What Is Rehab Like
What is Rehab Like? Guide to Before, During, & After
Casual substance use became an addiction that can destroy individuals’ lives. They want to stop, but whenever they detox at home, the cravings and withdrawals overwhelm them. They skip out on plans, miss work shifts, and spend excessive amounts of money on the drug, thinking they can’t survive the day without a dose. To make matters worse, environmental triggers, such as a stressful home life, surround them.
Substance abuse rehab eliminates most of these factors by transferring the individual to a clean, safe, and calming environment. They undergo a medically supervised detox that eases withdrawal symptoms and start classes and therapy that help find the root of their addiction. Afterward, they transition back to their regular lives with aftercare programs and community support.
The Admissions Process
Recovery has four stages: contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. This process starts when an individual realizes they have a problem and decides to attend therapy. They take action by entering rehab, and after completing their stay, they perform maintenance with aftercare support.
What to Expect During the Admissions Process
Beachway Therapy Center follows this admissions process:
- The client calls the center or fills out the online form and waits for a return call. When they reach the operator, they discuss the length and type of their addiction, plus their medical history and mental health issues.
- The client provides their insurance information, so the center can verify their coverage before they check in. If they don’t have full coverage, the coordinator discusses other ways to pay.
- The facility schedules a time for the client to arrive. Residents who live nearby can drive or take the bus. Otherwise, the center helps them arrange a flight and picks them up at the airport.
- Staff members greet the client when they reach the facility. They provide a tour, show them their room, and discuss their treatment plan.
Questions to Ask When Considering Rehab Programs
The rehab community will invite residents to ask questions before they move in. Common questions include:
- What types of therapy does the clinic offer?
- Do they provide supplemental treatments, such as art therapy?
- What should the resident bring before they move in?
- Do they treat co-occurring disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD?
- Does the clinic allow loved ones to visit?
- How long do programs usually last?
- What does the aftercare program look like?
- How long does the detox process take?
- Does the center sponsor any support groups?
- How much does each program cost?
Daily Life in Rehab
Inpatient rehab keeps clients occupied with a strict schedule of meals, classes, and therapy. With few other responsibilities, residents focus on recovering and staying sober.
A Typical Day in Rehab
Rehab residents wake up at a specified time and then complete morning tasks and have breakfast before they start therapy. Their schedule may include individual and group therapy, exercise groups, holistic treatments, and educational classes. They take a midday break for lunch, after which they resume classes and therapy until dinnertime. They may have free time before they go to bed.
Every client’s schedule looks different. Some need more holistic treatments, such as art and equine therapy, while others spend more time learning life and cognitive skills. The length of each stay depends on the resident’s individual needs. Residents may graduate early or extend their program if they’re not ready for the transition.
After they complete inpatient therapy, clients often move to an outpatient program with similar services on a more flexible schedule.
Rules and Expectations
Above all, residents must adhere to their schedules. They can talk to staff members if an issue arrives that prevents them from attending therapy, but they can’t skip classes on their own. If a resident is unwilling to attend therapy, they shouldn’t enter rehab.
Likewise, clients should be polite and courteous to staff members and fellow residents. The staff expects them to keep their rooms clean, respect the property, and dress appropriately. Residents who engage in drug or alcohol use may have to leave the community.
The rehab center will allow clients to bring some clothes, toiletries, and personal items. They can check with a coordinator before they bring their belongings.
Types of Therapy and Treatment
Doctors and therapists create customized treatment plans for every resident. Each plan usually involves multiple therapy types that target different issues.
Individual vs. Group Therapy
Undergoing therapy means facing past traumas that many try to avoid. For some, the hardest part of rehabilitation is revisiting the past and accepting they need to move forward. Individual therapy provides a safe, private environment to process trauma and learn new thinking techniques.
Similarly, group therapy shows clients they’re not alone and encourages them to learn from their peers. Group therapy also provides objective perspectives that residents hadn’t considered before. They often make connections in peer therapy that stay with them after they leave rehab.
Therapists may invite the resident’s friends and relatives to join therapy and practice conflict resolution, creating a positive, supportive home environment instead of a triggering one. This prepares the client to return home when the program ends.
Evidence-Based Treatments
Rehab therapists help clients recover with these techniques:
- Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT): This therapy challenges the individual’s thinking patterns and teaches them to look objectively without making assumptions.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): This method teaches four coping skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
- EDMR therapy: Residents use rapid-eye movements to process trauma and reduce or eliminate PTSD symptoms.
- Solution-focused therapy: Therapists ask questions to guide clients to their own conclusions while reinforcing positive behaviors.
Residents leave therapy with a fresh outlook on life and cognitive tools that help them stay sober.
Support and Community
Rehab encourages clients to connect with their peers, providing a supportive, positive community that understands their experiences. They attend 12-step programs and peer support groups that provide a safety net when they face triggers or consider relapsing. If they relapse, they know they can turn to their judgment-free support group and start making progress again.
Aftercare Planning
Going through rehab means facing one’s fears and coming out the other side. However, clients lose their residence’s structure, intensive therapy, and 24-hour support when they graduate. Staff members help them create aftercare plans that provide ongoing support, relapse prevention, and preparation for “ordinary” life. Similarly, they may recommend classes and programs in the graduate’s neighborhood.
Learn More About Rehab at Beachway
Whether they’re a first-time client or have relapsed several times, nobody is beyond help. Rehab imparts skills that they’ll carry for the rest of their lives. Beachway Therapy Center provides mental health, substance abuse, and dual diagnosis treatment that focuses on solutions, not judgment. Call 877-284-0353 today to seek help.