What Should You Expect at Drug Rehab?

Taking that big first step into addiction treatment can be scary, especially when you don't know what to expect and you fear the worst. Although you will work hard while in treatment, you are also well taken care of and free from other responsibilities, at least for a while.

Checking in to drug rehab lets you get away from temptation, responsibility and distraction, allowing you the needed luxury of recovery time for yourself.

Knowing what happens in a drug rehab can reduce some of the apprehension you may be feeling about treatment. To help you understand what to expect, here is a short list of elements common to most quality drug rehab programs.

What You Can Expect at Drug Rehab

No two drug rehabs provide identical experiences, but a majority of programs will offer the following program elements.

An Intake Interview and Assessment

Treatment works best when it is individualized. Your requirements are unique and so program staff has to get to know you and your situation well, so that they can develop a plan tailored to your personal needs. You can expect the initial assessment to include an interview period as well as a medical exam and sometimes a psychiatric exam. In some cases, program staff may wish to speak with family members about your situation to develop a more well-rounded picture of your addiction.

A Roommate

Although most of us would prefer a private room, especially during a difficult period in life, few drug rehabs will allow patients to sleep without a roommate. The expenses inherent in running a residential program make single rooms an expensive proposition, but more importantly, roommates keep clients from isolating behaviors and other negative patterns. In short, roommates offer safety and aid in the recovery process.

Although you may have a roommate, most drug rehabs make a real effort to protect your privacy and provide comfortable, home-like accommodations.

Detox, if Needed

During the initial assessment interview, the medical team will determine whether or not you need medical detox. Should you require a detox (medical observation for a supervised drug or alcohol withdrawal period) you will first enter into a special medical facility to ensure safety and comfort during this period.

The detox period can take as little as a couple of days or up to a week or more, depending on the drug abused and the history of abuse.

A Structured Schedule

You should not expect a lot of free time during your stay in drug rehab. Programs are scheduled carefully to maximize available time, but a regimented schedule also serves as needed structure to people emerging from the chaos of addiction. This structure is beneficial for people who, during the very early days of abstinence, may have difficulty making clearheaded decisions.

A tight schedule doesn't imply a stay with no recreation - just that recreation and leisure activities will be scheduled!

Counseling

You can expect to participate in counseling, typically on a daily basis. Different counseling modalities can include group therapy sessions (very common) and individual sessions with a therapist or certified addiction counselor. Other counseling modalities sometimes offered include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), animal-assisted therapy, EMDR, hypnotherapy and others.

Education

In addition to counseling, you can expect to participate in frequent workshops on topics pertaining to addiction and recovery. Knowledge of addiction can strengthen your recovery and guard against relapse. It's important that you understand why you feel and act as you do, and what to expect in the months to come.

Relapse Prevention Planning

Soon after your arrival in drug rehab, you'll start planning your exit. It's easy to stay sober while away from temptation, and although a substantial period of abstinence gives you a foundation for recovery, the real challenges begin once you get home.

You will need to determine what most threatens your continuing sobriety, make a plan to minimize your exposure to these threats and decide exactly what you will do when tempted. The time you spend planning against relapse while in drug rehab pays enormous dividends once back in the community.

Recreation

No one can work all the time, and it's important that people new to recovery realize that sobriety can be just as much fun as intoxication. You will have daily recreation time when you will have an opportunity to participate in sporting activities, community outings, cultural workshops and other leisure activities.

Family Participation

Although in many ways you must take the journey of recovery alone, you also live as a part of a family. Your actions affect the lives of those close to you, and you can and should rely on them for support when needed.

Family participation in drug rehab is important. Your family members need to learn what they can do to help you stay sober and what they may have done in the past that contributed to your drug abuse. Your loved ones will also need to learn to accept the limitations inherent to their assistance (i.e., they can help you, but they can't do it for you!).

You may also have to make some amends to family members for wrongs done while using or drinking. An impartial family counselor can help guide a family through difficult reconciliations.

Continuing Care

Drug rehab doesn't end at the end of a residential stay. It continues on for weeks and months after, as you stay active in continuing care activities and alumni group outings.

The transition out of rehab can be difficult, and you will need the continuing support of a counseling group, even if you don't think that you do. The statistics show clearly that people who stick with some form of addiction treatment for a year or longer have a much greater chance of long-term recovery.

Addiction Treatment Works

Any questions you may have about addiction treatment or accredited drug rehabs in your area can be answered by treatment specialists at the National Resource Center at (866) 266-6127.