If you are among the millions of Americans that struggle from drug addiction, there is no better time than now to seek help and attend a rehab to start a new life. Inpatient programs, considered the most effective, can last from 30, 60, 90, or more days. If you are interested in a 30-day program, you might be wondering if it is a truly effective option.

Short-Term Treatment

Although a 30-day program may seem long, it is considered a short-term treatment when compared to longer rehab stays of 60 or 90 days. With any type of treatment approach, your personal story and circumstances will help determine what program is right for you and a 30-day program may be all your need.

It may help to think of drug addiction like an iceberg. In this analogy, many people only see the surface problems of addiction (damage to your mental and physical health, money issues, relationship troubles, problems at work or school). However, addiction is a multi-faceted problem and there is much more that often lies beneath the surface of the iceberg. Addiction can affect a person psychologically, spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

Many addicted individuals also struggle from other mental health disorders, such as depression or bipolar disorder. Sometimes a person’s history of physical or sexual abuse can be a factor into drug addiction. Depending on how long a patient has been abusing drugs and the time it will take to recover will determine if a short-term treatment such as a 30-day program is right for them.

Pros And Cons

It is vital to consider the pros and cons of attending a 30-day inpatient program in order to decide whether or not you want to sign up for a program like this or for a longer program. The decision to attend a longer program is difficult for many people, so it’s worth considering the following:

Pros:

• Less time consuming: A 30-day program takes less time to complete and helps a person return to their life in a quicker fashion. For people with children or a demanding job, this can be essential.
• Minimal life disruption: Some people put off attending an inpatient rehab for your addiction because they are “too busy.” If your life is demanding (such as school or family demands) choosing a 30-day treatment program may be perfect for you. You can focus on getting the help you need while still feeling that you will not be “absent” from daily life for months at a time.
• Less expensive: While money should never deter you from seeking help, 30-day inpatient treatments cost less because they are shorter.
• Very focused: People in 30-day programs have very little idle time: they will be receiving a full rehabilitation treatment plan in a condensed time frame. As a result, they will be heavily focused on success and will have little time to think about relapse or other problematic concerns.

Cons:

• Future frustrations: For many people, 30-day treatments offer an effective and rewarding treatment program. However, other people need more help. For example, some patients spend their first two weeks in the withdrawal stages. This leaves two weeks to work on other addiction concerns.
• Research points towards longer stays: While plenty of people have obtained a sober lifestyle after a 30-day rehab stay, research has shown that people who attend a 60-90 day program increase their chances of success and decrease their relapse rate.

Contact Us

While it’s true that longer rehab stays are very effective, this shouldn’t discourage you from a 30-day program. They still offer you plenty of benefits and are usually worth the investment. However, if you’re worried about your addiction severity and want to learn about other options, contact us at DrugRehab.org and we’ll help find the program that is right for you.