Short-Term Addiction Treatment: Weekend & 5- to 10-Day Inpatient Programs

Treatment for a substance use disorder varies from person to person in terms of length and intensity.¹ However, there are some key components of addiction treatment that apply to most people. These universal aspects of the treatment and recovery process include reducing or eliminating substance use, improving coping skills to better manage all aspects of overall functioning, and relapse prevention.²

This article will discuss short-term rehab, what to expect, and how to use a short-term treatment stay to jumpstart your recovery.

What Is Short-Term Rehab?

“Short-term residential rehab” commonly refers to treatment that lasts about 3–6 weeks.³ When someone refers to weeklong, 7-to-10-day, or weekend rehab, they are likely referring to detox.

Detoxification is often an essential first step in the treatment process, but usually, further comprehensive treatment is needed to sustain lasting sobriety.⁴

When choosing a length of stay, there are many factors to consider, including the severity of a person’s addiction, risk of acute withdrawal, and type of treatment covered by their insurance.¹

What Does Short-Term Rehab Entail?

Short-term rehab—or in this instance, treatment that only lasts a few days to a week—will primarily focus on detoxification.⁵ The goal of this process is to safely rid the body of the addictive substance and physically and emotionally prepare the patient to enter treatment.

If medical detox is necessary, the first few days of rehab will be spent under the full-time supervision of a doctor or healthcare provider who can help manage any symptoms of acute withdrawal.⁶ Depending on the substance and extent of use, the process can take anywhere from 4–7 days, and sometimes longer.⁶

Inpatient treatment, even when only for a few days, is extremely structured. Clients will have both individual and group sessions and drug education, and in some cases, may need medication to treat a co-occurring disorder or severe withdrawal symptoms.²

At Greenhouse, patients meet with an intake director or therapist who will outline a recommended course of treatment. This is followed by a meeting with a member of our nursing staff who will take their vitals and administer a drug screening—the results of which help us tailor a program designed just for them.

Patients going through detox have the option to attend educational classes and meetings, but can also opt to lie low and rest. Once detox is complete, program participants can fully explore and enjoy all the resources and amenities available at our Texas facility.

Even a weekend or weeklong rehab is a positive step in the right direction, and can become the catalyst to a better, healthier life in recovery.

Is Short-Term Rehab Effective for Treating Drug and Alcohol Addiction?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to treatment and length of stay. Depending on the person and their situation, treatment may be inpatient residential, outpatient, or a combination of both. Research suggests that for residential or outpatient treatment, a program of less than 90 days is of limited effectiveness.⁷ And to sustain long-term recovery, it’s important people remain engaged in treatment and do not quit before the program ends.

However, all 90 days do not need to be at an inpatient facility. For example, you could commit to a combined 30-day inpatient and outpatient rehab program, followed by an additional 2-3 months of outpatient rehab and aftercare. Or, you may opt to spend all of your time in some form of outpatient treatment.

There are various levels of outpatient programs, such as partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) and intensive outpatient programs (IOPs). Frequently, patients move between levels of care to ensure they have the right amount of support throughout treatment. Additionally, residing in a sober living community while attending outpatient treatment is another option.

While research has shown that positive outcomes are directly related to an appropriate length of treatment, any amount of addiction rehab may be beneficial for someone with a substance use disorder.⁷ Short-term rehab can help a person begin to evaluate their relationship with drugs or alcohol, understand how addiction is impacting their life, and learn alternative, healthier ways to cope.

What Happens After a Short Rehab Stay?

For some, short-term rehab is the only option, which is why aftercare is so important. Most quality rehab facilities, like Greenhouse Treatment Center, will help clients develop a thorough aftercare plan.

There are many ways to supplement care and receive ongoing help, such as peer support programs, in addition to outpatient services that incorporate group and individual counseling and behavioral therapy.⁴ In-person and online mutual help groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), SMART Recovery, or similar programs are free and confidential, and provide long-term assistance at no cost for people struggling with addiction.³

At Greenhouse, our addiction specialists help patients develop the skills needed to cope and transition back into everyday life. The facility’s robust aftercare program includes regular therapist-led sessions on varying topics, weekly 12-Step-type meetings, and an alumni app, which offers an array of free and useful features to keep program graduates connected and focused on recovery.

Does Health Insurance Cover Short-Term Inpatient Rehab and Detox?

Yes, thanks to the passage of recent laws like the Affordable Care Act and the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act, most health insurance plans cover drug and alcohol rehab in some capacity, but the extent and types of treatment covered will vary based on the individual plan.¹¹

Greenhouse Treatment Center is in-network with several major insurance providers including:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
• Aetna Marketplace Plans
• Humana
• Molina Marketplace Plans

For more information on using your insurance to pay for treatment at Greenhouse fill out our .

For those without insurance, there are many other ways to pay for addiction treatment.

Getting Admitted to Rehab and Starting Treatment

Knowing where to begin can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Greenhouse’s admissions navigators are available 24/7 to answer questions, explain the rehab admissions process, and get people started on the path to recovery.

Once you arrive at our beautiful spa-like addiction treatment facility in Texas, intake clinicians will assess your unique needs and recommend the appropriate level of rehab care and length of stay.

Help is available for people struggling with addiction. You just need to know where to look. Complete the form below and begin your journey today.