Extended drug/alcohol treatment may be in order for teens, longtime addicts and professionals

Not everyone with a substance abuse disorder needs to commit to three months or more in an inpatient program, but certain groups of people do tend to require more care. Among those are teenagers, young adults, longtime addicts, high- functioning professionals and people with psychological or mental health problems. Also, people with eating disorders and a history of abuse need to have those issues addressed during treatment -- which takes additional time -- or they're likely to have more difficulty recovering, says Dr. Harry Haroutunian of the Betty Ford Center. The type of drug being abused can also affect treatment length, addiction experts say. Methamphetamine and heroin addictions, for example, are often more difficult to overcome.

YOUTHS

Teenagers, young adults and people who have been addicted since their adolescence especially benefit from treatment that is 90 days or longer, says Dr. David Sack, chief executive of Promises Treatment Centers. "Young adults have special challenges," he says. "They have failed in numerous areas of their lives, such as school. They have no occupational track record. They're not self-supporting. They have difficulty planning. Removing drugs is not going to restore them to a normal life. A 30-day treatment is probably the tip of the iceberg for them."

PROFESSIONALS

High-functioning professionals, such as doctors, tend to require longer stays because they have often abused drugs for many years in secrecy and feel deep shame about their problem, says Haroutunian. Doctors are also required to adhere to long-term treatment in order to regain or maintain their licenses.

-- Shari Roan