What is the recommended length of a residential treatment program?

The recommended length of a residential treatment program typically spans from 28 to 90 days. This duration is supported by research that indicates a longer treatment period is often necessary to produce significant changes in substance use behaviors and to allow individuals to fully engage in therapeutic activities and support systems.

A duration of 28 to 90 days provides sufficient time for individuals to detoxify safely, participate in individual and group therapy, develop coping skills, and prepare for their transition back into the community. This timeframe is generally seen as the minimum necessary to make meaningful progress toward recovery goals and to address the underlying issues associated with addiction.

In contrast, shorter programs, such as 7 to 14 days, do not typically allow sufficient time for comprehensive treatment and follow-up care. Lengths of treatment programs that are significantly longer, such as 6 months or 1 year, can indeed be beneficial in certain circumstances, especially for individuals with severe dependencies or co-occurring disorders. However, they are not the standard recommendation for the initial phase of treatment, making the 28 to 90 days range the more widely applicable recommendation for most residential treatment situations.