One of the first questions a person will ask when seeking addiction treatment is: “How long will it take for me to recover from addiction?” This, however, can be a tricky question to answer, as every person is unique and has different needs compared to others. One person’s recovery journey will not be the same as someone else’s recovery journey. Sometimes a person will need more time to recover from an addiction compared to someone else. It’s okay to take as much time as you need to recover from addiction, but it’s understandable why someone would want to recover quickly.
To understand what can influence the time it takes to recover from addiction, we must look at several different factors.
What Factors Can Lengthen the Time It Takes to Recover From Addiction?
Several things can influence how long it can take for someone to recover from an addiction. Perhaps the first and most noticeable factor is what substance or behavior a person is addicted to. Some substances require longer treatment times because of how potent or dangerous they are. It can take time to successfully and safely detox from these substances. The ease of obtaining these substances or engaging in these behaviors also factors into how long treatment can take. Someone having a co-occurring mental health disorder alongside their addiction can also lengthen treatment time.
Other factors that one might not even consider can determine how long it can take someone to recover from addiction. Having a safe and supportive home environment, for example, can make it easier for someone to recover from addiction. Your sex, having access to a support network, and the culture you grew up in can also greatly impact how long addiction treatment can take.
The mindset you carry into treatment also matters. Those willing to accept treatment and engage with those who want to help them will typically recover faster than those who fight against treatment. It’s widely understood that you cannot force someone to recover from addiction. You have to want to recover and work hard to achieve recovery.
The Average Length of Common Addiction Treatment Programs
To recover from addiction, a person must enter an addiction treatment program. There are many kinds of treatment facilities out there that often specialize in treating specific substance or behavioral addictions. Painted Desert Recovery, for example, is an outpatient addiction treatment center specializing in treating addiction in women. It’s important to find the right treatment facility that can meet your particular needs to successfully recover from addiction.
Clients receiving addiction treatment typically enter programs that last for 30, 60, or 90 days depending on the severity of the addiction. Those who require medical supervision will enter a residential treatment program, where they can detox safely. Once someone has detoxed and is at less risk of a relapse, they will enter an outpatient treatment program. Every client, no matter what treatment facility they go to, will be assessed by a mental health care professional. There, they can get a rough estimate of how long their treatment may take. This number, of course, can change, depending on how well a person adapts and participates in treatment.
Even though some programs have an average completion time, some treatment programs provide the opportunity to participate for six months to even several years. It all depends on what a person needs before they feel like they have successfully achieved recovery.
Taking the Time to Recover From Addiction the Right Way
Recovery is not a race; it’s a journey that spans the rest of someone’s life. It doesn’t make someone a failure because they didn’t achieve recovery in 30 days. Some people need a few months – others a few years – to recover from addiction. Trying to force or rush recovery can cause stress, and burnout, and can even trigger a relapse.
That’s why the staff at Painted Desert Recovery encourages clients to practice self-care and take breaks. Setting aside time to rest allows someone to rejuvenate so they can get back into things feeling refreshed. Clients at Painted Desert Recovery enroll in an intensive outpatient therapy program, which gives them time to seek rest and relax after working hard in treatment.
It’s vital for people considering or currently in addiction treatment to be kind to themselves. Comparing your progress to other people will only set you up for sadness and damage your confidence. Instead, be proud of your progress and celebrate the victories along the way. Each success is one step closer to recovery, but be sure it’s a success born from your desire to improve yourself and not from self-deprecation.
How long it takes for you to achieve recovery is a self-made process. A mental health care professional can guide and help you, but you are the one doing the work. You may be surprised to find how quickly time has passed from the start of treatment to the end. Run your own race, and you, too, will achieve recovery.
Everyone needs to know that addiction recovery is not a race. People should not harshly judge themselves on how long they need to recover from addiction. Instead, addiction recovery is a journey that is unique to each individual. Recovery is possible for anyone, especially with the right help and support. One such place where one can find quality and comprehensive addiction treatment is Painted Desert Recovery in New Harmony, Utah. Here, women can find a safe and supportive environment where they can succeed. Sometimes people need extra time and help to recover, and that’s okay. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, don’t wait to get help. Start your recovery journey today by calling (844) 540-0353.
