There is no uniform timeline for addiction recovery at an addiction rehab facility, but there are some guidelines for certain situations. First of all, there should be at least a 90-day commitment regardless of the type of addiction or the severity of the problem. Anything less is considered to be inadequate by the mainstream medical community.
From that point, there will be some distinct differences depending on the individual patient’s needs. The 90-day period is usually more than enough to detox, reduce cravings, and begin to adjust psychologically to sobriety once more at an addiction rehab facility. Even fairly tough addictions to alcohol, cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescription depressants can often be beaten back in three months and replaced with a healthy and mentally sound person.
However, there are a number of factors that will often extend the main part of an addiction rehab facility program. The first and the most common is if there is a relapse or a high risk of relapse. Unfortunately, many rehab programs that are too willing to let someone out early add to a significant problem–far too many people in rehab are there for a third, fourth, or fifth time. A longer stay at an addiction rehab facility on the first try will create far better odds for that being their only visit, so a therapist may determine that that is the best option. However, in the case of a full relapse, a patient may be kicked out of the addiction rehab facility or have to start all over again, depending on the terms of the original admission. Relapses are the most often factor that makes the length of stay vary so much.
Another factor is if a patient is determined to have multiple problems that need to be dealt with, such as a mental disorder like bipolar syndrome or severe depression or the treatment of cognitive impairments brought about by addiction. These mental health issues don’t have any set time limit to cure and can take months of therapy to adjust them enough to allow a patient to lead a normal life.
It should also be noted that forms of addiction treatment for any type of addiction can go on for years inside or outside an addiction rehab facility. This can include attending a 12-step program or other forms of group counseling, one-on-one counseling, and mental health therapies.
One type of addiction treatment that tends to be different from others is opiate detox and recovery. In the case of a medicated recovery such as methadone treatment, one year is considered a minimum treatment. In some less severe cases, less time would be considered, but addiction to opiates such as heroin or morphine is an incredibly serious disease.
The greatest factor regarding the time it will take to recovery is the level of commitment that the patient, along with their support network, has in attaining sobriety. Some lucky people can drop an addictive narcotic habit overnight. Most have to work hard over the period of months and years to come to terms with the lifestyle they lived and how it is affecting their happiness and future. If you or someone you know wants that time to start now, contact an addiction rehab facility today to see what the experts can do to help you.