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6 Month, 1 Year, and 2 Year Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers

Updated August 16, 2023
7 min. read
5 sections

The article explores long-term drug and alcohol rehab programs, emphasizing the effectiveness of extended treatments. It details program structures, from initial examinations to therapies, for durations ranging from six months to two years, and provides insights into insurance considerations.

What you will learn:
  • Importance of long-term rehab for recovery.
  • Structure of different program durations.
  • Insurance considerations for extended rehab.

If you’re contemplating treatment for a substance use disorder (SUD), you might wonder about the duration of recovery. While some opt for short stints like 30 days, many find extended treatment more beneficial.

The Advantage of Long-Term Rehab

Rehab facilities offer therapy options that extend to six months or more. Although the road to recovery from addiction is a lifelong commitment, research consistently suggests that extended stays in treatment yield more positive outcomes. The nature and duration of the treatment you undergo will vary depending on your unique situation. Dive deeper into long-term rehab options below.

Understanding Long-Term Rehab

Often, therapy might span 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, 2 years, or even more, commonly referred to as long-term rehab. In contrast to shorter-term programs lasting 30 to 90 days, these treatments usually adopt an inpatient or residential model, where patients receive round-the-clock care at a facility. Meanwhile, short-term programs might mix a few weeks of inpatient care with subsequent outpatient sessions.

Goals of long-term rehab include:

  • Cultivating a safe environment to hone coping skills.
  • Offering uninterrupted support.
  • Helping individuals achieve independence.
  • Facilitating community engagement and employment opportunities.

Evidence indicates that treatments exceeding nine months can significantly enhance sobriety prospects. However, even shorter rehab durations can be pivotal in aiding recovery.

Insurance and Long-Term Rehab

To understand your insurance coverage for long-term rehab, consult your provider. You can verify your insurance online, reach out using the contact details on your card, or fill in the provided form.

What to Expect in Long-Term Rehab

Regardless of your program’s length, it typically commences with a comprehensive assessment, laying the foundation for a tailored treatment strategy.

A 6-month program often integrates several weeks of intensive inpatient treatment, succeeded by outpatient sessions and 12-step meetings.

Programs extending 12 months or more are usually long-term inpatient or residential treatments. They can stretch up to 18 months, 2 years, or more, usually offering 24/7 care outside a hospital setting.

While there isn’t a universal standard for long-term treatments, they generally encompass the subsequent phases:

Patient Evaluation:

Upon admission, a navigator guides you through a comprehensive medical and psychiatric assessment. This paves the way for deciding the appropriate care level and treatment path.

Detoxification (Detox):

Detox might be integral to some patients’ treatment continuum, but it isn’t always mandatory. The ease and duration of detox vary, with substance dependence being a crucial determinant. Detoxing from substances like benzodiazepines or alcohol can invoke severe, even life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. Professionals can mitigate these symptoms, ensuring a smoother and safer detox.

Counseling and Support:

Long-term rehab usually involves behavioral, group, and individual counseling, available in both inpatient and outpatient formats. Additionally, you can consider 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.

Effective treatment generally requires a minimum of 90 days, with extended durations optimizing long-term recovery. Most rehab regimes, whether 90 days or two years, integrate evidence-based care such as:

  • Medication-Assisted Therapy (MAT).
  • Complementary therapies.
  • Motivational interviewing.
  • Group and family counseling.
  • Recovery teams.
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

Many programs also advocate attending 12-step meetings.

About The Contributor
Author's Avatar
Pernell Baisden
Contributor
With over three decades in recovery advocacy, this counselor advises county leaders, trains law enforcement, and crafts innovative rehabilitation techniques, epitomizing resilience and hope in the addiction recovery sphere.
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