30-Day Rehab: What to Expect
from Residential Treatment Programme

Just like addiction, recovery comes in many forms. Rehab is the term frequently used for intensive rehabilitation programmes that are designed to help recovering addicts stop using substances such as alcohol or drugs. Through a supervised programme, you can develop the tools to overcome addiction safely and start living a healthy and sober life. Though the type and length of treatment can vary, depending on your dependency and personal situation, many people choose a 30-day rehab programme to start.

Treatment is not a one-size-fits-all solution, which means there is not one single treatment that will work for each and every person. That is why it is crucial to determine what type of rehab programme will meet your needs.

What to expect from a 30-day programme

Even though your experience should be catered to your unique requirements, those who opt for a 30-day rehab programme typically progress through the following stages of treatment:

  • Intake – Comprehensive evaluation is used to design a personalised treatment plan
  • Detox – Safe management of unpleasant, and sometimes dangerous, withdrawal symptoms
  • Rehabilitation – Extensive therapy that aims to correct addictive behaviours and teach coping mechanisms and relapse prevention skills
  • Aftercare – Continued relapse prevention opportunities and long-term support

Intake (within 24 hours after arrival)

The intake process, which should take place within 24 hours after arrival, usually involves meeting with a professional to talk about your treatment options and determine the best approach for you. The goal is to come up with a customised care plan according to your assessment(s), which may include a medical examination, a psychosocial assessment and a psychological assessment.

Along with your substance use history, these extensive assessments can help determine how the programme can be personalised to meet your unique requirements. Similarly, if you have a co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis, you can discuss supplementary treatment options to make sure you get the support you need.

Detox (3-7 days)

Many treatment programmes start with detox, which involves clearing drugs and alcohol from your system in a safe way over a duration of three to seven days. Note that certain addictions to Central Nervous System Depressants (CNS), such as opioids and heroin, may require drug substitutes that may be administered over a treatment course of up to 30 days.
Whether you are able to slowly wean off of the substance or need medication to ease withdrawal symptoms depends on the type of addiction, severity and other factors. The first few days of detox tend to be the worst, and you should start to feel better towards the end of the first week.
While those with mild addictions may think they can detox at home, this can actually be dangerous and is generally not recommended. Conversely, people in recovery can benefit from residential detox. Residential or inpatient detox offers continuous monitoring and can immediately address any complications if they arise.

Rehab therapy

The next phase of recovery after successful withdrawal management and detox completion is rehab. During the rehabilitation stage, you will undergo intensive therapy to examine the underlying issues that lead to addiction. Inpatient treatment programmes take place in a residential treatment facility that helps remove individuals struggling with addiction from their triggers and home environment and provides around-the-clock care.

This period focuses largely on therapy to build a solid foundation for treatment efforts in the long term. Through extensive therapy and counselling, you can get to the root causes behind your addiction which makes it possible for you to start living a sober life. Otherwise, you are much more likely to return to your addictive behaviours.

Some of the most common types of therapy during rehab include:
  • Individual behaviour therapy – This behavioural therapy helps you reform your thinking patterns and make behavioural adjustments that will help you live free from substances.
  • Group therapy – Group therapy sessions are the cornerstone of most rehab programmes. The group setting makes it possible for you to interact with other recovering addicts and helps you know you are not alone in your journey.
  • Family therapy – Family members are often encouraged to take part in family therapy sessions, making it possible for loved ones to provide support after leaving the treatment facility.

Aftercare

Just because you have completed your 30-day rehab programme does not mean you are done with recovery work. Before you have finished the addiction treatment programme, you will need to discuss aftercare plans with your counsellors. It is important to create a solid aftercare plan, though the individual elements involved can vary from person to person.
Many rehab facilities have follow-up programmes that can help you return to your daily life. Aftercare programmes may involve supplementary counselling, meetings, and classes for those who have completed a treatment programme. Attending self-help groups regularly is a great way for recovering addicts to stay accountable, with 12-Step programmes such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) being some of the most popular.

Does 30-day drug rehab work?

Whether or not a 30-day drug rehab will work for you depends on many factors. Generally speaking, the right duration for you is not determined well in advance. Instead, it is based on how you respond to treatment, which is why good rehab centres make ongoing assessments and make adjustments accordingly.
The effectiveness of a month-long programme depends on a number of factors, though research shows that a longer stay improves the likelihood of maintaining sobriety. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, recovery outcomes are more successful when an individual participates for a minimum of 90 days in a structured inpatient treatment than shorter programmes (30 days or less).
You must remember that addiction is a disease, and the brain needs time to change. Be wary of any treatment facilities that claim to “cure” addiction in 30 days, and remember that addiction recovery is a lifelong process.

Why do 30-day programmes fail?

While 30 days in rehab can be an effective short-term treatment, the time spent in treatment does not necessarily correlate with a good outcome. While it can relate positively to improved outcomes, the level of therapeutic progress accomplished is a stronger predictor of outcome than simply the duration of treatment. 30-day rehab fails for many people for reasons such as:
  • The programme is not intensive enough (e.g. it is not well-rounded or there is a lot of leisure time)
  • It does not suit clients’ personal, medical and spiritual needs, so they do not respond well to treatment.
  • Care is not personalised (e.g. no private counselling or not enough one-on-one time to address personal needs)
  • Underlying psychological issues are not identified or addressed
  • Extensive detox is required for severe or multiple addictions, which means there will be less time for therapy over the 30 days.
  • Lacks multidisciplinary treatment team (i.e. a wide range of health professionals work together to deliver comprehensive care.)

How much does a 30-day drug rehab cost?

The cost of a 30-day programme depends on several factors such as location and the type of facility. With that said, luxury rehab centres in Thailand cost around USD $15,000 for a 28-day programme, which is much cheaper than the USD $80,000 it can cost for something similar in the US. Consider the following factors when assessing the cost of a rehab programme:

  • Facility type
  • Treatments provided
  • Location
  • Programme size
  • Duration
  • Amenities
  • Staff
  • Refund policy

30-day residential treatment programme in Thailand

A 30-day residential treatment programme can be a good start. Plus, you always have the option of furthering treatment if you like how it is going – making it a better option than committing to a 90-day programme only to end up with a bad experience. What’s more, 30 days gives you enough time to go through the physical withdrawal symptoms and start establishing relapse prevention methods.
But why Thailand specifically? A 30-day programme in Thailand comes with many advantages including:
  • Personalised, high-quality treatment
  • Impressive staff-to-client ratio
  • Reasonable prices
  • Luxury facilities and amenities
  • Exceptional hospitality
  • Internationally trained medical professionals
  • Aftercare services
Thailand ice rehab featuring swimming pool and world-class facilities
Treatment programmes vary from centre to centre, involving many (if not all) of the components mentioned in the section above. Here’s what a typical day looks like at rehab in Thailand.

Is 30-day rehab right for me?

When considering whether 30-day rehab in Thailand is right for you, keep in mind that affordable prices give you the opportunity to stay in rehab for longer and make the most of your treatment. Any way you look at it, a 30-day programme gives you enough time to clear your head from addiction, detox and start becoming familiar with what it means to live a sober lifestyle.

Looking for 30-day rehab in Thailand for you or your loved one? There is no better time than now to begin your recovery journey. Contact us for a free consultation and to learn more about rehab and addiction treatment options to meet your unique requirements.

Author
Cameron Brown
Psychologist
  1. The Department of Health, State Government of Victoria. (n.d.). Heroin. Better Health Channel. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/heroin. 
  2. NIDA. 2020, September 18. Principles of Effective Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/principles-effective-treatment on 2021, March 24
  3. McLellan, A. Thomas, et al. 2002. “Contemporary Drug Abuse Treatment A Review of the Evidence Base.” The Demand Reduction Section of the United Nations International Drug Control Programme. https://www.unodc.org/docs/treatment/contemporary_drug_abuse_treatment.pdf

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