How Long Is Considered “Long Term” in Rehab?

When you or someone you care about has been struggling for a long time with substance abuse, long-term rehab could be the right solution. If you are considering going into long term rehab or think it might be the right option for someone you know, you may also have questions about how long is considered “long term” rehab. Although the length of time an individual remains in rehab varies based on their specific situation, long-term rehab is generally considered to last longer than three months. The goal of long term rehab is to give clients additional time to focus on recovery.

Making the decision to go into any type of rehabilitation program is intensely personal. You may feel hesitant about admitting that you need help or reaching out to a treatment program. It’s important to keep in mind that even if you or your loved one has tried to recover from substance abuse in the past unsuccessfully, it is never too late to start again. A long term rehabilitation program can provide you with the structure you need and sufficient time to address your addiction.

Who Can Benefit from Long Term Rehab?

Long-term rehabilitation is often best for someone who has a severe or long term addiction. This form of rehab may also be beneficial for someone who lacks support at home and who needs to remove themselves from a toxic environment. A longer stay in rehab may also be beneficial for anyone who has tried unsuccessfully in the past to recover from addiction.

The length of time an individual may need to stay in long term rehab will also vary based on a variety of factors. These factors include:

• Personal preferences
• Severity of the addiction
• Need for a safe environment

This amount of time is typically determined following an initial assessment when you enter the treatment program. It should be kept in mind that not everyone responds in the same way to an addiction treatment program.

Differences Between Short Term and Long Term Rehab

It’s understandable that entering a long-term rehabilitation can be a challenging one to make. Deciding whether to enter a short term or long term rehab can make the decision even more daunting. Different types of treatment programs are intended for different needs and situations. Keep in mind that while short term rehab may be appropriate for some people, if you have been struggling with addiction for a long time or if your addiction is complicated by other issues, then long term rehab might be the better option for your current needs.

A traditional rehab typically lasts about one month. Depending on the needs of the individual, rehab could potentially last much longer. The average amount of time for long term rehab is three months or longer. This type of rehab is usually appropriate when a one-month treatment program is simply not enough time for the individual to conquer his or her addiction. During your time in a long term treatment program, you will be able to take advantage of a variety of different types of treatment, including group and individual counseling, cognitive behavioral counseling, nutritional counseling, stress management techniques, and more.

Benefits of Long Term Rehab

Long term rehab offers a number of benefits for individuals who are struggling to put addiction behind them. First, a change of environment, particularly for an extended period of time, can often present a tremendous benefit for someone trying to overcome addiction. The longer you or your loved one is away from the temptations associated with substance abuse, the better the chance of a sustained recovery. Additionally, a long-term rehab program may also be more intensive than a short-term program.

Ultimately, each person is different and has different needs. Therefore, the type of program that is right for one person may not be appropriate for another individual. As a result, each situation should be evaluated individually and may require a different time duration regarding treatment. If you are tired of watching your life spin out of control or watching someone else deal with the struggles of addiction, call us at 844-639-8371 to find out more about our rehab treatment options at our Southwest Florida treatment center. We are always available.

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