So you’ve decided to seek treatment for your addiction but, for one reason or another, you’re concerned about how long drug rehab is going to take. You’re wondering how to get out of rehab fast.
Maybe you’re worried about your job. Or concerned your family or friends will find out about your substance abuse. Possibly, you were court-mandated to attend rehab, or feel coerced by family.
Finding a Short-term Treatment Center
There are many things to consider once you’ve decided to seek help for your alcohol or drug addiction.
- Which treatment center should I pick?
- How much is drug rehab going to cost?
- Will my insurance pay for drug rehab?
- What treatment programs are best?
- Do I really need inpatient treatment, or will outpatient treatment be enough?
The list goes on.
On top of that, you may be concerned about what your friends, family, or coworkers will think if they find out that you’re attending addiction rehabilitation. You might try to find a rehab center that offers a “quick fix”.
You Need More than Detox
Don’t be misled by the idea of 3-day, 5-day or 7-day detox centers. Detox is only the first step in drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Once completed, you’ll still need to attend various therapies and support groups in order to continue your recovery journey.
Though short-term detox coupled with outpatient rehab can work for some people who have mild addictions, certain aspects of this approach make it near impossible for individuals with moderate to severe addictions to maintain sobriety long-term.
Your Fears are Normal
It’s understandable if you’re feeling embarrassed or ashamed. Concerns about losing your job are legitimate as well. However, rest assured that if your addiction is left unchecked, it will undoubtedly cause you to lose your job in the end regardless. Though you aren’t required to, consider being upfront with your manager about your situation as it will benefit you to have support in the future.
Truth is, many of the people close to you may already know, or at least suspect, you have a substance use disorder. The ones who truly care about you will be concerned about your well-being and they’ll actually be glad that you’re seeking help. The ones that have an issue are not the people that you’ll need in your life going forward anyway.
Remember Your Why
Remember, something happened to make you realize your drug or alcohol use is a problem and you made the decision to get treatment. You don’t want to keep living your life this way.
Substance abuse treatment is not a process that can, nor should, be rushed. Addiction takes time to overcome, but it doesn’t have to take longer than necessary. If you’re open and committed to the recovery process, you’ll be out of rehab before you know it.
How Long is Drug Rehab?
Drug and alcohol rehab centers usually offer 30, 60 or 90-day treatment programs. Some long-term rehab centers known as therapeutic communities can last up to a year.
Thirty days is the minimum length of time you’ll need to begin your recovery process.
Sixty- and ninety-day programs, however, are often recommended as they allow for a more in-depth rehab experience and better chances of maintaining sobriety. The additional time serves to continue healing past traumas, enforce healthy habits, and teach relationship building skills.
Factors That Influence the Length of Your Treatment Program
The length of drug addiction treatment depends on several factors. These will get taken into consideration when your treatment plan is developed:
- The history of your substance use disorder
- The severity of your addiction
- What substances were used
- Previous treatment attempts
- Presence of co-occurring disorders (dual diagnosis)
- Your specific needs as they relate to your physical, mental, and emotional state
- As well as external factors like your social, cultural, and environmental conditions
A quality treatment provider will develop an individualized plan based on their clients’ specific needs. Depending on the severity of the addiction and these other influencing factors, treatment may be in an inpatient or outpatient setting. The length of your treatment may change if you participate in additional programs such as a Partial Hospitalization Program, Intensive Outpatient Program, or Sober Living.
Can I Speed Up the Rehab Process?
Though there is no quick fix for rehab, there are certainly things you can do to have the right mindset and make the process go smoother. The best way to get through rehab quickly is to:
- Admit it to yourself that there’s a problem.
- Accept help.
- Open yourself up to the possibility of change.
- Don’t be afraid to reach out for support.
- Accept the past, make amends, and move on.
Drug rehab is what you make of it. If you’re persistently resistant to these ideas, your treatment program will inevitably take longer, whether from the onset or because you’ll quickly end up right back where you started.
Why Does Rehab Take Time?
Drugs and alcohol deeply affect our bodies and brains. Extended use can even cause semi-permanent changes to our systems. When you’ve been misusing substances for a while, it can take time to reverse all the damage. Additionally, many addicted individuals suffer from unresolved past traumas and/or co-occurring mental illness.
These issues take time, commitment, and vulnerability to overcome.
What If I Leave the Addiction Center Early?
Look, we get it. We know rehab can be hard. There are a lot of demons and hard truths to face. And at some points, going back to your drug abuse feels like a much better alternative. If you’re feeling this way, you’re still in the thick of it, but it WILL get easier.
Leaving your addiction center early will only result in a quicker path to relapse and another cycle in rehab. There’s a reason why you are where you are. There are so many things that go into the various treatment programs offered by rehab facilities that help you overcome issues, identify triggers, learn coping techniques, and rebuild relationships.
Leaving early means you will miss out on vital learning experiences that will help you stay sober in the future. Relapse is very common, but your chances of getting back into old habits are even higher when you don’t complete your rehabilitation.
Committing to Addiction Treatment
The journey from addiction to sobriety isn’t a race. Recovery is a lifelong commitment. The best outcomes of rehab occur when individuals are truly open to change, and embrace the whole process of addiction rehabilitation. Like they say, it won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. The end result being long term sobriety.
Understand that the world will go on around you during your rehabilitation, but you will be better equipped to handle it and it’ll be far more enjoyable when you are not consumed by addiction.
Most importantly, know that detox and rehab are the building blocks in your recovery journey. The road ahead is one filled with lifelong choices of staying sober. By committing yourself to your addiction treatment, you’ll be filling your proverbial toolbox with all the tools you need to help you along the way.
How to Decide Between Treatment Centers
With so many rehab facilities to choose from, how do you go about deciding which one is best for you? There are many factors you should consider when making this decision. Of most importance,
- it’s best to find a comprehensive treatment provider that will be able to provide the full continuum of care treating both your addiction and your overall mental health. This includes detox, rehab with both group and individual therapy, and after care services.
- make sure their views and beliefs align with yours. You want to be comfortable with your environment.
- ensure the location is reputable and has current licensure and certifications. Unfortunately, there are some bad apples in the addiction industry, but don’t let that deter you from all the great, quality treatment centers out there!
What Are the Stages of Rehab?
Steps to completing rehab are generally the same, irrespective of if you attend a comprehensive rehab that offers all services or go to separate treatment centers. The four steps include an initial assessment, detoxification, rehabilitation, and aftercare.
The benefit of attending a full-scope drug and alcohol rehab is that you’ll have more cohesive care throughout your journey as well as a dedicated team that helps guide you from one step to the next.
The Rehab Process at SJRP
St. John’s Recovery Place (SJRP) is a full-service drug and alcohol detox and rehab center. This means that we can help our clients through the entire recovery process from intake to completing treatment and beyond.
By taking a holistic approach to rehabilitation and integrating conventional modalities with complementary therapies, we’re able to provide a comprehensive, wholesome treatment program.
Our rehab is also uniquely positioned to concurrently treat co-occurring mental health disorders.
Step 1 – Intake
Intake usually consists of the admissions process and an initial assessment. We’ll gather important information to help us better understand your situation such as your history with drugs and alcohol, treatment history, medical history, and financial arrangements.
You’ll discuss treatment options with our staff and develop a personalized treatment plan based on your individual needs. It’s been proven that the best outcomes occur when substance use treatment is tailored to an individual’s needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Upon admission, you’ll complete additional evaluations with your treatment team including a medical examination and psychological assessment.
SJRP has convenient satellite offices in Ft. Lauderdale and Jacksonville to handle the initial admissions process for our clients that live further from our main campus.
Step 2 – Detox
Detox can be one of the hardest times for many individuals. Withdrawal symptoms have a huge range and for some people, they can be quite difficult, even deadly. It’s vital to complete your detoxification under medical supervision where professionals can intervene in case of emergency.
At SJRP, we do offer medical detox to individuals when needed to help ease the severity of withdrawal.
Step 3 – Rehab
Step 3 is where the real work begins. You’ll work through your addiction and mental health issues while learn coping strategies, relapse prevention techniques, stress reduction, and healthy habits that will help you maintain a life of sobriety.
Rehab can be completed in a variety of settings including inpatient, outpatient, PHP, and IOP. Individuals will usually start in one of these settings and then step-down until they complete their program.
During this time, you’ll participate in a variety of therapies including individual and group therapy, family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, as well as complementary experiential therapies such as equine, art, music, or neurointegration to name a few.
Step 4 – Aftercare
Completing your program is a monumental feat, but the work is still not done. Recovery is a lifelong process and transitioning into normal life can be a little scary. You’ll discuss aftercare treatment with your counselor and make a plan for what’s to come.
Post rehab, you may want to continue individual therapy sessions and participate in local group meetings. You’ll also have the opportunity to join our Alumni Program which an amazing opportunity to stay connected with your peers and an additional source of invaluable support during
If you or a loved one is seeking treatment for alcohol or drug abuse, reach out to our dedicated, caring team today and get started on your recovery journey. Contact us on the web, or call our office at 833-397-3492.
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