90-Day Drug & Alcohol Rehab: 3-Month Inpatient and Outpatient Programs

While various treatment options can be effective, research indicates that a minimum of 3 months in treatment is typically advisable for helping most people substantially decrease or stop their substance use.¹ Longer-term 90-day rehab programs are designed to help people attain and solidify the skills they’ll need to achieve and maintain sobriety.¹

Keep reading to learn about what to expect during and after a 3-month-long rehab program and how to find effective treatment that meets your needs.

What is a 90-Day Addiction Treatment Program?

90-day treatment programs are designed to support people as they recover from addiction, or substance use disorder (SUD).¹ These programs can take place on various levels of care, such as residential/inpatient care, a combination of inpatient and outpatient rehab, or standalone outpatient treatment.¹ For example, some people might start in a residential setting before transitioning to outpatient care, while others may begin with outpatient services from the beginning of treatment.

What to Expect in a 90-Day Addiction Treatment Program

Prior to starting treatment, a comprehensive evaluation is conducted to determine the type and expected duration of treatment, which can include placement in 3-month rehab programs.² Regardless of whether the setting is inpatient or outpatient, people will receive necessary care, such as psychoeducation, support groups, behavioral therapies, and individual and group counseling, throughout treatment.² 

Behavioral therapies form the cornerstone of treatment programs, and may include:¹

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which teaches people to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors and helps them recognize and avoid risky situations that may lead to relapse.
• Contingency management (CM), which relies on positive reinforcement to encourage desired behavioral changes.
• Motivational interviewing (MI), which is an approach that is designed to help people increase their internal motivation to make positive life changes.
• 12-Step Facilitation, which helps people become familiar with and encourages participation in 12-Step mutual support groups.

As mentioned above, treatment can take place on various levels of care, including:²

• Medical detox, which can be the first step in the recovery process; it helps people safely and comfortably undergo withdrawal with medical support, medications for alcoholic detox, and medical supervision.
• Inpatient addiction treatment, where people live and sleep onsite at a rehab facility, receive 24/7 care and support, and participate in various therapies.
• Outpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs, where people keep living at home but attend treatment at a rehab on a predetermined schedule.

Is 90 Days Long Enough for Drug or Alcohol Rehab?

Each person is unique and has their own specific needs, so treatment can look different for everyone.¹ However, everyone receives a personalized treatment plan to guide their treatment, including the expected length of treatment, but this can change as a person’s needs evolve over time.¹ Some people may need to stay in treatment for longer than 90 days, depending on their circumstances and progress in recovery.¹

Keep in mind that, as mentioned earlier, research shows that the best outcomes often occur with longer treatment durations.¹ 

What Happens After a 90-Day Rehab Program?

After a 90-day rehab program, people are encouraged to enter some form of aftercare, also known as continuing care, which is an important component of a person’s treatment plan.³ It provides benefits such as ongoing recovery support and monitoring and can address a return to substance use, or relapse.³

Aftercare options can vary by a person’s needs and preferences, but they often involve one or more of the following:^2,3

• Transitioning to another level of care, such as standard outpatient after a more intensive program like partial hospitalization (PHP).
• Mutual support meetings, like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA). 
• Sober living, which are substance-free residences that help people transition back to daily life. 
• Individual or group counseling.
• Follow-up care or alumni programs at the rehab.

Does Health Insurance Cover 90 Days of Addiction Treatment?

As per the Affordable Care Act (ACA), all Marketplace plans generally provide at least some coverage for mental health and substance misuse treatment, which is considered an essential health benefit.⁴ However, coverage details can vary by plan and treatment type, so it’s important to verify specifics with your plan administrator.⁴ We can also help you understand more about using health insurance to pay for rehab.

Depending on your plan, insurance may not cover certain services, such as holistic or alternative treatments, but generally covers necessary services like detox, residential treatment, outpatient treatment, aftercare, and medications.⁵ You can see a full list of what’s covered when you compare plans on the Marketplace, or ask your insurer for more details.⁴

Get Admitted to a 90-Day Addiction Treatment Program

American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a leading provider of evidence-based alcohol addiction treatment, with facilities located across the U.S. When you’re ready to get admitted to a 90-day rehab, please call to connect with a caring admissions navigator, who can explain your treatment options and help you start treatment today.

Start the Recovery Journey

Things might seem tough right now, but there is always hope. Please call us at to start your recovery journey today. People can and do recover from alcohol misuse and addiction, and treatment can help people lead happier, healthier, and more productive lives.¹