Find the answers to all your questions about rehab here, including how long is rehab and when should I go.

If you are considering entering rehab for addiction, you probably have a long list of questions, including "how long is rehab, when should I go, and what happens once I get there". Entering treatment for drug addiction is a big step. It can be difficult to make the necessary commitment, particularly if you are unsure of how long it will take. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)reports that the answer to how long is drug rehab is determined by several factors, including the length and severity of your addiction, the particular drugs or substances you are addicted to using, and whether you have any co-occurring mental health issues. Since the more you know about rehab the easier it is to seek treatment, we have answers to some of the most common questions about drug rehab.

How long is drug rehab?

Other factors that help determine how long is drug rehab include whether you choose inpatient or outpatient rehab, and whether your rehab program will include a stay in a therapeutic community. Most drug treatment centers offer 30-day, 60-day, and 90-day treatment programs, as well as long-term drug treatment programs that include an extended stay in a therapeutic community. Rehab that includes stays in these long-term residential centers, sometimes referred to as sober living communities or halfway houses, can last anywhere from 6 months to a year or longer.

What length of drug rehab is the most effective?

Good outcomes in rehab depend on adequate treatment length. NIDA, the National Institute for Drug Abuse, recommends drug treatment programs of at least 90 days as the ideal length of drug rehab programs because they provide the best chance for long-term recovery. Financial concerns may also play a role in determining how long is drug rehab, as many insurance companies only pay for 30-day stays in rehab. Fortunately, most rehab centers will work with you to come up with a payment plan or other financial arrangements so you can get the treatment you need to overcome addiction.

What happens in drug rehab?

When you first enter drug rehab, an evaluation is performed to learn the particulars of your drug addiction so addiction specialists can determine the best treatment program to treat your addiction. You will go through detox, which can produce uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms as your body adjusts to stopping drugs. There is no way to skip that step. After physical withdrawal symptoms are under control, you will meet with counselors for intensive sessions in behavioral therapy, group and individual counseling, and other rehab therapies to learn relapse prevention strategies that will prevent drug abuse in the future.

How long do you stay in rehab for cocaine?

Experts agree that rehab stays of at least 90 days have the best chance of preventing relapses into cocaine use. According to the L.A. Times, a study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry followed 1,605 cocaine users in the year after treatment. The study found that 35% of people in treatment for 90 days or fewer reported using cocaine the following year, compared to just 17% of people who were in treatment for 90-days or longer. Other studies by NIDA show similar results, indicating that the best answer of how long do you stay in rehab for cocaine is "as long as possible."

When should I go to drug rehab?

It is time to go to rehab if you are addicted or are in danger of becoming addicted. Signs you need rehab include having an intense desire to do drugs and an inability to quit, even though you want to. If your drug use causes problems at home or work, you focus on obtaining drugs instead of other activities, or you are in financial trouble because of drug use, it is time to go to drug rehab now.