subject: What can I expect during a residential rehabilitation program? [print this page] What can I expect during a residential rehabilitation program?
Accepting you need rehab is a hard step to take but it is the first to regaining control of your life. It is only natural to feel anxious or unsure about what to expect.
Even though there are many different methods and ideas on what works best for alcohol and drug rehabilitation, most residential programs will follow the same core principles. You can expect them to include some or all of the following elements:
Detoxification This part of the treatment deals with the physical side of things. It is essential to clean your body from the chemicals that are poisoning it. You will be assessed at the beginning of your treatment whether or not you require medical help it all depends on the type of drugs you have been using and the severity of your case. The detoxification period is also designed to alleviate withdrawal symptoms to allow your body to adjust to a natural balance again.
Group sessions The most well-known element of drug and alcohol rehab programs are the group sessions. These sessions may be facilitated by counsellors, group members, or a combination of both. In a safe and structured environment you will have the opportunity to share your story and talk through the ups and downs of rehab and detoxification with people in the same situation.
Education This includes learning about drugs, and how they affect you, your family and society as a whole. You will learn about coping skills and relapse prevention strategies.
Family meetings This depends on your case and whether it is best for you to have family involvement in your drug rehab treatment. Many treatment centres do offer opportunities for family members to participate in some form. This can include group therapy and family programs.
Aftercare plan There are no quick fixes for drug and alcohol abuse; recovery is an ongoing process. The skills you learn during intensive drug rehabilitation treatment and alcohol rehabilitation must be integrated into everyday life and this takes time. An aftercare plan is a framework for continued sobriety and recovery. It may consist of weekly substance abuse counseling, IOP (Intensive Outpatient) treatment, AA or NA meetings. This will be developed to suit your individual case. You will be fully supported during your aftercare plan.
