The rehab experience
The rehab experience – what happens in rehab? If you have finally decided to go to rehab, you may be feeling a mixture of relief and worry. It is likely that you are nervous. Both about what will face you when you are there as well as about giving up the alcohol and / or drugs.
Rehab is not a holiday
So what will happen in a drug treatment centre and alcohol treatment centre? The first thing to be aware of is that rehab is just that. It is not a holiday or spa treatment. If that was what you needed then you would find it considerably cheaper. And more luxurious to book that. Rehab is about change and change can be hard work. For some people the changes they need to make involve learning to take care of themselves again. Looking after their environment. And even learning how to prepare meals and feed themselves properly.
So do not be surprised if you have to do some light cleaning duties and get involved in the cooking. Even if these are not skills you personally need to learn. You will also be expected to take part in therapy sessions most of the day (which can be emotionally intense). And you will have written assignments to complete and meetings to attend in the evening. Your time will be filled up with lots of work to do on yourself!
The rehab experience – what to expect on arrival
What will happen when you actually arrive? Soon after you arrive you will have a consultation with a doctor to see if you need a detox or any medication. And to check that you are physically and mentally fit for treatment. You will be checked in so that you can provide personal details and some background information. You will then be introduced to your fellow peers. Although it will all feel strange, you will soon see that the people you are going to be in treatment with have felt exactly like you. Some of them will be a good way through their treatment and you will see how much happier they seem to be. This is something you should be feeling within a matter of days.
Seeing yourself through others’ eyes
Rehab is about change and the therapy you receive will be about achieving this. Group therapy is often more powerful in this context. So although you may feel afraid about sharing your thoughts with a group of people, you will soon see why it is better than just having one to ones with a counsellor. Though you may get one to ones too, especially if there is anything particularly sensitive that you need to discuss.
Be prepared to be challenged about how you come across. How you see yourself may not be how others see you. You may not be aware of the effect of your addiction on the people you love. All this may well have to be faced in rehab. A good rehab will involve your loved ones ion your treatment, even if just to hear the full story of your addiction and behaviour (as you may not have been seeing the truth of it when immersed in it).
Most rehabs will introduce you to the 12 Step Programme and fellowship meetings as this is going to be how you need to maintain your sobriety. Again these may feel strange at first but if you look for the similarities with your own experience rather than the differences, you should soon see how vital they are to your new life of sobriety.
