What Really Happens Inside a Rehab Centre?

Detox rehab centre: The Facts.

As experienced addictions clinicians, we work in rehab centres: Low cost to high end.

While there are differences between centres, some of the core features remain the same.

Let our experienced addictions clinicians give you the benefit of their experience.

Before You Choose Where to Go

Booking treatment in a rehab centre is not like booking a hotel or a spa break.

You will be trusting strangers to get you on the right track.

In rehab you will be opening up to people in groups you have never met, and may never meet again.

Difficult, sometimes painful memories and emotions are shared in groups.

It is essential that the centre you choose is the right one.

You need a centre that, aside from providing evidence based effective therapy also has a clinical team that can accommodate your detox (if you need one).

Not all centres provide a full range of detox programmes. While all can accept alcohol clients, many exclude heroin detox. This is where free advice from a clinician in the field comes in.

You may want a centre in the country or a town. Your budget may stretch to a luxury, high end, centre or it may be more constrained: It really doesn’t matter. A safe and reputable centre doesn’t need to cost the earth.

Think of it like plane travel. You can sit in economy , premium economy, business or first class.

You will get to your destination, but the experience of getting there will be a little different. But you will get there.

People recover from addiction. If you want to understand what actually happens, this article will explain Detox rehab centre: The Facts in clear terms.

There is no secret around what happens. It isn’t a Masonic lodge.

As experienced addictions clinicians who work in rehab centres, as well as other settings we are here to share our knowledge with you in this blog. We are not here to sell you anything.

Detox rehab centre: The Facts -Admission

Admission into rehab begins with an assessment.

An experienced addictions clinician will assess whether or not it would be appropriate for you to receive treatment at the centre of your choice.

Not all centres provide all treatments. For example, not every centre will accept heroin/opioid clients.

The clinician will need some information as to your current use, prescribed medication and medical history.

Your GP surgery can provide a medical summary and the staff are not permitted to ask why you want it.

While it is best practice for your GP to be aware and involved, we understand why some people would prefer not to involve their GP.

Reception staff are able to print off a medical summary from your records without involving a doctor. These are commonly requested for travel insurance, occupational health, etc.

Detox rehab centre: The Facts Can I get an instant decision?

Potentially: Yes.

If your situation is straightforward you may be able to get an immediate decision.

In some cases there may be a slight delay as the risk factors may need to be weighed up.

Getting into rehab should never be as an emergency.

It can take years to develop an addiction and even longer to reach the point when you accept that you need help.

Getting into the first rehab who will accept you is never a good idea.

Often, relatives and friends pressurise people to get into treatment so as to lessen their anxieties and not the person with the addiction.

How Soon Can I Be Admitted?

That depends on bed vacancies.

Many centres will not admit on weekends and some will also not admit on Fridays.

They do this for safety reasons.

Same day admissions should always be avoided.

Where a straightforward case is presented to a clinician early in the day a same day admission may be possible.

Weekend admissions sometimes incur an extra charge as a clinician would be needed to come in to admit you and prescribe medication.

What Happens During Admission?

Admission into a rehab centre can be stressful.

While you know you can’t take drugs or alcohol anymore you will be very apprehensive giving them up.

The majority of staff in rehab centres understand: They will be in recovery themselves.

There will be some paperwork, payment to be made and a review with the duty clinician.

Your belongings will need to be checked by staff, in your presence, for safety.

The clinician will discuss your medication options and draw up a collaborative treatment plan.

As soon as it is safe for you to commence medication, if necessary, nurses will attend to you.

Vital signs will be recorded (blood pressure, pulse etc) as this is essential in deciding when it is safe to start your detox.

For alcohol patients, a breathalyser is common practice.

Depending on the time of day you will meet the therapy team as well as being shown around and introduced to your peers.

Detox rehab centre: The Facts -The first 24 hours

Not everyone will be able to start therapy straightaway.

Some clients will be too physically weak due to withdrawals.

It can, in rare cases, take a day or two but, normally, everyone is able to take part by the end of the second day.

Nursing and trained support staff will monitor you, at regular intervals, though this will be curtailed after the first few days.

For those on detox medication, you will continued to have vital signs taken at regular intervals as this is part of the decision making process for “as and when” additional medication which is often needed in the early stages of a detox.

The catering team will be pleased to meet with you to discuss any dietary requirements (though it is best to advise the centre in advance).

Detox rehab centre: The Facts Therapy

All centres, across the world have group therapy as it’s core component.

Why? Because it works.

Group therapy has been in use within addiction treatment for nearly a hundred years.

It doesn’t matter if it is a 12 step/SMART or electic approach: It really doesn’t.

Group therapy works if you want it to.

Individual sessions are extremely tiring and no one should ever have more than one session a week, which is what centres provide.

The aim of therapy is to discover what led you to seek solace in drugs and alcohol.

Addiction is not a choice. No one wakes up one day and decides to drink or inject heroin.

Dependency on drugs and alcohol is not moral weakness or a lack of willpower. It is a serious illness just as diabetes or asthma.

The sessions will be challenging but everyone there has your best interests at heart.

Detox rehab centre: The Facts Relapse Prevention

When you leave rehab you will be on cloud nine.

Raring to go with a new found love of life and ready to put all your plans into action.

When you are at home the support of the rehab centre is at the end of the phone but in the moment: You are on your own when challenges arise.

It is quicker in cities to have drugs delivered to your house than a pizza.

There will be times when you ponder if using drugs and alcohol will get you through a difficult time. You may think you can control it but, in reality, this is unlikely.

This is where relapse prevention skills training comes in.

Relapse happens: FACT.

It doesn’t happen to all but when you consider that addiction is a chronic illness, you can view it in the same way that people with diabetes and asthma relapse.

A relapse doesn’t have to be catastrophic if you know how to manage it.

If nothing else, you will know how to reach out and to whom.

The earlier you reach out, the quicker you will get back onto that wagon of abstinence and sobriety.

Detox rehab centre: The Facts-Aftercare

The final link in the chain but just as important.

All centres provide a minimum of a years aftercare.

Normally, this is a weekly support group as well as regular telephone check in.

If you find yourself struggling, there will be a decicatted number to call for immediate support.

Speak to an Experienced Addictions Clinician for Free Advice and Referrals

You will be speaking to an experienced addictions clinician.

Daily, we receive people into rehab centres.

Our advice is free, confidential and impartial.

It matters not to us where you go for help, only that it is safe, effective and low cost.

We can advise you as to what you need, and what you don’t.

If you need a referral we do not charge for this.

We only signpost to legally registered centres and are registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Detox rehab centre: The Facts: We have them.

Recent Posts