Chat with us, powered by LiveChat Skip to main content

Everyone has heard of alcohol rehab but they may have questions about how it works. One of the most common ones is, “How long is rehab for alcohol?” The answer depends on a few different factors and how well a person responds to treatment. Buckhead Behavioral Health offers different levels of outpatient rehab programs that help people understand their illnesses and how to overcome them. The time each person puts into attending our therapy sessions pays off by paving the way to leading a sober life full of promise.

If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol addiction, call us now. Our alcohol rehab in Atlanta can help you find the strength needed to heal. We’ve helped hundreds of individuals create success in their recovery. Call us now at (470) 460-6789 or verify your insurance now.

What is Alcohol Rehab?

When someone develops an addiction to alcohol, getting professional treatment means going to rehab. It starts with attending a detox program, which provides a safe place for a person to begin getting used to living without consuming alcohol. From there, the individual can transition into either residential rehab or outpatient rehab. They undergo medical and psychological treatment designed to help people overcome addiction to alcohol and other substances.

How Long is Rehab For Alcohol?

There is more than just one answer to the question, How long is rehab for alcohol?”. It depends on which program a person is attending, how severe their alcoholism is, and how well they respond to and participate in treatment. The first type of alcohol rehab is a detoxification program. Detox typically lasts from five to seven days, although some people may require a few extra days. 

Residential care, which requires the person to live in a facility while receiving treatment, usually takes a minimum of 30 days. For many, staying 60 days or longer provides them with the best chance of building on their time in treatment and being able to stay sober. After residential care or as an alternative to it, many people attend outpatient care. With this option, the person can live at home or in a sober living home and travel to a facility for daytime therapy sessions. It is recommended that a person stay in outpatient care for a minimum of 30 days. 

With both residential and outpatient care, the longer a person stays in treatment, the more they increase their odds of avoiding relapsing. As a person moves through each level of care, their treatment providers will assess them to see the progress they make. This allows the staff to determine the length of time each person needs to get the most out of alcohol rehab. 

Do Withdrawal Symptoms Happen When You Stop Drinking?

Another factor in determining “How long is rehab for alcohol?” has to do with withdrawal symptoms. When someone experiences a lot of alcohol withdrawal symptoms or intense ones, it can increase the amount of time they stay in rehab. This is because medical and psychological support provided in rehab can reduce and eliminate many of the symptoms and save the person from suffering needlessly. While not everyone has the exact same withdrawal symptoms, common ones include:

  • Headaches
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Lethargy
  • Shakiness
  • Tremors 
  • Night terrors
  • Delirium tremens
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Moodiness

How is Alcohol Addiction Treated in Atlanta, GA?

Another factor in finding out “How long is rehab for alcohol?” is the types of treatment each person uses. Several types of therapy prove helpful in teaching people how to understand their addiction and overcome it. Because everyone is different, how long they may attend a certain type of therapy can vary. The clinicians providing treatment assess each person as they move through a variety of therapies to determine the right amount of time for each person.

Some of the types of therapy that work well when used as part of alcohol rehab include:

Because withdrawal symptoms commonly happen while a person attends rehab, access to prescription drugs is common. Using these medications can ease and eliminate both physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms. These drugs can also be used to treat underlying mental health disorders, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some people only need to use medications for a short period of time, while others do well when using a long-term approach.

Does Insurance Cover Alcohol Rehab?

Most insurance companies recognize that addiction is a real illness and requires professional medical and psychological treatment. For this reason, they often cover a variety of types of treatment for substance use disorders. Anyone interested in using their insurance to pay for alcohol rehab can get a free insurance verification from our staff.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment in Atlanta, GA

Now that you know the answer to, “How long is rehab for alcohol?”, you can plan for the time commitment necessary to help you stop drinking. Buckhead Behavioral Health created an effective, multi-disciplinary program to treat people who abuse alcohol and need help becoming sober. Our dedicated staff uses their years of experience to enable each person they treat to discover their power to stop drinking. We also provide valuable prescription medications that keep them from needlessly suffering from many withdrawal symptoms. Are you ready to get serious about quitting drinking? Visit our admissions page now and let one of our friendly staff members help you get started.

Erika Dalton, LMSW

Erika brings over a decade of clinical experience to Buckhead Behavioral Health. After starting as one of the first employees at Creekside Recovery Residences, Erika now works as Executive Director, leading program development across Creekside and sister company Buckhead Behavioral Health. She specializes in treating addiction, mood disorders, co-occurring disorders, trauma and challenges related to life transitions. Her extensive clinical experience includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), expressive therapy, 12-Step concepts, motivational interviewing, solution-focused strategies and culturally competent interventions. Erika earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Georgia State University and graduated with honors from Walden University with a master’s degree in social work. She has witnessed the devastation that addiction and mental illness can create in the lives of individuals and families and is an ardent believer in human beings’ innate resilience and capacity for positive change. Find Erika on LinkedIn