What Happens In Rehab?

Laura Smart - Author for Rehab Clinics Group

Laura Smart - Last Updated: September 20, 2022

Last reviewed: September 20, 2022 by Dr Alexander Lapa. All information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

About This Page

If you’ve been wondering what happens in rehab, you’re not alone. Many people are curious about the rehabilitation process and how it gets people clean from drugs and alcohol. We hope to fully answer this question by detailing what you can expect when receiving rehab at one of our rehab centres.

What Happens In Rehab?

Making the decision to enter a rehab facility is a brave decision that often takes a lot of thought and consideration from either the person who is addicted or concerned loved ones.

Almost immediately upon entering a rehab clinic as an inpatient, you will have a strict plan to stick to.

The duration of the treatment process is usually a few weeks but will vary depending on many factors. You will need to start feeling yourself again, overcoming traumas and working through any mental health issues.

Detoxification is the first phase of rehab, and following this, you will have numerous therapy sessions in order to learn new strategies that can be shown through individual, group and family psychotherapy. So what do you learn in rehab? What do you do in rehab? We will talk about this more in detail.

 

What Do You Do in Rehab?

The first thing you will do in rehab will be to directly treat all of the symptoms of your drug or alcohol addiction.

Alcohol detox is a vital step in the rehab process, and although it can be an uncomfortable experience, it is necessary. Your expert medical team will also be able to effectively deal with any withdrawal symptoms you may experience during this period. Some withdrawal symptoms may include insomnia, anxiety problems, difficulties in energy levels and more.

The next step after detox will be to counteract the harmful effects of addiction on your physical, psychological and spiritual health.

This is achieved by numerous types of addiction therapies and counselling sessions. The treatment of addiction is not only related to achieving sobriety but to the development of human connections of value and significance. We want you to feel valued, healthy and ready to achieve new goals.

This ties in nicely with the psychological and family counselling sessions, which will help you deal with numerous traumas and work through issues.

We encourage your family (or friends) to be with you on this journey. It is important that you are not isolated and they can help you implement these new tips. It will also heal your interpersonal relationships and make you feel more in control.

 

What to Expect in Rehab?

Rehab is a place to heal in a safe and secure place. You will begin with an evaluation and interview to discuss your goals.

You will also expect to heal your physical health and mental health to feel ready to reintegrate into the world again. We will provide treatment of withdrawal symptoms and prevention of any other illness.

The next step is to stabilise your mood and assist with any behavioural changes. The most vital element is to avoid relapse, which is why you are taught a relapse prevention plan. Once your health has normalised and new habits have been established, you will look at different types of psychotherapy to help you through unhealed traumas and make new healthy habits. You will then be discharged.

However, you will also have access to a one year free aftercare plan that focuses on the long term. With this, we will help facilitate your recovery and coexistence with your environment.

 

Typical Day in Rehab

A typical day in rehab will vary depending on your treatment programme. However, all inpatients have their own secure and comfortable room. You will have nutritious food, you will have access to activities in between therapies, and we also highly recommend continued communication with loved ones.

You may wake up early, have breakfast and begin some counselling sessions. The days will most likely be varied, yet consistent in their theme.

You will be constantly working towards sobriety, and you will be given the necessary tools to be able to achieve this. You can use your phone at times, but we recommend only using it at certain times of the day, which will allow you to focus on your programme better.

 

Treatments Offered

There are multiple types of treatment, but many focus on the psychological elements of alcohol and drug addiction. After all, this is where the addiction has stemmed from. Some of the available treatments are:

 

Detox & Therapy

Once detoxification is taking place, it will be time to re-teach you how to live a healthy and careful lifestyle.

This phase is the longest of the entire treatment and can be carried out through different proposals, such as pharmacological or psychotherapeutic. Not only will your detox and therapy sessions allow your mind to clear and your body to heal, but they will allow you to rekindle your motivation for life and seek out new goals.

You will slowly become aware of different tools to achieve this and some of these therapies will allow you to develop tools and conflict resolution as well as social techniques to manage all your troubles. Some of our medical team may advise that you take some form of prescription drug to aid with withdrawal symptoms. These are to reinforce the process, making it easier and less uncomfortable for you. All types of alcohol and drug detox have very high success rates.

 

Relapse Prevention

To prevent relapse, we focus heavily on something known as an aftercare plan. This plan will give you constant monitoring and support, long after you leave rehab.

A good aftercare plan is the final stride towards sobriety and provides you with support when you leave the centre and continue your journey. Relapse prevention lasts months and aligns with your needs.

A relapse does not mean failure. That is something that we say to all our patients. Relapsing simply means that this one attempt has not succeeded. But rehab itself shows strength, determination and courage.

That is why it is the best and only option to truly start a new path. We are always happy to answer any questions relating to rehab, including available treatments, payment methods, referral questions and more. Do not suffer in silence.

Contact us today! You can call on 03301 596 494 or text HELP to 83222.

Laura Smart - Author - Last updated: September 20, 2022

Laura is a qualified counsellor and behavioural therapist specialising in CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), REBT (Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy), ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy), ICT (Inner Child Therapy), MI (Motivational Interviewing), Hypnosis and Mindfulness practice. She has experience working with individuals suffering from conditions such as problem behaviours, internet and social media addictions, depression, anxiety, anger management and trauma.

Dr Alexander Lapa - Psychiatrist & Clinical Reviewer for Rehab Clinics Group

Dr Alexander Lapa - Clinical Reviewer - Last reviewed: September 20, 2022

MBBS, PG Dip Clin Ed, OA Dip CBT, OA Dip Psychology, SCOPE Certified

Dr Lapa graduated in Medicine in 2000 and since this time has accrued much experience working in the widest range of psychiatric settings with differing illness presentations and backgrounds in inpatient, community and secure settings. This has been aligned to continuation of professional development at postgraduate level in clinical research which has been very closely related to the everyday clinical practice conducted by this practitioner as a NHS and Private Psychiatrist.
He is fully indemnified by the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) and MIAB Expert Insurance for Psychiatric and Private Medical practice. He is fully registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK with a licence to practice.

Dr Lapa is approved under Section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act (1983)

Member of Independent Doctors Federation (IDF), British Association for Psychopharmacology (BMA) and The Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO)

Dr Lapa’s extensive experience has also concentrated on the following areas of clinical practice:
– Assessment, Diagnosis and Pharmacological Treatment for Adults with ADHD.
– Drug and Alcohol Dependency and maintaining abstinence and continued recovery
– Intravenous and Intramuscular Vitamin and Mineral Infusion Therapy
– Dietary and Weight Management and thorough care from assessment to treatment to end goals and maintenance
– Aesthetic Practice and Procedures