What’s It Like to Attend Drug or Alcohol Rehab?

If you are considering going to a drug rehab, you may be a little uneasy about what to expect. Making the decision to go to a drug or alcohol rehab in Los Angeles is the first step on your journey to recovery. A rehab is a safe environment where you will be able to obtain support and guidance as you learn new coping skills for the stresses of life and how to deal with whatever comes up each day without reliance on substances.

When you attend residential drug rehab, you will stay at the facility for a period of time, so you will need to take time off from work, school or any other day-to-day responsibilities. A typical initial stay at a drug rehab center lasts approximately 28 days.
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What Happens First

When you first arrive, you will go through intake. A staff member will ask questions about your medical and mental health history. They will assess your current physical condition and ask about your drug use and any prior attempts at treatment. You will be given information about the facility and any rules that you have to abide by, such as no drugs or alcohol use during dual diagnosis treatment, no leaving the facility, no disorderly conduct as well as an agreement to participate in meetings and therapy sessions.

Detoxification

Certain substances are physically addicting and can trigger very unpleasant and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms when you discontinue using them. Substances in this category include:

• Alcohol
• Opioids
• Stimulants
• Sedatives

During detoxification, medical professionals will closely monitor you, and they will give you medication that can help to ease the intensity of withdrawal symptoms. You will need to overcome the physical withdrawal symptoms before you can participate in therapy or support groups.

Learning About Addiction

Education is an important part of drug rehabilitation. Before you go through treatment, you may be confused about why you have been so compelled to keep repeating self-destructive behavior. For many people, the urge to use drugs is so consuming that it becomes more important than family, friends, career, hobbies and anything else that is meaningful about life.

There is a reason why you have this compulsion, and it’s not because you are a bad person. Addiction is a disease, and drug rehab won’t cure this disease. But it will give you the skills to lead a productive life even though you are an addict. You will learn a lot about the disease of addiction during your time in a treatment facility.

Therapy and Support Groups

On a typical day at an inpatient rehab, you will attend 12-step or other recovery meetings, and you will also have both individual and group therapy sessions. During therapy, you will begin to get in touch with why you picked up drugs in the first place and what might trigger you to have the urge to use in the future.

Therapy and support groups will begin to teach you the skills you will need to function without substances. Between therapy and support groups, there will be short breaks when you’ll be able to exercise, journal about your experiences or spend time reflecting on the things you are learning.

Preventing Relapse

During the time you spend in rehab, you are able to be detached from your outside life, and you are safe from people who might encourage you to use or situations that might set you off. Part of your treatment will include preparing an aftercare plan, or a relapse prevention plan.

This plan will help you to be ready to know what to do when you feel compelled to use substances. You will be encouraged to get involved in 12-step recovery groups after you leave the facility, so that you can build a support network that you can turn to when you are feeling vulnerable.

A good aftercare plan increases the likelihood that you will stay sober. Recovery is an ongoing process, and drug rehabilitation is only the beginning. If you or a loved one are interested in our drug and alcohol rehab in Los Angeles, please call us at (310) 455-5258 or submit the contact form below.