How long substance abuse treatment takes depends on each individual case. A severe drinking problem that has persisted for years will take longer to get under control than an instance of someone overmedicating for a month or two after being prescribed painkillers due to an accident. While some clients will walk out of a treatment facility after a month with a new lease on life, those suffering from long-time addiction will need a minimum of 90 days to gain a foothold on their newfound sobriety. In methadone maintenance, 12 months is generally considered the minimum amount of time that one would need to benefit from the program. Addiction should be viewed as a chronic disease, with continuing care and monitoring being essential to successful treatment.
What Is the Substance Abuse Timeline?
There are 30-day, 60-day, and 90-day programs, and all can be effective under the right circumstances, but most experts consider 90 days to be the most effective minimum dose. With 90 days being the standard, Longer treatment programs allow you to manage the persistent cravings and stare down the obstacles that will inevitably cross your path. The longer stay in a treatment program will intimidate many people but it is important to accept that real change takes real time. Only about 10% of people struggling with addiction seek treatment. The low numbers may be due to several factors, with cost and length of stay in a facility being at the top of the list.
Not everyone can put their life on hold for 30 days let alone three times that. A 30-day stay may be the only way to address your addiction problem. The options may be either that or nothing. And the cost of entering a program for 90 days may be unaffordable even with the help of insurance. The first few weeks usually include detox, which can make many people question their resolve to successfully make it through the program. This is the make-or-break moment for many people. They figure if they are having such a hard time in the beginning, how will they make it to the end. But sobriety is something that many recovering addicts will spend the rest of their lives working on. You have to start somewhere in order to end up where you want to be.
Benefits of Long-Term Rehabilitation
Sobriety is not the only benefit of long-term rehabilitation. People choosing the long-term option may be trying to get sober for the second, third, or fourth time. They tried several 30-day programs and they relapsed each time. A 90-day program is advised for those with severe addiction problems as well as those who are prepared to make a major commitment to gain their sobriety. The following are some of the benefits of long-term rehabilitation:
- The treatment program is not heavily focused on detox
- More time to work on mental health issues
- 24-hour health care options
- More time to repair broken relationships
- More time for the brain to recover from trauma
- Being able to spend the appropriate amount of time developing better life skills
Reach Out to Sunstone Recovery Today
The timeline for recovering from substance abuse will be different for each person, but studies show that a minimum of 90 days is the most effective in preventing relapse or throwing in the towel when things get too tough to deal with. By prioritizing your health over maintaining your comfort zone, you stand a better chance of achieving what you set out to accomplish. Join us in the following treatment programs
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Drug rehabilitation
- Intensive outpatient program
90 days is worth it to secure a lifetime of future sobriety. At Sunstone Recovery in Bend, Oregon, we have a myriad of virtual treatment programs designed to treat each individual client with their own special needs and accommodations. We can be reached online or at 855.833.9199 for you to take the first step on your journey to wellness and recovery.
