You might have considered visiting addiction treatment centers if you have an addiction. However, an addiction treatment center’s experiences may be intimidating for a first-timer. An overview of what happens there may put your mind at ease.
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What Happens at Addiction Treatment Centers
Drug or substance addiction is a progressive disorder, and so is the treatment and recovery process. Substance abuse treatment programs are designed to treat substance use disorders. Most of these programs might follow a standard system of therapies and treatment modalities. Treatment centers recognize addiction as a chronic condition; they offer individualized and collaborative care to ensure patients learn, change, and heal.
Checking In
Your journey to healing and recovery from addiction starts at check-in. The attendants may ask you to complete an intake interview or a questionnaire about your health and addiction. The information you provide here helps the staff members and professionals customize your treatment plan.
You might need to answer questions about your lifestyle, substance use, or underlying and co-occurring conditions. Ensure you answer these questions as honestly as possible so that the staff develops a plan that best fits your needs.
The Detox and Withdrawal Process
This first step is arguably the hardest because heavy and sustained addiction may take an enormous toll on physical and psychological health; you may need a detoxification process. Detoxification involves cleansing your body of alcohol or drugs.
Removing drugs from your body ensures you are physically and psychologically ready for rehabilitation. Sudden stoppage of substance usage may lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. In many cases, you receive medication to ease the symptoms.
Addiction Treatment Types and Therapy
Once you have completed the detoxification process, therapy may begin. In some programs, the therapy may commence during detox. Depending on your needs and the treatment center you attend, various therapies might apply during the recovery process.
A typical day at an addiction treatment center may include individual therapy, group therapy, family or couple therapy, special focus groups, or educational lectures.
Individual Therapy
Here, you have one-on-one sessions with a mental health professional. During these sessions, a mental health expert helps you understand the motivations behind your behavior and the addiction triggers.
Once you understand what triggers your behavior, the expert might help you develop new skills to cope with those triggers in healthier ways. The addiction specialist may customize a select therapy type for your needs. In most cases, they may prefer to use behavioral therapies, as they may be most effective.
Group Therapy
Group therapy is the foundation of many addiction treatment centers. It offers a level of camaraderie since all members have experienced addiction struggles. Group participants, led by a therapist, discuss their experiences, progress, and challenges of their journey to recovery.
Participants hold powerful conversations about recovery, which help them develop deeper connections with each other. They grow trust, become more open during the sessions, and develop an understanding of each other’s battles. Members benefit from hearing other people’s experiences, sharing their stories, bonding, and supporting each other.
Family or Couple Counseling
Family or couple counseling sessions promote recovery. Many treatment centers include it in their programs. Family sessions may help provide a source of self-esteem and strength, promote a sense of belonging and help to improve the addiction treatment outcome.
During family or couple therapy sessions, the respective family members or spouses learn how they may help or exacerbate your addiction. They may also get help from the therapist on how to best support you after leaving the addiction treatment center.
Post Rehab
The activities leading to your discharge are designed to help avoid a relapse. Toward the end of your stay at the addiction treatment center, you and your counselor might develop an aftercare plan, depending on your progress. This plan may include medical and social support systems to help you transition. Transitioning from addiction treatment to life after addiction might be intimidating, so proper preparation and support help make it smooth.
Get Help Today
You could visit addiction treatment centers if you or your loved one are struggling with substance abuse. Now that you know what to expect from an addiction treatment center, you can confidently talk to a recovery expert to start the healing journey.
