Christian drug rehabilitation: How long?

Length of stay in a Christian drug rehab will depend on a number of factors, such as severity of addiction, support system, and expert recommendations. More on what to expect from treatment here. With a section at the end for your questions.

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Christian drug rehabilitation: How long does it take?

As a Christian, struggling with an addiction is often very difficult, and sometimes even shameful. Taking the time to complete a drug rehabilitation program, though, is very important if you want to successfully overcome addiction. Further, drug rehab is not one-size-fits-all and the needs of each person will affect the length of time spent in rehab.

The time it takes to complete a drug rehab program will be affected by a number of factors. For instance, the severity of a person’s addiction as well as the length of time a person has used drugs will have a big impact on how long Christian drug rehabilitation takes. Addiction specialists will typically create individualized treatment plans based on recovering addicts needs and individual situations.

Christian drug rehabilitation duration

Depending on your needs, there are a few different types of Christian drug rehabilitation programs available. Each different type of program takes a different amount of time to complete.

  1. Inpatient duration – Traditional inpatient drug rehabilitation programs usually require a month-long commitment. However, stays may be extended up to three (3) months an still be considered “short term”. These types of programs are best suited for individuals with mild drug addictions.
  2. Long-term inpatient duration – Individuals with more severe addictions will usually find that long-term inpatient Christian drug rehabilitation is more effective. Long-term rehabilitation program duration ranges from three (3) months to a year, or more.
  3. Outpatient drug rehabilitation – People diagnosed with mild to moderate drug addictions may benefit from outpatient rehab programs. These programs require recovering addicts to travel to treatment facilities several times per week of treatment. Most intensive outpatient rehab programs last for 12 to 16 weeks and include 6-10 hours of treatment per week.

Christian drug rehabilitation: Short term vs. long term

Everyone has different needs regarding length of stay in a drug rehabilitation program. Short-term vs long-term treatment decisions should be made with the help of an addiction specialist.

Short-term programs are generally reserved for individuals with less severe addictions. This type of treatment requires less time to complete, making it a good choice for addicts with other responsibilities. If you are diagnosed with a severe addiction (depending on type of drug, length of use, and severity of dependence), short-term rehab may not be the best choice. Instead, you should strongly consider entering long term treatment for drug addiction. Although this type of treatment takes a much greater time commitment, it is typically more effective for treating severe addictions. It may also be a good option for addicts for whom short-term rehab was ineffective.

Christian drug rehabilitation average time

A traditional inpatient drug treatment program is often the option that most addicts will try when they need Christian drug rehabilitation. The average time for this type of program is four weeks, or 28 days. For some addicts, this is a sufficient amount of time to address their addictions and begin therapy.

Christian drug rehabilitation programs that require a greater amount of time to complete, however, have been shown to be more effective for most people. This includes long-term rehabilitation programs that last for three months to two years. Long-term rehabilitation programs  enable recovering addicts to stay in safe drug-free environments for longer periods of time during treatment. This change of environment for such a long period of time often makes it easier to adjust to life without drugs and makes treatment more successful overall.

Spending more time in a rehabilitation program also means that recovering addicts will undergo more intensive psychological treatment. Intensive psychological treatment is often one of the most effective methods for treating addictions and underlying mental health disorders.

Christian drug rehabilitation timeline

Nearly all Christian drug rehab timelines are very similar. Any treatment program that you choose will offer many, if not all, of the following services and treatment options. Here is what you can expect during Christian drug rehab.

STAGE 1: Screening and assessment

During the initial stage of treatment, you will be screened for addiction and other mental health disorders before or as soon as you enter a program. An initial evaluation is necessary to determine the extent of a person’s addiction as well as create a suitable treatment plan.

STAGE 2: Medical detox (if necessary)

To help make withdrawal from drugs safer and more comfortable, medical detox is usually recommended before entering the psychological stage of rehabilitation. Medical detox can last anywhere from a few days to a week, depending on the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. Medical detox will include the use of medications and 24-7 supervision in order to assess and address withdrawal symptoms as they occur. The goal is to make detox as comfortable as possible.

STAGE 3: Psychological and pharmacological treatments

Individual behavior therapy, group therapy, and family counseling are all common psychological treatments used during addiction treatment. Christian drug rehabilitation programs also usually include spiritual counseling and prayer to aide the recovery process.

Pairing psychological treatments with medications can also be used to increases the chances of a successful recovery. Some addictions, such as methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone, can be used as opioid replacements or to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

STAGE 4: Supportive services

Christian drug rehabilitation facilities typically offer a variety of supportive services to recovering addicts who are in treatment as well as those who have completed treatment. This includes typical social services, such as help finding suitable housing and employment, as well as spiritual support groups.

STAGE 5: Aftercare

Addiction aftercare is important part of treatment that should not be overlooked. Recovering addicts who have completed a Christian drug rehab program will typically continue to attend outpatient therapy sessions, prayer groups, and 12-step meetings in the years that follow treatment.

Christian drug rehabilitation time

Reaching out for addiction help can be difficult for anyone. However, it’s important to understand that there’s nothing to be ashamed of if you need treatment. The time you spend in treatment will most certainly be worth it.

If you have any questions or concerns about addiction and Christian rehabilitation, feel free to leave them below. We’ll address your concerns as soon as possible, and hopefully help you start down the road to recovery.

Reference Sources: NIDA: How long does drug addiction treatment last?
NIDA: Therapeutic community
NIDA: Treatment approaches to drug addiction
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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