What To Expect The First Few Days Of Rehab

Arriving at a drug treatment facility, you are likely to experience a number of different emotions and anxieties about what journey you are about to embark upon. Many addicts enter treatment feeling strong regret for their actions and use this as fuel or motivation. Others experience strong self-doubt, fear and hyper-critical tendencies, causing a dislike of the treatment staff and environment. Whatever you feel upon arriving at drug rehab will be entirely up to you. Knowing what to expect the first few days of rehab can be helpful. Upon arriving, it may put your mind at ease to know what kind of daily schedule you will have while in treatment. Be sure to ask your treatment registration staff for all this information prior to your arrival.

 

The Effects of Withdrawal

The effects of withdrawal can vary greatly depending on the addict himself and the substance one is withdrawing from. Generally speaking, when used excessively, drugs and alcohol rid the body of essential nutrients and hydration. This alone will produce feelings of mental fogginess, depression, anxiety, irritability and a list of other physical reactions. Keep this in mind during your first few days of treatment. While you’re getting settled and meeting fellow clients and staff, you may feel tired, experience headaches and other adverse reactions. Drink lots of water and keep in close contact with the facility’s medical staff to get you back on track nutritionally. 

 

Getting Acclimated to Treatment

Most treatment programs waste very little time. Once you arrive, there may be a short time for you to get acclimated, but because there is a lot of work to be done, program work usually starts right away. The staff will work with you to set up a schedule and orient you to the facility, rules and guidelines, safety protocols, etc. As you become more comfortable and settled in your lodging space, start branching out.

• Meet other program participants. You may learn something from these individuals and make life-long friends.

• Make a routine. Having a daily schedule with consistent activities helps to establish mental stability and a distraction-free environment in which you can get through your program.

• Stay busy. It’s perfectly normal to feel homesick or wish to go home. Staying busy and active within the treatment community can be very helpful with this. Ask your counselors about what activities you can get involved in and what areas of the facility you can help. Being productive boosts one’s morale and feeling of self-worth.

 

Points to Remember

 1. Treatment is your decision. Entering rehab is a big step and a responsible choice. Despite the fact that many addicts are in rehab because of a court sentence or a family wish, most treatment facilities are at-will, and you can leave at any time. However, remember what/who in your life is at risk if you fail to successfully recover. Make drug and alcohol rehab your decision rather than anyone else’s, and you’ll get the most out of it you possibly can. 2. Take home what you learn. Every aspect of rehab is an opportunity to make a fresh start, develop new habits and make a new life—free from the dependency and addiction. The skills you learn in rehab are for application in everyday life once you return home. 3.  Rehab is a privilege. There are countless Americans who cannot afford treatment or are wait-listed and hence unable to get clean. Bear in mind that the treatment staff are there to help you and afford you the opportunity to become drug free. Don’t fight against these individuals. They are on your team, so work with them. Take rehab day-by-day and work hard to resolve those issues that come up during the treatment process. Remember that one important component of this process is results. For more information on this see our Narconon results study.