Getting on the Wagon: How Long Is Alcohol Rehab?

When someone has a drinking problem, they might have questions about what they can do to get better. In addition to what happens in alcohol detox or where to get help, it’s natural to wonder how long is alcohol rehab and what happens after rehab. The important thing to understand is that each person is different, with unique histories of alcohol abuse, as well as genetic factors, environmental stressors, and other physical or mental health conditions. That’s why the best addiction treatment needs to be individualized, with treatment programs custom-made for each patient to meet their needs and goals for the future. At Resurgence Behavioral Health’s inpatient alcohol rehab in Riverside, California, most patients will stay in our residential facility for 30 to 90 days. However, the exact length of alcohol rehab depends on many factors, and therapy and aftercare support is essential even after completing rehab. Let’s explore more of what you can expect when you get help from our alcohol rehab program in California.

What Does Rehabilitation Mean in Alcohol?

When someone is addicted to alcohol, a condition clinically known as alcohol use disorder, rehabilitation is a program of treatment that includes therapy, educational components, and other treatment and support services designed to help them overcome the mental and emotional aspects of addiction. Rehabilitation programs can vary considerably, such as receiving occasional therapy in a less-intensive outpatient treatment plan or residing in a specialized facility for round-the-clock support and monitoring in an inpatient alcohol rehab program. 

Healthline points out that there is no one program that works best for everyone, and the exact treatment plan that’s right for you or your loved one will depend on several factors, including how long you’ve been drinking, how much you drank, and if you need more intensive inpatient support or are ready to receive outpatient treatment and return back home after treatment each day. In addition, many patients will first need to begin with a short–term stay in a medical detox center so their bodies can more comfortably and safely get through alcohol withdrawal. Once a rehabilitation program is completed, it’ll be important to continue to receive therapy and support group help to maintain recovery.

How Long Is Alcohol Withdrawal?

Before even considering how long is alcohol rehab, many people will need first to understand how long alcohol withdrawal symptoms last as their bodies rid themselves of alcohol and toxins after a long period of heavy drinking. According to WebMD, this withdrawal happens because of alcohol’s depressive effect on our bodies and the way it slows down brain function. Eventually, heavy drinkers become used to have alcohol, and their brains are more “keyed-up” to keep communicating with nerves. However, once someone abruptly stops drinking, their brain is still in this ramped-up state, and withdrawal quickly begins to occur.

Withdrawal symptoms can begin just six hours after your last drink, with more mild problems like headaches, insomnia, nausea or vomiting, anxiety, and sweating all possible. About 12 to 48 hours after the last drink, people can experience much more dangerous or scary withdrawal symptoms like hallucinations and seizures. Although it’s relatively rare, some people can experience what’s known as delirium tremens about two to three days after they quit drinking, experiencing alarming symptoms like hallucinations, delusion, confusion, high blood pressure, and a rapid heartbeat. Delirium tremens can be life-threatening, and that’s why it’s so important to get through the alcohol withdrawal process in a controlled and monitored facility like a medical detox program at Resurgence Behavioral Health. During our medical detox program, you’ll receive medications and monitoring to make you more comfortable and to safely get through withdrawal over the next several days. Once complete, you’ll be ready to start working on the mental and emotional side of treating addiction with our alcohol rehab program.

Does Insurance Cover Alcohol Rehab?

How long is alcohol rehab? As you now know, the answer will depend on your particular needs and how you’re responding to treatment. However, it’s also important to understand how to pay for alcohol rehab, and if insurance might help cover the cost of this life-saving treatment. Generally, health insurance plans will cover mental health and substance use disorder treatment, though the specific amount will depend on the insurance plan and treatment program. At Resurgence Behavioral Health, we accept most PPO insurance plans for our addiction treatment programs. Our patients can also work with us to come up with payment plans that will make this important help affordable and accessible. Our expert staff can help you or your loved one verify your insurance coverage so you’ll know exactly what it will cost to get the addiction treatment you need before you start in our rehab center.

Does Alcohol Rehab Work for Heavy Drinkers?

Despite the well-known immediate and long-term effects of alcohol abuse, the disease of addiction can make people hopeless about ever being able to put down the bottle. However, it’s important to know that alcohol rehab can be extremely effective, and long-lasting recovery after addiction is within reach. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism says alcohol use disorder is a chronic and relapsing condition, and that’s why persistence is so fundamental. Relapses and setbacks might happen, but professional help is available to overcome cravings and setbacks and get back on the road to recovery. According to the institute, no matter how severe someone’s alcohol addiction or heavy drinking habits might seem, most people with alcohol use disorder will benefit from treatment, with many substantially reducing their drinking and not experiencing the same old problems from alcohol that they were plagued with in the past.

Resurgence Behavioral Health: Our Alcohol Rehab Can Help You Overcome Addiction

It’s natural to wonder about this question — How long is alcohol rehab? — and even though there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this question, it is clear that help is available. At Resurgence Behavioral Health in Riverside, California, our experts know that treatment for addiction needs to be personalized and carefully monitored for progress. Our patients each get the individualized therapy, treatment, and support they need to get through alcohol withdrawal and then work on the underlying mental and emotional factors of addiction. By the time they leave our alcohol rehab facility in California, they’ll be ready to get through everyday challenges and temptations while remaining on track for lifelong recovery. Take the first step to your better life today by calling us at 855-458-0050.

External Sources

• Healthline — Your Guide to the Benefits of Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs
• WebMD — What Is Alcohol Withdrawal?
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism — Treatment for Alcohol Problems

David Rofofsky
After growing up in New York, David chose to get help with substance abuse in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than nine years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for eight years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. David remains passionate about the field because he understands how hard it is to pick up the phone and ask for help. However, once the call is made, someone's life can be saved.

Research | Editorial