When you are considering a stay in a drug or alcohol treatment center, you’re likely wondering just what to expect during your time there. This is a popular question that any rehab would be happy to answer in detail. While there are a lot of different alcohol and drug rehab facilities available, most of them do follow a certain schedule.
When you stay in an inpatient treatment rehab, you’ll be required to follow their rules and structure. Depending on the type of setting and what is offered, your daily activities may vary. However, here is what you can generally expect from a 28-day alcohol rehab facility.
Mornings in Rehab
While you won’t have to get up at the very crack of dawn, you will be expected to get up at a reasonable time to have breakfast. Since your treatment plan will be to develop healthy habits, you’ll have the choice of healthy options for breakfast at the same time every day. Many alcohol rehabs also offer various morning classes that will help you start your days in a relaxed state, such as meditation or yoga.
In many facilities, breakfast will be followed by a therapy session. This may be group therapy or a 12-step type of meeting, depending on the program. You’ll also have time to rest and relax between breakfast and lunch.
Afternoons in Rehab
After a healthy lunch, the real work begins. The afternoon is usually when the harder therapy sessions occur, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy sessions. CBT gets to the root of your addiction, particularly the triggers that make you want to drink. Once the therapist identifies these triggers, he or she will guide you on how to respond in a healthier way when they occur. One-on-one therapy is a chance for you to open up about your fears and concerns in a private, safe environment.
If you are dealing with a dual diagnosis, which is a mental health disorder, you’ll also have the chance to talk about your problems and concerns with your therapist. These mental health problems can include bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, to name a few. Your therapist will address these issues separately from your addiction.
During the afternoon you’ll participate in group therapy sessions with other patients. These types of sessions will provide all participants with a sense of camaraderie since everyone in attendance will have experienced the struggles of alcohol addiction. Many patients benefit greatly when others share their emotional, personal stories. It doesn’t usually take long for group members to bond with one another over their stories, a very useful stage of rehab.
Special sessions may also occur during the day. They may be tailored for you specifically, such as grief counseling or stress management. You may also take part in family therapy sessions during the program, another very important part of the process. Addiction can damage the entire family unit, often culminating in anger, resentment, and destructive codependency. During these sessions, everyone will get a chance to discuss how the addiction has affected them.
Evenings in Rehab
After dinner, you will likely have some downtime to rest and relax. However, the point of rehab is to keep you busy and engaged enough that you aren’t thinking about alcohol as much. Some facilities offer holistic therapy options for their patients, such as equine therapy, dance therapy, art or music therapy, volunteering options, exercise, meditation, and biofeedback. If you don’t choose to participate in these therapy options, you may spend your downtime reading or relaxing in your room or outside. Some people spend their time in meditation or in prayer.
A healthy, consistent bedtime is very much encouraged when you are in an alcohol rehab, so expect to go to bed at a reasonable hour during your time there. You’ll want to get enough sleep at night to ensure that you have a productive, energetic day.
Additional Information
While every alcohol facility is different, you can expect to follow this same pattern in most places. When the 28 days are up, you can either leave the facility and go back home, or you may wish to check yourself into a sober living home for the time being. Your therapist will help you decide what is best for you and your situation.
Now that you have read what you can expect when you head to an alcohol rehab, let’s talk about your treatment. Give us a call today at 772-266-5320 to find out how we can help you find the right program for your addiction.
