One of the ways in which alcohol or drug addiction problems can be treated is by staying at specialized weekend recovery programs. This means treatments are provided during Saturdays and Sundays and, sometimes, even during Friday evenings. These programs can occur in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Inpatient treatments are generally more thorough as patients are required to stay at the rehab center for the entire duration of treatment, where they are examined and supervised by a group of professionals.1

Based on some estimates, there has been an uptake in the number of patients who opt to go through weekend detox programs. There are currently more than 14,000 weekend rehabs in the US and, reportedly, around 3.7 million people have completed the treatment they offer.2

What Happens During a Weekend Drug and Alcohol Detox Program?

Since no two substance use disorders (SUDs) are the same, patients need to first choose a weekend rehab center near them that can meet their specific needs. Deciding between inpatient or outpatient treatment is an important step as well. Some centers also offer the option of same-day admittance to patients who require urgent assistance.3

What follows is an evaluation process that every rehab program attendee has to go through. This includes undergoing tests to check physical and mental health. This enables the medical professionals at the facility to develop personalized weekend recovery plans for every participant. 3

Stabilization is the next step of the program. Most treatment-seeking individuals first need to go through detox, which is the process of clearing their bodies from harmful substances. Depending on the patient’s needs, a weekend detox program can include medication to assist in recovery. Based on this information, the patient will be given a personalized treatment program that addresses their unique needs and situation.3

What Does a Typical Day in a Weekend Inpatient Drug Detox Program Look Like?

A typical day in a Weekend inpatient drug detox program starts with breakfast. After their meal, the participants begin their first therapy session. Treatment facilities use a variety of different evidence-based methods such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), 12-step programs, animal-assisted therapy, and more.4

During the rest of the day, the attendees are also offered dinner and lunch. Meals are typically followed by therapy sessions (group or individual). At these sessions, the patients discuss their impression of what they’ve covered that day and how that makes them feel. They usually also have some free time in the evening, so as to rest and prepare for the following day.4

The specifics of a weekend rehab program can differ significantly. For instance, programs that incorporate Muslim principles may not make use of medication or CBT techniques, or they may utilize them to a lesser extent than a secular program would.5,6

Some weekend detox programs cater to the needs of specific groups, such as couples who both suffer from addiction, military veterans who struggle with substance use disorders, and individuals of a particular gender.7,8,9

How to Select a Weekend Drug Inpatient Detox Program?

While preparing for rehab, treatment-seeking individuals should consider a range of factors. These include where the facility is located, what its accreditations are, and whether they are aimed at individuals who belong to a particular religion, sexual orientation, social group, and so on.3

Another important factor includes the flexibility of the schedule. While some people would feel better following a strict timetable, others may want to have a sense of control over their treatment and would enjoy a loose schedule. Some treatment-seeking individuals may also want extra amenities. For many attendees the quality and availability of aftercare is also an important factor.3

Advantages of Weekend Alcohol and Drug Rehab Program

Taking part in a weekend detox program often brings several important advantages. The first is convenience. By enabling a patient to address their SUD without significantly disrupting their everyday professional and family lives, they represent a good option for individuals from most walks of life.11

Secondly, because weekend recovery programs are so short, they tend to be more intensive and detailed. They are also more convenient than longer treatments, as patients can attend them without alerting the people in their professional or personal lives. Many participants are hesitant about joining rehab programs because they are afraid of the effect that would have on the lives of their loved ones.11,12

Disadvantages of Weekend Alcohol and Drug Rehab Programs

Even though the positive sides of weekend rehabilitation centers are numerous, there are also some downsides. Since they are short, these programs usually lack intensity in the aftercare phase, leaving a higher risk of relapse. Fortunately, there are tried-and-tested prevention strategies that the attendees of these programs are advised to follow.13

Due to the comparatively brief duration of inpatient weekend rehab programs, some issues which can be crucial to one’s substance use disorder may go unnoticed, and can give rise to adverse effects down the road. Usually, they focus more on the immediate addiction-related problems, such as limiting the risk of a potentially lethal overdose or other severe symptoms of addiction, without devoting much attention to the general state of their patients’ physical and mental health.14

Another problem is the fact that inpatient rehab participants often feel unable to attend to personal matters during their stay. Although the short duration of the weekend recovery program limits this problem, it can still cause uneasiness in some people. For instance, if an unexpected event occurs at home, attendees can feel extremely frustrated if they are not able to assist their family members in any way.15

How Much Does a Weekend Drug Rehab Program Cost?

The cost of rehab programs for alcohol and drug addiction can differ widely based on their location, duration, and other offered features. For instance, there are luxury weekend rehabilitation centers which feature spas, or swimming pools, which makes them less affordable to average consumers.16

Current data indicates that the costs of an average detox program ranges between $600 and $1000. However, outpatient programs cost almost two times less per day. There are also some low cost weekend rehab programs that are based on religious beliefs. Intensive programs are a bit more expensive, but can be manageable since they last considerably shorter.5,16

The most affordable ones are the programs funded by the Government. What’s more, some state subsidies include free rehab programs for Saturday and Sunday. Unfortunately, these kinds of programs are not so common.17

Whatever their cost may be, research shows inpatient weekend rehab centers tend to be worth it. Comparatively, the cost of hospital care or financing jails are 12 times higher than those of treatments. 11,12 What’s more, continuously spending money on buying drugs and/or alcohol adds up to more than detox weekend treatments would cost in the long run.

What are the Treatment Options Available After the Weekend Drug Rehab Program is over?

Sometimes, weekend drug or alcohol detox programs turn out not to be enough for attendees’ complete recovery. Therefore, they are usually advised to take part in longer programs that offer a more extensive treatment. Some treatment programs are just slightly longer, with a duration of 7 to 10 days. On the other hand, some can last from 28 to 30 days, and there are longer programs that last between 60 to 90 days, or even longer.1, 3, 11

Most weekend treatment programs are organized on an inpatient basis. Treatment-seeking individuals can also opt for partial hospitalization or outpatient programs. They may also include aftercare plans in the form of sober living houses and support groups.14

Are Weekend Alcohol and Drug Rehab Centers Covered by Insurance?

Many treatments in weekend alcohol and drug rehab centers are at least partially covered by insurance. Examples of the most widely used insurance providers are United Health Care, Aetna, Veteran Affairs, Humana, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. To check whether a weekend detox treatment is covered by their insurance providers, treatment-seeking individuals can use this form.18

When weekend rehab program participants fill out an online form, they are contacted by an admission navigator from American Addiction Centers (AAC). They supply the applicant with information regarding the treatments that are most suitable for their needs and are covered by their insurer.18

Since AAC works alongside all notable insurance providers in the U.S. most applicants can find appropriate options.18 They are also able to decide on the best option for them from the available paying options. If necessary, AAC can also help treatment-seeking individuals find free or low-cost rehab options.19

How to Find a Weekend Drug Detox Program Near Me?

There are several ways in which potential attendees can find suitable inpatient weekend drug rehabs near them. Firstly, they call their insurance provider and request information about weekend rehab centers in their vicinity. Secondly, searching the AAC’s database to see whether the appropriate rehab center can be found is another effective option.20

Lastly, treatment-seeking individuals can call a 24/7 addiction helpline. In that way, the navigators may provide them not only with the information about the closest centers, but also inform them about anything else they may be interested in, such as benefit rights.21

Weekend Rehab Centers for Alcohol and Drug Addiction Near Me