What is an Inpatient Drug Rehab?

Dr. Norris Von Curl, II, MD

Dr. Norris Von Curl, II, MD

The decision was made to get clean and sober. You or a loved one are currently seeking out help from an inpatient drug rehab. This can be a very stressful thing to go through. Finding a rehab center can be hard enough and things are moving faster than expected, you’re about to go to a place you’ve never been in a city or town you might not be familiar with. It’s time face your addiction/alcoholism head on and conquer it.

What should one expect in an inpatient drug rehab? Knowing what is going to happen can help relieve some of this stress and make the transition into a new life a bit easier. A lot of new things and experiences are coming your way, knowing about the center you are going to will help you understand what an inpatient drug rehab is.

What Happens in an Inpatient Program?

An inpatient program is a live-in rehab facility. Clients will live in the dorms, houses or rooms that are owned by the rehab facility. Addicts and alcoholics seeking a new life will check themselves into these programs to help them overcome their addiction/alcoholism. Clients entering into these programs will live under the care and supervision of the facility and its staff. The living arrangements and daily schedule will vary program to program. Most facilities are 30-45 days long, many programs will include a medical detox to help ease the pain caused by withdrawals. There are thousands of residential inpatient programs throughout the United States, some are gender specific facilities others are co-ed.=, some will be 12 step based while others will take a more religious or holistic approach.  

group of young people

Getting the Body Right Before Treatment

Detox is one of the most important parts of the recovery process. When someone is abusing things like prescription drugs, heroin and alcohol their body will go through withdrawal. Some programs will have a detox at their facility, others will work with specific detox programs prior to you entering their residential facility. Inside a detox clients will be given various medications to help offset the pain of the withdrawals. The medical staff at the program will help wean them off of those medications over a 7-10 day period. When someone leaves a medical detox their body will no longer be going through any severe withdrawal and they will be able to focus on their recovery on a mental level.

Average Day in an Inpatient Drug Rehab

In a reputable treatment center, the client will have an individualized treatment plan. This means that their care plan is designed around that client’s specific needs. Treatment is not  “one size fits all” everyone has different issues and different stories. A 35-year-old alcoholic doesn’t need the same help as an 18 year old heroin addict. Within the first few days of entering a residential inpatient program, the clinical staff will do an in depth in person assessment with the client to help them design a treatment plan that is best for them. Their daily life inside the program will be built around this plan.

Centers will have specific times that the clients have to be awake and ready to attend groups, this is typically around 8-9am. This time will vary program to program. Groups will vary facility to facility. Some programs will offer up music therapy and art therapy, one on one sessions, caseload groups, massage therapy, acupuncture, courses to help with depression, anxiety and anger management issues. The day is usually broken up with cigarette breaks (if smoking is allowed and a lunch break. Most rehab centers have 6-8 hour days. What is allowed during free time will depend on what the program allows.

Are You or a Loved One Struggling?

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction now is the time to get help. At First Steps Recovery, we never give up on residents, we offer up individualized care plans designed around the specific needs of each individual. Addiction and alcoholism  causes too much pain and heartbreak in our country, help stop the pain today. Please call us today if you or a loved one are struggling, 1-844-BIG-STEP (1-844-489-0836).

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