6 Month, 1 Year, and 2 Year Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers Near Me

Updated Aug 16, 2023

If you’re seeking treatment for substance use disorder (SUD), you may wonder how long you will need to stay in rehab. While some people go to treatment for shorter lengths of time, such as 7, 14, or 30 days, others may find that a longer length of treatment is more beneficial.

Rehab centers offer treatment programs of varying lengths, including long-term rehab lasting 6 months or longer. Recovery from addiction is a lifelong process, but studies show that longer times in treatment are consistently associated with better outcomes.¹ While the type and length of treatment will depend on your unique situation, learn more about long-term rehab options here.

What Is Long-Term Rehab?

Rehab that lasts 6 months, 9 months, 1 year, 2 years, or longer is not unusual and is often considered long-term rehab treatment. Shorter-term rehab programs generally last 30 to 90 days.² Generally, long-term rehab is designed to be inpatient or residential in nature, where patients live at a facility with around-the-clock care, rather than outpatient treatment in which patients live at home and go to treatment during the day. A shorter-term rehab program may involve a few weeks of inpatient treatment, followed by several weeks of outpatient treatment.²

Some of the goals of long-term rehab include:³

Providing a stable environment where people can practice coping skills.
Offering structure and support around the clock.
Helping people become more self-sufficient.
Providing opportunities to connect to the community and also work.

Research indicates that long-term rehab of 9 months or greater helps people succeed in staying in recovery; however, shorter stays in rehab can also result in success in recovery.

Does My Insurance Cover Long-Term Rehab Treatment?

Your specific coverage and benefits for long-term rehab treatment are something that you will need to check into with your insurance company. You can call the number on the back of your card, check your insurance online, or fill out the form below.

What to Expect in a Long-Term Rehab Program

No matter the length of your treatment program, you can expect to start with a comprehensive patient assessment in which a treatment plan is formulated to suit your individual needs. A 6-month rehab program typically consists of several weeks of intensive inpatient rehab treatment, followed by outpatient rehab treatment and 12-step meetings.

A rehab program that lasts 12 months or longer is often classified as a long-term inpatient or residential treatment program. In some cases, long-term rehab programs can last 18 months, 2 years, or longer. These programs usually offer 24-hour care in a nonhospital setting.

While no single set of expectations applies to all long-term rehab programs, they will generally follow a 4-step process:⁵

Patient assessment: As an incoming rehab patient, you will undergo a complete medical and psychiatric evaluation by an admissions navigator. This will help determine what level of care and path of treatment you need.
Detox: Some patients’ continuum of care includes detox, but this is not always necessary. The detox process can vary in both ease and duration depending on the substance and if your body is physiologically dependent on it. Detoxing from certain substances such as alcohol and benzodiazepines can produce intense, and sometimes dangerous, withdrawal symptoms. Detox professionals can help ease the symptoms, getting you through detoxification as comfortably and safely as possible.
Addiction treatment: Long-term rehab treatment will typically involve a combination of behavioral, group, and individual counseling, which can take place in an inpatient or outpatient setting. You may also participate in 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.
Aftercare: Following the steps above, you will continue working with your therapist to create an aftercare plan. The primary goals of aftercare are to maintain recovery and identify ways to prevent relapse.

Many people find they need at least 90 days of treatment for it to be effective and longer than 90 days to sustain long-term recovery.⁵ Whether a rehab program lasts 90 days or 2 years, most will offer evidence-based treatment that includes:^{6, 7}

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
Motivational interviewing.
Family support and therapy.
Group therapy.
Alternative therapies.
Recovery groups.

Many programs also encourage attendance at 12-step meetings.⁸

Long-Term Drug and Alcohol Residential Treatment Programs

Residential rehab is 24/7 treatment provided in a comfortable, safe setting such as an acute care hospital or a freestanding, licensed rehab facility. These programs are typically for people who need detox, or who have medical or psychiatric conditions that require 24-hour monitoring and care, to prevent potentially serious outcomes. These programs are generally focused on stabilization.³

Residential treatment is less intensive than inpatient and may occur in numerous settings, including group homes. Residential treatment offers several hours each week of various types of services, including:³

Case management.
Individual, group, and family therapy.
Medication management.
Recovery support.

Inpatient rehab may be a better fit for people who would benefit from a 24/7 support setting. Studies have indicated that individuals with mental health disorders, such as anxiety or depression, and/or those who do not have a good social support network might fare better in inpatient treatment.⁹ In addition, another study showed that people with co-occurring disorders had better outcomes in residential treatment if they had inpatient treatment first.¹⁰

Long-Term Dual-Diagnosis Treatment Programs

A dual diagnosis, or co-occurring disorder, refers to a person experiencing both a mental health disorder and an SUD. Common dual diagnoses include:¹¹

Attention-deficit disorder (ADD).
Anxiety.
Bipolar disorder (BPD).
Depression.

Research shows that treating both types of disorders at the same time produces the best outcome for people with a dual diagnosis.¹¹

How to Find 6-Month, 1-Year, and 2-Year Rehab Centers Near Me

If you are looking for a 6-month, 9-month, 1-year, or 2-year rehab center near you, American Addiction Centers (AAC) has locations throughout the United States. You can call us to discuss your needs, and also use our directory to search by location. Some rehab programs are state-funded, and numerous private rehabs, faith-based rehabs, and gender-specific rehabs are also available.

Which Treatment Length Is Best for Me?

You have options when choosing a rehab center, so it’s important to do so with care and consider several factors, including treatment length. No two individuals will require the same continuum of care, and the right length of treatment for you will depend on your unique situation. Overall, however, longer stays in treatment are associated with better outcomes.

Your admissions navigator and therapists will help you determine which treatment and treatment length are right for you. In any case, it’s important to remember that addiction is a disease that is unique for each person and treatment should be tailored to the specific needs of the individual.