Short-Term Drug & Alcohol Rehab

Addiction can be devastating, but many people regain control of their lives with the help of addiction treatment. Addiction treatment offerings may vary. The ideal setting and duration of rehabilitation depends on someone’s unique needs.

This page will provide an overview of short-term addiction treatment.

What is Short-Term Drug & Alcohol Rehab?

Traditionally, many short-term residential addiction treatment models incorporate a modified 12-step approach over 3-6 weeks of programming. Following a stay in short-term rehab, it is imperative for patients to continually participate in outpatient programs or aftercare programs.³  Short-term rehabilitation programs are designed to offer the beginning stages of care for patients who will eventually engage in treatment in a community-based setting.⁴

A short-term program may begin with medical detox, in which patients may need to be stabilized while they go through withdrawal. Detox is often necessary when someone has developed a physical dependence to certain substances and requires medical supervision and pharmaceutical intervention to ensure they withdraw safely and as comfortably as possible.

Rehabilitation doesn’t begin and end with detox alone. While important in early treatment, detox by itself is largely ineffective in helping someone remain in long-term recovery.^1,5

Rehabilitation is the phase of addiction in which patients:

• Learn about their condition.²
• Identify, address, and work to modify negative thought and behavior patterns.
• Gain the skills to recognize and avoid the situations that lead them to drink or use drugs.
• Become motivated to remain sober and achieve their goals.⁶

This is predominantly done through therapy and psychoeducation. For many, medications are critical components of a patient’s treatment, especially while also receiving other forms of addiction treatment like therapy.² For some, medication may be needed during both detoxification and continued treatment.¹

While any type of evidence-based treatment can be effective, treatment efforts made for at least 3 months may be the most successful for significantly stopping or reducing substance use.¹

AdCare abides by the their 90-day brand promise, which guarantees that undergoing 90 consecutive days of treatment will ensure someone achieves lasting sobriety. Those that experience a setback qualify for a complementary additional 30 days of treatment at an AAC facility.

For many people, 90 days in treatment is not feasible for any number of reasons. Fortunately, those that can only participate in a 7-day rehab program or other forms of short-term rehab can still supplement their treatment with aftercare.

With diligent aftercare planning, AdCare can facilitate additional recovery support through continuing care programs, such as peer support groups and community programs. As with treatment, the types of aftercare efforts that are going to benefit the patient best are ones that meet their specific needs.

Can You Go to Rehab for Just a Weekend?

It is unlikely that someone will be successful in their recovery after only 2 days in treatment, as recovering from a substance use disorder typically requires a combination of therapeutic methods and time. Detox alone can take 3-5 days or longer and, as stated above, relatively long durations of addiction treatment may be needed for someone to achieve long-term success.¹

For patients with stable living environments, reliable transportation, and the support of loved ones, outpatient care may be a viable option that is more flexible, allowing them to schedule several treatment sessions a week while still upholding personal responsibilities.⁷

Another option is telehealth addiction treatment, a program that enables patients to receive substance abuse care from the comfort of their home.

Following week-long rehab (or any duration of addiction treatment), patients benefit from some form of continuing care. Aftercare helps people in recovery maintain focus and develop a supportive peer network.⁸ This can range from stepping down from inpatient care to outpatient treatment, joining a 12-step program, or staying at a sober living facility.⁹

AdCare has a rehab aftercare program that enables patients to stay connected to their peers, track progress, and attend regional and national events. Former AdCare patients can access the alumni app that monitors progress, helps maintain contact with other alumni, provides wellness tips, and more.

How Much Does A Short-term Rehab Program Cost?

The cost of short-term rehab will depend on many variables. These include:

• The type of treatment (inpatient, outpatient).
• The specific rehab facility.
• Whether insurance can be used and the extent of its available coverage.

When using insurance coverage for addiction treatment, it’s crucial to find a treatment center that is within the relevant insurance company network. These facilities contract directly with insurers to keep costs down.¹⁰

Individuals interested in treatment at AdCare can find out if their care is covered by filling out and submitting the online form below. This will require:

• An email address.
• The name of the insurer.
• The insurance policy number.

When using insurance for addiction treatment coverage, there will likely be some out-of-pocket costs, such as an annual deductible, copayments, or a co-insurance percentage.¹¹ Information about how these costs are incurred can be found on the summary of benefits and coverage for the specific treatment plan.

There’s still time to get help if you or a loved one is struggling with addiction. Please call an admissions navigator at . Admissions navigators can help you obtain preauthorization from your insurer and coordinate the right treatment plan at AdCare.