How Long Is Alcohol Rehab? Take Charge of Your Future With Information About Alcohol Detox and Rehabilitation Timelines

Making the decision to reach out for help for an alcohol addiction is both a bold and intimidating turning point. You’re ready to take the first step, but you’ve got questions.

• How long is alcohol detox in rehab?
• What types of alcohol rehab programs are available?
• How can I know which rehab program is the best for me?
• Can recovery from alcohol use disorder be a reality for me?

We’ll answer these questions to help you see the benefits of alcohol rehab and how the compassionate and professional team at Dove Recovery can walk alongside you as you take your first steps to alcohol recovery. 

Table of Contents

• How Long Is Rehab for Alcohol?
• Factors That Affect the Length of Alcohol Rehab
• How Long Should a Rehab Session Be?
• How Do You Decide Which Rehab Program Is Right for You?
• How Long Does It Take the Body To Recover From Alcohol Abuse?
• Dove Recovery Provides Comprehensive Alcohol Rehab Services in Columbus, Ohio

Every person and their experience with alcohol use disorder is different. Because the best alcohol rehab programs are customized for each individual, the duration of a rehab program can vary. 

How long a person spends in rehab will depend on individual factors, including:

• How long the person has been misusing alcohol
• How serious the alcohol use disorder is
• What type of care is needed
• Whether co-occurring disorders are present (i.e., mental health disorders)
• The person's physical health
• The patient’s level of motivation
• Previous treatment history
• Budgetary concerns (insurance coverage, insurance plan specifications, ability to pay out of pocket if necessary)

Because there isn’t a one-size-fits-all alcohol rehab program, the answer to this question may be different for each person. Different types of rehab programs require different timelines. Choosing the timeline that’s best for you may depend on things like:

• The severity of the alcohol abuse disorder
• Previous treatment
• Financial concerns
• And more

Though some believe the duration of rehab treatment should be at least three to six months, most alcohol rehab sessions last 30, 60, or 90 days. For long-term recovery, multiple sessions and different levels of treatment may be necessary over the long haul. For example, after completing a 90-day program, ongoing aftercare services may be necessary to experience healing and lasting recovery success.

Dove Recovery offers different levels of care, and our experienced team works with you to customize a plan of treatment based on your needs. Whether it’s alcohol detox, outpatient services, or partial hospitalization treatment, our programs are designed to assist you through every step of your recovery journey. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an assessment.

Alcohol Detox

Often the first step on the road to recovery, alcohol detox is a process of eliminating the body of alcohol after it has been accustomed to regular consumption. Alcohol detox can be done in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and detox programs are designed to also assist patients who experience withdrawal symptoms, which may be mild to severe. Withdrawal symptoms may include:

• Anxiety
• Mood swings
• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Weakness
• Loss of appetite
• And more

How long is alcohol detox in rehab? Again, the answer to this question may vary from person to person, but generally, detox usually lasts about a week. In a severe case, it may last longer. It’s important to know that after detox is completed, it may still take weeks or months for the body to adjust due to the habits and behaviors of alcohol misuse.

Though everyone’s experience is different, alcohol detox in rehab may include these stages:

1. Early stage – Detox and withdrawal begin, usually with mild symptoms.
2. Peak stage – This can be the worst stage since nearly all the alcohol has left the body, and medications may be administered.
3. Weakening stage – Symptoms begin to lessen, and medication may be weaned off or stopped.
4. Final stage – This usually lasts between five and fourteen days after beginning detox. Patients may begin other outpatient or partial inpatient treatments.

Dove Recovery’s Detox and Withdrawal Management program provides individual care which includes:

• 1-on-1 nursing care 
• In-house comfort medications for any withdrawal symptoms. 
• Daily 1-on-1 individual counseling sessions 
• Provider visits each day
• Psychiatric diagnostic testing when necessary for those with mental health concerns

As part of our comprehensive outpatient services, our detox program provides completely personalized care, focusing on the needs of each patient.

Outpatient Program 

Outpatient programs are for patients who:

• Have a solid home environment
• Have a support system
• Are at low risk for a relapse
• Need to continue working, going to school, and maintaining their personal schedules

At Dove Recovery, outpatient alcohol rehab is individualized for each patient, so timelines are individualized as well. Most patients can expect to spend from three months to a year in our outpatient program.

Offering flexibility and affordability, Dove Recovery’s outpatient program includes:

• Medication management
• Group therapy
• Individual therapy
• Holistic treatments like yoga and meditation
• Daytime and evening sessions

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Intensive outpatient alcohol rehab also provides affordability and flexibility for those dealing with alcohol use disorder. However, it is designed especially for those who need a more structured approach than a program that is fully outpatient but less intense than a full inpatient program.

Like our outpatient program, Dove Recovery’s Intensive Outpatient Program for alcohol rehab is individualized for each person. In general, an intensive outpatient program may last from two weeks to three months or longer, depending on the severity of the alcohol addiction.

The intensive outpatient program at Dove Recovery includes:

• Medication management
• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Family therapy
• Day and evening sessions, involving several hours of treatment per day for several days a week

We want each patient to experience a smooth transition to other light or moderate levels of care or transition back to everyday life.

If you or your loved one needs more intensive structure and care than our outpatient program provides but also requires the flexibility to work or go to school, contact us today to learn more about our intensive outpatient program.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

For patients with severe alcohol abuse disorders who don’t require 24/7 hospitalization, a partial hospitalization program may be a necessary step toward full recovery. This program may also be the best choice for those who have completed a full inpatient program and are ready to transition into a program that is more structured and intensive than an outpatient program.

The Partial Hospitalization Program offered at Dove Recovery is a bridge from inpatient care to outpatient treatment and helps to:

• Manage symptoms
• Prevent relapse
• Boost quality of life 

Along with the collaboration of our team of psychologists, psychiatrists, and mental health professionals, the PHP program at Dove Recovery offers a holistic recovery approach that includes:

• Intensive therapy
• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Medication management
• Psychoeducation
• Case management
• Individual treatment plans

How long is rehab for alcoholism in our partial hospitalization program? 

Since our program is designed for each individual patient, the length of PHP rehab will vary for each person. For more information about the PHP program at Dove Recovery, contact us today.

When you’re ready to take the first step toward recovery, contact Dove Recovery, and one of our counselors would be happy to make program recommendations based on the following:

• Patient history
• Lifestyle needs
• Severity of the alcohol use disorder
• And more

All the programs at Dove Recovery are outpatient-based and designed to help you retain as much of your normal life as possible.

Recovering from alcohol abuse is usually a multiphase journey, involving detox and short- and long-term periods of recovery:

• Detox and withdrawal may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks.
• Short-term recovery may be experienced after three to six months.
• Long-term recovery can take from six months to a year or longer.

Recovery from alcohol use disorder can be a reality. Begin your journey today by contacting the compassionate team at Dove Recovery in Columbus, Ohio.

Not only do we provide several outpatient programs with counseling and therapy, but we are committed to helping you succeed long-term. That’s why we also provide recommendations for aftercare, including:

• Support groups
• Alumni groups
• Relapse prevention planning
• Referrals to community resources
• And more

Find freedom and recovery with the help of the Dove Recovery team. Schedule an assessment today.