How Long Do You Need to Stay in Treatment For Lasting Recovery?
Choosing the right treatment center and staying the appropriate length of time are critical factors in achieving long-term recovery from addiction. Deciding how long to stay in treatment can feel confusing—but the right decision can significantly improve your treatment for lasting recovery. Below are several key factors to consider when determining the appropriate duration of care.
How Long Should You Stay in Treatment?
The appropriate treatment duration depends on each individual’s unique situation. One of the most important decisions is selecting the right level of care, such as inpatient, outpatient, or intensive outpatient (IOP) programs, because the level of care determines both the time and intensity of treatment for lasting recovery.
In an inpatient program, clients reside full-time at the treatment facility, while outpatient care allows them to live at home and attend scheduled sessions. Between these is the intensive outpatient (IOP) or partial hospitalization program (PHP), which offers a higher level of therapeutic support without full-time residential living, often including access to structured settings such as sober-living homes.
Outpatient care is often appealing because it enables individuals to maintain their daily routines. However, inpatient care may be the better option for those who require more intensive treatment or a highly supportive and structured environment.
Beyond choosing the level of care, several other critical factors influence the appropriate length of treatment:
- Treatment cost and insurance coverage
- The severity of the addiction or disorder
- The existence of co-occurring mental-health conditions
- Availability of support and resources after treatment
Understanding these variables early on helps you plan a treatment for lasting recovery that fits your needs and circumstances.
The Cost of Treatment
High-quality treatment often involves significant expense. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 37.3% of individuals who needed treatment during a three-year period did not receive it, mainly due to lack of insurance or inability to afford care. As a result, many patients discontinue treatment earlier than optimal simply because of cost constraints.
Before checking into a center, find out what kind of coverage you have and the costs involved so you can make informed decisions about your treatment for lasting recovery without unnecessary financial stress.
How Advanced is Your Case?
A vital factor when considering how long you should stay in treatment is the severity of your addiction or disorder. Those with more serious conditions typically benefit from a longer stay. Progressing through the levels of care—from inpatient to outpatient to a supportive living environment, can help ensure that the transition back to daily life is successful and sustainable.
Committing to the right length of treatment for lasting recovery allows you to rebuild stability and gain the tools needed for long-term health.
Trauma and Co-Occurring Disorders
Mental illness and trauma often accompany addiction. Multiple national surveys found that about half of those who experience a mental illness during their lives will also experience a substance use disorder and vice versa. For those with co-occurring disorders, a longer stay where they can receive adequate treatment will be critical, as without addressing the whole person, treatment alone may not suffice. Medication management and additional forms of therapy can prove lifesaving to these clients.
Support After Treatment
For some, a longer stay in treatment is in order as their lives outside of treatment are rife with opportunities to relapse, such as family members who drink or use, or domestic violence situations. In other cases, a patient has abused substances for so long that they lack the basic life skills needed for successful re-integration into the outside world. For these folks, a more intensive program with a longer support plan is essential for sustainable recovery. A sober living home can be a good place to build a foundation for long-term recovery following treatment. They offer a safe, supportive environment to stay on a short or long-term basis, free of external triggers like drugs, alcohol, or toxic environments. Furthermore, they offer structure and accountability in a community of those with shared goals. Many people form life-long friendships in such environments, and lay the groundwork for engagement in a 12-step program or other support group.
Is a Longer Stay Beneficial?
Research studies indicate that lengthier stays in treatment are associated with better outcomes. According to the Partnership for Drug-Free Kids, a 90 day stay correlated with higher success rates. The organization cites research that compared addicts who were treated for fewer than 90 days with those who were treated longer, and discovered that 35 percent of the group with shorter treatment durations relapsed the year after treatment, whereas only 17 percent of the group that stayed longer did.
Treatment in Scottsdale
No matter what your situation is, there is a program that’s right for you. Scottsdale Providence’s team of expert clinicians and staff work alongside clients to create an individualized treatment plan, creating a foundation for thorough treatment and lasting recovery. Get in touch today to see how we can help.
Author
Victoria Yancer
Victoria writes thoughtful, compassionate content for the behavioral health space. She brings clarity to complex topics and creates messaging that helps people feel informed, understood, and supported as they explore treatment options.
Clinical Reviewer
Daniel Nichols, LCSW
Dan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 17 years in behavioral health and addiction treatment. His trauma-informed approach blends evidence-based therapies with hope, purpose, and community.