What to Expect in Rehab Addiction Treatment
For many people, healing centers or rehab conjure images of gloom and a loss of freedom.
The reality is the opposite. Anybody’s time in a treatment center is an invaluable voyage of self-discovery, inner peace, healing, tranquility, and fulfillment.
Everyone’s personal experience in healing is unique. When you undergo a healing journey, you already come equipped with internal tools you can use to create a sober, addiction-free path in life, and the treatment center teaches you how to use them.
To start this recovery process, you must follow a recommended regimen. This program involves a holistic approach of therapy, activity, and recreation designed to heal both body and mind to help you feel whole again.
If you or a loved one is in need of addiction treatment, reach out to our admissions team at (855) 430-9439 and we will walk you through the process.
Therapies, Programs, and Activities in Rehab
To start, you’ll get an idea of what activities you’ll be doing during your stay. Each healing center offers unique counseling sessions and activities for its clients.
Here are some programs which are generally available daily or at scheduled times during the week.
1. Support Groups
Treatment centers have intimate groups, so you’ll have ample time to open up and discuss addiction and recovery challenges in a safe and supportive environment.
Each group is led by a moderator who’ll be leading the conversation.
Sharing your thoughts and feelings might feel awkward during the first few sessions, but you’ll find it easier and more enjoyable with time.
2. Family Counseling
Support from your family and people you consider family is essential to your recovery. Treatment centers offer different types of family programs, including counseling and education for you and your family.
In a family counseling session, family members or people you consider your family attends during a family counseling session.
You and your family will try to open up about your feelings, concerns, and challenges in a safe and non-judgmental environment moderated by an experienced therapist.
3. Private Counseling and Therapy Sessions
Private counseling and sessions with your therapist are the core of your healing journey.
Together with your therapist, you’ll uncover underlying issues playing a part in your substance abuse. You’ll work on tools to help you cope and heal.
4. Relaxation Therapies
Most healing centers have spa facilities to help you unwind, relax and focus on getting better.
These facilities can range from saunas, swimming pools, and whirlpool baths to a few luxurious spa amenities available for you. Acupuncture and massage may also be available.
5. Fitness Programs
For holistic healing, your mind and body should work together to have the energy and fortitude to finish your healing journey.
Group and one-on-one therapies heal the mind, and fitness classes focus on your body.
There are many types of physical exercises available at treatment centers. These can include aerobics, standard exercise, martial arts, dance, spinning, yoga, and meditation, to name a few.
6. Life Skills Classes
Life skills are the abilities you need to navigate and handle life’s challenges and thrive.
In substance abuse treatment, you’ll develop better communication skills, stress management, healthy eating, and even basic everyday skills to manage daily life’s challenges.
You’ll be able to use these skills outside the healing center to cope and thrive with whatever life brings you.
7. Art Therapy
Art therapy is a proven and enjoyable tool in aiding your recovery from substance abuse.
Depending on availability, your healing center can offer painting, drawing, or crafting so you can explore your emotions and creative side.
8. Substance Abuse Education
Knowing your enemy is already half the battle, and there is no better way to understand addiction than through education.
Addiction treatment centers offer you and your loved one’s programs about the hows and whys of substance abuse and addiction.
You’ll learn about the types of addiction, how it starts, and how you can treat it successfully.
What’s the Food Like in an Addiction Rehab Center?
Food is an essential ally in your journey to recovery because what you give your body is vital in aiding your healing process.
During your stay in a recovery center, you’ll expect to eat a well-balanced diet from the five primary food groups: vegetables, fruits, proteins, grains, and dairy.
Early in your journey, you’ll expect to eat food that is high in the amino acid tyrosine (bananas, sunflower seeds, lamb, cheese, pork), L-glutamine (leafy greens, spinach, parsley), and tryptophan (cheese, turkey, lamb, pork) to name a few.
These minerals are essential in aiding your early recovery. Many treatment centers also offer vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan selections.
Will I Take Medication in Rehab?
If your journey involves drug therapy, you will get the necessary medication you need to get better under the guidance of your doctor.
If you enter a detox program, you will be provided with taper medications and other prescriptions to ease withdrawal symptoms.
Pending your psychiatric evaluation, the doctor may prescribe you non-narcotic medications for mental health disorders, such as antidepressants.
In exceptional cases, you may need to bring medication from home. The medical staff will make sure you’ll have access to these things.
What to Expect on a Typical Day in a Rehab Treatment Center
After reading about all the programs and activities of an addiction treatment center, it’s time to look at a typical day.
1. Mornings
You’ll typically start the day at seven in the morning. At this time, you’ll have enough time to get dressed, do your morning exercises (if it’s part of your routine), and get ready for breakfast.
If you need to take medication, this is also usually the time the health staff will give you your first dose.
Breakfast is in a communal setting where you’ll eat with other people embarking on the same journey. This shared meal experience is a valuable time to make friends and support each other.
After having breakfast, you’ll have your first daily activity. For most, it’s group therapy, but it can also be fitness or any other exercise, depending on the treatment center.
2. Afternoons
After lunch, you’ll go to one-on-one sessions with your therapist. Here, you’ll get to talk about your concerns and challenges. Your therapist will also update you on where you are in terms of your progress.
Depending on your therapist, you may undergo cognitive-behavioral therapy. This technique lets you understand how your thoughts affect your emotions and behaviors.
You may go to another group session or join a smaller group and talk about grief, depression, stress, and anger after your one-on-one therapy session.
Rest and Relaxation usually follow these sessions. You can play billiards, ping pong, meditation, art therapy, and fitness classes, to name a few. You’ll expect to do these activities up until dinner time.
3. Evenings
After a healthy dinner, you may have another group session or support meeting if you participate in specific programs like Alcoholics Anonymous.
Your day in a treatment center ends with plenty of time for recreation and socializing before bed. You can spend time with your new friends, or watch a movie.
The medical staff visits you during this time to see if you need anything. You’ll get your last dose of medication around this time if you’re on drug therapy.
During bedtime, it’s lights-out right away. This policy makes sure you get enough rest and sleep every evening without distractions. When you’re well-rested, you’ll be better able to handle the challenges of the journey of healing.
What Can You Bring to an Addiction Treatment Center?
Most centers will allow you to bring personal items.
You can bring your clothes, pajamas, toiletries, and other essentials. However, healing centers usually request new and unopened toiletries and medication. Toiletry items like mouthwash should be alcohol-free.
Treatment centers will usually request you to leave your laptop at home, and if you choose to bring a phone, the center will keep it in safe storage and return it to you when you leave.
These rules allow you to focus your total energy on healing and recovery.
Take the First Step with Addiction Rehab
Healing from substance abuse or addiction takes time, dedication, and focus. With hard work and determination, you’ll be able to take big steps in your healing journey.
When you look back at it, you’ll see it as one of your life’s most courageous and fulfilling times. The structured schedule and programs will allow you to take a step back, face the challenges, and finally conquer them.
You’ll encounter many people who are taking the same journey, and you’ll realize you are not alone, and you may make friendships that will last a lifetime.
The journey to recovery starts with a single phone call with Zinnia Health. When you’re ready to take your first step towards healing and recovery from substance abuse, or if you’re concerned about your loved one’s alcohol or drug use, call us anytime at our 24/7 helpline at (855) 430-9439.