You may be thinking – today’s the day. Today, you’re going to get help, check into rehab, and get your life back. The unknown struggles of rehab are what held you back in the past. You only have TV and movies to reference what happens in rehab. 

So, what really happens in a treatment program? We are here to tell you that rehabilitation programs are created to support and guide you.

By the end of this article, you’ll know the types of drug rehab programs and how they can support your specific needs. We’ll discuss what happens during the rehabilitation process, such as detoxification, therapy, life skills, and relapse prevention. Let's jump into what lies ahead on your journey to recovery.

Table of Contents

What Is Drug Rehab Like? Understanding the Rehab Experience

Rehab, also known as a substance abuse program, is primarily for helping people overcome addiction. Guidance and tools are given to help rebuild your life and gain the skills to prevent relapse.

Residential Drug Treatment Programs

Residential programs or inpatient programs are for those who need a controlled, highly structured, and safe environment during their treatment. Having a strict schedule to follow that limits downtime and boredom can be beneficial to the recovery process.

What is inpatient drug rehab like? In between scheduled meals, sleep, and daily routines you may experience:

  • Early mornings
  • Exercise
  • Yoga and Meditation
  • Individual therapy
  • Group therapy
  • Free time
  • Family time
  • Organized activities

Outpatient Drug Treatment Programs

Outpatient programs are designed to be less rigid and more flexible. These types of programs are great for those who are ready to transition from inpatient care to the next stage of their recovery. Reports say that aftercare treatments increase the likelihood of sobriety by 50%. Outpatient programs are also beneficial for those who require more flexibility due to work or family obligations. 

Day Treatment Programs

Day treatment sessions range between 9 and 20 hours per week, depending on individual needs. You have a balance between intensive treatment and independence, giving you plenty of versatility.

New Growth Recovery offers structured but flexible support for individuals who need drug and alcohol rehab. Day treatment programs, also referred to as intensive outpatient programs, can be personalized to your needs and schedule.

Morning, afternoon, and night sessions are available to accommodate various schedules. Call us on a confidential call today to find a treatment plan that works best for you. 

Extended Day Treatment Programs

Depending on your needs, extended day treatments can last several weeks, with sessions typically occurring five days a week. Individuals who choose this program need intensive treatment but don’t require 24/7 care. This program is intensive and high structure while allowing you the time to work, attend school, or tend to other obligations in the evenings.

If you need highly structured days but are looking to go home in the evenings, New Growth Recovery’s extended day treatment is for you. Our extended day program, formerly known as Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), offers intensive care and support like an inpatient program — without the overnight stay.

What Happens in a Drug Rehab Program?

In drug rehab, individuals struggling with addiction receive medical care, support, and guidance on their road to recovery. Treatments include detoxification, therapy and counseling, learning life skills and how to prevent relapse, and helping you build a support system to help you maintain sobriety. 

Intake and Assessment

No recovery journey is the same. Before you begin your treatment, a team of professionals will get to know you, your story, and your circumstances. This information will help them design a treatment plan that will work best for you.

Detoxification

Detoxification is the process by which substances are removed from the body. Depending on the substance and influential factors, the duration of detox can vary from person to person. Generally, a detox program can last between 3 and 10 days, based on individual needs.

Common detox and withdrawal symptoms include:

  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Body sweats
  • Muscle aches
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Insomnia

Mental Health America does not recommend detoxing alone. Having medical supervision during detoxification is incredibly helpful. You will be provided with a safe space to detox while being monitored by medical professionals who can handle any complications that may arise. Medical professionals may also administer medications that will reduce the uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal.

New Growth Recovery’s detox referral program places individuals with a trusted detox center in Springfield, MA. Our team will begin with an assessment to ensure you are placed with a facility that works best for you.

Therapy and Counseling

Therapy and counseling are essential when understanding why you struggle with drug addiction. Not only can you learn more about yourself and your addiction, you’ll have the opportunity to learn tools for a successful recovery.

Types of counseling and therapy:

  • Individual
  • Group
  • Family
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

What you can gain through counseling and therapy:

  • Healthy coping skills
  • Positive behavioral changes
  • Successfully recognizing triggers to avoid relapse
  • Better communication skills
  • Support networks
  • Improved self-esteem and mental health

Life Skills and Relapse Prevention

As you move through the program, you will be taught life skills to help you manage triggers or prevent relapse. Life is always changing and throwing new experiences and hurdles your way. Learning the tools to handle each situation while continuing your sobriety journey is important. A two-year study concluded that 74% of individuals who complete rehab continued to stay sober one month later — life skills are vital to your success.

Life skills and relapse prevention often seen in rehab include:

  • Stress management – Understanding how to successfully handle stressful situations can help you stay calm and sober.
  • Communication skills – Being able to communicate to those around you, whether to ask for help or tell them how you feel, can help avoid exacerbating negative emotions that lead to relapse.
  • Routines – Creating a daily routine will help you avoid boredom and set you up for an accomplished day.
  • Goal setting – Having goals helps you to stay focused on rebuilding your life.

Building a Support System

Having support from within rehab will help you reach the end of your program. Whether it comes from peers, counselors, or sponsors outside of rehab, knowing you have a shoulder to lean on can be a relief. A study reveals that an individual has an increased success rate of 15% if their family is involved in their treatment program.

Personal Growth and Recovery

Rediscovering yourself without substances can be a new and exciting experience. Depending on the severity of your addiction, this may be a daunting step. Exploring new hobbies and goals that can keep you busy and feeling accomplished can have a positive impact on your mental health. 

Rebuilding relationships is an important part of the recovery process. Not only can it be healing for you and your loved ones, it can also provide you with more support once you leave rehab.

What Is the Hardest Part of Rehab?

The hardest part of rehab will depend on what each person has to overcome during the recovery process. For some, it may be confronting the emotions and experiences that contributed to their addiction and for others, it may be the ability to overcome physical obstacles.

Common emotional and psychological barriers you may need to overcome include:

  • Trauma – Past experience that may have led you to substance use
  • Denial or shame – A feeling associated with addiction
  • Guilt – May be the cause or the result of addiction
  • Fear – Being scared of failing or of the journey itself

You may need to overcome a few physical obstacles, such as:

  • Cravings – Finding healthy techniques to curb your cravings and help you diminish the want for substances
  • Triggers – Acknowledging the factors that impact your desire or need for substances
  • Social environment and enablers – Recognizing and being mindful of those in your life who won’t support your recovery 

Fully committing to this hard but rewarding journey is crucial. Our team at New Growth Recovery can help you learn to recognize and accept the obstacles you're facing and create a strategy to move past them. Our programs offer a compassionate and supportive environment to make rehab as comfortable as possible.

The Path From Struggle to Strength Starts at New Growth Recovery

Our compassionate team is here to support you through your day treatment, extended day treatment, and beyond. Your sobriety success is important to us.

Ready to make a lasting change? Give New Growth Recovery a call to start your personalized recovery journey. 

The content in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition