90-Day Rehab Programs

To understand if 90-day rehab is right for you, it’s important to understand the basics of 90-day treatment, the difference between 90-day and other treatment lengths, and the rehabilitation process in general.

Rehab programs provide different treatments to patients based on the level and type of addiction, as well as the needs of the patient. Most rehabs offer both evidence-based medical and behavioral therapies to address the physical and psychological aspects of the addiction. They include:

• Detox services
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Contingency Management Interventions
• Community Reinforcement Therapy
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy
• The Matrix Model
• 12-Step Facilitation Therapy
• Family Behavior Therapy
• Medication-Assisted Therapy
• Individual and Group Counseling

For more information on the various types of therapy, read our guide on The Addiction Rehabilitation Process

90-day rehab programs that offer these types of behavioral and medical therapy are offered in two different service settings: inpatient residential treatment and outpatient intensive day treatment.

Programs that are a minimum of 90 days have been found to be the most successful in rehabilitation. All of the therapy options offered in 90-day treatment are the same offered at 30 and 60-day options, but leaves more time for the patient to stay in a positive sober environment and recondition their lives to living without the substance.

The main difference between the rehab lengths is what the care will focus on. 30-day treatments concentrate mostly on detoxing and treating the immediate symptoms of the addiction, while 90-day and longer treatments have the time to both properly detox and encourage permanent lifestyle changes, including promoting dietary changes and daily exercise to naturally improve mood and avoid a backslide. 60-day treatment offers some of the upsides of both options, but it doesn’t have the same record of success as 90-day programs.

• 90 day rehabs have been shown to have the best outcomes. NIDA studies have found that patients who enroll in treatments for at least 90 days have a higher rehabilitation success rate.
• There’s plenty of time to focus on what comes after rehab. Aftercare is critical to a successful recovery. 90-day treatment programs offer the patient time to not only detox from the substance, but also to plan how to best continue the good work that’s been accomplished in rehab.
• 90-day rehab is best for those with moderate to severe addictions or for those who have relapsed. Long-standing addictions often require prolonged psychotherapy to address the root issues behind the addiction. Additionally, those who have relapsed or fear they may relapse have time to work on avoiding a backslide while remaining in a safe environment, or in the case of those who choose outpatient, remaining accountable to a scheduled rehab program.

• It requires a significant devotion of time. Three months is a lot of time so those who choose any 90-day treatment must have the dedication to achieve rehabilitation and the will to see it through.
• 90-day treatment is more expensive. The overall cost of rehab continues to add up the longer you stay in rehab. Three months of rehab costs significantly more than shorter programs such as programs lasting 30 or 60 days.
• 90-day treatment may not be fully covered by insurance. While insurance policies often cover 30-day treatments, anything longer than that is less likely to be covered by the average insurer, especially with inpatient programs. If you’re considering enrolling in a 90-day treatment program and believe finances may be an issue after the first 30 days, check with the rehab facility to see what type of payment assistance they offer.

Every person and their situation requires a unique approach to rehabilitation. To decide if 90-day treatment is the best option for you. receive a full assessment by a trained medical or psychological professional. Generally speaking, 90-day treatment is best for those who have moderate to severe addiction levels and feel they need an extended time to adjust to life after rehabilitation.

Choosing a program requires a careful review of every available facility, looking at things like quality of staff, available treatments, cost, and location.

Here are some of the most important factors to consider:

• Evidence-Based Treatment Options: It’s important that the facility you choose utilizes extensively-researched treatments that have been shown to be effective in fighting addiction. These evidenced-based therapies represent your best chance at maintaining abstinence after your 30-day stay. Also, every person responds differently to treatment, so a clinic that offers the most treatment options is more likely to have one to fit your needs.
• Staff Credentials: You shouldn’t expect all of the staff at a rehab facility to be medical professionals, but because of the physical symptoms and possible health risks associated with substance withdrawal, a quality center should have at least one licensed medical practitioner on-hand. Likewise, a significant portion of rehab is dedicated to counseling, so it’s also important that the facility employs well-trained counselors and a licensed psychologist or credentialed mental health professional. Not only do credentials make a facility more credible, but they are also often critical to insurance companies covering treatment costs.
• Arranged Aftercare and Support Systems: Patients who enroll in aftercare programs are more likely to maintain abstinence than those who don’t. Aftercare programs include ongoing counseling, 12-step meetings, and sober living homes. The best rehab facilities will arrange aftercare for their patients before completing treatment (either at the same facility or through an affiliated program) to help ensure their success.

For more information, read our full guide, “Choosing the Right Rehab” 

The cost of treatment varies by facility, especially among residential programs. In addition to professional treatment, the price of residential rehab also includes room and board, food, and amenities. Therefore, factors like location, the level of luxury, and treatment services offered can increase the cost.

The end of the rehab program isn’t the end of addiction recovery. Studies show that aftercare is one of the most important steps to a successful rehabilitation and helps prevent a relapse.

If you’ve decided that a 90-day rehab program is the best option for you, use our directory (above) to find a treatment facility. If you’re suffering from an addiction, get started with your search today.

Disclaimer: The information contained on Help.org is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be relied upon for any medical or diagnostic purpose. The information on Help.org should not be used for the treatment of any condition or symptom. None of the material or information provided on Help.org is not intended to serve as a substitute for consultation, diagnosis, and/or treatment from a qualified healthcare provider.