7-Day Residential Detox Treatment
Rehabilitation options for individuals facing drug and alcohol issues vary greatly, reflecting the diversity of those who seek them. Some individuals may require a long-term rehab programme, while others may find a short-term rehab more appropriate for their situation. What’s the difference? We’ll look into this further in the paragraphs that follow.
It’s critical to understand that the concept of ‘short-term rehab’ is somewhat subjective. This is because the duration of rehab programmes can range widely, from as brief as one week to as long as a year, largely dependent on the specific needs of the individual. Moreover, what may appear brief to one person could seem interminable to another.
Typically, short-term rehab is characterised by either a seven-day detox programme on its own or a programme that pairs detox with a four-week rehab phase. These shorter programmes are ideal for those in recovery who haven’t battled addiction for a long time and who have strong support networks in place.

7-Day Detox Explained
The shortest rehab option available is the seven-day detox programme, which stands alone without subsequent structured psychotherapeutic support. While participants are encouraged to seek community support groups independently, no structured support systems are directly provided through the programme itself.
Choosing a seven-day detox might be suitable for individuals who can only spare a limited time for rehab but are deeply committed to achieving lasting sobriety. It’s imperative to recognise that enduring abstinence is fundamentally the only definitive remedy for addiction.
There are two main approaches to detox: medicated and non-medicated. The non-medicated approach, often referred to as ‘cold turkey’, is usually the fastest way to detox thoroughly within a short timeframe. On the other hand, medicated detox can make the process more bearable, though it might extend the detox period beyond seven days.
It’s advisable to discuss your options with a GP or a rehabilitation treatment centre when considering treatment. The best choice will always depend on your specific circumstances at the time.

What lies behind us and what lies before us are
tiny matters compared to what lies within us

Psychotherapeutic Treatments
For individuals who find that a simple detox programme isn’t enough to break free from addiction, a more comprehensive approach is often necessary. That’s where a detailed four-week plan comes in, offering a combination of one week of detox followed by three weeks of therapy. The aim is to tackle the psychological aspects of addiction as a complement to the physical detox.
The primary psychotherapeutic treatments in a four-week programme includes the following key treatment components:
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
- Mindfulness and meditation
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Holistic therapies
- 12-step programme
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and group therapy are cornerstones of any recovery plan, both of which have been effective for decades. Cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, is a one-on-one counselling approach initially developed for individuals suffering from psychological conditions like clinical depression. The essence of CBT is its structured approach, aiming for specific, achievable goals for the recovering individual. As each goal is met, a new one is introduced, with the therapy typically wrapping up in 12 to 15 sessions.
Meanwhile, group therapy utilises the power of collective support, a method proven effective since the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous. It’s designed to offer mutual encouragement and responsibility among a group of individuals, incorporating various activities like shared counselling sessions and organised physical activities.

What Happens After Detox?
What happens after the completion of a detox or rehab programme is crucial to long-term recovery. The end of formal treatment is merely the start of a lifelong journey towards maintaining sobriety.
Individuals who go through a seven-day detox must seek out community services for support to prevent relapse. Support groups are incredibly beneficial, providing aid for those recovering from various substances, including illegal drugs, prescription meds, and alcohol. On the other hand, those who go through a four-week rehab programme will proceed to aftercare, a continuation of the support and treatments begun during rehab. Aftercare may include further counselling, continued group therapy, and other personalised therapeutic activities. Engaging in aftercare significantly reduces the chance of relapse.
Your Attitude Makes A Difference
Discussing short-term rehab can sometimes oversimplify the recovery process. We must stress, however, that this is far from the truth. Recovery from substance or behavioural addiction can be extremely challenging and may involve discomfort throughout the treatment. Moreover, as mentioned before, recovery is a continuous journey that doesn’t end with rehab, it’s a lifelong process.
The most critical aspect of your recovery is your mindset from the start. If you’re entering short-term rehab thinking it’s a quick fix for all your issues, you’re not approaching it with the right mindset. We hope you approach it with complete dedication and a lifelong commitment to avoid the addictive behaviours that dominate your life.
With this in mind, we urge you to contact our addiction recovery helpline immediately. One of our trained and caring counsellors is ready to listen to you. We offer a FREE and thorough assessment based on the details you provide. From there, we’ll recommend the most suitable treatment option.
Our services are free because our primary goal is to help you recover. They’re also completely confidential. Your interaction with us can remain private unless you decide otherwise. The most important step is deciding to seek the treatment you need. We’re here to assist you in making that decision.
FREE Addiction Assessment
If your or a loved one are struggling with addiction, we understand the challenges you’re facing and we’re here to offer compassionate help.
Our highly trained advisers are available to speak to you right away, simply call 0808 252 3379 today.
We can discuss your concerns in complete confidence, explore the options for treatment, and help you to understand what will work best for you.
We’ll also help you to book your free addiction assessment there and then, with appointments usually available within only a few days.
We understand that taking the first step can be the most difficult, but we’re here to support – with no pressure or judgement.
Professional and compassionate help is just a phone call or click away.