What is Rehab: What It's Like & How It Works

In 2015, more than 20 million people were in need of rehabilitation. This is according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Substance abuse treatment, also known as rehabilitation is a process, carefully created to give people suffering from addiction the best chance there is to address their addiction and or disorder on a long-term basis.

Residential or inpatient rehab is a kind of addiction treatment that provides clients with 24-hour care under the supervision of professionals. Due to its comprehensive nature, residential rehab is often recommended for cases of severe or long-term addiction, and for those suffering from co-occurring disorders.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), addiction treatment should last at least 90 days to be effective. This does not mean that the entirety of their treatment needs to be spent in an inpatient rehab facility or a random drug rehab in Hillsborough. Often, clients begin with a month or so of inpatient rehab and then transition to an outpatient program for the remainder of their time in structured treatment.

Certain schedules will vary from program to program and depending on individual client needs. During these times, you might wonder what rehab is and what it's like, and how it works, you’d be amazed at the answers. There are some consistencies between most addiction treatment programs though. With all this information, incoming clients will have a better idea of what to expect from an average day in rehab.

What is Rehab Like?

When considering addiction treatment, you may be wondering what you can expect during a standard day in a Portland drug rehab.

There are many types of drug abuse treatments out there, but most follow a standard framework of therapies.

Residential inpatient treatment centers are very structured and organized, with similar activities and therapies to most centers. This minimizes stress and uncertainty among residents, and also allows for the safest and most supportive environment for healing and recovery. Depending on the setting and the amenities offered, daily activities may vary.

Here is an example of what a typical day in treatment might look like:

A Typical Day in a Rehab Facility

If you are in residential treatment, your days typically follow a structured routine. The idea is that consistency and not having to make as many decisions throughout your day will help support you as you recover.

Below are examples of what takes place during a typical day in rehab. Of course, what your day looks like will vary based on the rehab center, the severity of your addiction, and your personal circumstances.

Mornings

You'll generally wake up at a set time each morning. Nurses give out any medications to those who have them prescribed. For instance, a doctor at a rehab center may provide you with medication to manage withdrawal symptoms or to treat mental health conditions.

You'll be served breakfast and afterward, attend your first session of the day, such as group therapy.

You may be given a break during the session to reflect, journal, or practice any skills you learned during the session.

Afternoons

After lunch, you'll attend another session, such as individual therapy. You may be given free time to choose an activity, such as attending a fitness session if your rehab center has a gym. Physical exercise can help manage mood swings during withdrawal.

Or, you might attend an educational course. Many rehab centers educate participants on mental health, addiction, and/or nutrition. Balanced nutrition can help you manage the stress of recovery and even curb withdrawal cravings.

Evenings

You'll have dinner, and perhaps end the day with another group session to reflect on your progress so far and how you feel about all you experienced throughout the day. You'll be given time to get ready for bed. Many rehab centers typically have a set time for "lights out," when free time is done for the day and you're encouraged to get to sleep.

How Does Rehab Work?

The more knowledge you have about addiction rehab—including what to expect when entering a treatment program, the length of time you might spend in the program, and the costs associated with the program—the less overwhelming your journey to recovery can be.

Drug and alcohol rehab centers are structured treatment programs aimed at helping those struggling with addiction. Substance use disorders (SUDs) are complex problems and there are various types of treatment programs available to help. Rehab can help those with SUDs work toward a healthy, happy, and sober lifestyle.

In many instances, addiction rehabs are somewhat flexible in their treatment offerings, which may be tailored to the needs of each individual. Rehab often involves some combination of detoxification, group and individual substance use therapy, relapse prevention education, and aftercare planning prior to program completion in order to help people maintain long-term sobriety.

How Long Does Rehab Last?

There isn’t always a set of treatment duration that applies to everyone when it comes to rehabilitation. Many rehab facilities offer 30-day programs.

However, some individuals benefit from longer treatment programs, such as 60-day, 90-day, or even longer-term substance abuse recovery & supportive housing treatment to further develop and maintain a steady recovery path. When determining the appropriate length of treatment, treatment professionals will take into consideration the history and severity of the addiction; specific substances used; any co-occurring medical, mental, or behavioral health conditions; any previous treatment experiences; and the physical, mental, emotional, social, cultural, and spiritual needs of the individual.

When determining the appropriate length of treatment, treatment professionals will take into consideration the history and severity of the addiction; specific substances used; any co-occurring medical, mental, or behavioral health conditions; any previous treatment experiences; and the physical, mental, emotional, social, cultural, and spiritual needs of the individual.

Research shows that most people dealing with substance use need to be in treatment at least three months to considerably reduce or stop their drug use and that longer involvement in treatment often brings the best outcomes.  For some, longer programs afford them the opportunity to focus on the root causes and behaviors behind the addiction and more time to practice sober living behaviors.

How Much Does Rehab Cost?

Addiction rehabilitation programs can vary greatly in price. High-end luxury programs tend to charge more for extra services and special amenities and, in some cases, higher staff-to-patient ratios.

Several factors can affect the cost of rehab, including

• Amenities provided. These can include many factors that aid the recovery process, such as gourmet food, private rooms, animal-assisted therapy, acupuncture, massage, and yoga.
• Length of program. The cost associated with a treatment program is primarily determined by the length of the stay. During your intake session, a counselor will discuss the amount of time recommended in treatment for your best shot at long-term recovery.
• Location. Facilities in luxurious surroundings can cost more than traditional treatment centers. Travel to the facility can also be factored into the cost, especially if it is far from home.
• Type of program. Inpatient programs will often cost more than outpatient programs since patients reside at the facility which, in many cases, is staffed with medical and treatment professionals at all times.

Inpatient treatment varies in cost between $200 and $900 per day, with longer programs generally costing less per day. Outpatient treatment ranges between $100 and $500 per treatment session, with longer treatment plans having a lower cost per session. Detox alone can cost between $600 and $1,000 per day depending on the level of care needed, the severity of the addiction, and length of time it takes to detox from the particular substance.

All of these costs may seem daunting, but one must consider the cumulative costs that an ongoing addiction will potentially incur. We all deserve a Another Chance. Give us a call today!