What Does A Typical Day In Rehab Consist Of?

You’ve signed up to your rehab therapy programme and now you’re waiting for the big day where your treatment begins, and your admission starts. What should you expect? What does a typical day in rehab consist of? It is important to remember that many rehab clinics, and especially holistic ones, vary from day to day in their routines because of the different therapies and activities they offer their patients, so no day is ever really ‘typical’.

That said, any patients will expect some form of structure in order for them to receive treatment and so they can have a strong focus on recovery. Here is what a typical day in rehab might consist of…

 

Morning: Holistic And Group Therapy Sessions

Many rehabs will typically serve breakfast to their patients before 8:30am in the morning. They will also give you lots of time to get up in the morning, eat and wash/dress before commencing with your treatment. Many patients report receiving journals from their rehab clinics, so that emotions and feelings can be noted down and discussed in therapy sessions.

Many rehab clinics begin their morning therapy sessions at around 9am. More often than not, these therapy sessions will be alternative therapies that are holistic, with a focus on mindfulness. It’s a great way to ease patients back into another week and to encourage them to fully relax. For instance, you might take part in Tai Chi, art therapy, a meditation workshop or a yoga class.

Once this is over, is is typical to have group therapy. Such sessions are normally led by a psychotherapist or addiction specialist/counsellor. When you are in group therapy sessions, you will be given the opportunity to discuss your progress with fellow patients and feelings on how you are generally finding your time in rehab. Together you can also discuss the causes of your addiction and trigger points, so that you can identify them and learn to control them. Patients will also be encouraged to share their own personal stories of their addictions and how these affected their relationships and lives.

One big positive aspect of group therapy is that it enables patients to support one another and stay determined in their recovery through group encouragement. This is a highly successful method in helping patients to overcome drug and alcohol addictions, and many patients go on to support one another, even outside rehab.

 

Afternoon: Intensive 1:1 Counselling

After lunch, a typical afternoon in rehab will likely consist of intensive therapy sessions with a personal counsellor. Rehabs often do counselling therapy in the afternoon because the previous morning sessions are highly motivational and encourage the person to be ‘strong’ in their recovery journey. This means that patients will be more likely to want to speak about the more difficult struggles they face with their addictions. During intensive and private counselling, you will explore the causes of your addiction triggers in more detail, such as traumatic events, any abuse you may have suffered, etc.

Patients usually also undergo therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Other options include dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), and rational emotive behaviour therapy. These therapies help patients to understand the emotions that cause their triggers to abuse drugs and alcohol. Once a better understanding of a patient’s triggers has been established, the private counsellor will talk through ways of dealing with such triggers in a healthier way than taking drugs or alcohol.

Once private counselling is completed, it is common for rehabs to allow family members to visit patients. Family therapy counselling can also take place, quite possibly in the late afternoon/early evening when working hours are over. In family therapy counselling, your family members can discuss the way your addiction has affected them. If your family have contributed to your addiction, (known as co-dependency), family therapy will help to find ways to solve these addiction triggers and manage them more healthily.

 

Early Evening: Down Time

After your busy day of therapy sessions, many drug or alcohol rehab clinics will suggest that their patients have some down time in the late afternoon or early evening before dinner.

This is your time to use as you wish. Some people decide to read self-help books and other material, while others choose to work out in the fitness facilities on-site, or spend time watching a movie or relaxing with other patients.

 

Evening: Dinner And More Group Therapy

After your down time, a typical evening in rehab will consist of dinner and more group therapy sessions. Your dinner will be healthy and nutritious, to help your body to recover and to ensure that you are getting the vitamins you need. After dinner, most rehab clinics hold group therapy sessions that focus on the 12-Step methodology that was originally implemented by Alcoholics Anonymous. Most sessions tend to be 60-90 mins long. Each of the 12-Steps are addressed by the group, to give a sense of teamwork and working together to achieve a joint goal. This is known in evidence-based research to encourage motivations.

 

Late Evening: Downtime And Bedtime

After your 12-Step work you will most likely be feeling very tired. This is usually the end of the day in terms of therapy sessions, so you will have the remainder of the evening to do as you please and relax. Many patients find that they feel very tired following the intensive therapy sessions. Many rehab centres do not have a specific ‘bedtime’ hour, but you may find that staff encourage you to go to bed at a decent time so that you do not feel too tired the next morning. By getting to bed early, you can have more time to sleep and refresh your mind for the next day’s sessions.

If you would like more information on entering rehab and the best clinic for you, get in touch with us at Rehab Clinics Group where our rehabilitation and addiction experts are waiting to hear from you. Call us now on 03301 596 494, or Text HELP To 83222.