How Much Time Do I Need to Take Off Work for Inpatient Alcohol Rehab?

How Long Does Inpatient Alcohol Rehab Usually Last?

Before we get to the big question—how long is inpatient alcohol rehab? It’s helpful to first look at who tends to benefit the most from this intensive addiction treatment option. For many, inpatient rehab can increase overall success of achieving sobriety, giving people with severe substance use disorders a vital lifeline of help and therapy that can turn their lives around.

While there are many options for addiction treatment, including outpatient rehab programs and support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous, a large percentage of people would instead be better served by completing an inpatient program that involves living at a specialized treatment facility for several weeks or months. While there, they can be removed from unsafe or triggering environments and focus entirely on doing the work of addressing the physical and mental aspects of their addiction.

Addiction treatment needs to be carefully tailored to meet each individual patient’s unique needs, which is why professionals analyze several factors to develop a personalized treatment plan. These factors include things like:

• Substance use history, including drinking patterns, how long they’ve been drinking, other substance use problems, and the outcomes of previous treatment (if applicable).
• Medical and mental health conditions that would also need to be addressed during alcohol rehab such as diabetes, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• The patient’s support network, especially their friends, family members, and overall social group, is crucial.
• How stable their living situation is currently.
• If they have easy and regular access to transportation.
• Any current legal problems that need to be factored in during treatment include court-ordered reporting or stipulations of a conviction for driving under the influence.

When it comes to the length of an inpatient alcohol rehab program, the answer will depend on each patient’s personal needs. Most people will be in rehab for 30, 60, or 90 days, but the total can vary considerably from person to person. 

Rather than focusing on a specific amount of time for treatment, professionals instead focus on giving each patient the therapy, treatment, and help they need to fully address their addiction and learn new skills that will help them respond to challenges in the future without turning back to drinking.

Can I Customize the Length of My Stay in Rehab?

The reality is that there isn’t one universal answer to the question of how long is inpatient alcohol rehab. The length of time a patient will live in a residential addiction treatment facility, receiving intensive treatment and therapy each day while they focus entirely on doing the work to get better and overcome their struggles with addiction, will vary considerably from patient to patient.

After conducting an assessment of each new patient, rehab professionals will develop a personalized treatment plan to meet their unique needs and give them the best chance of achieving long-lasting recovery. Many people who are struggling with alcohol addiction will be best served by an inpatient treatment program, including:

• Those who are suffering from a more severe alcohol use disorder.
• People with unstable housing or problematic home environments that aren’t conducive to recovery (such as living with others who are drinking, or not having access to a safe place to live).
• Patients who lack a strong support network from friends, family members, or loved ones.
• Those who don’t have easy access to transportation find it hard for them to get to outpatient addiction treatment programs regularly.
• People who would benefit from a predictable schedule and more structure in their environment.
• Patients who are suffering from other medical or mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, require dual diagnosis treatment to address their addiction and mental health conditions at the same time.

Patients will be advised on their best treatment options based on their assessments. While some people can opt for a more flexible outpatient program that allows them to remain at home and continue working while they receive therapy and help for an alcohol addiction, many others require the more structured and intensive treatment that a residential program can provide. Each patient will be given a specialized treatment plan that can be customized to meet their individual needs and give them their best chances of achieving recovery and overcoming addiction.

Does the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Protect My Job While I’m in Rehab?

You might be wondering how you can get the help you need without missing out on your career prospects, including whether you can get your job back after drug rehab. The good news is that Americans have two primary sources of job protection that can help them get addiction treatment, but still have their job once they’re done.

The Family and Medical Leave Act offers one primary source of protection, requiring employers not to take action against an employee if the employee has taken FMLA leave to get substance abuse treatment. While employees aren’t protected if they’re missing work because of drinking or using drugs, those who have worked at least 1,250 hours for an employer of 50 or more people within 75 miles during the 12 months before their absence can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave under the act to get treatment for serious health conditions, including substance use disorder.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) also offers some protections, giving workers a chance to seek treatment for substance use disorders without losing their jobs, as long as this substance abuse isn’t impairing their overall job safety.

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What If I Can’t Afford to Take a Full Month Off Work for Rehab?

While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how long is inpatient alcohol rehab lasts, most residential programs will last for 30 to 90 days. You might wonder how you can make time to do this, especially if you can’t afford to take a month off work for help. Instead, try to remember that this is a temporary absence to make a permanent, much-needed change in your life—you’re investing this time to get the professional help you need to overcome alcohol addiction once and for all.

Another thing to keep in mind is that most health insurance policies will help partially or mostly cover the costs of addiction treatment, meaning you could get the help you need without ending up with a large bill at the end.

Key Takeaways on How Long Is Inpatient Alcohol Rehab

• Addiction treatment is personalized to meet the needs of each individual patient.
• Many people who lack stable living environments or are suffering from severe substance use disorder will benefit most from a residential treatment program.
• Inpatient alcohol rehab typically lasts for 30 to 90 days, depending on each patient’s needs.
• Laws like the Family Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act can protect employees who get substance use treatment and ensure they can return to their jobs.
• Health insurance policies can largely cover the cost of rehab treatment.

If you’re ready to find out how long is inpatient alcohol rehab and start on the road to recovery, you’re in the right place. Resurgence Behavioral Health can help with our comprehensive treatment programs at our California alcohol rehab facility. Call Resurgence Behavioral Health at 855-458-0050 today to learn how to get started.

Resources

• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism – Why Do Different People Need Different Options?
• elaws Advisors – Family and Medical Leave Act Advisor
• U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division – Fact Sheet # 280: Mental Health Conditions and the FMLA
• FindLaw – Can You Lose Your Job for Going to Rehab?