How long does rehab take? Understanding treatment timelines 

April 23, 2025

10:31 am

SMART

Getting into recovery from addiction is a brave and bold step. It is a transition from a life of dependency and reliance on substances or behaviours to a life of abstinence, positive change and freedom from dependency. Addiction doesn’t happen overnight: It can take years for someone to become addicted, or it can be quicker, but never happens the same day. Getting into recovery is a trajectory and residential rehab and detox is the first part: A stepping stone to a life of recovery.  

Here at find me a rehab we provide a free rehab referral service. Call for 24-hour rehab advice. We are a rehab referral specialist UK. Our clinicians work in the field of addictions and have helped thousands of people across the UK.  

The difference between rehab and detox 

While still possible within bespoke treatment packages, a standalone detox is not available within most rehab centres, and for very good reason: A detox, on its own, won’t provide the psychological support needed or tackle the underlying reasons as to why someone is in active addiction. A standalone detox puts the client at significant risk of a rapid relapse.  

Not everyone who enters a rehab centre will need a detox. There are those clients who have behavioural related dependencies such as shopping and video gaming and some substance related clients who, also, don’t need a detox such as those using cocaine. However, everyone who enters a rehab centre needs rehab.  

Treatment length 

The overwhelming vast majority of rehab centres in the UK offer a standard 28-day programme leading up to 12 weeks, and for those who need it after 12 weeks, step down care within a group living environment based around a 12 step/SMART or eclectic approach.  Rehab should not be seen as “how quickly can I detox” as this will not address the underlying reasons as to why someone is caught up in addiction.  

Is 28 days a hard and fast rule?  

In short: No. While it is ideal, there are clients who feel they cannot commit to 28 days due to their situation (work, family, etc). In any event, it is not necessarily the length of time someone is in treatment for, but the amount of effort and work they put into their recovery. All centres work on a graded process in that a client works across several gradients, be they “steps” (12 step process) or SMART: Some offer an eclectic mix. By using a gradient approach clients get a sense of achievement. This also allows the client to continue the work on discharge. Some clients prefer to move further along the graduated steps before leaving treatment. Indeed, for some clients, a long detox may mean that a 28-day stay would not be clinically safe.  

If you need 24-hour rehab advice, call or email and speak to a clinician. We are a rehab referral specialist UK. Call, email or go online for advice from a rehab referral specialist UK.  

I only want to go for a week; can I do that?  

Depending on the nature of the dependency, this may be possible, though there are very few centres that will offer this so it is highly likely that someone will need to travel. The difficulty is that, by the time the client has settled in and, if applicable, is physically able to attend groups, it will be time to go home. There is a school of thought that “anything is better than nothing” but centres will be wary of admitting short term clients, especially for alcohol, as there are other considerations, namely: kindling.  

Kindling phenomena 

There are two different schools of thought as to what causes it. In short, Kindling phenomena is where frequent alcohol detox treatments make the client more susceptible to severe withdrawal symptoms with a lower threshold for seizures. One school of thought is that repeated incidents of alcohol dependency create stronger withdrawal responses whereas an alternate viewpoint is that it is the repeated withdrawals that create the problem: not the alcohol. Regardless of which turns out to be correct, the results are the same and the risks heightened. This means that centres will refuse admission for someone who has had a recent alcohol detox as it is safer to continue drinking.  

I have relapsed so only need to go in for a week 

A common theme with callers but a false reality. While it may be possible (but would need to be assessed clinically) this thought process is based on the premise   that someone who has previously been in treatment has the tools necessary to support themselves: post detox. Sadly, this simply isn’t true. Ask yourself this: If you broke your leg three times, would you try and fix it yourself on the fourth occasion? Callers will explain that they go to the gym, have their family and friends around them so don’t need rehab: These are excellent support mechanisms that can really help someone, post discharge but simply are not a replacement for rehab.  

Our clinicians work across the field of addictions, in both residential treatment centres and outpatient clinics. We provide 24-hour rehab advice and are a rehab referral specialist UK. A truly free rehab referral service available to all in total confidence.