What is Rehab Like?

Rehabilitation services for drug use are essentially a mixture of therapy sessions, nourishing the body to replace essential vitamins and minerals, and relearning basic life skills to thrive. Many people either needing substance use rehabilitation (rehab) or those within the family or friendship circle of those struggling do not know what rehab is like. Entering a rehabilitation program can be terrifying simply because of the unknown. Those that are struggling and those closest to them are acutely aware of the daily struggle substance use causes. Although there is a constant struggle while using a substance there is still fear about seeking help. Asking questions to alleviate that fear is how to begin.

Many people do have questions about the process of rehab and what to expect during the process. The majority of people have only experienced scenes from movies or television shows depicting what rehab is like. In most cases, those depictions are not reality.

There are many steps to the process of rehab. Each rehab facility and addiction treatment program will offer their own variations to the steps dependent upon the type of rehab itself. Understanding some of the basic principles and expectations of rehab facilities facilitates the process of entry into a rehab facility. Thus understanding what rehab is like, at least during entry. 

• The rehab intake process will need to be extensive. Therefore they will ask a number of questions pertaining to substance use or abuse. Such as the amount, how recent, the length of use, and so on. This is done to ensure a safe and comfortable detoxification process and to have a full understanding of what is being combatted. 
• Everything will be searched. Although the decision has been made to attend rehab some people still bring their substance with them. Thus, to keep everyone safe within the facility, bags and those entering rehab will be searched to be sure they did not bring anything.
• There will be a lack of privacy, however, each rehab offer programs that focus on granting the client with more privacy – most require certain qualifying factors in order to offer more privacy and still offer effective rehab treatments. Each day will be busy between psychotherapy, exercise, and various activities. Although this may seem exhausting each part is essential to the recovery process.
• Like the lack of privacy stated each day is packed with a schedule. Rehab is not meant to be necessarily a “vacation”. Again, rehab centers offer different types of rehab programs and some offer more generous amenities like spas or even massages, etc but generally, there is only some downtime during the weekends or holidays. 
• Rules must be followed. The point of rehab is to readjust to living without substances and to live a full, happy, and rewarding life. Following the rules comes with reward both while in rehab and out. Whereas breaking them can cause rule breakers to be withdrawn from the facility and not receive the treatment they need. 

Rehab on a day to day basis will be slightly different depending upon the rehab facility and their protocols. Each part of the day will have a full schedule while attending a rehab facility. Each day starts bright and early in the morning and ends usually with a group meeting following into bedtime.

Recovery is generally group focused because the comradery formed while attending rehab or addiction treatment helps those struggling to understand they are not alone in the battle. Interactions with peers is instrumental in returning to a healthy state of action on a daily basis. To grasp the idea of what rehab is like understanding that group effort is essential. For this reason, therapists combine one-on-one talk therapy sessions with group activities that include:

• Group therapy program
• Family therapy program
• Yoga classes
• Addiction education
• Gender-specific therapies
• 12 step recovery

To have any success with recovery those struggling need rehabilitation programs to be comprehensive. Drug abuse impacts the entire body, mind, and soul. It is not enough to get help for one aspect of ourselves while not seeking treatment for the other areas that have been affected. Substance use or addiction treatment centers need to offer programs, activities, and therapy sessions that address people as a whole. All reputable rehabilitation centers will be designed to specifically address those struggling as a whole. Not only treating the addiction but the trigger, other mental disorders, and offer new ways of coping.

There are many forms of therapy involved in the rehabilitation process. Rehab is like attending various forms of therapy to generate the most success. By implementing various forms of therapy those struggling are able to heal all the different aspects of their mind and body. The different therapy sessions offered are as follows:

• Specialized Sessions: These forms of therapy and rehab are designed to target specific needs. They are implemented within rehab’s daily routine because the use of substances is generally triggered by something. They can consist of sessions focused on anger management to counseling for grief. 
• Family Therapy: While peer support and individual therapy are necessary during rehab or addiction treatment, so is the support from family members. Addiction or substance abuse can have deteriorating effects on the whole family. Allowing the opportunity for family members to heal together and find peace together helps to encourage and support those struggling in the future. 
• Holistic Therapy: There are many other forms of therapy that can be included within each rehab facility. They can range from art to exercise and are designed to encourage growth and rehabilitation.

Group Therapy: Group therapy can be several different forms of therapy during rehab and addiction treatment. Each one of them involves those in recovery and one or more therapists to help facilitate and guide the meeting. Group therapy can be:

• Psychoeducational- Focusing on learning about substance abuse and its effects on the body, relationships with others, ways to manage, and other ways it impacts a person.
• Skill Development- Has a focus on life skill improvement and coping mechanisms. 
• Support- Focuses on peer engagement and supporting one another through recovery.
• Cognitive Behavioral- This type of therapy is much like individual therapy but it happens in a group setting. Sessions are lead by a counselor directing the focus from negative thought processes and conversation towards focusing on new positive habits, skills, hobbies, and goals.

Individual Behavioral Therapy or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps those struggling with substance use understand the connection of their feelings, thoughts, and actions to their reaction to them. While CBT is used extensively for substance use it also helps with other mental disorders like anxiety or depression during rehab. For those with co-occurring disorders, those struggling are found to have an additional mental health condition, CBT is able to help recovery from both.

A substance abuse rehabilitation or addiction treatment center, like us here at Crest View, that implements a reality therapy approach allows for more freedom and therefore doesn’t have the same level of strictness as many others. 

Most substance abuse treatment and rehab programs require participants to live and recreate themselves at the facility.  Instead, with a reality-based model, there is the opportunity to go out as a group with a therapist. Rehab with a reality-based model is essentially like living in the real world with guidance and support. The goal is to develop the skills to be comfortable interacting with people in everyday situations that will be encountered after discharge.

Reality therapy focuses on building new ways to meet basic human needs. The basic human needs focused upon are love and belonging, power, survival, freedom, and fun. Which when provided in a controlled group setting in a real-world environment allows for growth within those struggling with addiction that require rehab. The growth that occurs within them include basic life skills, coping mechanisms, and relearning ways to subdue their triggers. 

Specifically, a reality-based model hones in on people’s social skills. The goal is to learn to deal with and cope with people who have not attended rehab or are not actively in recovery. In some cases, those that are struggling will find themselves in a social setting where others may be drinking or a different trigger may occur. Thus providing those struggling with having to confront the urge to partake or use a substance and learn ways to resist.

Those struggling will not know if they can resist unless they attempt fitting into the setting of rehab. A therapist always accompanies those struggling and is there to offer assistance or help whenever it is needed. Moreover, peers in recovery can talk to one another through situations that might be tough to deal with. It’s a great way of practicing sober living before committing to it full time.

Here at Crest View Recovery Center, we implement the reality-based therapy model towards addiction treatment and rehabilitation. While there is a focus on this model, there are also other types of therapy. We include individual therapy, family counseling, group therapy, yoga, meditation, and various other therapy sessions as well. Each play a key role in the recovery of those struggling with substance use. Allow us to help either yourself or a loved one receive the treatment needed.  

So, what is rehab like? Find out by talking to our experts here at Crest View Recovery Center today. Contact us at (866) 327-2505 now to schedule an admission appointment.

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/drug-addiction-treatment-in-united-states/types-treatment-programs