There is an old saying that it takes 21 days to break a habit, but this saying has been labeled a myth. While it may take up to 21 days of a consistent, conscious effort to create a new habit, it can take much longer to break an existing habit–especially if that habit is drug or alcohol addiction.

Repeated and long-term substance abuse changes the brain’s reward system, emotional regulation, impulse control, and decision-making abilities. The brain craves a reward (the drug) which leads to uncontrollable impulses (repeated drug use) and poor decision-making (continuing to use drugs despite consequences). Unfortunately, a desire to stop using drugs isn’t enough–people require professional treatment to fix their brains and change their behaviors. Changing behaviors, embracing new coping skills, and getting healthy again take time. It is an ongoing process for most people.

So how long does it take to recover from addiction? The answer varies from person to person, but for most people, recovery is a life-long journey. Addiction treatment that lasts at least 90 days is more likely to be effective, but it’s up to you to apply the coping skills and use the resources you learned about in rehab to stay sober afterward.

How Long Does Detox Take?

Detox is the first part of recovery. This is when your body clears itself of drugs and alcohol and adjusts to functioning without substances in the system. Detox allows your body to recover physically and restore natural balance, however, how long detox lasts varies from one person to the next.

The length of detox depends on:

• What substance you are detoxing from
• How long you’ve been addicted
• How often you abuse the substance
• Your age, weight, and gender
• Your overall health

In general, most people spend 7-10 days, at most, in a detox facility. After 7-10 days, patients are encouraged to transition into an inpatient or outpatient program for continuing care.

Detox alone is not enough to recover from addiction. It is enough to start getting your body healthy again, but the emotional and spiritual aspects of recovery are just getting started. While it may take your body a couple of weeks to heal, it will take your brain much longer.

How Long Does Rehab Usually Last?

Many addiction treatment programs offer 30, 60, and 90-day treatment plans, but some vary the length of rehab based on your medical necessity and progress during treatment. The more severe your addiction is, the longer you can expect to stay in rehab. Longer treatment lengths are also recommended for people who struggle with co-occurring conditions like bipolar disorder or depression.

Why 28-Day Rehab Usually Isn’t Enough

28-30 day rehab centers can offer people an introduction to recovery, but one month in rehab usually isn’t long enough to beat an addiction. After all, it takes time for an addiction to develop, and even more time for addictive behaviors to be undone.

28-day rehab centers can help you detox and introduce you to a sober lifestyle, but this may not be enough time to heal from the root causes of your substance abuse and establish a drug-free life. Just like it took time for your addiction to develop, it will also take time for you to recover.

How Long Does it Take to Beat Addiction? What to Research Says

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), longer durations of treatment are associated with better treatment outcomes, and remaining in treatment for an adequate amount of time is critical. Their research indicates that the majority of people seeking substance abuse treatment require at least 90 days of treatment in order to substantially reduce or completely stop their substance use.

The NIDA also notes that recovery is a long-term process, and due to the prevalence of relapse, many people require multiple episodes of treatment.

This doesn’t mean that you have to spend three months at a residential treatment facility. People often spend their time in treatment across multiple levels of care. For example, you may spend one month in detox and residential treatment, one month in intensive outpatient programming (IOP), and the last month in a standard outpatient program (OP). As long as you’re receiving individualized care for at least 90 days, you’re on the right track.

Addiction Recovery is a Life-Long Journey

Although 90 days is considered the standard when it comes to addiction treatment, you can’t put a time limit on beating addiction. Addiction is often described as a permanent disease that requires consistent effort and recovery maintenance.

Even after 90 days in rehab, most people stay in sober living, attend 12-step meetings, participate in an alumni program, or continue their counseling sessions for several months or years so they can stay on top of their recovery. Further, many people in recovery attend 12-Step meetings or another kind of support group for the remainder of their lives so they can continue living healthy and sober.

Break the Cycle of Addiction Today

At ARISE Treatment Center, we equip clients to get sober and empower them to take control of their recovery. We know that recovery takes time, but we’ll be there to support you every step of the way. From detox and inpatient rehab to outpatient rehab and continuing care, we offer a broad spectrum of substance abuse treatment services that can help you overcome addiction and maintain your recovery.

No matter how long it takes, we’re eager to help. Call us today at 844-924-2114 to get started.