I was researching treatment centers and they are saying that when getting into one its best to be in a treatment center for a long time. There is scientific evidence that shows that the longer the treatment the better the chance of lasting sobriety. I think that makes sense. Once you’re in rehab for a long time you get used to being sober for a long time as well. But if you’re in there for just 28-30 days most that time you’re getting detoxified, you don’t spend a lot of it learning how to be sober and enjoying the feeling of being sober. What do you guys think? Do you think it makes a difference whether it’s just a short time one spends in a treatment center or a long time?

To me it makes sense to go for longer.  I'm an extremist when it comes to recovery.  I don't even think an addict should go back to their hometown depending on how bad things were.  Becoming sober means starting a new way of life, and you need to re learn a lot of life skills, and all about recovery before you leave rehab.  Although rehab can get expensive, it's worth it to stay for longer.

I agree you should stay longer in a treatment center. Some people may thing that 30 days is enough, it gets you sober detoxified and you learn a few things as well. I read that one story a million little pieces and a person wasn't released from a treatment center untill he had completed all the 12  steps. I think thats a good way because then your safe to be out in the real world again. I do think that somethings in your life need to change though. I dont think a person should ever go back to hanging out with old friends who they did drugs with. I also dont think they should hang out at places where they've done drugs out. Even if it requires moving into a new house I think its worth it and its the best way to go.

I think a short term could be just as beneficial. Some people only need to be detoxified and have a clean sober mind to decide they want to be sober forever. but I do think that if it is a short term they spend in a treatment center it is good if they join a support group as well.

I think that the minimum stay at a rehab facility should be at least 90 days.  It seems like most of them are 30 days long, but the truth is after only 30 days, things are just getting started and you're just starting to get the hang of life as a sober person. 

I dont even think in 30 days you get the hang of it yet. I think with just 30 days its just getting all the drugs out of your system and you can start feeling sober again. But with 30 days a person still doesn't know how to stay away from drugs in the real world. And they don't know how to resist temptations either.

I think it all depends on the person and how the person is. Some people make a commitment and stick with it. while others have to fall and get up many times till they stay up and stay sober. And most people are the ones that need to fall a few times to pick themselves up. Those are people where I think a short treatment wont make much difference at all, they'll just go back to the way they were. But a long treatment probably gives them a much higher chance of staying sober. And for those who can stick to their word it still ensures it. Better safe than sorry and I believe if they're going in for a treatment they may as well go all the way and and stay for long term.

For some people who could afford it, such as the celebrities or just rich people, I think if they don't want to spend more than 30 days in a treatment center wht they should also have the ability to do is be able to have a therapist watch them at home. Kind of like how some cancer patients don't want to spend all their time in a hospital so a nurse comes and lives with them and takes care of them. They should have that for people who are trying to get off drugs. I really believe that your surroundings affect your outcomes. Say you just got out of a relationship, but your living in a home that you shared with them, everything will still remind you of them and the setting will too. However if you move out to a new place where you haven't shared any memories with them it helps a lot. If a person is unable to do that then they must adapt and that takes time and is very tough. So if they could have help with them, living with them, helping them adapt back to their old life but without the drugs and alcohol then I think it will be much better and they still serve a short term in a treatment center.