If you’re searching for how long rehab takes, you might already be juggling hard questions: Can I take time off work? Will my insurance cover it? What happens when it’s over?
Time is one of the biggest concerns people have about addiction treatment. You might be worried about stepping away from work. You might be the one holding everything together at home. You may be wondering how long is “too long” or if a short program will even help.
Here’s a real look at what to expect, how timelines are shaped by your needs, and why more time in treatment doesn’t always mean it’s going to be more difficult.
Why Do Rehab Timelines Vary?
Rehab is built around people, not calendars. That’s why timelines vary. There are several factors that influence how long treatment might last:
- What substance you’ve been using and for how long
- Your mental health and physical health needs
- Whether this is your first time in treatment
- What kind of support system you have at home
- Whether you need medical detox
- What you can realistically commit to right now
Some people stabilize quickly and benefit from a short stay. Others need more time to rebuild physically and emotionally before stepping back into the responsibilities waiting for them at home.
There’s no ideal number of days. The goal is to help you get well enough to stay well, whatever that takes.
Common Rehab Program Lengths
Here’s how different levels of care generally break down:
Detox: Three to 10 Days
The first step for many people, especially with alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines. Medically supervised detox helps you withdraw safely and with support. Once that’s complete, you’re clearer and more grounded, which makes the next phase of treatment more effective.
Short-Term Residential (Helios Program): Around 30 Days
New Bridge Foundation®’s short-term residential program is a 24/7 treatment option with structure, support, and peer connection built in. Days are full of counseling, group work, education, and recovery-building activities.
This program is often right for people who:
- Are newly entering treatment
- Have relapsed and need stabilization
- Need time away from daily stressors and triggers
You’ll stay onsite, receive personalized care, and begin developing new routines without the chaos of everyday life pressing in.
Intensive Outpatient (IOP): Seven Weeks
The IOP program offers flexibility for those who need support but can’t step away completely. At New Bridge Foundation®, IOP is currently offers telehealth and in-person options. IOP meets four times per week for three hours per session, with morning and evening options available.
It’s ideal for people who:
- Don’t need detox or 24-hour supervision
- Have a stable home environment
- Want to continue working or going to school during treatment
Long-Term Residential (START Program): Three to Six Months
The START program is built for people with chronic substance use issues or those who’ve relapsed after shorter treatments. It’s highly individualized, with stays typically ranging from 90 to 180 days.
This program gives people time and space to:
- Build deeper emotional and behavioral tools
- Develop independent living skills
- Learn how to navigate triggers and setbacks
- Regain stability after repeated relapses
Younger adults, in particular, have found success with START when shorter programs didn’t provide enough support for lasting change.
What If I Have a Job or Family Responsibilities?
This is one of the most common barriers to entering rehab. People often worry that stepping away from work or home responsibilities will cause more disruption than staying in the cycle they’re trying to escape.
Here’s what you should know:
- FMLA may protect your job. The Family and Medical Leave Act provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for medical treatment—including substance use care.
- Outpatient options exist. You don’t always have to leave home or quit working to get help. Programs like IOP are designed for people balancing recovery with other commitments.
- Short-term residential care can fit your window. A 30-day program might be enough to get the grounding you need and return to your life with more clarity and stability.
Even if you think your situation is too complicated, reach out. There are more options than most people realize.
What Happens After Rehab?
Leaving treatment can feel like stepping onto shaky ground. Even with progress under your belt, it’s common to wonder: Will I be able to handle normal life again?
A good rehab program won’t leave you wondering. It will prepare you for reentry, not just abstinence. That’s where aftercare comes in.
After rehab, your support might include:
- Weekly or biweekly therapy sessions
- Peer recovery groups (12-step or non-12-step)
- Sober living housing if needed
- Free weekly aftercare counseling groups
At New Bridge Foundation®, discharge planning begins before you finish treatment. Your team will help you map out what comes next and connect you with ongoing resources to help you maintain progress.
What Transitioning Back into Life Can Really Look Like
Let’s say you complete a 30-day residential program. You’re sleeping better, clearer-headed, and feeling more like yourself. You’re not the same person, but your world hasn’t changed yet.
Here’s how the transition back to everyday life often unfolds:
- You step down into an IOP schedule, attending virtual or in-person sessions a few times a week while living at home or in a SLE.
- You keep checking in with the same care team who helped you in residential treatment, so there’s consistency and support.
- You rebuild routines: going to work, making dinner, and seeing friends without the fog of substance use.
- When a tough day hits, you have people to call and tools to use.
- You’re not alone in figuring it out. You’re still in treatment, just with more independence.
This is the kind of support that builds long-term recovery. It’s about learning how to live differently and having the time to practice before flying solo.
How Long Should I Stay?
There’s no universal answer, but there are patterns worth paying attention to.
- Less than 30 days often helps with stabilization but may not address deeper issues.
- 30 to 60 days allows for foundational counseling, skill-building, and initial recovery planning.
- 90+ days creates space for lasting behavior change and relapse prevention.
At New Bridge Foundation®, clients can move between levels of care as needed—from detox, to residential, to intensive outpatient—with no disruption in services. Treatment is structured, but not rigid. If your needs change, your care plan can change too.
You Don’t Have to Have It All Figured Out—We Can Help
If you’re asking how long rehab takes, it probably means you’re already thinking seriously about change.
You don’t have to make every decision right now. You just have to take the next step. Call. Ask questions. Learn what’s possible. You may be surprised at how many options fit your life.
Voted one of America’s “Best Addiction Treatment Centers” by Newsweek five years in a row, New Bridge Foundation® offers care that’s both compassionate and effective. Not sure what kind of program fits? Let’s figure it out together. Explore our rehab programs or call 866.772.8491 today to find a timeline that works for you.
