How Long Does Addiction Recovery Last? 

Reaching a point of sobriety, post-drug or alcohol abuse can be achieved at a rapid pace. By completing a detox programme, all traces of drugs and alcohol can be removed, offering a clean slate. However, in order to remain sober, also known as addiction recovery, a life-long commitment must be made.

Addiction recovery is broken up into small yet manageable steps. For most individuals, goal setting will be necessary.

As addiction recovery is viewed as a long-winded process, a steppingstone approach is much more motivating and realistic. Yet in reality, addiction recovery is something that must be dedicated to and must be prioritised in order to remain clean.

Whilst unfortunate to hear, a quick fix will not be viable whilst overcoming an addiction. An addiction is a relapsing condition, which must be treated and managed in order to stabilise.

With that comes the long-term requirement of managing personal triggers, remaining drug and alcohol-free, and of leading a mindful lifestyle. Without such a commitment, the risk of relapse will be high.

In order to reach sobriety and to continue through the milestones of addiction recovery, rehab, and the treatments that it promotes will need to be completed. Available through inpatient and outpatient programmes, here’s some insight into the timelines of each. To offer even further guidance, here’s also a look into ‘how long does addiction recovery last?’, possible to start here at Step One Recovery.

 

How to start addiction treatment

To work through the addiction recovery process and lead a sober life, addiction treatment must first be committed to and completed. This is the starting point for all individuals who are aiming to recover from addiction.

Addiction treatment will help to promote, motivate, and stabilise sobriety. For example, a detox will help to promote drug and alcohol withdrawal, therapy will help to motivate sobriety, and relapse prevention and aftercare will help to stabilise such intentions.

A wide range of addiction treatments, to overcome a degree of substance use disorder can be experienced through rehab. Offered as inpatient rehab, private rehab will be a home from home whilst working through a personalised treatment programme.

As many different people suffer from addiction, additional rehab options are also available, also homed through the NHS. Outpatient treatment can instead be experienced, to withdraw and detach from addictive substances.

The starting point of addiction recovery will be to decide on rehab, complete a referral, work through the admissions process, and begin active treatment. One way to make a decision will be to compare each answer of ‘how long does addiction recovery last?’, as timelines will vary.

At Step One Recovery, we can help you through our network of private inpatient rehab clinics, here to facilitate early addiction recovery.

 

How long does detox take?

Detoxing from addictive substances will kickstart addiction recovery. By completing a medically assisted detox, risks of relapse will be reduced, as will risks of ill-health.

A detoxification process is commonly recommended as a starting point, as it is wise to be free from drugs and/or alcohol whilst completing treatment. It’s also encouraged as a first steppingstone, to reduce cravings and the need for ongoing consumption.

The detox process will averagely take 10 days to show some results. Throughout that period of time, medical assistance will be very important, to reduce the effects of withdrawal symptoms. An assisted withdrawal process will be easier to work through and remain committed to.

Like each step of addiction recovery, the timeline of withdrawal can change depending on the drug at hand, the method of consumption, and the wellbeing of a user. Whilst the average detox can be benefited from by the 10-day mark, many symptoms can remain for a number of months.

 

How long does inpatient rehab last?

Post-detox, a wide range of treatment options will be combined to motivate and stabilise sobriety. For example, therapy sessions, relapse prevention planning, and mental health treatments can all be worked through to treat addiction. One way to experience alcohol and drug addiction treatments is through inpatient rehab.

Inpatient rehab offers the opportunity to check into a private rehab clinic for a focused and progressive recovery experience. Also recognised as residential rehab, the average programme can take 28 days to complete and can be immediately accessed through an admissions process. Longer programmes are also available to accommodate personal needs and responses. For example, some clients will opt for a 90-day residential stay.

Residing in rehab is highly beneficial as it helps to advance the addiction recovery process. Necessary steppingstones will be condensed into an efficient treatment programme, whilst providing guidance and education, ready for post-rehab life. The private environment of residential rehab also helps many people to unwind, focus and progress at a comfortable rate.

Sobriety can be achieved through inpatient rehab. Ongoing efforts to manage a sober lifestyle must be made. Yet a strong starting point can be experienced through private rehab.

 

How long do outpatient programmes last?

The second rehab option to select from is outpatient treatment. Addiction recovery can also commence through an outpatient structure, by experienced professional support, treatments and therapies, and self-help.

An outpatient programme will be available on the NHS, which understandably may result in an initial waiting list. From here, the average programme will take 6 months to complete. Reasonably, some clients will advance through each steppingstone at a quicker rate.

Yet due to the flexible nature of outpatient treatment, many will juggle everyday life alongside daily treatment sessions, found to delay the addiction recovery process.

Outpatient rehab will benefit some users, by offering an independent yet structured route to recovery. For some people, timing isn’t a problem, which is why a non-urgent programme can be selected. However, for those who require an urgent process, to reach sobriety and learn to manage it, inpatient rehab will be more suitable.

 

Relapsing through addiction recovery

The risk of relapse will be present throughout both rehab options. Relapse is a part of the addiction recovery process, helping recovering addicts adapt and increase their commitment. A relapse can be worked through to maintain sobriety.

By completing an initial rehab programme, tools, advice, and access to aftercare will be provided to prevent and work through relapse. Although disheartening to hear, as addiction recovery lasts for the long term, some degree of relapse must be prepared for. Planning, lifestyle management, mental health support and mindfulness will all help to reduce the strength of relapse.

Addiction recovery is something to get used to. It should become a part of your life as a recovering addict. Celebrating each milestone, each day, week, month, and year as sober, and each change will be essential to sustain the process.

Full guidance will be provided throughout drug and alcohol rehab to help you get the most out of addiction recovery.

 

Starting addiction recovery here at Step One Recovery

Inpatient rehab is the most effective and efficient process to complete, in order to reach sobriety. It’s also the most beneficial by providing the tools, motivations, and ongoing resources to remain sober.

Reach out here at Step One Recovery to begin the addiction recovery process. By committing to rehab, you can advance through the first steppingstone. Alternatively, contact our team for a forecasted answer of ‘how long does addiction recovery last?’.