Living a Sober Lifestyle at Drug & Alcohol Rehab
If you suffer from addiction, living a sober lifestyle is a lifelong journey. For many, the first step is admitting there’s a problem and voluntarily entering a 28 or 60 day alcohol and drug treatment rehabilitation program. Many individuals enter inpatient rehab centers by their own accord, but with a lot of feelings of anger, shame, fear, animosity, and guilt. Inpatient rehabilitation centers differ greatly,. Some offer spa like settings, while other offer residents the opportunity to get in touch with nature. Additionally, each patient’s rehabilitation process is very personal with a treatment plan that aims to focus on their addiction and unique needs. However, the greater goal of all drug and alcohol addiction centers is to offer a 24-hour support network to give patients the skills needed to live a sober lifestyle once they leave rehab using these techniques:
1. Treatment intake or initiation process
When a patient enters a professional alcohol and drug rehab program, they begin the recovery journey. Treatment intake marks their introduction to a professional treatment program, where they’re met by a certified counselor who may ask them the following questions to get an understanding of their addiction and unique needs:
- A one-on-one consultation – to assess the patient’s addiction and rehab goals.
- Patient history – to get an understanding of any underlying issues (i.e., health or psychological issues, depression, stressors, abuse, etc.) that may help identify how and when the addiction started.
- Substance usage – to assess the severity of the addiction and create a treatment plan.
- Complete physical examination – to determine when the patient last used.
- Detox test – those who test positive for alcohol or drugs will undergo detox.
- Check in – where all personal luggage and belongings are checked for contraband (i.e., drugs, alcohol, weapons, cell phones, etc.).
2. Detoxification process
An addiction is the body’s dependence (both mentally and physically) on drugs or alcohol. This is why rehabilitation centers put residents through a monitored inpatient detox in order to safely oversee physical withdrawal. The detox process can last anywhere between a few days to a week with the most severe symptoms occurring within the first 24 to 48 hours. Side effects of detox are painful and can be life-threatening, which is why detox can include giving the patient supervised substances and medications to make the process safe as possible while continuously monitoring physical and mental health.
3. Rehabilitation and recovery process
Substance abuse rehabilitation programs offer a closely followed schedule that provides patients structure while aiming to alter abusive-behaviors. For instance, patients are required to wake up at the same time every day, eat balanced meals, and participate in counselling, group therapy, 12-step programs, and other therapies (i.e., exercise, art, music, etc.). This supportive, therapeutic atmosphere challenge their addiction honestly and realistically by identifying toxic patterns, behaviors, and relationships while providing skills and education to help them return to sober, post-rehab life.
The recovery doesn’t end after the patient’s time in inpatient rehab has completed. However, the skills and techniques learned in rehab aim to help the patient live a sober lifestyle. Patients leaving rehab may return to stressful environments (i.e., work, social lives, and family) that may threaten their sobriety by triggering addictive behaviors, which is why rehab will set the stage for long-term support outside of the facility—including daily or weekly check-ins, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, support groups, and ongoing counselling with a substance abuse professional.
