What is it Like? What Goes on in Drug Rehab?

When you think about it at first, rehab is a scary proposition. It means dedicating a lot of time and energy to managing a disease that has taken over your life. But, that’s a big picture take. What it feels like on a daily basis is a bit more difficult to sum up because practices vary depending upon the type of rehab center you receive care from.

The following discussion will cover the average experience in outpatient rehab and follow it up with a more detailed discussion of an average day in inpatient rehab. This should help you to better understand how your time in rehab will look.

For more information about what goes on in drug rehab, call 800-430-1407Who Answers?. If you have questions, we have answers. We can even help you to choose a rehab center that you think fits your needs.

What is Outpatient Rehab Like?

Some inpatient centers offer equine therapy.

Unlike inpatient rehab, you are not required to check into outpatient rehab and spend your days and nights there. Instead, you attend scheduled sessions. Depending upon the severity of your addiction, you could be spending all day in sessions or attending several a week. Otherwise, you continue living your daily life as you normally would.

As with any other rehab, outpatient care will begin with an overall assessment that will determine your treatment plan. The plan will almost certainly include one-on-one, group, and family therapy. You will also attend educational sessions, where you will learn about addiction and gain skills that will help you in recovery. Support groups are also a common component of the rehab experience.

The total amount of time you spend there will vary, as addiction treatment lengths depend greatly upon the addiction and its response to treatment. You may end up attending outpatient rehab for months or a few weeks.

What Do Mornings in Inpatient Rehab Look Like?

First of all, don’t plan on sleeping in. Rehab staff will expect you to be up early. Because addiction treatment is trying to help you to live a healthier life, the way the day is planned is intended to mirror the behaviors you should follow in your daily life when you leave the program.

Often, the day begins with a morning meditation, exercise routine (possibly yoga), or prayer session. After you have eased into your day and embraced a relaxed state of mind, you will follow up with a healthy breakfast. Often, addicts have poor nutrition and the rehab center will make an effort to balance your diet and enforce proper eating habits. According to the US National Library of Medicine, proper nutrition also plays an important role in the healing process.

There may be a morning group session, as well. These will take place in a safe environment and will focus on gaining clarity about the people, issues, and environments in your life that contribute to your substance abuse.

What is the Environment in a Rehab Center Really Like?

What Happens in the Afternoon in Inpatient Therapy?

After a healthy lunch, the afternoon is typically dedicated to more intensive treatment via behavioral therapy. You can expect to participate in:

• Individual behavioral therapy, like cognitive behavioral therapy, which will focus on your responses to specific triggers. Over time, you will work to change the way that you respond.
• Group therapy, which enforces peer support and a sense of community. You will share stories and experiences and develop fellowship and trust.
• Specialized Sessions, which might be aimed at combatting anger, stress, or grief. These sessions will help you to cope with these strong emotions without turning to drugs or alcohol.
• Family Therapy, which is a crucial treatment component. The goal is to improve the way that the family functions by addressing feelings and resolving issues.

There may also be alternative therapies offered, like:

• Dance therapy
• Equine therapy
• Art therapy

What Happens in the Evenings in Inpatient Rehab?

After a healthy dinner, you are generally encouraged to attend a 12 step or support group meeting. These help you to foster fellowship in a safe, respectful environment.

If you have chores as part of your residential program, you may be encouraged to do them during the evenings, if another time has not already been established.

Expect to go to bed at a reasonable hour. Again, the rehab center wants you to be healthy and that includes getting a proper amount of sleep. Many people with addictions don’t have good sleeping habits. For example, studies show that alcoholics take longer to fall asleep, awaken frequently, and experience poor quality sleep and daytime fatigue.

Now that you understand what a day in rehab looks like, isn’t it time to find a rehab center? Call 800-430-1407Who Answers? and speak with an expert who can recommend quality programs that meet your special needs.