A Guide To What To Expect From Addiction Treatment

While admitting that you are suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction and accepting treatment is incredibly brave, it can be anxiety-inducing not knowing what to expect from treatment. This is no reason to shy away from treatment, as it may just save your or a loved one's life. 

While there are many different drug treatment centers for substance use disorder (SUD), most adhere to similar structures and frameworks to encourage their clients toward long-term recovery. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you be better prepared for your time in a treatment program. 

#1. Types of Treatment Programs

Determining the type of treatment necessary for your recovery can involve some tough self-reflection and insight into the factors that play a role in your addiction. Many treatment centers will help you make this decision based on an initial questionnaire conducted during admission. This questionnaire may require you to share details about your substance use, such as the duration, extent, and impact of your addiction. 

Types of treatment offered by drug and alcohol addiction recovery treatment centers include:

Detoxification: This refers to the period in which an individual rids their body of the drugs or alcohol in their system. During detox, individuals may experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that make it difficult for them to refrain from using. When detox is conducted in a safe facility with medical supervision, clients will receive assistance through this potentially dangerous stage of recovery. This treatment program could last one to two weeks, depending on the duration and severity of withdrawal symptoms. 

Inpatient treatment: Clients participating in inpatient treatment will reside at a treatment facility and receive 24/7 care from addiction specialists and professionals. Inpatient treatment usually lasts between a few weeks to a few months, and participants will attend individual and group therapy sessions to help them through the psychological effects of addiction. 

Outpatient treatment: Outpatient treatment programs require individuals to be on-site at a treatment center for an allotted number of hours each week. Outpatient treatment programs such as partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) will still offer individual and group therapy, but clients are not required to live at the treatment center. This treatment could last a few weeks to a few months. 

#2. Activities During Treatment

During your time in treatment for drug or alcohol addiction, the treatment center will likely offer a variety of activities and classes meant to assist you in all areas of recovery. Having a positive support system can give you the confidence you need to achieve your recovery goals. These events and activities are meant to help participants make lasting relationships that will help them during and long after treatment.

Types of group activities offered by most treatment facilities include:

Group therapy: This type of activity has been proven to help individuals find a sense of unity and togetherness during difficult stages of recovery. In group therapy, participants gather to share stories about their trials and triumphs throughout addiction and recovery. This group will often have a trained facilitator who will serve as a neutral and supportive force for the group. 

Activities and outings offered by the treatment center: These can be a great way to let off steam and take a break from all of the hard work you have done. These experiential activities can not only build bonds between participants, but they can open your mind to healthy, sober activities so that you can fight boredom when you graduate from a treatment program. 

Life skills classes: Life skills classes are a resource that you can access to help you better prepare for your life in recovery. Treatment centers often offer life skills classes that cover subjects like resume coaching, applying for a loan, or maintaining a home. This will help relieve your stress and overwhelming emotions once you return home to your responsibilities. 

#3. Get the Most Out of Therapy

Often, treatment centers for drug or alcohol addiction will offer daily therapy. In therapy, you will delve even deeper into the forces behind your addiction and your triggers. 

Types of therapy in SUD treatment programs include:

• Individual therapy: This includes methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and is one of the most effective modes of treatment for SUD. These therapy sessions will provide a safe space for you to share your biggest challenges with a trusted individual whose main focus is to help you achieve healing. 

• Family therapy: This kind of therapy includes you and any members of your family willing and able to join you. It will provide your therapist with insight into your family dynamic to help better treat you in future individual sessions. Family therapy sessions typically occur once or twice during your time in treatment and can continue after you've graduated treatment. 

• Group therapy: As mentioned above, group therapy allows participants to feel a sense of kinship during the recovery process. 

• Alternate forms of therapy: These include art therapy, experiential therapy, and music therapy, which can allow participants to pursue their passions or find new ones while promoting healing from their addiction.

Knowing What To Expect From Drug Rehab Helps

If you have decided to enter a treatment program for drug or alcohol addiction, you have already tackled some of the most difficult steps in recovery. Learning what to expect from treatment can relieve anxiety around joining a professional treatment program and will allow you to prepare so that you get the most out of treatment.

If you are entering treatment and are feeling uneasy about what to expect, The Edge Treatment Center is here for you. We offer personalized outpatient treatment programs that are customized by doctors, caseworkers, and therapists to ensure you get the help you need without sacrificing your life rhythm. Call The Edge at (800) 778-1772.