Living with active drug and alcohol addiction can keep you from living the full, healthy life you choose. As an addiction grows and worsens, your health, relationships, and other essential parts of your life can suffer.

Ongoing drug and alcohol use can alter how your brain and body function, making it very difficult to stop using them alone. Most people with substance abuse and addiction require professional treatment and ongoing support to recover from these conditions. Addiction treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are many types of programs and levels of care to meet people’s different needs, including both long and short-term programs.

Short-term addiction treatment programs in Texas can give people living with addiction the opportunity to work toward lifelong sobriety. Learning about this level of care can help you make the best choice for your unique needs. Reach out to the Alamo Behavioral Health specialists to explore our short-term drug rehab programs or find support at any stage of recovery.

What is Short-Term Rehab?

The term “short-term rehab” refers to addiction treatment programs that typically last 30 days or fewer. There is no official guideline for how long short-term treatment programs last, but this type of care generally occurs in a time-limited schedule. To qualify as a short-term program, the program must be less than 90 days. After 90 days, the program would be considered a long-term treatment program.

Here are some types of programs considered to be short-term drug rehab.

Short-term inpatient programs

Short-term inpatient rehab programs typically last 28 or 30 days. During This time, people live in the treatment facility while receiving high-quality, intensive treatment. Patients in short-term drug rehab programs follow a structured schedule of evidence-based therapies, including:

• Behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and contingency management (CM)
• Family therapy
• Group counseling
• Relapse prevention education
• Medications

Short-term inpatient rehab programs in Texas may include a medically-supported detox program for those needing structured care and support during detox.

3 to 7-day programs

Some people want to participate in the minimum amount of treatment possible, hoping to jump-start their recovery with minimal disruption to their daily lives. Some facilities offer short drug rehab programs that last just a few days or weeks. These programs typically include supervision during detox and treatment for withdrawal symptoms.

Very short programs may be valuable as a way to begin the recovery process. However, addiction is a complex condition deeply rooted in many areas of a person’s life, and overcoming it for life is nearly impossible without ongoing treatment to address its behavioral, emotional, and physical components.

What are the Benefits of Short-Term Drug Rehab in Texas?

Some people may wonder if short-term drug rehab programs can help people overcome addiction as well as longer programs. While research shows that longer programs provide the most benefits for those with addiction, short-term rehab programs offer many benefits that may help you jump-start your recovery.

Less time in treatment

Many people with addiction put off getting the help they need because they don’t want to take time away from their families, work, or other aspects of their lives. Some people cannot take time off from work to participate in months or years of treatment but want to get the help they need to stop using substances.

Short-term drug rehab programs in Texas provide time, space, and support to begin exploring your relationship with substance use. It can be a great beginning of a lifelong recovery journey and provides people with valuable skills, resources, and support to avoid relapse in the future.

Recovery community

Before seeking treatment, many people with addiction feel isolated or alone in their experiences. Many people carry a heavy burden of guilt, shame, hopelessness, or anger. Participating in a short-term drug rehab program helps people connect to peers, professionals, and resources in the community that can eliminate feelings of loneliness. They gain access to skills, stories, and forms of support that help them navigate sobriety and recovery for the rest of their lives.

Ability to re-commit

Relapsing–using substances again after a period of abstinence–is common during recovery. While a relapse can be discouraging, it also provides the chance to learn about your needs and find new sources of support. Short-term rehab programs are ideal for people who have been through more intensive levels of care and have experienced a slip or relapse. Participating in this flexible level of care lets people refresh their relapse–prevention skills, learn new ones, and re-commit to the lifelong process of recovery.

Is Short-Term Drug Rehab Effective?

Recognizing the need for treatment and support is often the first step in getting help for drug addiction. Short-term drug rehab programs provide a safe, structured place for people to get the help they need, including medically-supported detox.

Having emotional and physical support during detox increases the likelihood that you’ll have a safe, complete detox and be ready to participate in a comprehensive inpatient treatment program. Even short drug rehab programs can give you valuable time, support, skills, and care that help you work toward a healthier, sober future.

Find a Short-Term Drug Rehab in Texas

Texas is an ideal place to begin your recovery journey. Contact the Alamo Behavioral Health specialists to learn more about our short-term drug rehab programs or find the support you need during recovery.