If you’re ready to start alcohol addiction treatment, you now have to figure out what that will look like for you. There’s no standardized treatment plan since every person has unique needs. Rehab isn’t “one size fits all” and many aspects of treatment, including the duration of your rehab program will depend on your individual needs, requirements, and treatment goals.1 Read more about what different addiction rehab treatments are available for you.

How Long Is Inpatient Rehab?

Inpatient treatment, also known as residential treatment, has different program lengths .1 Factors that can influence how long you stay in treatment include:2

  • The severity and extent of substance use.
  • Substance(s) used and the length of time you used them.
  • Other mental and physical health concerns.
  • Insurance coverage.
  • Social support and your current home/living environment.

These factors and more will help you and your doctor choose a rehab program that is right for you. In general, research indicates that better treatment outcomes are associated with longer durations of treatment. This treatment can be inpatient or outpatient, or a combination of the two, or even attending regularly scheduled 12-step meetings. The length of treatment should be the appropriate length of time to achieve your treatment goals, that you are engaged in treatment, and complete treatment..3,4

Rehab is not a “one size fits all” solution; rather, it’s made up of different elements tailored to help you when and where you most need it. This may include detox services, counseling and behavioral therapy, and other medical care. For some, shorter treatment options provide more accessibility and flexibility while others might find longer treatment lengths helpful to maintain their recovery.

28- and 30-Day Rehab Programs

Short-term 28- and 30-day inpatient, or residential, rehab programs can be an affordable treatment option.  These shorter programs are typically based on a modified 12-step program.1

You may wish to talk to your doctor about which option will work best depending on your recovery needs and goals. While research has shown that, in general, longer durations of treatment are associated with the best outcomes, a short-term program may be the only option for some depending on their social support, home life, financial resources, and employment.9

After completing a short-term inpatient rehab program, many people continue their recovery with outpatient rehab, individual counseling or therapy sessions, or free peer-support groups (Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, SMART Recovery), which can help reduce the risk of relapse.1

 60-Day Rehab Programs

Compared to 30-day rehab programs, 60-day inpatient, or residential, programs allow more time to invest in your recovery. By staying in a treatment program for a longer period of time, you can continue to make progress on your treatment goals, including examining your triggers (the people, places, and things that make you want to drink) as well as learning and practicing new ways of thinking and coping, which will help to direct you to healthier behaviors—ones that aren’t associated with drinking or taking.1 These skills are typically learned through intensive individual and group counseling sessions over the duration of the 60 days.4

90-Day Rehab Programs

Since alcohol addiction is a complex and chronic, relapsing disease (meaning you may start to use alcohol again after a period of not using), some people find longer-term treatment options helpful to maintain their recovery.1 Studies show that longer treatment durations are associated with better treatment outcomes. 1,3

Long-term rehab programs may be a good fit for people with more severe addiction concerns or those who have co-occurring disorders, like a mental health diagnosis.4 Depending on facility and availability, some centers may offer rehab stays for longer than 90 days.

What to Look for in Rehab Centers

There are a couple of key factors to consider when looking for a rehab program. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recommends finding a treatment center that offers a combination of the following:4

  • Medical care
  • Mental health services
  • Family services
  • Educational resources
  • Job services
  • HIV/AIDS testing and treatment
  • Legal services

Long-term rehab programs aren’t accessible to everyone. Even if you aren’t able to commit to long-term rehab, recovery is still possible. Short-term outpatient treatment, community support groups, and behavioral therapy are a few other lower-intensity options that can help treat alcohol addiction.1

With so many treatment types, lengths of stay, and levels of care, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. When making your treatment decision, you may want to talk with your doctor or a mental health professional. They can give insight into what type of treatment will benefit you most. Every person is unique and will need a slightly different set of interventions.1

Questions to Ask a Rehab Center

A part of your rehab search can include asking questions before committing to a program. Interview a few facilities to ensure you feel comfortable with the quality of treatment you’re getting. Some questions you may want to ask include:5

  • How soon will I be able to begin treatment?1
  • Can you give me an approximate cost for the program?
  • Will insurance cover some or all these costs?
  • Is your rehab center accredited?
  • What are some of the qualifications of the professionals that work there?
  • Are you able to prescribe medications, if needed?
  • What is your treatment approach for alcohol use disorders?
  • Do you offer help for co-occurring disorders?
  • After completing treatment, what kind of support is available for me?

Does Insurance Cover Alcohol Rehab?

In most cases, insurance should help cover the cost of alcohol rehab. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), individual and small group health insurance plans sold through the Marketplace must cover both mental health and substance use services. Further, limits for addiction services can’t be more restrictive than other medical or surgical services.6,7

Exactly what your insurance will cover depends on the plan and the level of care you need. Before committing to any rehab program, it’s a good idea to call your insurance company to see what they will and won’t cover. You can also fill out the form below to quickly check if your insurance is in-network at American Addiction Centers.

If you don’t have insurance, don’t worry. You still have options. Many treatment centers offer sliding scale fees and self-pay. Of treatment centers in the United States in 2020:8

  • More than half offered sliding scale payments.
  • 90% accepted self-payment.
  • 71% accepted Medicaid.
  • Nearly half accepted a state-financed plan other than Medicaid.
  • 44% offered low cost or free treatment. Some facilities will even charge little to no cost for substance use treatment.

How to Find Rehab Near Me

American Addiction Centers (AAC) has evidence-based rehab centers in several locations across the United States. Offering all lengths of stay, including outpatient and inpatient treatment, AAC provides a diverse range of treatment options to help suit your needs. Staff are available 24/7 to help answer your treatment questions and learn about your rehab options. Call to get started today.