outpatient, the treatment team at Palm City Wellness can provide you with an in-depth assessment to determine what level of care is right for you.
Signs You Need Treatment for Alcohol or Drug Abuse
If you are unsure whether you need rehab, it’s time to learn more about the signs of addiction. You can use these symptoms to determine whether you have substance abuse issues and require ongoing care from a rehab center.
The main signs that indicate you need drug and alcohol rehab include:
- Being unable to control how much or how often you use a substance
- Spending a lot of time obtaining, using, or recovering from alcohol and drug use
- Experiencing urges or cravings to misuse a substance
- Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Failing to meet responsibilities at home, school, or work because of your drug use
- Continuing to use substances despite facing social problems or adverse physical and mental health effects
- Using drugs and alcohol in risky situations, such as while driving
- Needing to increase your dose of a substance to experience the desired effect
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop using alcohol
If you are interested in achieving recovery, it’s time to seek professional help. At Palm City Wellness, we offer an evidence-based and individualized program that will help you make the lifestyle changes you need to be successful.
Get Connected to a Top-Rated Alcohol and Drug Rehab Center in Florida
If you or a loved one suffers from substance abuse, it’s time to seek professional help. Palm City Wellness is here to offer the support and care you need to make a full recovery.
Contact us today for more information on how long our program lasts in Florida.
References:
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Highlights for the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
- The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Principles of Drug Addiction