Addiction Recovery - Drug and Alcohol
What Happens in the First 24 Hours of Treatment
Within your first 24 hours of treatment, you'll complete medical intake, receive a clinical assessment, and create your personalized care plan for lasting recovery.
Within your first 24 hours of treatment, you'll complete a medical intake screening, receive a comprehensive clinical assessment, and work with our team to create your personalized care plan, all designed to ensure your safety and set the foundation for lasting recovery.
Walking through our doors for the first time takes tremendous courage. I've guided hundreds of individuals through their first day of addiction treatment, and I want you to know exactly what to expect during those crucial first 24 hours at The Edge Treatment Center.
The intake process isn't designed to overwhelm you. It's structured to gather the information we need to keep you safe, understand your unique situation, and build a treatment plan that addresses your specific needs.
Why the First 24 Hours Matter Most
Your first day establishes the entire trajectory of your recovery journey. During this time, we're not just collecting paperwork. We're beginning the process of understanding who you are beyond your addiction.
The initial hours allow our clinical team to identify any immediate medical concerns, assess withdrawal risks, and determine the appropriate level of care. This isn't a one-size-fits-all process.
I've seen clients arrive expecting judgment or harsh treatment. Instead, they find a compassionate environment where every question is answered and every concern is addressed with respect and clinical expertise.
The Medical Intake Screening: Ensuring Your Physical Safety
The moment you arrive, our medical team conducts a thorough health screening. This typically happens within the first 1-2 hours and serves as your safety net.
During the medical screening, we check:
Vital signs including blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature
Current medications and potential drug interactions
Recent substance use and timeline of last use
Existing medical conditions or chronic health issues
Pregnancy status for female clients
Allergic reactions or sensitivities
Our nursing staff draws blood for lab work to assess liver function, blood count, and screen for infectious diseases. This isn't about invading your privacy. It's about catching potentially life-threatening complications before they become emergencies.
I remember a client who minimized his alcohol consumption during pre-admission. His lab results told a different story, allowing us to implement a more aggressive detoxification protocol that likely prevented severe withdrawal complications.
What If You're Already in Withdrawal?
If you're experiencing withdrawal symptoms upon arrival, this becomes our immediate priority. Our medical team assesses the severity using standardized clinical tools.
For alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal, we may administer medications to prevent seizures and reduce discomfort. Opioid withdrawal, while intensely uncomfortable, is medically managed with appropriate interventions.
The goal isn't just to keep you comfortable. It's to ensure your withdrawal is medically supervised and safe. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, medically supervised withdrawal significantly reduces complications and improves treatment retention.
We’re Here To Help You Find Your Way
Would you like more information about mental health or drug addiction? Reach out today.
The Comprehensive Clinical Assessment: Understanding Your Story
After medical clearance, you'll meet with a licensed clinician for a comprehensive assessment. This typically takes 2-3 hours and covers multiple dimensions of your life.
This conversation goes far beyond asking about your substance use. We're trying to understand the complete picture of what brought you here.
The assessment explores:
Your substance use history and patterns
Previous treatment attempts and outcomes
Mental health symptoms and psychiatric history
Trauma experiences and their impact
Family dynamics and support systems
Legal issues or pending charges
Educational background and employment status
Living situation and housing stability
I approach these conversations with genuine curiosity, not interrogation. You're not on trial here. The more honest you can be, the better we can help you.
Why We Ask About Mental Health
Approximately 50% of individuals with substance use disorders also have a co-occurring mental health condition, according to research from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. This is why we dedicate significant time to understanding your emotional and psychological health.
Depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder. These conditions often fuel addiction or develop alongside it. Treating one without addressing the other sets you up for relapse.
During my years providing mental health treatment, I've learned that the clients who struggle most are often those whose underlying mental health needs went unrecognized. We won't make that mistake with you.
Creating Your Personalized Care Plan: Building Your Roadmap
By the end of your first 24 hours, our team collaborates to develop your individualized treatment plan. This document becomes your roadmap for the coming weeks or months.
Your care plan isn't created in isolation. You'll have input into your treatment goals, and we'll explain our clinical recommendations in language that makes sense.
Your care plan typically includes:
Primary treatment goals and measurable objectives
Recommended level of care (residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient)
Individual therapy frequency and modality
Group therapy schedule and types
Medication management needs
Psychiatric consultation if indicated
Family therapy recommendations
Holistic and experiential therapies
Aftercare planning timeline
The plan isn't set in stone. We review and adjust it regularly based on your progress and emerging needs.
Matching You With the Right Therapist
Part of the care planning process involves matching you with a primary therapist whose expertise aligns with your needs. If you're dealing with trauma, we'll connect you with someone trained in trauma-informed types of therapy.
This relationship becomes the cornerstone of your recovery work. I always tell new clients that if the therapeutic fit doesn't feel right after a few sessions, we can make changes. Your comfort and trust matter.
We’ll Lead You to New Heights
Do you have more questions about mental health or drug addiction? Reach out.
What Else Happens During Your First Day
Beyond the clinical work, your first 24 hours include several practical elements that help you settle into treatment.
Orientation to the Facility
A staff member will give you a complete tour, showing you where meals are served, where groups meet, outdoor spaces, and recreational areas. You'll learn the daily schedule and program rules.
We'll explain expectations around phone use, visiting hours, and passes. These boundaries aren't punitive. They create the structure necessary for recovery to take root.
Meeting Your Peers
You'll likely encounter other clients throughout your first day. Many programs incorporate a welcome process where peers who've been in treatment longer offer support and answer questions.
I've watched countless times as nervous new arrivals find immediate comfort in connecting with someone who understands exactly what they're experiencing. That sense of community begins immediately.
First Group Session
Many clients attend their first group therapy session within the first 24 hours. You won't be required to share deeply. Most therapists simply welcome you and allow you to observe.
Watching others share their struggles and victories often provides the first glimmer of hope. You realize you're not alone in this.
Managing the Emotional Rollercoaster
Your first day will likely bring up intense emotions. Fear, relief, sadness, anxiety, hope, sometimes all within the same hour. This is completely normal.
I encourage clients to allow themselves to feel whatever comes up without judgment. You've made a brave decision to seek help, and that deserves acknowledgment.
Some clients sleep heavily their first night, exhausted from the emotional weight they've been carrying. Others struggle with insomnia in an unfamiliar environment. Both are normal responses.
When Ambivalence Strikes
It's common to question your decision within those first 24 hours. Part of you wants to leave. Part of you knows you need to stay. This ambivalence doesn't mean you've made the wrong choice.
I often remind clients that the discomfort of early treatment is temporary, but the consequences of untreated addiction are permanent. Give yourself permission to feel uncertain while choosing to stay anyway.
We’re Here To Help You Find Your Way
Do you need advice about mental health or drug addiction? Reach out today.
Questions Clients Always Ask
Can I contact my family?
Most programs allow phone calls after your initial assessment is complete. We'll help you contact loved ones to let them know you've arrived safely. Some programs have specific calling hours to protect your treatment time.
What if I need to leave for an emergency?
True emergencies are always accommodated. We'll work with you to address urgent situations while maintaining your treatment continuity whenever possible.
When will I start feeling better?
Physical symptoms often improve within 3-7 days. Emotional healing takes longer. Most clients report feeling noticeably more stable after their first full week.
What if I don't like my treatment plan?
Your voice matters in your treatment. If something doesn't feel right, speak up. We can adjust approaches, change therapy times, or modify goals based on your feedback.
The Science Behind Structured Intake
Research published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment demonstrates that comprehensive intake assessments significantly improve treatment outcomes. Clients who receive thorough evaluation in their first 24 hours show higher retention rates and better long-term recovery outcomes.
The structured approach isn't bureaucratic red tape. It's evidence-based practice that gives you the best possible chance at lasting recovery.
When we take time to understand your medical needs, psychological state, social supports, and personal goals, we can design interventions that actually work for you specifically.
We’ll Lead You to New Heights
Would you like more information about mental health or drug addiction? Reach out today.
What Happens After the First 24 Hours
Once your initial assessment and care plan are complete, you'll settle into the daily rhythm of treatment. Your schedule will include individual therapy, group sessions, educational workshops, and therapeutic activities.
The structure provides stability while you work through the underlying issues driving your addiction. You'll learn coping skills, process trauma, rebuild relationships, and rediscover who you are without substances.
Your treatment team meets regularly to discuss your progress. We're constantly evaluating what's working and what needs adjustment. This isn't a passive process where you simply show up. You're an active participant in your own healing.
Building Your Recovery Foundation
The first 24 hours represent the foundation upon which your entire recovery is built. The information we gather, the relationships we begin, and the safety we establish all contribute to your eventual success.
I've worked with clients at every stage of treatment, and I can tell you that those who engage fully from day one consistently achieve better outcomes. Your willingness to be vulnerable, honest, and present during intake sets the tone for everything that follows.
What to Bring for Your First 24 Hours
Practical preparation helps reduce anxiety. Most treatment centers provide a packing list, but generally you'll want:
Comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing
Personal hygiene items (unopened preferred)
Any prescribed medications in original bottles
Insurance cards and identification
Reading materials or journals
Photos of loved ones
Phone charger
Leave valuable jewelry, large amounts of cash, and work materials at home. You're here to focus on recovery, not manage external responsibilities.
Special Considerations for Different Populations
The first 24 hours may look slightly different depending on your specific circumstances.
Young Adults
If you're a young adult entering treatment, we pay special attention to developmental considerations. Your assessment includes questions about academic progress, peer relationships, and family dynamics specific to your age group.
Individuals With Co-Occurring Disorders
When you're dealing with both addiction and mental disorders like depression or anxiety, your first day includes psychiatric evaluation. We may consult with a psychiatrist to determine whether medication could support your recovery.
Clients With Chronic Pain
If you developed addiction through prescribed pain medication, your first 24 hours includes collaboration with our medical team to develop a comprehensive pain management strategy that doesn't rely on addictive substances.
The Role of Family in Your First Day
Many programs encourage family involvement even during the first 24 hours. This might include a phone call update or a brief family meeting to explain the treatment process.
Family participation in your recovery journey significantly improves outcomes. We'll discuss how your loved ones can best support you during and after treatment.
Some clients prefer to settle in before involving family. That's your choice, and we respect it.
Why Treatment Centers Structure Intake This Way
Every element of your first 24 hours serves a specific clinical purpose. The medical screening prevents complications. The comprehensive assessment ensures nothing important gets missed. The care plan creates direction and accountability.
This structure evolved from decades of research and clinical experience. We've learned what works and what doesn't. The intake process you experience today represents best practices in addiction treatment.
It might feel overwhelming in the moment, but each step brings you closer to the recovery you deserve.
Moving Forward With Confidence
By the time your first 24 hours conclude, you'll have a clear understanding of what treatment looks like, who's on your team, and what goals you're working toward. The unknown becomes known. The fear often begins to lift.
I've watched countless individuals transform from that anxious person walking through the door to someone engaged in their own recovery. It happens gradually, but it starts in those first 24 hours.
You're not just checking into treatment. You're beginning the process of reclaiming your life. That work starts the moment you arrive, continues through your first day, and extends into the weeks and months ahead.
The courage you're showing by seeking help is already the first step. Everything that happens in your first 24 hours is designed to honor that courage and give you every tool you need for success.
Treatment works when you work it. Your first day is where that work begins.
We’re Here To Help You Find Your Way
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, there is hope. Our team can guide you on your journey to recovery. Call us today.
Written by
The Edge Treatment Center
Reviewed by
Jeremy ArztChief Clinical Officer
Addiction Recovery
Drug and Alcohol
January 13, 2026