How To Get The Most Out of Your Drug Rehab Experience

You’ve had a moment of clarity and the time is now to get help for your drug or alcohol addiction. The first step is going to an addiction treatment center. You might have mixed emotions about attending rehab, but the truth is, this experience is a gift.

It will be crucial for you to take advantage of all that a drug rehab has to offer, for all the days that you’re there. What can you expect when entering drug rehab and how can you get the most out of your experience there?

Read on to find out.

What to expect in rehab

It can be scary leaving your home for a new place surrounded by people you don’t know, with the intention of changing your whole life. That’s why it’s better to know what you can expect when you go to drug rehab for the first time. Here are the series of events that will take place when you enter rehab.

Admissions

First, you’ll check in with the admissions staff and have a comprehensive examination and initial interview. This assessment process is where counselors and medical staff collect information about your addiction history, background, medical history, type and duration of drug using, date of the last usage, and any other relevant information.

Medical tests like a urinalysis and blood tests may be required. The results from this examination allow the rehab staff to create a personalized treatment program for you and also determines the recommended length of treatment.

Detoxification

After the initial interview, in most drug rehab facilities, detoxification from harmful substances is the first step in treatment.

Detox is simply a way to rid the body of the harmful substances you have been using prior to rehab. Detox is carried out with proper medical supervision and care.

Withdrawal symptoms can be severe and in some cases, life-threatening which is why it’s crucial they are treated correctly. Medications are often prescribed to ease these symptoms. For most people, the detoxification period takes 1 to 3 days.

Therapy and treatment

This is where the real recovery begins. During your stay in drug rehab, you’ll have a combination of group therapy, counseling sessions, and other addiction treatment elements that will set you on the path to recovery.

Counseling will help you overcome emotional issues that may have been caused or aggravated by your addiction. You’ll learn about addiction as a disease and how to participate in 12 step meetings. You’ll also get practical tools to help keep you sober after rehab.

How to enhance your rehab experience

You might be wondering how you can maximize your rehab experience. It all depends on what you want to get out of it. Drug rehab can be the turning point in your life. In order to get the most out of it, and get and stay sober, we recommend the following tips.

• Be alert, listen, and keep an open mind.
• Have the willingness to try.
• Keep a positive attitude.
• Get out of your comfort zone.
• Share your feelings and experiences.
• Take notes and learn new skills and tools.
• Have a plan for after treatment.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice.

How to increase your chances of success in recovery

Recovery is a lifelong process and addiction treatment is the first stepping stone on that journey. It has been noted that people who attend drug and alcohol treatment have a better chance of staying in recovery if they stay in treatment for the entire recommended length of time.

Another important aspect of being successful in recovery is learning about relapse prevention and having an aftercare plan for when you leave treatment.

Incorporating meetings, exercise, and new supportive friends into your routine will also help you achieve success in recovery. It’s also a good idea to explore new hobbies that are free of drugs and alcohol.

You want to be able to use the tools you’ve been giving for the rest of your life. That’s why it’s essential to get the most out of your experience in drug rehab and continue what you’ve learned after you graduate.

Real life will be out there waiting for you and hard times may still happen. It’s up to you to take what you’ve learned and continue on a success path to recovery.

It can be done and we’re sure recovery will allow you to live a life beyond your wildest dreams. Let us help you. Check out our drug rehab programs today.

Written by: Kelly Fitzgerald

Kelly is a sober writer based in Cape Coral, Florida, best known for her personal blog The Adventures Of A Sober Señorita. Follow her on Twitter.