How much therapy is enough? Dose in rehab
Why the amount of practice - the "dose" - is one of the most important ingredients in recovery.
A recurring finding in rehab research is that the amount of meaningful practice - the dose - strongly influences results.
Why dose matters
- More purposeful repetition tends to help.
- Under-dosing may limit gains.
- Consistency compounds over time.
What research suggests
- Higher-intensity practice can produce greater gains.
- It must remain sustainable for the person.
- Quality of practice matters as well as quantity.
Boosting your dose
- Add short practice bouts through the day.
- Use games and daily tasks to add reps.
- Track your practice to stay accountable.
What it means for everyday practice
Evidence points to a few practical habits rather than any single “cure”:
- Favour approaches that are consistent, meaningful, and sustainable.
- Track what helps you - responses vary from person to person.
- Combine professional therapy with regular home practice.
Explore related Learn guides, build a routine in Practice, or practise with a calm game. This is a plain-language summary for general education, not medical advice.