How Long Does Alcohol Rehab Last?

If you’re considering inpatient alcohol rehab for yourself or your loved one, we know you have a lot of concerns about how long they’ll be in treatment.

You may be worried about missing work or school, missing key life events, or spending too much time away from family. Sometimes, it’s just the fear of the unknown.

Here’s what you need to know.

The typical alcohol rehab stay lasts only 30 days, but there are also 60 and 90-day rehabs as well. It depends on the severity of your addiction, your current physical and mental health, and your desired recovery method. 

Here at our rehab facility, we create tailored treatment programmes for all of our clients. So, it’s impossible to say exactly how long you’ll need to stay.

Think about it this way: You’re trading just one month of your time to get your entire life back. As one of our alcohol rehab patients said: “I wake up every day in happy disbelief that I am alive and I don’t want to drink”. That only took 30 days of his time to achieve.

In this guide to how long alcohol rehabilitation lasts, we’ll cover:

• The average length of stay in an inpatient treatment centre
• Factors that influence your stay
• How rehab works
• A day in the life at our inpatient treatment facility

And a lot more.

Remember: There is absolutely nothing to be afraid or ashamed of. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose. Not a single person ever regrets getting sober or attending rehabilitation for their substance use. All you need to do is take action.

How Long is Inpatient Alcohol Rehab on Average?

Alcohol rehab programmes last 30, 60, or 90 days, but some can last up to a year depending on the circumstances. Here at the Cabin, we typically design 4-, 8-, or 12-week packages for our clients. 

The reason that we offer different packages is because alcoholism is a disease that affects each person in a different way.

And here’s why…

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), alcohol use disorder (AUD) is defined as the chronic abuse of alcohol despite negative effects to your personal, professional, and social life. 

You see, it’s not just about drinking alcohol. It’s about the consequences of your drinking and how it’s affecting your life. So, no two cases are the same. Someone might need 30 days in rehab, while someone else might need 90. 

Some people don’t even need inpatient treatment at all. It all depends. While 30 days is normally enough to achieve sobriety and begin the healing process, longer stays in rehab are recommended for more severe cases. 

According to the National Institutes on Drug Abuse (NIDA) in their 2014 study Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment, “research has shown unequivocally that good outcomes are contingent on adequate treatment length”  and that “participation for less than 90 days is of limited effectiveness”.

Our approach is to provide a combination of inpatient and outpatient (as well as other support-based treatment). We customise this for all of our patients so they get the care that they need, whether it’s here at the treatment centre, online, or in a support group in their local area. 

This provides for at least 90 days of treatment. We find that this is the best way to help someone get sober and remain sober for life.

How Long Do Other Types of Treatment Last?

Just in case you are interested in another type of treatment, let’s cover 3 other common alcohol rehab methods:

• Detox: Most people stop experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms 4 or 5 days after their last drink. The entire alcohol detox process takes approximately one week. Depending on where you live, this may be available for free or covered by your insurance plan.
  
• Outpatient Rehabilitation: Outpatient treatment lasts anywhere from 2 weeks to several months. It’s impossible to say. It depends on your addiction, mental health, and support network. Some people may only need some medication-assisted treatment and alcohol counselling, while others may need trauma therapy, medication, counselling, and family therapy. Each case is different. We offer an intensive outpatient rehabilitation programme for those unable to travel to Thailand.
  
• Support Groups: Alcohol use disorder (“alcoholism”) is a lifelong disease that requires constant vigilance. It’s a patient enemy, as we say in addiction circles. You should remain in support groups for the rest of your life. You’ll grow to love the community and the support you receive.

What Are the Different Types of Alcohol Rehabilitation Programmes?

The different types of treatment options for alcohol use disorder are typically 30-day, 60-day, 90-day, and even one-year rehabilitation programmes. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. It all depends on what you need and what your treatment provider is capable of facilitating.

Let’s cover each of the different types of alcohol rehab treatments in a bit more detail to help you better understand what you may need:

30-Day Inpatient Rehabilitation

This is the most common type of alcoholism treatment, and it’s where most people start. 30-day programmes are ideal for most people for a few reasons. 

For one, it’s a shorter time commitment, which means less time away from work, school, or family. It’s also more affordable for obvious reasons.

For many of our patients, they see a month’s stay at our facility as a jumpstart to their recovery. They learn healthy coping mechanisms, free themselves of addiction, begin the healing process, and make lifelong connections with others going through the same issues as they are. They even rekindle their love for old hobbies like art or discover new passions like hiking, Muay Thai, or meditation.

NOTE: It’s also common for insurance companies to cover 30-day treatments, so that’s a huge advantage as well.

60-Day Inpatient Rehabilitation

For people dealing with severe addiction or underlying issues like trauma, 30 days is not enough time to heal your inner demons, build resilience, and instil healthy coping mechanisms.

In that case, a 60-day stint at an inpatient rehabilitation centre gives you more time to deal with the underlying causes of your addiction. It also helps you conquer the physical and mental side effects of your addiction such as health problems or psychological issues.

The benefits of a 60-day rehabilitation programme include:

• You won’t feel rushed
• You’ll have more time to focus on healing the underlying causes of your addiction
• You can build healthy coping mechanisms and resilience to triggers and cravings in a safe environment
• You have more time to heal any physical side effects of alcohol abuse

90-Day Inpatient Rehabilitation

90-day rehabilitation gives you even more time to stabilise and address the underlying root causes of your addiction. If you’ve been battling severe addiction along with serious trauma, anxiety, and depression, you may need more time to heal. During your 3 months at rehab, you’ll get clean, stabilise yourself, and address these deep-seated issues. 

90-day rehabs also have the benefit of keeping you away from the outside world longer, which reduces your risk of relapse. For example, if you have a severe addiction and only spend 30 days in treatment, you may relapse when you go home and encounter your triggers again. A 90-day programme gives you enough time to recover, get back on your feet, work on your issues, and build resilience to prevent relapse.

In fact, one study published in The Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment and mentioned in The National Library of Medicine called “Does Mandating Offenders to Treatment Improve Completion Rates?”, states that “90 days is necessary to show a significant reduction in drug use and promote effective and lasting change”.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that these were addicts under the supervision of the criminal justice system, so their circumstances may be different than yours. Most people will be totally fine with 30-day or 60-day programmes.

NOTE: There are also one-year rehabilitation programmes that normally start in a treatment facility and then transition to sober living and then on to supervision. This is reserved for only the most severe addictions and special cases.

Which Factors Influence How Long Rehabilitation Lasts?

There are many factors that influence how long you need to stay in rehab, such as the severity of your addiction, how much alcohol you drink, the underlying causes of your drinking problem, and your current physical health.

For example, if you’re 40 years old and have been a daily drinker for 20 years with co-occurring disorders such as trauma, depression, or bipolar disorder, you may need 60-90 days in an inpatient alcohol rehab programme. 

Now, compare that to a 20-year-old who has been drinking for just two years and has no physical health issues. That person may only need outpatient treatment.

See why we say that no two cases are the same?

Here’s more on the 5 factors that influence how long you’ll be in a rehab centre:

• The Severity of Your Addiction: The more intense the addiction, the longer you’ll need to heal. If you or your loved one has been struggling for years, you’ll need extra time to work through withdrawals, uncover emotional triggers, and build the skills to stay on track.
  
• Co-Occurring Disorders: Co-occurring mental health struggles like anxiety, depression, or PTSD can make your stay longer. You’ll need to heal both to achieve lasting sobriety.
  
• Insurance Coverage: Insurance may affect how long you’ll stay in rehab. Some plans cover longer programmes while others don’t. In the US, insurance typically pays for up to 30 days. There are plenty of financial aid options and social programmes to help reduce your costs.
  
• Personal Motivation and Progress: Recovery is deeply personal. Some people dive into the process and progress quickly, while others need more time to open up and feel ready for change. At The Cabin, we always meet each patient where they are, and that means some take longer to get through the recovery process than others. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
  
• Support System at Home: Having a strong, supportive circle at home can make it easier for you to recover. If you or your loved one doesn’t have that yet, rehab can provide the stability you need to build confidence and plan for a safe and loving transition back into daily life.

Will Insurance Cover My Stay?

Yes, insurance will most likely cover at least some of your stay, but it depends on dozens of different factors. Those factors include which country you’re from, which type of plan you have, your insurance provider, and your condition. However, most treatment programmes are in some way covered by insurance, so don’t worry too much about this right now.

We can review your policy, determine what’s covered, and provide the necessary information to your insurance provider.

What Does Rehab Look Like For The Typical Patient?

A typical day at our inpatient rehabilitation centre includes meditation, psychotherapy, alcohol counselling, group therapy, and additional activities such as exercise or nature excursions.

Our goal is to provide you with a safe and relaxing environment away from the stressors and triggers of home. We find that when addicts have a safe, stable, and predictable routine, they heal much faster and remain clean. That’s our goal.

Your typical day at our rehab centre includes:

No two days will be the same, though. Most days, you’ll attend regular recovery meetings, go on experience-based excursions, engage in art therapy, and maybe even enjoy a Thai massage in our spa. This type of routine provides the stability, accountability, and focus you need to heal while also instilling good habits that you can take back to the real world.

NOTE: Your treatment plan for alcohol misuse should cover every aspect of alcohol dependence. That includes the physical, mental, and spiritual factors at play here. Substance use disorder is an issue that’s deeply rooted in human psychology as well as spiritual issues. If you hope to maintain sobriety, you must heal any mental illness you have as well as any spiritual issues. Spiritual healing is included through yoga, trauma therapy, and art therapy in your inpatient care plan at our residential facility.

The Cabin Chiang Mai: Holistic Healing at Affordable Prices

If you’re worried about how long rehab lasts, don’t be. Imagine attending a rehabilitation that’s so tranquil and comforting that you never want to leave.

That’s the type of experience our patients get here at The Cabin. You’ll get an unforgettable healing experience at a fraction of the price in your home country (yes, even with flights included).

We are Asia’s longest-running and most respected rehab, and we’ve helped thousands of people from around the world recover in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Our inpatient treatment centre is located in Northern Thailand, nestled in the foothills of the Thai mountains and surrounded by temples, lakes, rivers, and lush farmland.

Contact our rehab centre today for your free intake evaluation. At the very least, we can help you find the help you need even if it’s not here with us. We could even help you find information on treatment programmes in your home country. Just contact us today, and we will respond within 24 hours.