Wanting to seek treatment is one thing — having the will to stick to it is another.
Behavioral experts in the field understand what it takes for a patient to undergo detoxification from consistent alcohol abuse.
The cravings, the indulgence, and the guilt — it all goes in a never-ending cycle for most people.
As a result, a great deal of hope is at stake when one tries and still fails. Though when you have the right support system by your side, it gets easier to break the cycle.
So while you’re busy figuring out the ways to quit alcohol for good — it’s common to think about how long the process would take.
Weeks… months… or years, you wonder. Well, things surely get easier to understand when you promptly sign up for either an inpatient or outpatient treatment of alcohol rehabilitation in Phoenix, AZ.
Read below for more details.
Inpatient vs Outpatient: Duration of Alcohol Rehabilitation in Phoenix, AZ
Those who haven’t experienced addiction in their life often hold the opinion that addiction is easy to get rid of. Sorry to break it to them, but that’s not how addiction works.
Addiction is tricky. It comes when it wants to, and it doesn’t go until the patient forces it out of their system. Take a look at this table to better understand the duration of alcohol rehabilitation.
Feature | Inpatient Rehab | Outpatient Rehab | |
| 1. | Best for? | Severe alcohol dependency | physical dependence needing detox | previous rehab failures | unsafe home environment | Mild-to-moderate alcohol use disorder | strong family & social support | stable & alcohol-free home environment | post-inpatient treatment |
| 2. | Duration | 🠊 28 to 30 days (Short-term: for initial detoxing, breaking the habit, and stabilization). 🠊 60 to 90 days (Long-term: for higher success rates by allowing time to address root causes, develop healthy coping mechanisms, and build relapse prevention tools). | 🠊 9+ hours a week, for 2 to 6 months (intensive outpatient). 🠊 Flexible scheduling for 1 to 6 months for continued care (standard outpatient). |
| 3. | Intensity | 🠊 High (with 24/7 care and structure) | 🠊 Moderate/Low (part-time: roughly 1 to 5 days a week) |
| 4. | Living Situation | 🠊 Residence at the facility | 🠊 Residence at home |
| 5. | Focus | 🠊 Detox 🠊 Stabilization 🠊 Intensive therapy | 🠊 Relapse prevention 🠊 Community reintegration |
Having read through this table, you now have a better idea about the duration of treatment for alcohol rehabilitation in Phoenix, AZ. It must feel like a lot to digest when you’re just making up your mind towards recovery. Still, it’s important that you trust the process and the specialists providing you with care throughout your rehab journey.
Why Long-Term Treatment Programs Have Higher Success Rates?
Depending on the severity of your condition, short-term treatment might not be enough to ensure long-term recovery. Experts agree that the longer your treatment period is, the higher the chances of success.
Even though 30-day programs offer detoxification and initial stabilization, the 90-day programs allow time to do deeper therapeutic work on your behavioral health.
Here’s how the 90-day program puts you at an advantage:
- Lowers the chances of relapse
- Gives space for the brain to heal
- Addresses the root causes of addiction
- Provides treatment beyond just the symptoms
- Teaches healthy coping mechanisms
From the Perspective of an Observer — Why Does Addiction Happen?
When you have a loved one who’s suffering from alcohol addiction, you can’t help but stress about the situation. It’s not like you wouldn’t do anything to bring them back on track — but dealing with addiction isn’t easy.
You get frustrated, and you question why the problem occurred in the first place.
As to why it did? Well, there are strong reasons for that. Certain triggers lead one to find comfort in toxic habits. Some of these are:
- To cope with stress and anxiety
- To manage depression and persistent hopelessness
- To numb down the pain of childhood neglect
- To counter the effects of insomnia
- To escape from difficult emotions
- To induce a dopamine rush for pleasure
As you have noticed so far, every person with an addiction has a breaking point leading them down this path. Since life isn’t fair, the drink becomes an elixir for numbing the pain that life throws at one. So instead of going down the spiral of judgment, work your way through support and empathy.
Soon enough, alcohol becomes a hub of comfort. Though when you recognize the problem and want to do something about it — that’s when you flip the script. In this struggle, signing up for alcohol rehabilitation in Phoenix, AZ, is a feasible option with high chances of success.
Steps You Can Take to Ensure You’re on Track
Putting in extensive effort for weeks and months shouldn’t go down the drain — not when you’ve set your mind on an affirmative recovery.
But first, let’s spare a look at what the data indicates about alcohol usage on a worldwide scale.
- According to the World Health Organization, there is an estimated number of 400 million alcohol users globally — out of which nearly 210 million people suffer from alcohol dependency.
- If left untreated, it can result in fatal outcomes, as nearly 2.6 million people die every year due to alcohol consumption-related health issues.
Given how quickly things can take a turn for the worse, you must focus on your progress. Signing up for a treatment program at your trusted rehab center is just the starting point of your journey. From here on, there are things you have to ensure so that you can minimize the risks of a possible relapse.
Here are a few strategies that can help you overcome the thoughts of rising urges.
- Weigh the difference between the addict you and the sober you.
- Keep reminding yourself of the reasons you want to change.
- Shed light on your past attempts at recovery.
(If any, then focus on the reasons for past relapses.)
- Appreciate the progress you’ve made so far.
- Consult with your specialist & devise achievable goals.
- Adhere to the plan to the best of your ability.
- Remove all reminders of addiction from your home or workplace.
- Allow your friends and family to be a lasting support system.
Remember, commitment to sobriety goes a long way. So, when the urge hits hard, contact your healthcare specialist or therapist. They’ll be sure to suggest effective coping mechanisms for immediate practice.
Embrace a Healthier Lifestyle Today
It’s never easy to stick to your goal when you’ve experienced failures in the past. But as soon as you set your mind to recovery by envisioning the life you’ll have in sobriety, the path begins to look clearer. That said, it’s never too late to consider alcohol rehabilitation in Phoenix, AZ, with behavioral experts at Cholla Behavioral Health.
Here, you’ll find a state-of-the-art facility with an extensive range of psychiatry specialists — trained to help you overcome your addiction problems. Knowing how common relapses are, we don’t pass judgment on our patients. Instead, we make sure to foster a safe space where recovery takes on greater meaning.
If you want to bring a long-awaited change to your life, consider our rehab programs.
Contact our team for more details.
FAQs
How long are alcoholics usually in rehab programs?
The duration of the alcohol rehabilitation program varies according to the condition of each addict patient. The most common ones include 30-day programs, followed by either a 60-day or 90-day program.
Can the body repair itself from alcohol abuse?
Absolutely. Your body has the power to repair itself from the effects of alcohol abuse once the consumption stops. Though cirrhosis or brain impairment aren’t reversible — organs like the liver can regain function within weeks.
What’s the hardest month of sobriety?
The hardest month of sobriety is undoubtedly the first month when the withdrawal symptoms start to show up. In this period, your brain and body have to fight intense cravings for alcohol.
Is rehab duration different for heavy drinkers to detox from alcohol?
Yes, the rehab duration for heavy drinkers differs from the mild ones, as they’re longer and more intense, requiring usually a week or 10 days’ time for medical detox and inpatient rehabilitation.
What food helps reduce alcohol cravings?
Several food items are associated with reducing alcohol cravings due to their nutritional qualities. These are: chicken, fish, legumes, whole grains, oats, leafy greens, yogurt, sauerkraut, nuts, seeds, and avocados.
