Is 28 Days Enough?: Long-term Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient rehab comes in so many forms and each form has further variations. All the choices that you have to make can be overwhelming and they can stop your recovery process because you don’t feel you can wade through all of the information. That’s a natural response. One thing that people do to counter than sensation is to move ahead with the default treatment time: 28-30 days.

Often, the 28-day inpatient stay is chosen because it is covered by insurance and that is certainly going to be a deciding factor for a lot of people. It is also the standard length shown in popular media. There is even a movie about rehab called -28 Days. It is the length most familiar and familiar feels safe when you are out of your depth.

But, there are situations where a 28-day stay may not be sufficient to fully prepare you to continue in your recovery outside of inpatient drug rehabilitation. For example, many people with co-occurring disorders (two or more simultaneous mental or physical conditions that must be treated) often find themselves with such a complicated snarl of conditions that they can’t untangle them in such a short amount of time.

When looking into rehab, you should certainly consider a 28-day stay and take advantage of the insurance coverage that you are offered, but you should also remember that you may ultimately need to lengthen your stay to 90 or 120 days. For help finding an appropriate rehab program, contact the experts at 800-430-1407Who Answers?. We can answer questions and direct you to treatment.

Inpatient Treatment

Those with co-occurring disorders require longer rehab stays in order to fully recover.

The primary goal of any inpatient treatment is to help you achieve and maintain abstinence from drug and alcohol use. But they will also work to reduce your involvement in illegal activity; increase your productivity at work/school; improve the way your social, family, and psychological life functions; and improve your overall health.

Traditionally, these programs have lasted 28 days. However, this has changed. The emergence of managed care models in substance abuse services has changed the duration of treatment. Now, it can range between 3 days and much longer, more classic lengths of stay.

Co-Occurring Disorders

At every level of care and in every treatment center, you will find people with co-occurring disorders. Some of them may be rather far gone, but most of them will be stable and dealing with disorders that are mild to moderate. Because so many people with co-occurring disorders have entered the treatment system it is imperative that the treatment they seek be oriented to their unusual needs.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reminds readers that a return to life in the community after inpatient treatment is especially difficult for those with co-occurring disorders. For this reason, a continuity of care is needed and it may need to extend at least 24 months. Certainly, this is not a two-year period of inpatient care, but it does point to special circumstances that require lengthier treatment and extensive support. Yu may find yourself in these circumstances.

10 Reasons You Need Long Term Inpatient Drug Rehab

What Do the Experts Say?

You can hardly find a source more reliable than the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Although they fully admit that treatment stays will vary to address individual needs and addiction, they assert research unequivocally demonstrates outcomes are dependent upon the length of the treatment stay.

When it comes to residential or outpatient treatment, less than 90 days participation has limited efficacy. Treatment that is even longer has even higher rates of positive outcomes. For example, people participating in methadone maintenance will have a minimum 12 months of treatment and many will continue to benefit from treatment for years.

One of the biggest problems with treatment programs is drop-out by clients. So, even a 28-day stay is going to give you a better outcome than avoiding treatment or leaving early. Don’t let concerns about how long you should be in treatment let you give up.

The first thing you need to do is find an inpatient rehab that meets the needs of your individual situation. We can help. Our experts are on hand to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Don’t wait.