Substance abuse and addiction are problems affecting millions of individuals in the United States. In 2019 alone, an estimated 19.3 million American adults had a substance use disorder (SUD).

It is a complicated condition because addiction is so complex to treat. Physical and/or psychological dependence may factor in, as can various health issues that either fueled substance use or resulted from it. More than 9 million U.S. adults, for example, had both a SUD and a form of mental illness, called a dual diagnosis, or co-occurring disorder. In those cases, a person may resort to substance use to self-medicate for a condition like bipolar disorder or anxiety, which may exacerbate the coexisting psychiatric condition. As a result, a vicious cycle can occur with each condition, SUD, and coexisting mental illness, worsening the other.

There are addiction rehab programs of varying lengths, from one month to many. For some, a 60-day stay can help them achieve sobriety and build on ways to stay sober.

How Can a 60-Day Program Help?

Rehab is just one step of a person’s recovery process. The goal is to get the patient detoxed and stable, treat co-occurring disorders, provide therapy to address what fueled the addiction, and teach skills and coping mechanisms to help prevent relapse.

While not every individual who uses drugs or alcohol may need rehab for acute detoxification, they can benefit from the variety of treatments for addiction offered by rehab centers. Signs of addiction include:

• Sudden shifts in behavior and mood
• Distancing oneself from family and friends
• Taking part in risky, illegal, or dangerous activities
• Developing a greater tolerance to the substance and experiencing withdrawal from the substance when stopping usage of it
• Feeling like using the substance is necessary to be able to function
• Attempting to quit but struggling or finding oneself unable to

If a person starts talking about or attempts suicide, they require immediate medical attention.

What Types of Treatments Are Offered During a 60-Day Rehab Program?

Each person’s treatment plan is unique and dependent on a variety of factors. There is no one cause of addiction. Genetics and changes in the brain that result from repeated use are two potential contributors; however, addiction can affect any age or gender, or type of person. Some factors that increase the likelihood of SUDs include:

• Family history of substance abuse and genetic factors predisposing individuals to drug use
• Co-existing mental illnesses
• Early use and long-term use
• Peer and social influence pressure
• Availability of support system and socioeconomic factors
• The type of substance used and the manner in which it is taken
• Individual drive and motivation to change

The first step of rehab is checking in. Staff will examine the patient and ask questions to assess their present condition and circumstances as well as develop an understanding of their personal history.

Detoxification is another early step in the process. In this step, patients undergo detox as the substance leaves the body. Rehab centers often assist the patient’s comfort with this process with the help of medications that can reduce withdrawal symptoms as well as cravings. Once the patient is medically stable and complete with acute detoxification, work on producing a change in behaviors may begin.

Counseling and therapy are utilized early in the patient’s newfound sobriety. Underlying causes are examined. Behavioral therapy helps patients with SUDs discover what factors may have triggered the addiction and contributed to its continuation and develop coping skills to learn to manage these triggers to prevent further alcohol and drug abuse. Common therapies include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Family therapy
• Individual and group counseling
• Education and life skills training

Since recovery does not stop after leaving the facility, counselors and therapists work with the patient to form an aftercare plan for life after rehab. That can include regular check-ins at the facility, 12-step or peer support meetings, and/or continued individualized therapy.

Is a 60-Day Addiction Treatment Program Right for Me?

Every patient’s story is unique, so one person may thrive under a short-term outpatient program while another may benefit more from a residential (or inpatient) rehab program that is 60 days or longer.

Outpatient treatment tends to be more flexible. The client does not need to stay in a controlled facility, instead visiting the facility on a regular basis. Visits can be as often as five days a week, depending on the severity of the addiction. This can work very well for those who have strong social support systems, especially from family and friends.

For the person who found that outpatient treatment did not work for them, a 60-day (or longer) inpatient program provides more time and structure. Residential treatment is more frequently recommended for patients who have been highly dependent on drugs or alcohol for a long time. Under this method, the patient stays in a rehab center or hospital. With more time to recover and fewer outside distractions, the patient can focus more on his or her treatment. It also makes it more difficult to get drugs.

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A Typical Day at a 60-Day Drug and Alcohol Addiction Program

No one’s day at a 60-day rehab will be the same. There are common elements, however. After intake, evaluation, and sometimes detox, work begins on the driving factors behind the patient’s addiction and developing a plan for staying sober.

For the stay, the patient may take part in:

• Individual and Group Therapy. Individual and group therapies try to provide a more thorough treatment for addiction. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy are two treatments offered at many rehabs.
• Support Group Sessions. Being able to identify oneself with a group that shares the same struggles is often an effective intervention in making the patient recognize that there is a problem that needs to be resolved. It also can make the patient feel less alone in their struggles.
• Alternative Therapies. Some rehab facilities offer holistic and alternative ways to complement the recovery journey. Yoga, acupuncture, massage, art, and meditation are some common options.
• Life Skills Training. The patient learns or builds on life skills that can be used after reintegrating into society. It can include improving communication and stress management, which in turn lead to higher self-esteem and better coping skills.
• Family Integration. Family can be very important in the treatment process. Sometimes the focus is on repairing family relationships. Healing — of both family and patient — may also be addressed.
• Amenities. With thousands of rehab facilities within the U.S., the options are endless. Some facilities offer treatments, lodging, and meals, while others provide a truly luxurious experience. Facilities may have fitness centers, pools, tennis and basketball courts, fire pits, outings in the community. Where a facility is located may dictate its activities too. A facility near the ocean may include beach outings, while a mountain-adjacent center may include hiking excursions.

Aftercare

Addiction recovery is a life-long process, therefore, it makes sense that treatment does not necessarily end when leaving rehab. Other interventions outside of the facility frequently are considered to better prevent relapse. Post-rehab options include:

• Regular Visits to an Outpatient Facility. This can help the individual sustain his or her sobriety.
• Telehealth Counseling. The patient may contact the center on a regular basis for counseling. A conversation via phone or teleconferencing could be enough to remain sober.
• 12-Step or Peer Support. Participating in group sharing sessions with others who share the same struggles can help sustain abstinence.
• Sober Living/Recovery Homes. For people leaving rehab who need a new living situation, recovery homes may be an option. Typically they serve in a transitional capacity as they give individuals more time to focus on long-term recovery as they live in a space with house rules against substance abuse.

Finding A 60-Day Alcohol And Drug Treatment Program

There are literally thousands of rehab and recovery options, so it can seem daunting to narrow the search.

Consulting with one’s doctor or therapist, or reaching out to an addiction specialist, are some good ways to get started.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a federal clearinghouse of information on mental health and addiction, allows site visitors to search for treatment and programs according to specific criteria, including health insurance, location, special needs, and more.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a federal agency focused on advancing the science surrounding drug use and addiction, has information and resources as well, to help a person navigate treatment options. Better yet, contact the best facility you plan to enroll in for your 30-day drug treatment programs or alcohol treatment programs. Also, make sure to ask them if your insurance will cover you for 60-day treatment, 90-day treatment, 120 day/long-term addiction treatment, or even 7-14 day addiction rehab.