Coping with Chronic Health Conditions: Tips

Headed To Rehab? 2 Things To Expect The First Day

27 March 2015 by Freddie Cox

If you have a longstanding history of abusing drugs or alcohol, it can be outright terrifying to head to a rehabilitation center to address your problem. In addition to taking a hiatus from work and explaining your situation to friends and family members, you might also be nervous about starting treatment. Here are two things to expect your first day, so that you can relax and go with the flow:

1: Orientation

When you first arrive at your chosen rehabilitation center, there will be a lot to do—regardless of the time of day it is. In addition to meeting staff members and seeing your quarters, you will also undergo an intake interview with a senior staff member. Although it might seem like overkill, these interviews can help your treatment to be more successful. Here are a few things a rehabilitation center employee will discuss with you before you get started:

• Attitude About Rehab: Employees will want to know how you feel about arriving at rehab. Are you there by choice or did your family force you to go? If you are resistant to the process, employees might take extra measures to make sure that you are safe during your stay.
• Facility Policies: Because your daily choices could affect other patients, staff members will talk with you about facility policies. There might be rules about communicating with family members, working with staff, and relationships with other patients during your stay.  
• Schedule Overview: To create a functional, structured environment for patients, most facilities stick to strict daily schedules. Upon arrival, you might be given a schedule dictating when you need to wake up, report for meals, and meet for group therapy. 

Although it might be difficult to acclimate yourself to the treatment process, try to keep an open mind. If you pay attention and try to keep a positive attitude, the things you learn in rehabilitation can help you throughout the rest of your life.  

2: A Health Examination

Because the goal of any treatment facility is to provide a safe, healthy environment to overcome serious chemical addictions, treatment will not begin until employees understand what they are working with. Before you officially begin the process, you will meet with a doctor to undergo a comprehensive health examination. In addition to taking blood tests and inspecting your general health, you might be asked to discuss these topics:

• Your Medical History: Is drug or alcohol addiction the only issue affecting your health? Because secondary mental or physical health problems can exacerbate dependency issues, your doctor will check into your previous medical problems and ask you about how they have been treated.
• Chemical Dependency History: How long have you struggled with addiction? Have you gone through treatment before? Medical professionals will try to understand your history with dependency.   
• Detox Schedule: Depending on your level of dependency, it could take awhile to get detox. Although some patients might be able to detox in 1-3 days, some patients might need much longer. Your doctor will evaluate your condition and let you know what you should expect.   
• Prescriptions: Believe it or not, you might not be able to quit alcohol or drugs cold turkey. To improve your chances of success and to keep your body from going into shock, your doctor might prescribe medication for you to take as you begin the process.

As you discuss your condition with medical staff, resist the temptation to undermine your problem. By talking openly with your doctor about your substance abuse, your medical team can develop a treatment plan tailored for your needs. As you progress through treatment, you will be monitored carefully, so that you can stay safe and healthy.

By understanding what the first few days of drug rehabilitation will entail, you might be able to take new experiences in stride.  

Find out more about drug rehab addiction centres by clicking here! 

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