At a drug and alcohol treatment rehab, you can expect educational sessions about addiction and mental health, relapse prevention, and individual and group therapy.
How Does Drug and Alcohol Rehab Work?
Those who are living with a substance use disorder often wonder what it is like in rehab, and what the recovery process looks like with various treatment options. Entering into one of the local treatment programs gives the body and mind a chance to recover from the damage of substance abuse.
There are many treatment programs available to those with substance use disorders, and getting help for drugs and alcohol may look one way for one person and wildly different for another. No matter how you need it to work for you, Agape offers a luxury recovery setting that allows patients to heal and recover in a comfortable environment with gourmet nutritional options.
Types of Treatment
Inpatient
Inpatient programs are the ones most often chosen for those who need to undergo detox and withdrawals. They consist of a residential program where the patient checks into a facility and lives there for up to several weeks or even months, as the patient begins or continues their recovery journey. They are the most rigid programs and do not allow any patients to come or go during their treatment stay.
Outpatient
Outpatient treatment is a form of treatment that has the patient living independently, and attending treatment appointments at the facility on a schedule largely of their choosing. There are different intensities of outpatient programs, and while the most intensive will see the patient at the facility several times each week, that can also be as infrequent as a weekly visit.
PHP
PHP, or partial hospitalization programs, are a blend of outpatient and inpatient programs, often called “day programs”. The PHP option is one of the most regimented options for someone not in inpatient care, and can often be combined with a sober living facility to increase effectiveness.
What to Expect From Drug and Alcohol Rehab Programs
Detox & Withdrawal
During the detox and withdrawal stage, patients will be limited in their communications with those outside the center, so that the focus can remain on getting through one of the hardest stages of recovery. The on-site medical staff will ensure that you are as comfortable as possible, and will be on hand to make sure there is no danger from medical complications. Following detox, the patient will often have an assessment to determine a treatment plan going forward.
Assessment and Evaluations
During your stay, or at various intervals during your treatment plan, you will be given individual assessments and evaluations. These will not only serve to help identify your treatment needs but also evaluate the success of treatments already underway. Not only will these periodic evaluations be able to help guide treatment methods and successes, but they can be used to determine medication effectiveness if any is being prescribed.
Orientation
Orientation will provide new patients with a chance to see the facility and become familiar with the general daily operations. The patient will likely have a chance to meet all of the staff that they will be working with as well, such as doctors, nurses, and other personnel.
A Day in Inpatient
Inpatient participants will wake up and have breakfast before beginning the day’s programs. There will be multiple therapy sessions, as well as educational and leisure programming. Lunch will be served, and in the afternoon there will often be a mix of recovery programming and free time for the patient. Following dinner, there will frequently be a group session or support group meeting.
How Does Outpatient Vary?
For those who choose outpatient programs, there are multiple options. An Intensive Outpatient Program, or IOP, is an intensive outpatient program that requires a higher level of commitment from the patient than a conventional outpatient program. Outpatient programs generally only require a few hours each week from the patient, while an IOP will require 1-3 hours per day, multiple days per week in most cases.
What is PHP?
PHP, or partial hospitalization programs, are sometimes called “day programs’ ‘ because the patient spends each day checked into the facility, and they check out each afternoon or evening to return home. A PHP is a full 8-9 hour day, with lunch in the middle, consisting of all the same therapy and counseling options as inpatient programs, but with the independent living component for the patient.
How Long is Rehab?
The length of a rehab program will depend on the needs of the patient entering the program. Those fighting drug or alcohol addiction may only require a stay of one or two weeks in some cases, while those fighting more dangerous or longer addictions may need stays of several weeks or more. Those dealing with benzodiazepine withdrawals, for example, may need residential programs of several months to help taper down the dosages to avoid the risk of seizure.
What Happens After Rehab?
After rehab, there is an ongoing effort to maintain sobriety that will require significant effort and commitment from the individual in recovery. This will often include participating in a step-down program after their inpatient stays, such as entering a PHP, IOP, or conventional outpatient program.
Additionally, those in recovery will also continue to attend individual therapy, as well as group therapy and support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. Therapy will help them to continue exploring their thought patterns and emotions while honing their relapse prevention skills and techniques as well. Attending the group activities like meetings will help prevent feelings of isolation and loneliness that can contribute heavily to the risk of relapse.
How To Get Started
If you or someone you care about has been struggling with addiction and wondering what exactly they can expect from drug and alcohol rehab, there’s no reason to be nervous. You can reach out to admissions today and begin creating an individualized treatment plan that can help you form a solid foundation for a successful, lasting recovery.
Stephanie Catalano is an accomplished Clinical Director at Agape Behavioral Healthcare. With a Master of Social Work degree, LCSW license, and extensive training in Rapid Resolution Therapy under her belt, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Her unique combination of education and experience allows her to provide exceptional care to clients and lead her team with confidence. Stephanie’s joy comes from witnessing the moments when her patients creatively connect the dots and bravely move toward reclaiming their power. Her purpose is to help individuals understand their past so they can create a future full of hope, growth, and success. Stephanie attributes a large portion of her success to the supportive culture and strong sense of community fostered by the Agape team.
