Ultimately, rehabilitation should be an inspiring process in which people struggling with addiction issues can learn new methods to cope, live and excel in life without the crutch of alcohol or substances. Rehabilitation (done rightly) should provide hope and give evidence that life can be resplendent and beautiful when one is armed with usable approaches to dealing with drug use or alcoholism.  Furthermore, rehabilitation is a healing process and paves the way for recovery that should renew people to live their lives fully and freely without the burden of substance or alcohol use.

The five stages of rehab are a guideline that helps mental health professionals guide people suffering from addiction to realize that there is light at the end of the tunnel of unhealthy alcohol or substance use. Here are the five stages of rehab.

1. Precontemplation Stage: This initial phase of rehab is when you might be aware that recovery is wanted, but not quite sure if you are ready.  This phase might also involve justifying your current relationship with drugs or alcohol, and you may feel a constant flux in between “should I seek treatment” or pendulating to the other side of the debate by self-asking “I don’t need treatment.”  While the precontemplation stage can be confusing, it is part of the process of choosing to seek long-term treatment.
2. Contemplation Stage:  This is typically when you might have run through all the justifications and debates, but ultimately you are coming to terms that alcohol or drug use is becoming a threat to your life. This phase might find you seeking help, asking further questions, and even researching rehab centers for recovery.  
3. Preparation Stage:  This is a phase in which you are becoming more committed to the idea that life is simply unbearable under the current circumstances.  You become more willing to accept treatment, and perhaps you are doing deeper research into solutions for the condition.You may even attempt to withdraw from alcohol or substances on your own during this phase. 
4. Action Stage: This is when you are deeply devoted to the concept of abstinence from alcohol or substance use.  In many cases, this is when you might seek a rehab center, San Diego can provide you the proper treatment you deserve to live life fully.
5. Maintenance Stage: This phase typically marks a period of time when detox and rehab treatment is complete, and now you are maintaining your sobriety.  This entails recalling coping techniques learned during rehabilitation, and living life according to a new set of rules that are life-affirming and nurture your need to remain alcohol and substance free in order to live your best and fullest life.

This depends upon what kind of treatment you require, and the length of program you choose.  Most rehab programs in San Diego offer varying stays.  The average length of stay is 12.4 days.  Meaning, the most common length of stay during inpatient rehab in the US is 10-14 days.  However, a qualified rehab center San Diego will offer different options such as 30, 60, and 90 day programs.  Even more intense programs can go beyond 90 day stays during inpatient care.

If you’re looking at outpatient care, you have a lot of control over how long your treatment will be.  If you are in need of inpatient care, the shortest length of rehab stay is 10 to 14 days.

This is the maintenance phase, in which you begin to rebuild your life and find solid support systems that will nurture your need to retain your hard-earned abstinence.  Completing rehab can be a liberating feeling, but when you are out in the so-called “real world” you may encounter citations that may trigger the compulsion to use or drink again.  Consequently, the days, weeks, and months after you get out of rehab are perhaps the most pivotal because you are re-learning how to live and function without alcohol or substances.  Ideally, the rehab center will provide you with ongoing support that is both effective and reliable as you continue to prepare for your new lease on life.

The answer to this question is largely contingent upon each person.  To explain, some people report that physical withdrawal is the worst part of rehabilitation.  However, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the prospect of abstaining from drug or alcohol use long into the future can be both daunting and difficult.  In reality, learning to live without external influences is challenging – especially long-term.  That is why you need a devoted ally in your recovery who can be a constant source of support as you endeavor to move through recovery for the long haul.