Residential drug rehab programs are safe, supportive treatment environments staffed by therapists, counselors, medical doctors and other addiction experts that offer structured, live-in programs for recovery from drug addiction and alcoholism. There are thousands of residential drug rehab centers in the United States alone, varying in treatment methodology and length, equipped to treat addiction of all kinds

Residential rehab centers vary in the length of time spent in treatment, to the program specifics, activities offered, locations, and therapies utilized for addiction treatment. No matter what the treatment methodology, the benefit of attending a residential treatment center cannot be substituted by any other level of care available in the addiction treatment field. Residential treatment provides an addict or alcoholic time in a safe and supportive setting away from their home environment to focus on their recovery from addiction. 

Short Term vs. Long Term Residential Drug Rehab

Generally, residential drug rehab centers are categorized by their length, the two main categories being short term and long term residential treatment programs.

Short Term Residential Drug Rehab

Short term residential drug rehab centers average 28-30 days in length, and this has been and continues to be the most common length of stay in a residential treatment center. In the big picture of addiction treatment, 30 days is basically just long enough to dry out, get the drugs and alcohol out of the system, and begin to identify and work on core issues and unhealthy behaviors. Short term residential programs 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 continuing care. 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 they had learned while in residential treatment. Although short term residential drug rehab centers are limited to 30 days in length, sober living can last as long as an individual requires.

Long Term Residential Drug Rehab

Long term treatment 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 programs, while not as common as short term programs, are statistically the most effective form of treatment available.  Studies show that the longer an individual stays in residential treatment, the better the outcomes (higher rates of long-term sobriety). Long term rehabilitation 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 many years, especially during their developmental years (childhood, adolescence and/or early adulthood), is a prime candidate for long term treatment because it takes significant time, therapy and hard work to arrest and repair deeply ingrained unhealthy behaviors. Chronic relapsers, individuals who have attempted recovery multiple times before and still end up relapsing are ideal candidates for long-term drug rehabilitation.  The best long term residential centers gradually taper their intensity and supervision (known as a "step down" method of treatment) as the addict progress through the program, so that by the end of treatment the individual has some confidence that he or she can successfully practice their sobriety without constant supervision. This method helps to ensure that the addict is not thrown back into mainstream society without any preparation.

Finding Help

To find the right rehab center for you or your loved one, please visit our publicly rated and reviewed treatment directory and use our advanced search functionality to filter the programs based on your criteria. Our directory's advanced search function allows filtering of the search by short-term residential and long-term residential treatment.  Or 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 rehabilitation services for you or your loved one.