What is a Typical Day in Drug Rehab Like?

Wondering what is a typical day in drug rehab like? Find out before you begin the recovery process.

Anyone about to enter a drug rehab center for the first time is going to wonder “What is a typical day in a drug rehab like?” Although rehab centers offer different amenities for their patients, most drug rehab centers follow similar formats for treating drug addiction. Treatment centers are usually structured and programmed to re-enforce healing and the changing of dysfunctional behavior patterns. We hope that this article can answer your question: “what is rehab like?”

Morning Routine

Standard morning routines may involve eating a healthy breakfast and perhaps partaking in some type of relaxation like yoga, prayer or meditation. Morning group sessions may be led by a counselor or therapist to explore topics ranging from: treatment for addiction, the recovery process, and a 12-step program. Patients learn to investigate the reasons why they were led to use drugs, and learn to identify these triggers, people, situations and thoughts so that they can manage and avoid these things in the future. Inpatient drug rehab helps the recovering addict identify their dysfunctional thought and behavior patterns, and they learn how to develop new, healthy alternatives to prevent relapsing back into former addiction patterns.

Afternoon Routine

Usually patients will begin a more intensive form of therapy after eating a healthy lunch. Patients may begin personal cognitive behavioral therapy that delves into identifying dysfunctional thought processes that may have led to drug abuse. One-on-one sessions with a therapist help the patient create new, safe and healthy neuronal pathways in the brain as a proactive response to triggers. The old, negative mindset gradually becomes dismantled and a new, healthy alternative is erected in its place.

Group therapy sessions offer each patient a chance to socialize and build relationships with other patients. It provides a great outlet for discussing personal experiences, triumphs and tips in addiction recovery. As the patients learn more about each others struggles, they build up a strong network of camaraderie and support for each other. They may begin to encourage each other and hold each other accountable for their thoughts and actions.

Specialized sessions are appropriate for patients with special problems such as: co-occurring mental or physical health issues, pain or anger management, stress and anxiety problems, and grief counseling.

Family therapy is a vital component of drug addiction treatment. The family can begin to heal from the negative effects that the addiction caused and family members will learn about drug addiction and how to help their loved one remain sober. Family members learn how to be supportive to recovery, but not to any enabling behaviors that can trap their loved one back into addiction. The family is the most vital support group that the patient can have and how they interact with each other is very important to the patient’s recovery.

Evening Routine

After the patients have had dinner at an inpatient drug rehab, they may attend a 12-step meeting or another type of group fellowship program. Patients are required to retire at a reasonable hour to get enough rest and build healthy lifestyle patterns.

Various Treatment Programs

Some drug rehab treatment centers also have visiting speakers who may address the patients with a personal, encouraging story about recovery. Some may touch on topics related to re-building their family and professional life again after leaving the rehab center. Visiting speakers can offer uplifting stories and also provide tips and resources to help the recovering addict on his journey to wellness.

There are rehab treatment centers that offer effective alternative treatment programs such as: equine therapy, art, music or dance therapy, and biofeedback, massage and exercise programs. Faith-based treatment programs may offer prayer, Bible study, praise and worship, and visits to a church to attend a service or Mass. Luxury treatment centers may offer tennis, golf, swimming, boating and other activities for their patients.

There are many types of rehab treatment centers to effectively address drug abuse. If you or someone you know struggles with drug abuse, you can receive effective addiction recovery treatment at an inpatient drug rehab center.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.