Prosperity Haven Ohio

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What Is Rehab Like? What to Expect When You Enter Treatment

When making the decision to enroll into a rehab program for you or a loved one, it’s natural for various questions to arise – what the program is like, the rules, expectations, the recommended length of stay in treatment, etc. The treatment process may also differ from one program to the next.

This article will give you an overview of what rehab is like, and what you can expect during the first days of addiction treatment.

Intake

In most cases, the intake process begins with a brief phone consultation. Here you will be assessed by a counselor to determine if you are the right fit for the program, and if the program will be a good match for you.

The conversation provides an opportunity for you to learn more, and asking questions is encouraged for any further clarifications where necessary. This initial conversation determines whether the facility can address your individual treatment and care needs.

The intake should involve questions about:

      • Family and social life.
      • Medical and mental health history.
      • Past drug, alcohol and substance abuse.
      • Any past treatment(s) for the above-mentioned drug, alcohol and substance abuse.

It is during this intake stage that the counselors will brief you on the rules of the program and the facility, take you through the completion of any legal documents and consent forms, and engage you in developing an appropriate treatment plan and treatment goals.

The intake process can last a few hours or be spread out over a couple of days, especially if you are going through detox.

Detox

While a few residential rehab centers have their own in-house detoxification programs, the majority do not. As a result, most centers will require patients to complete their detox prior to admission into their rehab facility. Most alcohol and drug rehab centers allow patients to go through withdrawal at a specialized facility for alcohol and drug withdrawal symptoms.

In a detox facility, patients who develop complications get the medically-supervised assistance that they need to help ease the ill feelings of withdrawal symptoms. Specific medications may be incorporated to help reduce such problems. This transition is usually short term, with its average duration being five to seven days. However, this may change depending on the person.

The Rehab Facility

Rehab centers vary in terms of their physical amenities. They can range from primitive looking camp-type settings that tend to accommodate troubled teens, to the most lavish places for the rich and famous.

There are various in-between facilities that can accommodate anyone. The type of facility you choose may depend on your ability to pay for the services or what your insurance can cover.

Therapy

Upon intake, you will begin work with a professional therapist to understand the root cause of your addiction. You will also take part in daily group activities with other people seeking treatment in the facility.

The design of these sessions is to impart useful skills that are necessary for a sober life. You will receive hands-on lessons in how to identify situations that are most likely to lead to relapse – and ways to avoid them.

Group sessions provide encouragement for patients seeking support from other people who have the same experiences and also share the same goal: of achieving long-term sobriety. Therapy sessions could include 12-Step programs.

The therapeutic process will include regular toxicology screening and monitoring, especially for patients who are going through court-ordered rehab. Most rehab programs will also include ongoing family treatment, health and medical services, as well as case management, to increase the chances of long-term success.