If you or a loved one has experienced substance abuse or addiction, you know that the process of recovery is no easy undertaking. Recovery is full of unknowns, extensive steps, new habits, and trials of all kinds. Of the many unknowns of the rehab and recovery process, one question sits at the forefront, ‘exactly how long will rehab take?’ While the desirable answer is that rehab is a quick process, the fact is that recovery takes time and can be a life-long process. Rehab is unique for every person and their situation. It is a process that takes time, and a varied amount of time for each case. However, ensuring that you take the time to fully recover the right way can lead to a higher chance of success for everyone.
When it comes to rehab in our society, several misconceptions take hold of the way we view it. Often what is the best option gets lost in translation. Misconceptions especially take hold in the realm of how long treatment is supposed to take. Often, we are told to do what is most efficient, to take the quickest path, even if it means sacrificing quality. Unfortunately, this mindset is also seen in the realm of rehab. The quickest treatment option might even be the most harmful option in the long run. Many of the misconceptions surrounding effective treatment time are rooted in the emphasis on the 30-day treatment program. The 30-day treatment program is often viewed as the industry standard, even though there is little evidence supporting its effectiveness, especially in comparison to longer treatment options. While this may be the norm, the fact is that there isn’t a universal amount of time for treatment. This applies not only to the 30-day option but also to 60- and 90-day treatment options. The fact is that treatment is a unique process for every person; a fact that especially extends into how long a person requires rehab. Surveys say that the more time one spends in treatment, the lower their chances are of relapsing.
To start figuring out how long you may require treatment, it is important to first accept some of the facts of addiction and addiction recovery. Addiction is a chronic illness and, just like other chronic diseases, there may not be a set cure per say. But there are many ways to manage addiction and effectively fight addiction. Rehabilitation is one of these ways to effectively manage addiction. However, it is important to note that regardless of the method used to curb addiction and manage it in your life, recovery from addiction can be a lifelong process.
Many facilities do offer a variety of treatment lengths; from the already discussed 30-day treatment program to 60- or 90-day programs. Some even offer longer-term stays if the patient requires such a program. Rehabilitation isn’t a set path for every patient, it is about finding the right path for every patient. While studies do support longer treatment programs over shorter stays, a facility must look at many variables to help create the best program for every individual. For some, it may result in a recommendation of a shorter-term program, and others may require a much longer treatment option. Variables professionals look at when forming the duration of one’s treatment plan include:
These are just some of the variable’s professionals use to determine what length of stay is effective for each individual. Finding the right length of stay is vital in setting a patient up for future successes and more importantly lessening the risk of relapse. Studies show that longer treatment programs also help to put the patient back into a normal mindset and allow sobriety to become a normal state. Additionally, longer treatment stays are shown to develop the new habits that help point towards long-term recovery success beyond treatment.
At Windmill Wellness Ranch, there is no set length of stay. Instead, the length of stay is based entirely on the person and their needs. Treatment protocols are customized for every patient and lengths of treatment are developed in a manner which set the individual up for real success beyond their time in treatment. Windmill Wellness Ranch also sees recovery as a lifelong process and wants to make sure patients have the tools for a future life in recovery. One way in which Windmill Wellness Ranch develops this is through its transitional model which is all about bridging the gap between intensive residential treatment and sober independent living. Clean Living at Windmill Wellness Ranch is one of the ways it emphasizes not only individualized treatment for every patient but also gives patients the real tools they need to succeed while living a sober life after treatment.
Treatment should never be about efficiency; it should always be about effectivity. Effectivity in treatment is found in making sure each patient receives the amount of treatment they need, no matter how long the program may be. Longer treatment times are shown to only increase one’s chances of recovery as well as give one the tools for successful sober living in the long run.
At Windmill Wellness Ranch, you and your counselor decide when it is best to leave inpatient treatment, and if any center tells you it will take a finite number of days to fully process through treatment without knowing your history then it is probably best to steer away. This is a very delicate and import aspect of your personal recovery and that is why the team at WWR meets daily to assess your progress; leaving one day too early could result in a negative outcome and staying too long poses the potential for you to build a dependency on the treatment environment.
Contact our admissions team today to learn more about our treatment program and let us get you or your loved one started on the path to recovery.
Created specifically for those who have loved ones that struggle with addiction.