What To Expect During Admission To Drug Or Alcohol Rehab 

In denial: A term often associated with those caught up in addiction. For those who have taken the powerful step to acknowledge and face up to their problem, reaching out for help is the next step in getting onto a trajectory of recovery and lifelong abstinence. Understanding the admissions process in rehab is crucial for making this transition as smooth as possible.

The admissions process in rehab is nothing to be scared of.

Here at Find Me A Rehab, we are a clinician led service and provide free 24 hour rehab advice based on our decades of experience in a variety of clinical settings, including many well known UK rehab centres. If you need help with alcohol addiction or home detox services UK: Call us.

For some people, it may take years to reach the point when they pick up the phone so it is crucial that the process from enquiry to getting into treatment is as seamless as it can be.  

Going into rehab requires careful consideration. It is a major step forward, so it is essential that the process is robust and focused, solely, on the client and their treatment.

As it is unlikely that someone arranging treatment has not done so before, there will be some trepidation about the unknown. Once you have decided where to go to get help, and after a decision has been reached that the centre is able to provide the right treatment for you admission day soon arrives.  

The admissions process in rehab

What happens on arrival?

The phrase “checking into rehab” is often used in the press and on TV, but it is not quite as simple as rocking up to the reception desk, giving your credit card over and collecting a room key: And just as well!  

Some clients, especially those dependent on alcohol, cannot stop taking their addictive substance before arriving and, thus, may be in a poor physical state on arrival: This is to be expected, and all centres are prepared for this.

Indeed, specialist transport can be arranged, from anywhere in the country, to get you to rehab safely.  

As soon as you arrive you will be warmly greeted by a member of staff: a nurse, support worker or therapist.

Just walking through the door can be a very emotional experience and challenging for family members/friends/employers who may have driven the client to rehab.

A cup of tea, being shown to the smoking area, perhaps something to eat: A few minutes to acclimatize before the important process of admission begins.  

The admissions process in rehab

The aim of the admission process is to obtain an accurate, and up to date, medical and social history to identify any issues not raised or identified in the pre-admission assessment.  

All centres are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and, as such, will have transparent and very clear guidelines and standards on what information is needed when receiving someone into treatment.

Depending on the persons state of physical and emotional health not all aspects of the admissions process can always be completed immediately: That is to be expected and, in any event, to complete the entire process in one go would be very tiring!  

Are there standardised processes to go through?

During the admissions process, it is not uncommon for the following to be done:  

• Blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels to be recorded 

• Taking a urine drug screen and/or breathalyzer 

• Drawing blood (for more complex cases)  

• Confirming prescribed medications 

• Reviewing the clients (and families) history of medical conditions and psychiatric illness 

• Explaining and agreeing the treatment plan and center ethos/undertakings (rules) 

• Finalizing payment 

• Completing an inventory of personal items not kept in secure storage at the center 

• Showing the client around the center: Fire exits, treatment room (medication) therapy rooms, dining room, etc. 

What happens during the first 24-48 hours?

Centres stagger admissions, throughout the day, to ensure a safe and calm admission, thus it is important to keep the center updated if you are running late.

After the stages, above, those who are needing a detox will be assessed as to whether it is safe to begin. For some alcohol clients it could be that they need to start immediately. The whole emphasis is on safety.  

If the person is physically well enough then they can join a therapy group that day. No one expects you to remember everyone’s name on your first day or to be sociable: You are in a new environment in which you are going to change your life.  

All centres have policies on clinical and safety observations for the initial period of treatment: It depends, entirely, on the persons medical and social history as well as their current drug/alcohol use.

Some clients may need to be observed every hour, some less frequently, but there needs to be some degree of checking, at least, for the first few days. 

Here at Find Me A Rehab, we are a clinician led service and provide free 24 hour rehab advice based on our decades of experience in a variety of clinical settings, including many well known UK rehab centres. If you need help with alcohol addiction or home detox services UK: Call us.

The admissions process in rehab

Medication

If you are on prescribed medication (which you need to take with you) this will be stored and dispensed to you. Some medications may be kept for self-administration depending on local guidelines.  

Going into treatment is a leap in the dark. You are entrusting strangers with your physical and psychological health. They will see you as you flourish, and when you struggle.

You will be surrounded by people with a shared goal: Recovery. Yes, it will be challenging, yes, you will be dealing with emotions you would rather steer away from. For those who need a detox, even with the best doctors and nurses in the world, it can be testing. However, the end result is the focus.  

A safe and effective treatment plan in a rehab center relies on many links in the chain, admission being one of them.

The staff will do everything they can to put you at ease, make you feel welcome and help you to settle in. They have the skills and experience to ensure you are at ease, valued and left with a feeling of safety and security.  

Here at Find Me A Rehab, we are a clinician led service and provide free 24 hour rehab advice based on our decades of experience in a variety of clinical settings, including many well known UK rehab centres. If you need help with alcohol addiction or home detox services UK: Call us.

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