Many who struggle with addiction worry about taking time away from their busy lives to receive treatment. Addiction treatment program lengths may vary, and in some cases, the suggested duration of treatment may run longer than initially anticipated.^{1, 2} People can progress through treatment at different rates based on many different factors, including their unique needs and the type of treatment they choose.¹While the length of addiction treatment can vary, common durations for rehab programs are 30, 60, and 90 days. Understanding what can be achieved in these time windows and how one might benefit from longer stays in treatment can be helpful in deciding on a treatment program.

Why Are There Different Lengths of Stay?

Treatment length can vary based on a wide range of factors. With varying patient needs, as well as factors such as individual rates of progress made in recovery, different people may benefit from relatively shorter or longer amounts of time spent in treatment.¹ When you begin a rehab program, you will undergo a comprehensive evaluation to examine your individual recovery needs and create a customized treatment plan.³ This initial evaluation will be helpful in determining the appropriate type and length of treatment for you.³

Your treatment needs can change during the course of treatment, which could impact the duration of your stay.⁴ Some of the factors that may play a role in the length of treatment can include:^{3, 4, 5}

How long you have been using the substance(s).
The types of substance(s) you used.
Whether you have a co-occurring mental health disorder.
Whether you have other health issues.
Whether you’ve experienced previous relapses.
Whether you’ve had prior treatment.
Your level of social support.
Your living situation.
Your motivation to make life changes.
Your insurance coverage.
Other individual factors.

30-Day Rehab Programs

30-day inpatient or residential rehab can be a valuable treatment option, as it may incorporate detox and withdrawal management, behavioral therapies to get you started on the path to recovery, and strong aftercare planning to outline a program of continuing care beyond the initial treatment period.⁶ Depending on your needs, aftercare might include support groups or transitioning to outpatient rehab or another form of ongoing care to help you stay sober and prevent relapse.^{6, 7} Due to the shorter length of stay, a 30-day rehab program may be a more affordable or otherwise accessible option than longer-term rehab, though some people more severe or complicated substance abuse issues may be better candidates for relatively longer durations of treatment.^{3, 7} Depending on the recommendations of their treatment team, some people may experience more favorable treatment outcomes in association with longer stays in rehab.⁶

60-Day Rehab Programs

Many 60-day rehab programs will offer a similar set of services to those offered by 30-day rehab—such as withdrawal management, counseling, and behavioral therapy—but provide a longer time for you to work on your recovery. A 60-day inpatient rehab can be beneficial if you or your team feel that you need more support and time in treatment than that offered by 30-day treatment centers.

90-Day Rehab Programs

90-day rehab programs offer the same treatment options as the above-mentioned programs, but treatment takes place over a longer period of time. A longer stay in treatment can provide the opportunity for you to cement your sobriety, prepare you to deal with triggers and temptations, and give you more time to work on strategies to avoid relapse. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, research shows that most people need at least 3 months in treatment to significantly reduce or stop their substance misuse, and the best outcomes tend to occur with longer treatment durations.⁴

Benefits of Long-Term Rehab Programs

Long-term rehab programs can offer people a substantial amount of time to work on their recovery. Longer-term residential programs can last anywhere from a month to a year.⁸ Many people can benefit from long-term rehab, including those with relatively more severe addictions, those without stable home environments or supportive social networks, and those who have struggled in recovery with other forms of treatment.⁸ You may experience a range of benefits from long-term rehab, such as:^{6, 9}

Spending more time focusing on recovery.
Developing greater insight into your previous behaviors that may have led or contributed to the addiction.
Practicing and cementing recovery skills.
Building a stronger support network.
Feeling better equipped to deal with social and family issues that may have occurred as a result of substance abuse.
Preparing yourself for your future life outside of the treatment environment.
Developing improved self-confidence and feeling that you can manage triggers or temptations.

How Long Will Insurance Cover Rehab Treatment?

Every insurance plan offers different levels of coverage, but treatment for a 30-, 60-, or 90-day inpatient rehab may be covered, at least partly, by many insurance plans. Keep in mind, however, that treatment length coverage can vary widely depending on the specific plan. Regardless, substance abuse services are considered to be an essential benefit as outlined in The Affordable Care Act (ACA).¹⁰The ACA states that all healthcare plans obtained from the Health Insurance Exchanges or offered by Medicaid to people who are newly covered as of 2014 must provide substance abuse treatment coverage similar to the coverage they offer for medical or surgical care.¹¹

It’s advisable to consult your insurance provider to determine your exact rehab insurance coverage before you commit to a program. Your coverage can vary based on different factors, such as:^12,¹³

The state you live in.
The type of insurance plan you have, which can impact concerns like deductibles and copays.
The duration of treatment.
The range of treatment services to be accessed.
Whether the rehab you choose is in-network or out-of-network

How to Choose the Right Length of Stay

You will receive assistance with choosing the right length of stay, so you don’t have to worry about deciding on your own. Rehab staff can help determine the duration of treatment that is best for your needs based on the outcome of your evaluation, and they can take into account any other issues that may arise during treatment.^{3, 4} Other factors, such as the recommendations of your referring physician, if applicable, and your insurance coverage, may ultimately play a role in your length of stay as well.

When it is an option, it may be beneficial to consult with your doctor or other healthcare professional to help best determine your individual treatment needs and appropriately guide your recovery plan.⁵

How to Find 30, 60, or 90 Day Rehab Programs Near Me

Starting the path to recovery can be one of the most important decisions you make for your health and wellbeing. Keep in mind that it’s never too late to seek help. If you are interested in finding treatment, you might wish to schedule a visit to your primary care physician so they can conduct an evaluation and discuss your needs and their recommendations with you.⁵ They may also provide you with referrals to rehabs in your area.

You can find also rehabs across the country using the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) treatment locator. You can search for treatments based on location, length of stay, types of treatments offered, and more. Other online resources published by American Addiction Centers (AAC) , like the national treatment center on detox.net, can help you find an inpatient rehab program near you.

If you would prefer to speak with someone over the phone, you may consider calling an detox or rehab hotline. Detox and rehab hotlines are designed to help anyone looking for information about treatment better understand their available options. Some rehab hotlines, like the one offered by American Addiction Centers (AAC) are available 24/7. Available at , our rehab hotline is staffed by a caring team ready to provide you the information you need to feel comfortable starting treatment. You can also text us and we can help get your rehab journey started.

30, 60 & 90-Day Rehab Programs