When repeated substance abuse becomes out of control, it may be time to consider drug and alcohol rehab programs. These programs help individuals break their addiction by initially cutting off their access to substances and using various forms of therapy as treatment. These programs vary in length and intensity, depending on the severity of the addiction.

Drug and alcohol rehab programs are used to break individuals of their dependence on substances and teach them to live without these substances. Enrollment in one of these programs may be court-ordered, self-induced or requested by a family member, and is generally used when substance abuse prevents an individual from living a productive life. These institutions detoxify an individual of substances and use various forms of therapy to break a person of their dependence on these substances.

Drug and alcohol rehab programs can be inpatient or outpatient, depending on the severity of the addiction. Other programs may be residential or involve a short stay. Some programs focus on certain age groups, such as adolescents, while other focus on gender. Therapy sessions can be one-on-one sessions, group therapy or family therapy. Programs such as Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous are long-term and meet weekly for 1- or 2-hour sessions.

The length of drug and alcohol rehab programs varies greatly, from a few days to several months. Basic drug detoxification can take as little as 3 days. More intense programs can last anywhere from 3 months to a year. These longer programs are designed to ensure the patient does not relapse while trying to recover. Residential programs typically last from 6 months to a year to give patients a structured, drug-free environment with ample time for therapy treatment.

Drug and alcohol rehab programs are generally hefty investments, both financially and time-wise. While the price tag and time commitment may be substantial, the rehabilitation and well-being of the individual must be considered. Participating in a treatment program may require relocation, depending on the treatment that is chosen. Also, not all recovery programs are created equally; some may have better qualified staff or utilize more effective forms of therapy than others.

This therapy teaches individuals to live without a dependence on substances. Successful completion of a drug and alcohol rehab program can allow a person to become a functioning member of society again and mend the patient's relationships with family and friends. The patient's health will also benefit from the cessation of substance abuse. Successfully recovering through a program can also prevent future run-ins with law enforcement and the criminal justice system.