Short-Term Rehab & Weekend or 5- to 10-Day Detox

Attending treatment for a substance use disorder is a necessary step in the recovery process for many, but it often involves taking a step back from life. Inpatient treatment, specifically, requires patients to stay at a facility full-time, and it can be difficult to take time away from responsibilities at home, work, and school.

For some, short-term rehab is an appealing option for addiction treatment, especially for those who cannot afford to take time away from their responsibilities for an extended period of time.

What Types of Short-Term Drug & Alcohol Rehab Are Available?

The most effective type of drug and alcohol rehab is tailored to meet a patient’s individual needs.¹ Short-term rehab may involve one or more of the following levels of care:^1,2

• Medial Detox. The goal of hospital-based detox is to eliminate drugs and/or alcohol from the body in the safest and most effective manner for the patient. Detox is not formally considered treatment, as treatment works to identify the underlying triggers and behaviors associated with the substance use disorder and find ways to provide appropriate and adaptable coping strategies to help with future urges and cravings. However, detox is often a necessary step before the formal treatment process begins.
• Inpatient/residential rehab. This live-in form of treatment provides intensive, structured treatment in a sober recovery setting.
• Outpatient rehab. Offered at varying intensity levels, patients have the freedom to attend treatment during the day while continuing to live at home.

Both inpatient and outpatient rehab formats involve intensive group and individual therapy. Behavioral therapies utilize evidence-based techniques to help patients learn the skills needed to maintain sobriety.¹

For many, rehabilitation also incorporates the use of medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Medications may be used to ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings and continued past the point of program completion (for months or even years).^1,3

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

Short-term addiction treatment programs can be a great way to start on the path to recovery. However, longer treatment durations, like 60-90 day rehab programs, are often linked to better outcomes.¹ There are also month-long addiction rehab programs that can be paired with longer-term aftercare plans.

It’s important to understand that a course of treatment does not always need be a full-time residential stay. Patients who wish to participate in a long-term program but cannot commit to an extended inpatient stay can explore outpatient options, if these options fit their need. Outpatient treatment can be effective for many people and may also be recommended as a follow-up to a short-term inpatient stay as part of a patient’s aftercare plan.¹

Aftercare can help patients build upon what they learned in short-term rehab and keep them connected to a like-minded community.^1,4

Rehab aftercare plans are unique to each patient. As mentioned, it may include a recommendation for outpatient therapy. Other common forms of aftercare include:

• Sober housing: people in recovery live in a house that is designed to help them maintain sobriety. Residents may be required to attend outpatient treatment and/or self-help meetings. Residents will also be required to participate in chores and follow house rules, which contributes to a growing sense of structure, routine, and personal responsibility.
• Mutual help meetings: help patients develop a peer support network and effective coping skills that prevent relapse.
• Rehab alumni programs: many treatment programs offer graduates a way to stay connected to a sober support network and participate in fun, meaningful activities and celebrations.

Can You Go to Drug Detox for Just a Weekend?

It depends. The severity and length of withdrawal is impacted by many factors (e.g., substance(s) of dependence, history of substance use and withdrawal, general health etc.). Withdrawal, in some cases, can be dangerous without medical supervision. Therefore, the length of stay in detox is something that is determined during a patient’s evaluation upon admission to a treatment facility and later adjusted if necessary.²

At Laguna, the typical projected length of stay in detox is 7–9 days, and the recommended length of stay for residential treatment is 21 days.

A short period of detox can be appealing for those who want to get in and out of treatment, but detox is simply the beginning phase of recovery. By itself, it is unlikely to prevent someone from returning to substance use. Patient outcomes tend to be better when detox is followed up with additional treatment.^1,2

Does Health Insurance Cover a Short Stay in Rehab?

Health insurance coverage for addiction treatment can vary depending on the individual policy, but the majority of insurers are required to provide some coverage for addiction treatment.⁶

Laguna Treatment Center, an American Addiction Centers (AAC) rehab in southern California, works with a variety of insurance providers, including:

• Aetna.
• Anthem Blue Cross.
• Cigna.
• Humana.
• Kaiser Permanente.

Our makes it easy to discover whether your insurance plan covers treatment at Laguna. Simply fill in a few details on the secure, HIPAA-compliant form to receive results via email within minutes.

For those who don’t have insurance or who are concerned about the costs their plan won’t cover, Laguna offers many different ways to pay for addiction treatment.

Finding a Short-Term Detox & Rehab Program

When struggling with a substance use disorder, the prospect of starting addiction treatment can be both exciting and frightening. Venturing into the unknown is never easy, but understanding the admissions process and what to expect when you arrive at rehab can ease these fears.

For questions, you can call our 24/7 helpline that at . A caring and knowledgeable admissions navigator can answer any questions that you may have and help you through the admissions process.

Upon admission to Laguna Treatment Center, you’ll receive an intake evaluation, where a clinician or doctor will work with you to outline a treatment path that will help you get sober and learn the tools needed to maintain that sobriety. If you’re staying in rehab on a short-term basis, your case manager will work with you to ensure you have a strong aftercare plan to keep you on the road to recovery.