The Basics of 60-Day Rehabs

According to research from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the best outcomes occur with longer durations of treatment, with 90-day and up treatments being shown as statistically the most successful options. However, not everyone is able to sacrifice three months to attend rehab, and it might not always be necessary for those with comparatively mild addictions.

60-day treatment is largely the same as 30-day rehab but with more recovery and aftercare preparation time. Two-month rehab options can be a good middle ground for those who have less than severe addictions but still need more time in a sober environment than a 30-day treatment program can offer.

Types of 60-Day Rehab Programs

Rehab programs offer different treatments to patients based on their level and type of addiction. Most employ a combination of evidence-based medical and behavioral therapies to address both the physical and psychological causes of addiction. They include:

  • Detox services
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Contingency Management Interventions
  • Community Reinforcement Therapy
  • Motivational Enhancement Therapy
  • The Matrix Model
  • 12-Step Facilitation Therapy
  • Family Behavior Therapy
  • Medication-Assisted Therapy
  • Individual and Group Counseling

For more information on the various types of therapy, read our guide on The Addiction Rehabilitation Process

Two month, or 60-day rehab programs that offer these types of treatment are either inpatient residential treatment or outpatient intensive day treatment. Both of these environments provide intensive therapy and require a significant commitment from the patient.

Inpatient residential treatment requires patients to live full-time at the rehabilitation center and have constant access to both medical professionals and a sober environment at all time. Outpatient intensive day treatment offers 2-4 hours of focused intensive care, but allows for the patient to return home after each session.

Inpatient residential treatment provides 24-hour, live-in care

The most common type of 60-day program is inpatient residential treatment. During the program, patients live at the facility and receive intensive treatment 24 hours per day from experienced professionals. Patients experience the typical steps of detox and rehabilitation, therapy, engage in both group and individual therapy, transition to a sober lifestyle, and form an aftercare plan to prevent future relapses.

According to the SAMHSA, long-term inpatient treatments (any treatment longer than 30 days) account for 7% of all rehab admissions nationwide.

Outpatient intensive day treatment allows patients to keep-up with responsibilities

60 days can be a difficult commitment to make, especially for those with full-time employment. Outpatient intensive day treatment can be a good option for those who need treatment, as well as the freedom to continue living a normal life. While this route offers more flexibility for the patient, it doesn’t offer the sober environment, which can be an added challenge for those with more severe addictions.

Typically, outpatient intensive day treatment patients check in for 2 to 4 hours a day, 3 days a week, though each facility and your circumstance may require more time in therapy. In addition to 60-day programs, these treatments can be extended to four months and as with other rehabs, transitions into less intensive treatment or aftercare upon completion.

60-Day Treatment Options
  Short-Term Residential Outpatient Intensive Day Treatment
Definition Intensive treatment in a non-hospital setting, most often a therapeutic community with other patients. Patients receive the extensive services of an inpatient program but return home after. After completion, patients often transition to less intensive counseling.
Therapies Offered
  • Detox Services
  • Medical treatments (if applicable)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Contingency Management Interventions
  • Matrix Model
  • 12-Step Facilitation
  • Medical treatments (if applicable)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Contingency Management Interventions
  • Community Reinforcement
  • Matrix Model
  • 12-Step Facilitation
  • Family Behavior Therapy
Days Per Week 7 3
Hours Per Day 24 2-4

How Are 60-Day Rehab Programs Different Than Others?

90- and 120-180 day programs tend to focus the most on positive individual lifestyle changes for the patient, including dietary changes and daily exercise to naturally improve mood and avoid a backslide. On the other hand, 30-day programs tend to focus more intensely on detoxing and treating the addiction and its immediate effects.

60-day programs are different from longer term programs because they don’t have the same holistic approach. Instead, they focus on treating the addiction itself. While 60-day programs have a similar approach to 30-day programs, they allow more time to focus on therapy and preparing for aftercare.

Are 60-Day Rehab Programs Right for You?

Benefits of 60-Day Rehab Programs

  • There’s more time to focus on what comes after rehab. Although 30-day rehab offers focused care for the addiction at hand, it doesn’t leave much time to prepare for what comes after. 60-day rehab allows for a smoother transition to “normal life.”
  • 60-day rehab is the least time consuming of the long-term treatments. Long-term rehab can run from 60 days to 180 days. For most, 60 days is the easiest to manage.
  • It’s the most affordable long-term rehab. If long-term care is required, 60-day treatment is considerably cheaper than 90-180 day options.

Drawbacks of 60-Day Rehab Programs

  • 90 to 180-day treatments are more effective for severe addiction. Treatments less than 90 days have been shown to have lower recovery and higher relapse rates than treatments lasting 90 days or longer.
  • 60-day treatment is less likely to be covered by insurance. While insurance policies often cover 30-day treatments, anything longer than that is less likely to be covered by the average insurer. If you’re considering enrolling in a 60-day treatment program and believe finances may be an issue after the first 30 days, check with the rehab facility to see what type of payment assistance they offer.

Who Should Enroll in 60-Day Rehab Programs?

Rehab is never a one-size-fits-all situation. Every person and addiction requires a different level of care to best ensure rehabilitation. A trained professional can help you decide if a 60-day program is the best option for you. In general, 60-day treatments are best for those with a moderate level of addiction.

Choosing the Appropriate Rehab Length
  30-day 60-day 90-day 120-day
Best for severe addictions
Best for mild addictions
Best for people with limited time off from work
Best for people with unbreakable personal obligations (i.e. child care)
Best for people with limited finances
Covered by most insurance

How to Choose a 60-Day Rehab Program

What to Consider Before Choosing a Program

Here are some of the most important factors to consider:

  • Evidence-Based Treatment Options: It’s important that the facility you choose utilizes extensively-researched treatments that have been shown to be effective in fighting addiction. These evidenced-based therapies represent your best chance at maintaining abstinence after your 30-day stay. Also, every person responds differently to treatment, so a clinic that offers the most treatment options is more likely to have one to fit your needs.
  • Staff Credentials: You shouldn’t expect all of the staff at a rehab facility to be medical professionals, but because of the physical symptoms and possible health risks associated with substance withdrawal, a quality center should have at least one licensed medical practitioner on-hand. Likewise, a significant portion of rehab is dedicated to counseling, so it’s also important that the facility employs well-trained counselors and a licensed psychologist or credentialed mental health professional. Not only do credentials make a facility more credible, but they are also often critical to insurance companies covering treatment costs.
  • Arranged Aftercare and Support Systems: Patients who enroll in aftercare programs are more likely to maintain abstinence than those who don’t. Aftercare programs include ongoing counseling, 12-step meetings, and sober living homes. The best rehab facilities will arrange aftercare for their patients before completing treatment (either at the same facility or through an affiliated program) to help ensure their success.

For more information, read our full guide, “Choosing the Right Rehab” 

Which Service Setting is Best?

The best setting for you depends on your personal commitments and level of addiction

As we discussed above, 60-day rehab is usually offered as residential inpatient treatment or outpatient intensive day treatment. Residential treatment is best suited for those who can put daily obligations on hold, as well as those who need a sober environment to rehabilitate safely and effectively.

Outpatient intensive day treatment is the more flexible of the two options but can be more of a risk for some. Outpatient therapy is best for those with a strong support system and the willpower to keep clean on the hours spent outside of rehab.

How Much Do 60-Day Rehab Programs Cost?

The cost of treatment varies by facility, especially among residential programs. In addition to professional treatment, the price of residential rehab also includes room and board, food, and amenities. Therefore, factors like location, the level of luxury, and treatment services offered can increase the cost.

The average cost of 60-day inpatient rehab is between $10,000 and $40,000

While the cost of rehab is generally between $10,000 and $40,000 for 60 days of treatment, your actual out-of-pocket expense depends on what type of insurance you have (or if you have it at all), whether you qualify for payment assistance, or if you are able to secure a rehab scholarship.

The average cost of 60-day outpatient rehab is between $2,000 and $6,000

Since outpatient programs don’t include the cost of room and board, they tend to be a lot more affordable. Additionally, insurance companies are more likely to cover outpatient programs.

How to Find a 60-Day Rehab Facility

Click your state from the list below, then input your zip code to find rehabs near you

To find a 60-day rehab facility in your area, use our searchable directory that includes thousands of treatment centers nationwide. Click your state from the list below, and input your zip code or address in the directory tool on your state’s page.

Our treatment finder tool offers many filters to help you narrow your search down to the perfect facility. To find 60-day residential programs, simply apply the “Long-Term Residential” filter under the category ‘Service Settings.” To find outpatient intensive day treatment, apply the “Intensive Outpatient Treatment” filter.

What Happens After a 60-Day Rehab Program?

Completing a rehab program isn’t the end of addiction recovery. Studies show that aftercare is one of the most critical aspects of successful rehabilitation and is one of the biggest deterrents to relapse.

Patients are encouraged to transition to less intensive treatments after a 60-day program

Although 60-day treatment is considered long-term, a minimum of 90 days has been found to be the most successful form of rehab. Transitioning to an aftercare program that includes therapy, group counseling, and positive reinforcement can help prevent a relapse. Most treatment facilities will work with the patient to arrange an aftercare program that works best for them. Common aftercare options include:

Take Action

If you’ve decided that a 60-day treatment program is the best path forward for you, use our directory (above) to find a facility. Be sure to consult with addiction professionals before making a final decision on which rehab length and service setting is appropriate for your unique situation.

Explore alternate treatment options

If you’ve decided that a 60-day program isn’t the right approach for your situation, consult our guide to 90-Day Rehab Programs. If you believe your addiction would be best treated in a short-term treatment program, check out our guide to 30-Day Rehab Programs.

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