As you may already know, residential treatment for alcohol and drug addiction can last anywhere from four to 12 weeks. It’s not uncommon for alcohol and drug addiction rehab centres to work in 30-day increments, leaving you options of 30, 60, and 90-day treatments. A 60-day programme would be best suited to an individual with an established addiction who is not yet considered a chronic, hard-core case.

That said, determining the length of an appropriate rehab treatment programme is best left up to experienced professionals. It is easy to simply assume a 60-day programme is best for you, but only an assessment from an experienced clinician can really determine what you need.

How It Works

Taking advantage of a 60-day rehab programme can happen in one of two ways. The first option is to specifically enrol in a 60-day programme based on an assessment of your addiction. You will enter rehab with a target release date two months down the road. During your residential stay, you will undergo a number of therapies designed to prepare you to live addiction free.

The other method of using a 60-day programme is to sign up for a 30-day rehab programme and see how it goes. This is more common than you might think. Drug and alcohol addicts might be advised to try a 30-day programme, but if they have not yet managed to conquer their addiction at the end of four weeks, an additional 30 days may be added.

It’s difficult to say that all residential rehab facilities work the same way in this regard. It really does hinge on the type of services a clinic offers. For example, the famous Seafield Center in upstate New York is an exclusive rehab facility that offers only 28-day programmes. To stay longer requires special accommodation be made on behalf of the client.

What’s Best for You

Should you believe you have an abuse or addiction problem that needs help, we do understand that no single programme that works flawlessly for everyone. You are a unique individual with your own set of circumstances and history. What you need is an individualised treatment plan that considers your circumstances.

As an example, the first thing to do is to identify what type of problem you have. You may be an addict, abuser, or heavy user of drugs or alcohol. There is distinct difference between the three classifications:

• Addict – The addict is one who cannot control his or her appetite for drugs or alcohol. They practice addictive behaviour throughout the day, believing it to be impossible to cope with life outside of being drunk or high. The addict will give up everything to satisfy his or her need for drugs or alcohol.

• Abuser – The abuser is not necessarily controlled by drugs or alcohol 24 hours a day. However, they do use far too often and in quantities that are deemed unsafe. Binge drinkers are good examples of alcohol abusers who may not yet have reached a level of addiction. Abusers are typically able to continue leading normal lives when not under the influence.

• Heavy User – The heavy user is a person who uses drugs or alcohol more than once or twice per week. He or she also engages in binge behaviour multiple times per month. It can sometimes be difficult to draw a distinction between a heavy user and an abuser because the lines are easily blurred.

We cannot stress enough the need for you to get a professional evaluation if you are even remotely concerned you might have a problem. Heavy use and abuse can very quickly become addiction if ignored for too long.

When you get in touch with us we will help you determine where you are on the abuse/addiction scale. If it turns out you are addicted, a 60-day programme may be just what you need. You need to understand that a 60-day treatment implies a residential programme at one of the facilities we work with.

Why Residential Treatment

We know there are some very good outpatient programmes and support groups achieving positive results in the UK. We recognise that sometimes these types of programmes are appropriate. However, we also know that residential treatment tends to have higher success rates due to the way they are structured.

For starters, residential treatment is based on the philosophy that separating the addict from his or her daily routine and circumstances allows them to concentrate fully on recovery. The separation eliminates the distractions that might otherwise slow down progress. This is the primary reason residential facilities tend to be located in out-of-the-way places surrounded by plenty of open space.

The other advantage of residential treatment is that it is provided by private clinics and charities that have nothing else to worry about. Unlike the NHS, private clinics and charities are free to concentrate only on drug and alcohol addiction recovery.

What to Expect

When you enrol in a 60-day rehab programme, you will undergo a number of therapies designed to break both the physical and psychological aspects of addiction. It will not be easy. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult things you will ever do. Nevertheless, rest assured that completing your programme would be well worth it.

When you first arrive at the rehab facility, you will undergo a comprehensive evaluation designed to determine both your physical and emotional needs. The information gleaned from that evaluation will be used to develop a personalised treatment plan uniquely tailored to who you are. Regular assessments throughout your treatment will ensure that the appropriate care is always being provided.

When you come out the other side, you will be able to face life head-on, without the need for the addictive behaviour that once controlled you. You will also be able to enjoy a life you wouldn’t have otherwise experienced. It is certainly better than continuing to live under the control of addiction.

Your road to addiction recovery may be through a 60-day rehab programme. It starts when you make the effort to get in touch with us via the telephone or e-mail.