Weekend Rehab Programs for Drug and Alcohol Addiction

What Is Weekend Rehab?

Weekend rehab often describes treatment offered Friday, Saturday, and/or Sunday. This treatment can be part of various programs such as medically assisted detox services, standard outpatient programs, and intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), the latter of which usually includes weekday treatment as well. Aside from initial detox, weekend drug rehab is typically most beneficial as a step down from more intensive care, which means it may not be the best fit as a starting point for treatment.

Here’s a brief overview of programs that may include weekend rehab options.

• Detox is often the first step in recovery for many, but it’s not always required. People typically attend detox during withdrawal as their bodies rid themselves of various substances. During detox healthcare and addiction professionals ensure your safety and help manage any withdrawal symptoms before you transition to another level of care.¹ Detox varies in length and intensity, and the time spent in a program depends on your unique needs.
• Outpatient programs vary in duration and intensity, ranging from a few hours a week to several hours every day. Traditional outpatient programs are the least rigid form of outpatient care, requiring less attendance frequency and intensity than other options. With these programs, patients live at home while participating in therapeutic interventions, such as one-on-one counseling, group therapy, and psychoeducation. A traditional outpatient program may offer weekend services for people with limited time or those who want to continue care into the weekend. ¹
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are a step up from standard outpatient treatment in that the treatment is more intense and frequent. An IOP can be beneficial if you need more in-depth care but want the flexibility to continue living at home. These programs can range in structure but typically require you to attend treatment for at least 6 hours weekly.² Intensive outpatient programs often combine weekend and weeknight and/or weekeday sessions to ensure you get the help you need.

Who Is Best Suited for Weekend Rehab Programs?

Life can be hectic, but making time for recovery is vital. Attending a program at a weekend treatment center provides the flexibility to obtain care while also maintaining other responsibilities such as work, family, school, etc. Still, various factors make weekend rehab suitable for some people more than others.

Weekend rehab can be appropriate for people with a solid support system who don’t require constant supervision. These are often people with mild to moderate addictions who don’t need a higher level of care.²

A sober living environment is essential when seeking treatment in an outpatient program of any kind. Unlike inpatient programs, where you can remove yourself from the people and places contributing to or triggering your addiction, there’s less control over your daily environment with weekend rehab. Going home to a place where you still feel encouraged and motivated to stay sober can improve your likelihood of completing a weekend program and continuing care. Access to proper transportation is also necessary since you live at home while attending the program.

As with any treatment program, motivation is also critical. Weekend rehab offers less supervision and fewer contact hours but still lets you build coping skills and receive peer support to keep you stay sober. However, your personal motivation is vital to your success.

How Much Does Weekend Drug and Alcohol Rehab Cost?

The price of weekend rehab can vary depending on factors such as:

• The facility you choose.
• Where it’s located.
• The types of services you need.
• The program duration.
• How you pay for treatment (i.e., insurance versus out of pocket).

If you have health insurance, a great way to determine how much your plan will cover is to contact American Addiction Centers. Our admissions navigators at can assist you in verifying your insurance for use at one of our many facilities nationwide.

When you’re trying to find weekend rehab near you, also figuring out how to pay for treatment can be overwhelming. But don’t be discouraged from getting the help you need if you don’t have insurance. Several other ways to pay for treatment are available, including:

• Out-of-pocket (cash, credit, or loan).
• Income-based financing.
• Sliding-fee scales.
• Government-funded programs.
• Grants and scholarships.
• Free and low-cost programs.

Does Insurance Cover Weekend Rehab?

Depending on your specific plan, you insurance should cover some of the costs of weekend rehab. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008 and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 protect your access to proper addiction and mental health treatment.^3,4 The ACA requires all health insurance companies to cover essential health benefits, including substance use disorder (SUD) treatment.³ Meanwhile, MHPAEA assures insurance companies provide equal addiction and mental health treatment benefits.⁴

Also note that many facilities accept both private health insurance as well as state- or government-funded programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, and military insurance (aka Tricare).

Bottom line: Insurance companies must cover SUD treatment to some extent, and that coverage can’t have special limitations compared to other benefits. ^3,4  Still, your level of coverage depends on your specific plan.

What Happens in a Weekend Rehab Program?

Weekend rehab programs can look different depending on the facility and level of care required by each patient. For example, detox care will be very different than weekend services within a traditional outpatient program. Nevertheless, weekend rehab programs are typically grounded in therapeutic interventions and evidence-based practices such as:¹

• Psychoeducation. Psychoeducation often includes learning about addiction-specific topics in a group setting to expand awareness of the consequences of substance use. These sessions can focus on instilling self-awareness, suggesting options for growth and change, identifying community resources, and helping patients understand the recovery process.
• Individual, group, and peer-supported counseling. Counseling plays a vital role in addiction treatment. Weekend rehab may offer counseling in different settings focused on building alcohol- and drug-resisting skills, forming new healthy habits, and improving problem-solving skills. Counseling in group settings can help you work on interpersonal relationships and develop a strong support group.
• Behavioral therapies. Addiction specialists use several behavioral therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). These talk therapies encourage growth and help patients recognize and change behaviors.
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT). MAT is often combined with behavioral therapies to treat certain substance addictions.
• 12-Step programs. Popular 12-Step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are often used in treatment to add an extra layer of community support in recovery and help patients maintain long-term sobriety.

Addiction specialists use many of these evidence-based approaches in inpatient and outpatient programs. But the duration and intensity levels vary across programs. Higher levels of care, such as inpatient rehab, partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), and IOPs, often offer more in-depth exposure to these approaches.

Are Weekend Rehab Programs Effective?

Since people have unique needs, addiction treatment looks different for everyone. The various treatment options for substance use disorder (SUD) programs increase the likelihood that someone seeking treatment will find care and remain in treatment.¹

Still, outcomes vary depending on many factors, such as substance use history, appropriateness of care, and duration of treatment.¹ Getting treatment as soon as possible is also conducive to successful outcomes.⁵

Keep in mind, addiction is a chronic disease. Overcoming an SUD can be an ongoing process. Sometimes it takes more than one attempt to achieve long-term sobriety, which means relapse isn’t a moral failing. It’s often part of the process, and it can be a valuable tool to better understand your triggers and avoid them in the future.

Experts assert that remaining in treatment for at least 90 days can increase your likelihood of staying sober. Weekend rehab can play a role in recovery for many when used as continuing care after a more intensive program.¹

If you’re struggling with addiction, any form or length of treatment can help you start your recovery. While it’s critical to make time for treatment, weekend rehab may be part of your care plan, allowing you to receive therapy while also maintaining some responsibilities of everyday life.

To learn more about outpatient treatment—along with inpatient, sober living, telehealth treatment, and aftercare—contact American Addiction Centers at . With facilities scattered across the U.S., AAC likely has a treatment solution that’s right for you and that can assist you in taking your first steps toward recovery.