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. So, what is rehab like?

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.

What are the General Expectations at Rehab Facilities?

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.

Some General Routine Steps Followed by Many Rehabilitation Facilities

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.

What Is A Typical Day in Rehab?

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.

Mornings in Rehab

A typical morning in treatment will begin with an early start (around 7:00 a.m.) and with a healthy breakfast. Nutrition is an important factor in rehab facilities. People with a substance use disorder tend not to be concerned with meeting their nutritional needs.

Calming activities such as yoga or meditation help clear your mind and prepare you for the coming activities. The therapist will typically lead a group session. This session may be a discussion of the elements of addiction and motivations for recovery.

Afternoons in Rehab

Patients attend different types of intensive therapy sessions after lunch. This can include individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, or specialized sessions developed for a particular patient.

Counselors will develop a treatment plan for each patient, which might include alternating attendance at different sessions on different days during the week. There may be some free time scheduled in the afternoon. Patients are free to pursue other therapies, reading, and physical activities before dinner.

Evenings in Rehab

Shorter sessions after dinner are usually available for patients to attend. This includes 12-step programs. Taking part in these programs is highly recommended. Free time is sometimes available in the evenings instead of in the afternoon.

Other Therapies and Free Time Activities

Rehabs often offer other types of therapy such as:

Art therapy

Music or dance therapy

Exercise programs

Equine therapy

Biofeedback therapy

Free-time activities may include:

Soccer

Swimming

Pool

Ping-pong

Reading

Writing

Lights Out in Rehab

Typically, “lights out” is around 10:00 p.m. This helps the patients achieve a regulated sleep schedule, which is a part of a healthy lifestyle. Patients report difficulty falling asleep in the early days at rehab, but soon adjust and find a more reasonable bedtime to be quite late enough.

Rules in Rehab Centers

The rules in rehab centers are strict and may seem cruel at first look but can have positive effects on a person going through the early stages of recovery. Typical rules are:

No drugs or alcohol—This seems obvious when you’re in a treatment center, but can not be emphasized enough.
No cell phones or computers—Some treatment centers don’t ban them completely but will probably at least have restrictions on their use. This is done to inhibit any attempts to make contact with people who have been drug or alcohol contacts in the past. This also restricts patients from posting pictures of other patients, which may cause problems unintentionally.
No TV, music, or movies—This is to help diminish any exposure to triggers. Most of what is seen on TV and in movies is the “high” of drug and alcohol use and not so much the aftermath. Country songs, in particular, are fond of mentioning whiskey and beer, and police shows usually revolve around some sort of drug use.
No romantic relationships—Romance is not permitted in rehab. If a person is newly sober, he or she is not at their most emotionally stable. Adding the drama of a romantic relationship would be courting disaster. Your own recovery should be the only focus.
Attendance at all sessions—The patient must be willing to attend all sessions and activities. Even if you don’t really want to be there. After a while going to the meetings, the brain starts to comprehend the logic of what the counselors are saying.
Must remain in the treatment center—Recovering patients are forbidden from leaving the facility because they require a totally trigger-free, clean environment so they can learn to deal with their addiction. This helps the facility fulfill all of the goals set by the previous rules. Learning to live a healthy lifestyle for an extended period in the center will help patients to continue that lifestyle after they leave.

Why is Rehab Group-Focused?

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

Is Rehab Comprehensive?

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: What is rehab like for families? 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 During Rehab

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.

What is Reality Therapy And How is it The Ultimate Group Effort During Rehab?

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.