Residential rehab, also known as inpatient rehab, refers to a drug and/or alcohol addiction treatment program where the individual remains on the facility’s property throughout their treatment. A residential rehab will provide housing, meals, and treatment services for the duration of the program. Some residential rehab facilities also offer detoxification (detox) and after-care services. Detox is typically required at the start of a treatment program to clear the body of harmful substances. On average, detox lasts 7-14 days. Even if an individual prefers outpatient treatment, detox itself is best completed onsite at a facility. This allows them to be properly monitored by medical professionals to avoid potential life-threatening symptoms. After-care services vary but can include support groups, individual counseling, substance monitoring, career counseling, legal support, financial planning, and community building. After-care support is vital in maintaining sobriety throughout one’s life post-rehabilitation. Relapse rates for substance use disorders can be as high as 60% but, after-care support has repeatedly proven to lower those rates.

Short-Term Residential Rehab

Residential rehab can be short-term (30 days or less) or long-term (more than 30 days.) Short-term residential rehabs were originally created to assist with alcohol addiction. However, in the 1980s, the cocaine epidemic swept the nation and many residential rehabs added drug addiction treatment services to their repertoire. The original model consisted of a 3-6 week stay in a hospital-based program, followed by outpatient therapy and participation in support groups. The core approach hasn’t changed much except for the time frame being specifically less than 30 days for short-term programs.

Long-Term Residential Rehab

Depending on an individual’s specific history with substance use and the presence of any co-occurring disorders, a long-term rehab program may be more beneficial. Most commonly, 90-day programs are the most effective and conducive to recovery. Unresolved personal traumas are the most common source of addictions and long-term programs allow the individual to spend more time in counseling and therapies that can go deeper into healing the person’s mental health. The National Institute on Drug Abuse indicates Therapeutic Communities (TCs) as the best form of residential treatment. TCs are 6-12 month programs that focus on resocialization to allow an individual to develop not only personal accountability but also the capacity to live socially productive lives. These programs usually include job training, onsite support services, and can often be modified for individuals with special needs such as those in the criminal justice system, homeless individuals, people with severe mental disorders, and adolescents.

Benefits of Residential Rehab

Residential rehab can have significant benefits for many people experiencing substance use disorders. Several factors will determine which type of treatment is best for each individual. Considerations include their history and severity of substance use, past treatment attempts, current social and living environment, and need for additional therapies and services. The advantages of residential rehab for those that would benefit from it include:

  • A safe living environment free from easy access to substances and possible environmental triggers.
  • Detox services, including medically assisted treatment to assist individuals with the severity of withdrawal symptoms and allow them to feel more in control of their recovery.
  • Consistent and focused individual and group therapy as well as nutritional counseling.
  • Treatment for dual diagnosis and/or co-occurring mental health disorders.
  • Holistic treatment with alternative therapies to help treat the whole being mentally, physically and spiritually.
  • Family therapy to help build a better support system.
  • After-care treatment services including support groups, individual counseling, career services, sober living or transitional living arrangements, and substance monitoring.