How Long Is Inpatient Alcohol Rehab?

Inpatient alcohol rehab (sometimes called residential treatment) doesn’t have one universal length. Most programs are built in phases, and the “right” timeline depends on your withdrawal risk, relapse history, mental health needs, home environment, and what kind of support you have after you leave.

That said, there are common timeframes you’ll see again and again—because they reflect how long many people need to stabilize, learn skills, and build a plan that actually holds up in real life.

The Most Common Lengths Of Inpatient Alcohol Rehab

28–30 Days (The Most Common Starting Point)

A 30-day program is often considered a “standard” inpatient stay. It’s usually enough time to:

complete detox (if needed) or finish early stabilization
start therapy and relapse prevention work
build a basic recovery routine
create an aftercare plan (IOP/outpatient, support groups, medication support if appropriate)

For many people, 30 days is a strong launch point, not the finish line—especially if alcohol has been a long-term coping tool.

45–60 Days (More Skill Building And Stabilization)

A 45–60 day stay gives more time to:

work through triggers and relapse patterns more deeply
address anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, or sleep issues
practice coping skills repeatedly (not just learn them once)
stabilize routines (sleep, meals, emotional regulation)
strengthen motivation and commitment before returning to real-world stress

This length is often recommended for people who have relapsed after shorter attempts, or whose home environment is high-trigger.

90 Days (Often Recommended For Complex Or Long-Term Patterns)

Ninety days is commonly recommended when:

relapse risk is high
alcohol use has been severe or long-term
co-occurring mental health symptoms are significant
the person needs a bigger “reset” from triggers, relationships, and routine chaos
there have been multiple failed outpatient attempts

Not everyone needs 90 days inpatient, but for some, it’s the difference between short-term abstinence and building real stability.

Longer Than 90 Days (Less Common, But Sometimes Necessary)

Longer residential stays can be appropriate when someone needs:

ongoing structure because relapse happens quickly after discharge
more time to stabilize mental health and functioning
supportive housing and life skills rebuilding
distance from high-risk environments while long-term plans are put in place

Some people also transition into sober living after inpatient rather than staying residential longer.

Detox Vs. Inpatient Rehab: Know The Difference

A lot of people ask “How long is inpatient rehab?” when they’re really thinking about detox.

Alcohol Detox (Usually 3–7 Days, Sometimes Longer)

Detox is the medical stabilization phase. Alcohol withdrawal can be serious, so detox focuses on safety and symptom management. Some people need only a few days; others need longer depending on health history and withdrawal severity.

Inpatient/Residential Rehab (Usually 30–90 Days)

Rehab is the therapy and recovery-building phase. This is where people learn:

relapse prevention planning
coping skills and emotional regulation
how to manage cravings and triggers
communication and boundary skills
routine and stability habits
aftercare planning

Detox helps you get through withdrawal. Rehab helps you stay sober after withdrawal.

What Determines How Long You’ll Stay?

Severity And Duration Of Alcohol Use

Heavier, longer-term use often means:

more physical recovery time
more intense cravings early on
more life disruption to repair

Relapse History

If someone has done short programs and relapsed quickly after discharge, a longer stay may provide the structure needed to break the pattern.

Mental Health And Dual Diagnosis Needs

Anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, bipolar symptoms, and sleep disorders can drive alcohol use. If those aren’t addressed, relapse risk goes up. More complexity often means more time is helpful.

Home Environment And Triggers

If home includes:

people who drink heavily
conflict or instability
loneliness or isolation
easy access to alcohol
high stress without support
…then longer inpatient care or a strong step-down plan (like sober living + IOP) may be recommended.

Insurance And Funding Realities

Insurance often approves inpatient care in chunks and requires ongoing reviews. Sometimes the “clinical ideal” length and the “insurance-approved” length differ—so a strong program builds a realistic step-down plan.

What Happens After Inpatient Rehab?

A big truth: inpatient rehab is one step in a longer recovery plan. Many people do best with a “continuum of care,” such as:

inpatient/residential → PHP → IOP → outpatient therapy
inpatient/residential → sober living + IOP
inpatient/residential → outpatient + recovery supports (for lower-risk situations)

The goal is not to stay in inpatient forever. The goal is to leave with enough support that you don’t go from maximum structure to zero structure overnight.

A Simple Way To Think About The Timeline

30 days: stabilization + foundation
60 days: deeper skill-building + stronger routine
90 days: bigger reset + stronger relapse prevention (best for higher complexity/high relapse risk)
6 month rehab: extended stay for even more complexity/high relapse risk