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American Addiction Centers National Rehabs Directory

Long-Term Alcohol and Drug Rehab Programs

Substance misuse can be challenging to overcome on your own. Many people seek addiction treatment to help them stop the cycle of substance misuse and start the path to recovery.

Recovery looks different for everyone, and addiction treatment programs vary widely to meet the diverse needs of patients. While some patients may opt for a shorter stay in an inpatient or outpatient rehab, others may seek out long-term rehab. Long-term rehab offers several benefits, such as ongoing monitoring, support, and therapies. Furthermore, research shows long times in treatment are associated with better patient outcomes, including a lower risk of relapse.1

How Long Is Rehab for Drug and Alcohol Addiction?

The duration of drug and alcohol addiction rehab varies depending on several factors, including a patient’s needs and the severity of their addiction. Short-term programs may last a few weeks, while other programs may last 30, 60, or 90 days. Some patients may benefit from care extended for several months or years. Many programs offer aftercare services, which include various activities, such as participation in 12-step groups, to support sustained recovery. Ultimately, the program length should be tailored to a patient’s needs and treatment goals.

What Is Long-Term Rehab?

Long-term rehab programs are those that have a longer duration than those of shorter-term programs, which tend to last anywhere from a few weeks to 1 month.2, 3 Long-term rehabs offer different lengths of treatment, often ranging from 60 days to 6 months, or longer in certain cases.

What Is a 60-Day Rehab Program?

A 60-day inpatient rehab program lasts approximately 2 months. It can be a beneficial option if you would like a longer and more supportive program than those offered by short-term programs, but do not require or are unable to commit to a longer-term stay, or if you plan to engage in outpatient treatment following your stay. A 60-day drug rehab program can be helpful for many people, as deemed appropriate by their intake and treatment plans.3 A 60-day rehab involves living at a rehab facility, so you will sleep and spend your days at the facility for the duration of treatment.

Accommodations will vary by facility and can include options such as private or shared rooms and different amenities, such as special meal programs, exercise facilities, or even spa treatments. In most cases, you will be able to receive visits from loved ones during designated visiting hours. You will participate in different therapies as per your treatment plan, which can vary by the specific rehab approach. Most commonly, people participate in behavioral therapies, motivational approaches, 12-step programs and support groups, and counseling, and they may receive medication if necessary.1

90-Day Drug Rehab or 3-Month Rehab Programs

A 90-day or 3-month rehab program can be beneficial for those who require a higher level of care and support, such as individuals without supportive homes or those with co-occurring medical or psychiatric disorders.3 While addiction treatment programs can vary in terms of length, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) notes that “participation for less than 90 days is of limited effectiveness” and longer durations are associated with more positive outcomes.1

As with a 60-day rehab program, you live onsite and stay overnight for the duration of 90-day drug rehab programs. Your accommodation can vary by the specific facility, but as with 60-day rehabs, your meals will be provided onsite. You may receive similar types of addiction therapies and treatments as those offered at 60-day programs, as guided by your treatment plan. While all rehabs set their guidelines, you should be able to receive friends and family during designated visiting hours at 90-day rehab programs.

6-Month Rehab Programs

As treatment at a 6-month rehab lasts longer than 60- or 90-day programs, it can be a beneficial option for those who require a longer duration to help cement their recovery efforts. While shorter stays can also provide recovery success, some people—such as those without stable housing or work situations, those who have had multiple relapses, people without supportive families, or those with serious substance use disorders or co-occurring disorders—may benefit from the longer duration of 6-month rehab programs. They can provide the opportunity for these people to focus on long-term recovery.2

One study of relapse rates in participants who completed different lengths of inpatient treatment stays found that people who participated in longer-term treatment (6 months or longer) had a reduced risk of relapse when compared to those who participated in shorter-term programs (2-4 months).4 As with the other lengths of inpatient rehab, accommodations and amenities can vary in a 6-month program. You will receive different therapies and treatments that will be personalized for you based on your treatment plan.

What Are 1- and 2-Year Rehab Programs?

In certain cases, such as periods where individuals are struggling with a severe substance use disorder or are having trouble completing a traditional program, rehab can exceed the traditional 30-60-90-day time frame. 1-year and 2-year rehab programs may be available for these individuals. Many of these long-term rehab programs may be continuations of residential rehab programs that a patient is already enrolled in. While not particularly common, 1-year and 2-year rehab programs may be useful treatment programs for those who feel they need extended stays in treatment.

It’s worth noting that 1-year and 2-year rehab programs refer to residential programs. While residential treatment may end, certain aspects of treatment, like aftercare support groups, can continue for several years after traditional residential treatment is completed.

What Happens in a Long-Term Addiction Treatment Program?

Long-term rehab programs offer a variety of interventions and treatments. Your addiction treatment plan will be based on the specific needs that were identified during your initial intake. This plan, which includes the types of therapies you receive, will be adjusted as your needs change throughout treatment.1

While everyone’s treatment plan will look somewhat different, the following are some of the treatments and interventions that many people receive as a part of a long-term residential treatment.

Medical Detox

Medical detox is often the first step in a comprehensive treatment plan. It is designed to help people stop using substances. It allows them to undergo withdrawal in a safe, supervised environment that offers support and monitoring to help them stay as safe and comfortable as possible.1 Detox is not a substitute for more comprehensive treatment, so it’s important to have a longer-term treatment plan in place for when detox is complete.3

Detox consists of three phases, including:5

  • Evaluation, which involves a comprehensive assessment to determine your exact detox needs and the appropriate form of treatment for you once you have completed detox.
  • Stabilization, which involves the actual drug or alcohol withdrawal process. You’ll receive medication, if appropriate, as well as support and monitoring to help keep you as safe and comfortable as possible while your body returns to a medically stable state.
  • Fostering entry to treatment, which means that you will receive assistance with entering the right rehab for your needs where you can continue your recovery efforts.

Long-Term Inpatient Treatment Programs

As mentioned above, inpatient rehabilitation means that you live onsite for the duration of treatment. Considering inpatient treatment can be beneficial because it removes the distractions of daily life and allows you to focus on recovery. It can be helpful for many people, but it can be particularly useful if you:3, 5

  • Have a co-occurring mental health condition, such as PTSD, bipolar disorder, or depression, or may be suicidal or have a risk of self-harm.
  • Are deemed to have a high risk of relapse or have had previous relapses.
  • Require withdrawal management or medication/s.
  • Require medical supervision, such as if you have had prior severe/complicated withdrawal or have a history of seizures or other significant medical issues.
  • Do not have a supportive or stable home environment.

People who want to enter recovery may consider outpatient treatment as well. This can occur at a variety of levels of intensity; however, standard outpatient treatment is often used as an initial form of treatment for those who do not require a high level of care and supervision or those with supportive families and home environments.1, 2 It may also be used as a step-down form of care for those who have completed inpatient treatment to help them maintain recovery.3

Therapy Programs Used in Long-Term Drug Rehab

Different types of behavioral therapies are used to treat addiction in individual, family, and group settings. Therapy programs are designed to help you make positive life changes, help you change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors that led or contributed to the addiction, and help you maintain abstinence and avoid relapse.1 The type of therapy you participate in can vary by your needs and the substance you use, as well as where you are in your treatment program. Common therapies include:1

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is designed to help you become more aware of thoughts and emotions that lead to substance use and help you develop healthier ways of coping with life issues and stress. It can take place in both individual and group settings.
  • Contingency management (CM). CM helps increase your motivation to change by providing tangible goods (such as vouchers to exchange for specific rewards) for positive treatment outcomes, such as negative drug screens.
  • Motivational interviewing (MI). MI is an intervention where you usually work one-on-one with a counselor, who provides different strategies to help increase your motivation to engage in treatment and make positive life changes. It can be an especially helpful method for people who don’t believe change is possible.
  • 12-step facilitation. This is a form of treatment that is designed to encourage people to participate in 12-step programs.

Aftercare Programs

An aftercare plan is designed to provide ongoing care once the initial period of treatment has ended. It is a form of continued support that is designed to help prevent relapse, facilitate your ongoing recovery, and help you maintain abstinence. It can involve different forms of support and treatments, such as participation in mutual support groups, engaging in individual counseling, or continuing in outpatient treatment.1

Benefits of Long-Term Addiction Treatment Programs

Long-term rehab programs can offer many benefits to people who want to achieve sobriety and maintain long-term recovery.

  • Inpatient rehab offers a safe and comfortable environment where you can undergo detox and then transition to continued treatment.5
  • Long-term inpatient rehab takes you out of your current situation and offers a safe, structured environment with a regular schedule so that you can focus on treatment and recovery in a substance-free environment.
  • Long-term residential drug rehab can provide a high level of support so that you can learn effective ways of managing cravings and stress.
  • You will receive a variety of treatments and participate in mutual support groups so that you can receive encouragement from your peers who are also going through the recovery process.
  • Long-term rehab can help address concerns and provide medical attention to people with co-occurring disorders or other health conditions.3
  • Completing treatment at long-term rehab facilities may help reduce the risk of relapse.4

Finding a Long-Term Rehab Center Near Me

Seeking treatment can be one of the most important steps you take to ensure your health and well-being. Rehab facilities are located across the U.S. and many offer specialized treatment to cater to individual needs. Our directories tool allows you to find treatment centers near you that align with what you are looking for.

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a leading provider of addiction treatment programs and has trusted rehab facilities across the country. If you (or someone you care about) are struggling and you think you may benefit from a long-term program, AAC is here to help. You can call us free at to locate a rehab near you. You can also instantly check your insurance coverage on our website.

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