Objection: Length of Stay

The Challenge

The client is minimizing the severity of their condition. They want a quick fix — detox and out — without understanding that detox alone won't address the underlying addiction. Your job is to reconnect them to their scorecard and explain why medical protocols require more time.

The Script

"Man, I hear that! Revisit 'the scorecard' e.g. 'you just told me that you've been drinking a case of beer a day for the last 8 years.' A 3-5 day detox isn't enough time to allow the body/brain to heal from this kind of ripping and running. No reputable medical provider will sign off on this. Circle back into 'best medical provider in the state, master level therapists, and FMLA convo' remind them that this experience is so much more than just a detox. Detox simply readies the body/mind for the treatment itself."

Breaking Down the Script

1. Empathize First

"Man, I hear that!" — You're not dismissing their concern. You understand the feeling of wanting to get in and out quickly.

2. Revisit the Scorecard

Immediately remind them of what THEY told you: "You've been drinking a case of beer a day for 8 years." This isn't your opinion — it's their own data reflecting back at them.

3. Medical Reality Check

"No reputable medical provider will sign off on this" — You're not the bad guy. The medical standards are. This removes you from being the obstacle.

4. Reframe Detox vs. Treatment

"Detox simply readies the body/mind for the treatment itself" — This is critical. They think detox = treatment. You're educating them that detox is just the beginning.

Follow-Up Moves

The Body/Brain Healing Angle

"Look, your body has been under assault for [X years]. The first few days are just getting the chemicals out. But your brain chemistry, your sleep patterns, your ability to think clearly — that takes longer to stabilize. If you leave after detox, you're walking out with a clear body but a foggy brain. That's why most people relapse within 72 hours of leaving detox-only programs."

The FMLA Connection

The Comparison Reframe

"If you had surgery, you wouldn't leave the hospital the next day just because you felt a little better, right? You'd follow the doctor's orders for recovery. This is no different. We're following medical protocols because that's what works."

Common Resistance Points

Client: "I've detoxed before on my own"

Response: "And how long did you stay sober after? I'm guessing not long, or you wouldn't be calling us. That's because detox without treatment just resets your tolerance — it doesn't address why you're using in the first place."

Client: "I just need to get through withdrawals"

Response: "Withdrawals are just the first hurdle. The real work is learning how to live without substances, processing the trauma that drives the addiction, and building new coping mechanisms. That doesn't happen in 3 days."

Client: "I can't be away that long"

Response: "Two weeks feels long right now. But compare that to how many years you've been using. Two weeks to potentially save your life and your future? That's not a long time — that's an investment."

What NOT to Do

Don't agree with them: "Yeah, 14 days is a long time" — undermines your position
Don't make it optional: "Well, we could try 7 days" — medical protocols aren't negotiable
Don't skip the scorecard callback: They need to hear their own words again
Don't let them minimize severity: "I'm not that bad" needs to be challenged

The Tie-Down Close

After addressing the objection, lock in the commitment:

"So if we're following medical protocols and you're protected by FMLA, the length of stay isn't really the issue. The issue is: are you ready to give yourself a real chance at recovery, or are you looking for a shortcut that's going to land you right back where you started? Which one feels right to you?"

This forces them to choose between "real chance" and "shortcut." Most people, when framed this way, choose the real chance.

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