The general consensus in addiction treatment is that the longer a patient stays in rehab, the better!
However, there is no set time frame of how long addiction treatment will actually last, as most good quality drug or alcohol rehabilitation centres will determine the length of how long a patient will stay in rehab by the nature and severity of their addiction symptoms.
Here at WeDoRecover, our rehabs will customise and modify their treatment programs to suit every patients individual needs because they understand that every addict’s addiction symptoms will differ, regardless if two people are using the same drug.
For example, some addicts may find that 30 days of addiction treatment will work for them, while others may need a 90 day stay in rehab.
The factors that are taken into account when determining the length of addiction treatment are:
- The Patient’s Addiction History – How long has the individual been using the drug or how much alcohol is being consumed etc.
- Dual Diagnosis – Does the individual suffer from a drug addiction or alcoholism as well as another co-existing addiction or psychiatric illness such as depression or bipolar etc?
- Physical Health – How badly has the addiction affected the patient’s bodily state or their ability to move etc?
- Mental Health – Has the addiction changed the addict’s behaviour and how they perceive the world around them?
Once all these factors have been noted down, the addiction counsellor will then formulate a treatment program most suitable for the patient.
As we mentioned above, the longer a patient stays in rehab, the better are their chances of recovery and this is because of the fact that they now have more time to find out how and why they became addicted in the first place and also to avoid making the same mistake in future.
Knowing the reason to why and how they became addicted greatly increases the chances of avoiding a relapse once discharged from the rehabilitation centre and achieving long term recovery.
However, once the addict has been discharged from addiction treatment, it doesn’t mean that they are now recovered and ready to get back into the hustle and bustle of society.
Outpatient treatment and aftercare needs to be received in order to prevent the possibility of a relapse happening, which is at its highest during the early stages of rehab.
The length of outpatient treatment will vary, however patients can expect it to last for anything between 1 -3 months, while a stay in a halfway house could be anything from a few months up until the patient is ready to full return into society.
Addiction Treatment Help
If you or a loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol, keep in mind that addiction recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. Rehab is there to prepare you for the long road ahead.
When addiction is left untreated or left earlier than expected, it will only cause more damage as time goes on. That’s why we want to help you.
For access to the best private drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres in South Africa, call us now and let one of our qualified addiction counsellors find the best treatment available for you or a loved one.