Amphetamine rehabilitation: How long?

Learn more about the average duration of amphetamine addiction treatment programs, whether you should choose short term or long term rehab, and what are the general timeline of amphetamine recovery. More here.

6
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How long does rehab take?

Generally, rehab takes as long as you need to become addiction-free in body, mind, and spirit!

Inpatient duration = 1 to 3 months inpatient rehab + 1 year outpatient

Outpatient duration = 10-16 weeks intensive outpatient rehab + 1 year outpatient

Here, we review in detail what can you expect in terms of addiction treatment duration. Then, we welcome you to send us your questions via the comments section at the bottom of the page. We value your feedback and try to respond personally and promptly to all legitimate inquiries.

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Why are amphetamines a problem?

Amphetamines are stimulant drugs that “speed up” the central nervous system. This effect can be therapeutic, especially when Rx amphetamines (ironically) help people “slow down” to focus or concentrate. However, when people take amphetamines to get high, addiction can take over.

What does abuse look like?

Amphetamines can cause problems anytime they are not taken as prescribed. Further, amphetamines can be taken a number of different ways:

  • swallowing
  • snorting
  • injecting

…and just about any route of administration can lead you to an amphetamine use problem.

To be honest, addiction to amphetamines can be very hard to overcome. This is why many people require professional rehabilitation in order to successfully overcome addiction. This way, you can build a new, sober life in safety and with the support of like-minded people.

Is there an ideal length of rehab?

No.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to estimating the “ideal” time you need to spend in active recovery from amphetamines. Every person has different needs when it comes to rehab, which is why it’s so hard to know, “How long will it take?” However, the ideal length of time you spend in treatment will mainly be based on your doctor’s suggestions.

How do clinicians recommend duration of stay?

A doctor’s recommendation for treatment comes after an initial assessment of your condition. During intake for rehab, you should undergo an assessment which consists of:

  • A family history + medical history
  • Standard interview or questionnaires
  • A physical exam
  • Drug testing

The results of this preliminary assessment will help determine a diagnosis. Plus, the assessment will help inform treatment suggestion – including length of time you’ll need to spend in treatment. Your own personal goals and preferences will also play a part in this decision.

REMEMBER THIS: Regardless of the time you need to invest in your sobriety, regaining control over your life is worth the effort! Addiction is a medical condition that responds to medical treatment.

Why not make a decision to get better?

Amphetamine rehabilitation duration

The typical amount of time you need to spend on drug rehabilitation varies. In general, people diagnosed with serious substance use disorders are recommended to stay in some kind of treatment for at least 1 year.  Over that year, a person may participate in three to four different programs with varying levels of commitment.

Overall, the duration of time spent in rehab will depend on a number of different factors, including:

  • The individual’s personal needs.
  • A person’s overall financial situation.
  • The severity of the addiction problem.
  • The presence of co-occurring mental health disorders.
  • Poly-drug abuse and dependence on other drugs or alcohol.
  • How much, how often, and for how long the person has used amphetamines.

All these factors can influence the need for different sets of therapies, as well as the overall duration of the rehab treatment program.

Short term vs. long term rehab

When making the decision to attend a rehab program, the short-term vs. long-term decision should be made with the help of an addiction specialist. These mental health professionals are trained to determine the needs of addicts and help them find the best course of treatment.

Amphetamine addiction treatment plans are specifically designed based on your individual situation. People with a less severe addiction and more rigid personal or professional schedules, for instance, may find that short-term amphetamine treatment is sufficient enough to help them overcome their addiction. On the other hand, individuals who have developed more severe cases of addiction will require more rehab time and attention.

The average time of rehab

Possibly the most common type of care for drug problems is short-term inpatient rehabilitation programs. The average duration of these programs is 28 days.

Some individuals need to spend more time in rehab – as offered by long-term drug rehab programs. These programs have a minimum length of 90 days but can take up to a year or more.

There are also programs that range in between the minimum and maximum rehabilitation time length. Some programs may take 60 days, 90 days, 120 days…or more. There is literally something for everyone!

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Amphetamine rehabilitation timeline

Most amphetamine rehabilitation program timelines are very similar, offering the same basic treatment options and following the basic stages. A basic amphetamine rehabilitation timeline is outlined below.

Intake assessment – An initial intake screening and assessment will be performed when a person enters a rehabilitation program. This is performed to determine the type and duration of an addiction treatment program, based on a person’s individual needs. Assessment is then completed at multiple times during treatment and the treatment plan is adjusted, as needed.

Medical detox – If a person’s addiction is severe, they may be encouraged to go through medical detox before entering a residential program. Medical detox is usually used to help ensure that an addict detoxes from amphetamines safely and comfortably.

Psychological treatments – Psychological treatments are typically the cornerstone of rehabilitation programs. People in recovery from drug addiction will typically attend multiple individual and group therapy sessions throughout the course of their treatment.

Aftercare – Addiction aftercare generally begins after a person completes a rehabilitation program. Aftercare programs generally require daily or weekly outpatient therapy sessions in order to help maintain abstinence and cope with the challenges of drug-free life.

Supportive services – Reputable rehabs provide access to a number of different supportive services. The purpose of these services is to assist clients where and how they need: socially, medically, legally, or operationally. For example, a case manager might match you with a government sponsored program, housing, or support groups. These services will help you maintain a healthy drug-free lifestyle.

What about rehab settings?

Treatment programs are generally set in two main rehab settings:

  1. Inpatient (residential) or live-in facilities.
  2. Outpatient or non-residential treatment centers.

Wondering which one to choose: inpatient vs. outpatient amphetamine rehab? First, it helps to know exactly what each treatment setting entails.

Inpatient amphetamine rehab = The minimum recommended duration of a typical inpatient amphetamine rehabilitation program is 28 days. Residential rehab programs require you to live, sleep, and eat in the rehab facility for the duration of your treatment. Each day, you follow a strict schedule, which includes several therapy and education sessions, as well as other alternative therapies that can aid your recovery.

These types of programs give you the chance to remove yourself from your environment at home, which may or may not be recovery-friendly. Inpatient amphetamine rehabilitation is also an excellent choice for recovering addicts who need more intensive addiction treatment or who suffer from co-occurring mental health issues.

Outpatient amphetamine rehab = Individuals with less severe addictions or multiple responsibilities may benefit from outpatient rehabilitation, during which they travel to a treatment facility several times a week.

How long do outpatient rehab programs last? Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) generally last three to four months. Outpatient maintenance treatment, on the other hand, is a continued care or follow up care usually offered to individuals who have finished an inpatient program but still need to have regular check-in and touch-up sessions. This type of outpatient programs can last for several months or even years.

Time for questions!

For those who need amphetamine rehabilitation, time is a precious commodity. The sooner a person gets help for their addiction, the sooner they can begin working towards recovery and the easier recovery will be.

If you still have questions or concerns about amphetamine rehabilitation time, feel free to post them in the designated section below. We strive to help readers like you work toward recovery and move toward a healthier and brighter future.

Reference Sources: NIDA: Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition)
TheMix: Drink & Drugs: Amphetamines
KidsHelth: Amphetamines – What Parents Need To Know
DrugAbuse: Misuse of Prescription Drugs
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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