Residential Drug Rehab

Short Term Residential Drug Rehab vs. Long Term Residential Drug Rehab

Generally, residential drug rehab centers can offer up to two different kinds of residential treatment lengths - short term residential drug rehab and long term residential drug rehab. It is important to know the difference between these two lengths of time and what that can mean for an addict or alcoholic looking for recovery from addiction, depending on that individual and the length and severity of his/her addiction.

Short Term Residential Drug Rehab

Short term residential drug rehab is an average of 28-30 days, depending on the center and for many years, this has been and continues to be the most common length of stay in a residential treatment center. However, just because short term residential addiction treatment is the most commonly known form of drug rehab does not mean it is best for every kind of addict suffering from every kind of addiction. In the big picture of addiction, 30 days is just long enough to dry out, get the drugs and alcohol out of the system and only scratch the surface of living without addictive substances and behaviors. Short term residential drug rehab centers are optimal for those who have not been long term addicts or for those who have been through drug rehab before, relapsed and really do just need the time to dry out before moving on to sober living or outpatient drug rehab services. Specifically with short term drug rehab centers, it is highly recommended that addicts and alcoholics move into a sober living facility to continue their care on a much less intense level, but still in keeping with the lessons and environment they had while in residential drug rehab. Although short term residential drug rehab centers are only 30 days or so, sober living can last as long as takes for any addict to feel ready enough to step out on their own armed with months of lessons in remaining sober while working and dealing with the rigours of real world interactions and difficulties.

Long Term Residential Drug Rehab

Long term drug rehab is typically 60 or more days, varying by 30 day increments (such as 60 days, 90 days, 120 days, etc.). Long term residential drug rehab, while not the most common, is generally the most effective because of the longer time spent in a residential treatment center, sober from drugs and alcohol and the continuation of learning a sober way of life for an extended period of time. Long term drug rehab is typically recommended for addicts who have more severe cases of drug addiction and alcoholism. For example, an addict who has been addicted to drugs or alcohol for 10 or more years, including their younger and more developmental stages of life would be a perfect candidate for long term residential drug rehab because it would take much more time, therapy and consistent work to reverse the damaging way of thought and of life an addict like this would have become accustomed to over the years of addiction. It is important, when considering long term residential drug rehab to be sure the continuing months of treatment are not the same program over and over again, but rather more of a step down method, changing in intensity and focus. The best long term residential drug rehab centers will offer programs that gradually allow the addict to learn different aspects of recovery from addiction with less intensity and less supervision as they progress through the long term residential program. This kind of method helps to ensure that the addict is not just thrown into drug rehab, then thrown right back into the real world without any preparation.

To find the right residential drug rehab center for you or your loved one, please check our treatment directory with every addiction treatment provider in the country, enter your search criteria and browse the available drug rehab centers based on your criteria. Or please feel free to call us toll free at 1-877-335-HOPE (4673) and we will do all we can to help direct you to the best available drug and alcohol treatment for you or your loved one.