When searching for rehab, you will quickly see 30-day, 90-day, and even 6-month programmes. Each has different strengths, and the right choice depends on your situation.
In this article, we break down what you can expect from each option and highlight the best programmes available so you can choose the one that supports lasting recovery.
Comparing Your Options: 1-, 3-, and 6-Month Rehab Programmes
Below, we break down what you can expect from each programme length and share some of the best rehab options available at every stage:
Programme Length
Pros
Cons
1 Month (30 Days)
– Safe medical detox with supervision for rehabs that offer onsite detox
– Effective for learning how to manage triggers and cravings in everyday situations and learning basic coping skills
– Good for people who have limited time or are on a budget
– Limited time for deeper work on root causes
– Higher risk of relapse if not followed by aftercare
3 Months (90 Days)
– Enough time to develop and practice new coping skills until they stick
– Addresses deeper issues like trauma or mental health
– Lower relapse risk compared to 30 days
– Longer time commitment
– Higher cost than 1-month programmes
6 Months (180 Days)
– Most comprehensive care
– Best for severe or long-term addictions or people who have relapsed often
– Step-down programme for smoother transition back into daily life
– Significant time away from work/family
– Higher overall cost, even if more effective
Programme Length
1 Month (30 Days)
Pros:
– Safe medical detox with supervision for rehabs that offer onsite detox
– Effective for learning how to manage triggers and cravings in everyday situations and learning basic coping skills
– Good for people who have limited time or are on a budget
Cons:
– Limited time for deeper work on root causes
– Higher risk of relapse if not followed by aftercare
Programme Length
3 Months (90 Days)
Pros:
– Enough time to develop and practice new coping skills until they stick
– Addresses deeper issues like trauma or mental health
– Lower relapse risk compared to 30 days
Cons:
– Longer time commitment
– Higher cost than 1-month programmes
Programme Length
6 Months (180 Days)
Pros:
– Most comprehensive care
– Best for severe or long-term addictions or people who have relapsed often
– Step-down programme for smoother transition back into daily life
Cons:
– Significant time away from work/family
– Higher overall cost, even if more effective
1-Month Rehab Programme: Detox and Early Recovery
A 30-day drug rehab programme is often focused on detoxification and recognising your triggers and learning healthier ways to cope with them, cravings and stress in everyday situations.
This is especially important for substances like alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids, where medical supervision is required to manage withdrawal safely and comfortably.
Most detoxes last one to two weeks, depending on the substance and level of dependency. Once this stage is complete, the therapeutic work can begin.
Quality programmes introduce individual and group therapy sessions, often using approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help clients recognise triggers and start changing unhealthy patterns.
Because time is limited, this initial phase does not usually allow for deeper work on the root causes of addiction, such as trauma, depression, or anxiety. Instead, the emphasis is on developing healthier ways to cope with stress and cravings in everyday situations.
Many treatment centres also incorporate holistic practices such as mindfulness, meditation, and other Eastern somatic practices to support the body and mind during recovery.
A 1-month rehab programme can be a strong choice for people on a budget, or for those who cannot commit to longer-term treatment due to work or family obligations.
If you are considering this path, here are three of the best 1-month rehab programmes to explore:
Best 1-Month Rehab Programme Providers
1. The Dawn Wellness Centre and Rehab Thailand
The Dawn is a leading international destination rehab that has successfully treated over 1,000 clients from around the world. It is also Asia’s only CARF-accredited treatment centre, a recognition that places it on the same level as leading centres in the US, and guarantees clients receive evidence-based treatment protocols and international standards of care and safety.
Located on peaceful, rolling riverfront grounds in Chiang Mai, flying out to The Dawn immediately removes clients from all the triggers in their home environment, allowing them to focus fully on themselves and immerse in the full experience of recovery.
The 1-month programme at The Dawn includes on-site medical detox with 24/7 nursing and medical supervision for those who need it. This seamless integration allows clients to transition directly into their therapeutic programme without disruption, ensuring recovery begins safely with comprehensive support from day one.
Throughout the month, you will learn to recognise triggers and manage cravings in real-world situations while developing essential coping skills to manage symptoms effectively. A key component is creating your personalised relapse prevention plan to help maintain the progress made during treatment.
To support your continued recovery beyond the residential stay, The Dawn provides a comprehensive bi-weekly online aftercare programme, ensuring you have ongoing guidance as you navigate your journey forward.
Each client stays in a private room with full access to our wellness facilities, giving them the space and comfort required to support their healing process.
All of this is available at less than half the cost of comparable Western rehabs such as The Meadows in the US or The Priory in the UK, making The Dawn one of the most affordable ways to access internationally accredited, high-quality care.
2. Clinic Les Alpes
Clinic Les Alpes is an inpatient Swiss rehab, fully licensed by the Swiss Department of Health. Located in an alpine setting above Montreux with mountain and lake views, it offers a private environment for treatment.
The facility provides individualised treatment programmes and includes private ensuite bedrooms and wellness amenities.
However, the cost is significant: a 28-day stay costs around $200,000, making this centre accessible only to those with a very high budget.
3. The Cedars
The Cedars operates multiple rehabilitation facilities in tranquil, private locations around South Africa and focuses heavily on the traditional 12-Step recovery model as the foundation of their treatment approach. Their approach emphasises group work and peer support within the 12-Step framework.
Unlike many contemporary rehabs that integrate multiple therapeutic modalities, The Cedars maintains a strong commitment to 12-Step methodology as their primary treatment philosophy.
However, this approach may not suit clients seeking more personalised or diverse therapeutic interventions. Additionally, the centre is not internationally accredited, which may be a consideration for those seeking recognised treatment standards.
3-Month Rehab Programme: Building Strong Foundations
A 90-day rehab gives people more time to stabilise and lay the groundwork for lasting change than a 30-day stay.
Studies have shown it takes approximately two months to form a habit, and at least 90 days to fully incorporate it into your lifestyle. This is one reason why many 3-month treatment centres consider 90 days the standard length for more sustainable recovery.
Longer time in treatment also allows clients to move beyond detox and stabilisation to begin addressing the deeper issues that contribute to their addiction.
People often enter rehab without realising the extent to which unresolved trauma, stress, or mental health challenges influence their addiction. These are known as co-occurring disorders, and research shows that mental health conditions frequently co-occur with addiction across all types. A 3-month rehab programme provides the space to explore these root causes and support meaningful change.
These programmes usually combine detox, evidence-based therapy, and holistic practices that strengthen mind and body.
This extended time in care can significantly reduce the risk of relapse and prepares clients to maintain progress once they return home.
If a 90-day programme feels right for you, here are three of the best rehab programmes to consider:
Best 3-Month Rehab Programme Providers
1. The Dawn Wellness Centre and Rehab Thailand
The Dawn Rehab Thailand is positioned as the leading choice for a 3-month rehab programme as its main treatment programme is built on a 90-day model. Its signature Treatment Roadmap was created from the ground up as an integrated 90-day journey in order to include addressing the root cause of your addiction for lasting recovery.
The Roadmap provides a structured framework that ensures every phase of your recovery builds systematically upon the previous stage. This approach maximises therapeutic outcomes while providing the time needed for lasting change to take hold.
Detox and Stabilisation
(Weeks 1 to 2)
- Complete assessment and medication review
- Create personal treatment plan based on your goals
- Medically-assisted onsite detox and community integration
Managing Triggers and Cravings
(Weeks 2 to 4)
- Learn how to identify high-risk situations and respond to them without resorting to using
- Provide you with strategies to manage triggers and cravings in your daily life
- Create personalised Relapse Prevention Plan for sustainable recovery
Address Underlying Issues
(Weeks 5 to 12)
- Address root causes of your addiction
- Engage in trauma-specific therapies
This 90-day journey includes treating co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental health disorders. Our dual diagnosis approach recognises that co-occurring disorders are common across all types of addictions – whether substance-related, behavioural, or process addictions – and addresses these simultaneously for optimal outcomes.
Central Elements of Our Programme:
- Trauma Programme: A structured model addressing adverse experiences often linked to addiction
- Evidence-based therapies: CBT, DBT, EMDR, and TMS (optional) delivered by internationally trained clinicians
- Holistic Wellness Programme: Meditation, Muay thai and fitness, massage, sound baths, and weekend excursions
- Low client-to-staff ratio: Ensuring personalised attention throughout your stay
Guaranteed Support and Outcomes:
- Relapse Warranty: For those completing at least 12 weeks, we guarantee you can return for 28 days of additional treatment at no extra cost if you experience relapse
- Lifetime Aftercare Programme: Bi-weekly online group sessions with professionals and peers to support long-term success
- Personalised relapse prevention plan: Detailed strategies tailored to your specific needs and circumstances
All of this comprehensive 90-day care is available at one-third the cost of comparable Western rehabs, making extended, world-class treatment accessible when you need it most.
2. Hazelden Betty Ford Center
Hazelden Betty Ford Center operates facilities across multiple US states and follows a traditional treatment model centred around the 12-Step programme methodology.
The centre offers residential treatment programmes with a strong emphasis on group therapy and 12-Step facilitation as the foundation of their approach. Their treatment philosophy has remained largely unchanged for decades, focusing primarily on abstinence-based recovery through peer support groups.
However, treatment costs are substantial, with programmes typically ranging from $30,000 to $67,000 per month depending on location and services. This represents a significant financial commitment that may not be accessible to many seeking treatment.
For those seeking a 3-month rehab programme or even longer, outpatient programmes are available at lower costs.
3. Sierra Tucson
Sierra Tucson operates a luxury residential treatment facility in Tucson, Arizona, focusing on their proprietary “Sierra Tucson Model” which treats mind, body, spirit, and emotions as interconnected elements of recovery.
The centre offers programmes with various holistic amenities set on their desert campus, including equine therapy. However, it represents one of the most expensive treatment options available in the US.
Treatment costs typically range from $40,000 to $70,000 per month, placing it as accessible only to those with substantial financial resources. For those considering their 90-day programme, this represents a significant financial investment.
6-Month Rehab Programme: Full Recovery and Transition Support
A 6-month rehab programme offers one of the most comprehensive approaches to treatment, making it a strong option for those with long-term or severe addictions, or people who have relapsed multiple times.
Whether you are considering a 6-month alcohol rehab programme or a 6-month drug rehab programme, this longer duration gives you the time needed to work through complex underlying issues and practise new coping skills in a supportive environment.
Programmes of this length typically move from intensive primary care (detox and intensive therapy) into less intensive secondary care arrangements. Primary care focuses on medical stabilisation, intensive therapeutic intervention that first addresses immediate addiction-related issues before moving on to the underlying causes of addiction.
Secondary care involves step-down treatment programmes where clients maintain residence at the facility but gain increased independence and flexibility in their daily routines while still receiving professional therapeutic support.
Clients may begin to take on more independence while still having consistent access to therapists and recovery resources, which helps bridge the gap between intensive rehab and full reintegration at home.
For many, committing to a 6-month rehab programme is a transformative experience that allows enough time for meaningful change to become a habit.
If you are considering this commitment, here are three of the best 6-month rehab programmes you can look into:
Best 6-Month Rehab Programmes Providers
1. The Dawn Wellness Centre and Rehab Thailand
The Dawn’s 6-month programme guides clients through both primary and secondary care in one continuous journey.
This programme is ideal for clients who have long-standing addictions or who have relapsed multiple times. It gives them the extended support they need to ensure new coping strategies and healthy routines become their second nature.
It builds on The Dawn’s signature Treatment Roadmap, which provides a structured framework where each phase systematically builds upon the previous one.
In the first 3 months, clients progress through stabilisation with complete assessment and medically-assisted detox, followed by learning to manage triggers and cravings while developing personalised relapse prevention strategies, and finally moving on to address underlying root causes through trauma-specific therapies and dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions.
After 3 months of intensive primary treatment, clients can choose to sign up for The Dawn’s Step-Down Programme. This programme bridges the gap between structured inpatient rehab and independent living – the most challenging period of early recovery. It provides a gradual reduction in the intensity of treatment and support.
During this phase, clients still live at The Dawn but go out daily unaccompanied to practice their learned coping skills in real-world situations and gradually take on more independence. They can explore the local community, volunteer with local organisations, pursue healthy hobbies such as sports or local arts, or engage in other meaningful activities that support their recovery journey.
This allows for a natural progression toward self-sufficiency while maintaining the security of professional guidance and peer support. You will continue to receive ongoing therapeutic support through regular individual and group sessions and access to clinical care when needed.
After you leave our facility, the support you receive continues through our free Lifetime Aftercare Programme, which offers bi-weekly online group sessions with professionals and peers to make sure the progress you make at The Dawn carries forward into everyday life.
Because treatment here is significantly more affordable than at most Western rehabs, clients are able to access extended support for as long as they need, without the overwhelming financial burden that often comes with long-term care.
Thanks to our international accreditation, many clients also find that their insurance covers part of the cost, and our Australian clients can also benefit from early access to their superannuation to fund treatment, reducing out-of-pocket costs even further.
2. Passages Malibu
Passages Malibu is an ultra-luxury residential facility in Malibu, California, offering personalised treatment with extensive amenities in a high-end oceanfront setting.
The centre provides individualised programmes with luxury accommodations, spa treatments, and premium amenities designed for extended stays. Their approach emphasises holistic treatments and personalised care plans tailored to individual client needs.
For a 6-month rehab programme, it typically costs around $500,000. While comprehensive, the extended duration at these rates represents a significant financial investment that may limit accessibility for many seeking long-term treatment.
For those seeking more affordable long-term options, Passages offers outpatient programmes and sober living homes at lower costs. Their branches in Ventura and Santa Monica also offer outpatient programmes and sober living houses.
3. Freeman Recovery Center
Freeman Recovery Center operates as a large-scale treatment network across Tennessee, United States, with capacity for up to 200 clients across multiple properties.
The centre provides a comprehensive 180-day programme. This 6-month option is designed for deep healing, giving clients enough time to deal with their addiction and strengthen relapse-prevention skills.
However, the high-volume of clients means that they are part of a larger treatment community, which may offer less individualised attention during extended care phases.
For individuals seeking intimate, personalised care during a 6-month programme, this large-scale approach may feel less personal compared to smaller facilities that can offer more individualised therapeutic relationships and customised treatment plans.
How to Choose the Right Rehab Length for Your Needs
Today, many treatment centres recognise that recovery looks different for everyone, and offer flexible lengths of care rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
When deciding which programme is right for you, consider factors such as:
- Severity of addiction: Longer or more complex histories of use often benefit from extended care.
- History of relapse: If shorter programmes have not worked before, a 90-day or 6-month rehab may provide the extra support you need.
- Co-occurring conditions: Mental health issues or unresolved trauma usually require more time to address effectively.
- Personal and family commitments: Work, school, or caregiving responsibilities may limit how long you can step away.
- Continuing care access: Availability of ongoing support, aftercare programmes, and long-term therapeutic resources after treatment ends.
- Financial and insurance coverage: Practical considerations often play a role in choosing the length of treatment.
The best rehab length is ultimately the one that gives you enough time and support to heal at the right pace for you.
While 30-day programmes are still widely known, they became popular mainly because of insurance and work-leave restrictions, not because they were proven to be the most effective.
In fact, research shows that longer treatment, such as 3- or 6-month rehab programs, often leads to stronger outcomes.
This shift reflects a broader understanding of addiction as a chronic condition that benefits from more time, depth, and support.
If you are weighing your options, we are here to talk through them with you and recommend the programme length that makes the most sense for your situation. Contact us here.
Take Advantage of Affordable, Extended Rehab at The Dawn Thailand
The Dawn offers extended rehab programmes abroad that provide in-depth treatment and guidance across the full continuum of care, from medically assisted detox and therapy for addiction and mental health, through to relapse prevention planning and lifetime aftercare support.
This approach has earned The Dawn a strong track record, with 90% of our clients completing their programme and the vast majority recommending us to others.
If you have never considered rehab abroad, Thailand can be a practical alternative to local options: the distance helps create space from usual triggers, and simple travel arrangements make the process easier than many expect.
You can be assured that your care meets strict international standards. We are Asia’s only CARF-accredited rehab, a recognition that underscores our commitment to delivering world-class treatment programmes.
Our centre sits on a quiet riverside property in Chiang Mai, with resort-style accommodation that allows you to step away from daily responsibilities and focus fully on recovery.
All of this is available at one-third the cost of comparable Western facilities, making longer, more comprehensive care accessible when you need it, for as long as you need it.
Reach out to us to learn more about how you can benefit from our rehab programmes.
FAQs | About 1-Month, 3-Month, and
6-Month Rehab
Q.Does insurance cover 1-, 3-, or 6-month rehab programmes?
A: Yes, insurance typically covers 1-, 3-, and 6-month rehab programmes, but the best way to determine exact coverage is to contact your insurance provider directly.
At The Dawn, we accept insurance from leading international healthcare providers for addiction and mental health treatment.
Coverage varies depending on your specific insurance plan and provider, so consulting with your insurance company ensures all your questions are answered prior to beginning treatment.
Q. What’s included in the cost of rehab?
A: Costs usually cover accommodation, meals, medical supervision, therapy sessions, and wellness activities.
Some rehabs also include aftercare support, which can make a big difference once treatment ends. At The Dawn, for example, free lifetime aftercare is part of the package.
You can learn more about what is included in our costs here.
Q. Is rehab abroad better than going to a local centre?
A: Rehab abroad often offers greater privacy, new surroundings that reduce daily triggers, and access to luxury or holistic programmes at a lower cost than in Western countries.
Local rehabs, on the other hand, may be easier logistically and allow for more direct family involvement, but they can also be more expensive and sometimes come with long waiting lists.
The choice often comes down to your budget, comfort level, and how important a change of environment is to your recovery.
If you are weighing your options, we recommend reading our in-depth guide on how to choose rehab abroad.
About the Author
John A. Smith is a Senior Psychotherapist at The Dawn and an internationally accredited Addiction Treatment Professional (ISSUP), Certified Life and NLP Coach. He is highly experienced in working with young adults and utilises a range of evidence-based therapies, including SMART Recovery, to help his clients achieve their goals.