What to expect at inpatient rehab facilities
Entering rehab is going to be an anxious time for you. It is for everyone, even when it’s their own choice, and even if it isn’t their first time. If you’re not quite sure what to expect, then we’re going to assume that you (or your loved one) have never been in rehab before. You don’t know what to expect or what your day-to-day life is going to be like. Some worry that going to rehab is like going to prison: constantly under lock and key, constantly supervised…
Let’s ease your anxiety. The Hader Clinic’s rehabilitation facilities are designed to offer safety, comfort and consistency, giving you the best chance at long-term recovery.
In this article, we’re going to explain what your life in rehab will look like.
If you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse, it’s time to consider an alcohol or drug use inpatient rehabilitation program. Accept help; save your life.
Getting into rehab
Checking In
First, we need to get to know you and understand how severe your drug or alcohol abuse has gotten. The better we know you, the better we can tailor your personal substance abuse treatment plan.
When you first come to rehab, you’ll have to participate in an intake interview. We’ll ask you a series of questions, and we’d like you to answer as honestly and comprehensively as you can. Questions will include things like:
- How many times in the past 30 days have you used alcohol or drugs?
- In the past 30 days, how much drugs or alcohol have you used?
- Have you ever been arrested for drug-related offences?
- Where and with who have you been living?
- Do you use drugs and alcohol at work or school?
- Do you have any mental health disorders?
- How fulfilling is your life?
This is not an exam; you cannot pass or fail, and we’re not judging you or your answers. But what happens if you lie? Well, you won’t be punished. We use your responses to help us figure out how to help you get better — not to shame, embarrass, judge or upset you.
Depending on what we uncover and your preferences, we can place you in specific treatment programs for men, women, LGBT people or veterans. We’ll also tailor your treatment to focus on your needs, whether they be physical, psychological, spiritual, emotional or a combination of all.
“Had a great experience in Hader, Support workers were very knowledgeable and caring, even when some rules were broken (by Me), they understood. Highly recommend Hader to anybody going through addiction. From the nurses through to the support workers, you feel loved and that they genuinely care.”
~ Edward L
[H3] Detox and withdrawal
Before your proper treatment program begins, we’re going to have to help you get clean. This tends to be a major point of anxiety for incoming patients. We’ll tell you now: it won’t be easy. But it also won’t be impossible.
We offer 14- and 28-day detox and withdrawal programs where you’ll be able to clear your system of intoxicants under medical supervision. Our medical team will provide you with 24/7 care to ease your withdrawal symptoms. We can even offer you medically-assisted detox treatments to help you come down gradually.
Your rehab schedule: what goes on in rehab day to day?
Once you’ve completed our withdrawal program, you’ll enter residential rehab.
We have a number of residential drug and alcohol rehab facilities around regional and metropolitan Victoria. We won’t disclose where to protect the safety and privacy of those in our care. You’ll be assigned your own personal room in a block that suits your gender identity.
The goal of residential treatment is to create a safe environment for our clients to recover in. One of the ways we do that is by adhering to a consistent schedule. Depending on your personal treatment plan, your daily schedule may vary from the other recovering addicts.
So you know what to expect in drug and alcohol rehab, let’s take a look at a typical daily rehab schedule.
In the morning
You’ll be woken up bright and early with a full breakfast. Our medical team will also administer any medication you need.
You’ll attend a morning therapy session. The kind of therapy will depend on your needs and may change daily. Then, you may have some free time to reflect on your session.
In the afternoon
We’ll serve you a hot lunch. Then, we may schedule another therapeutic session, such as art therapy or exercise, to keep your mind and body engaged. Regular physical activity and emotional expression will help you rebuild your self-confidence and sense of identity. That’ll help you manage lingering withdrawals and help you self-motivate to set and meet your sobriety goals.
In the evenings
After dinner, you’ll have a period of reflection to consider the day’s lessons and your own progress. You’re not expected to get better every day — everyone stumbles or resists help at one point or another. It’s our job to help you strive toward the life you want to live.
Then you’ll have a bit of free time to relax and unwind, which you can use to socialise or spend time alone.
Your day will end at our set lights-out time when you will return to your room.
“They provided me with a safe environment to deal with my drug addiction and life struggles I had been experiencing. Having other clients who have gone through similar struggles as I was experiencing, this really helped me identify that there are people out there with the same struggles I've been having who could help me.”
~ Peter El-Khouri
Can you use your phone in rehab?
No, you will not be allowed to bring in your personal phone. They can be a security risk for you and our other patients. However, you will have regular access to our facility phones.
Can you contact your family?
Absolutely — having a strong support network of loved ones is the best way to become sober and stay sober. Three nights a week, you will be able to call your loved ones. Your family will be able to visit from the second Sunday of your treatment.
Can you smoke cigarettes in rehab?
Yes, you can. Cigarettes are an addiction, but inpatient rehab aims to help you overcome your primary addictions. Smoking is a common coping mechanism for recovering addicts, so we do allow it.
However, we hope the treatment you receive at our facilities will also help you beat your smoking addiction in time.
What do you do in rehab to unwind?
You’ll have plenty of free time in your rehab schedule to unwind. While you’re free to use that time to spend time alone, we have a number of facilities for you to socialise, learn or exercise.
Each of our facilities has its own entertainment amenities for you to enjoy. You’ll have access to a library with a range of entertainment and educational resources. Spend some time in our indoor gym, or exercise in the open air. You can also spend time creating art or practising yoga. We also have religious and meditation spaces for you to pray and reflect on your sobriety journey.
Can you leave rehab for recreation?
You must live at our rehabilitation centre during your treatment period. However, after 30 days of sobriety, you may be eligible for day leave. And after 60 days of sobriety, you can enjoy weekend leave.
Keep in mind that you will only be allowed to leave our facility in the company of people on your approved contact list.
“Their program saved my life. And helped me fundamentally change my life. Through a tough program, led by staff who’ve all lived the horrors of addiction, I was forced to finally confront my demons. They loved me through the pain and then showed me a way out of the isolation of my addiction.”
~ Ineke Raby
What therapies can I get at rehab?
You’ll be required to attend at least one therapy session every day at rehab. The types of therapy you’ll need to attend will depend on the goals of your treatment plan. Your broad goals will be to improve your physical, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual life.
In rehab therapy, you’ll:
- Address deep traumas and emotional burdens
- Understand your addiction triggers
- Learn strategies to avoid triggers and resist relapse
- Understand how your addiction affects you and your loved ones
- Set personal goals for yourself
- Learn how to reintegrate into society
Our therapies can be broken down into three categories.
Individual therapy
These are one-on-one sessions with a mental health professional. Substance abuse is often accompanied by mental health disorders, which these sessions will aim to alleviate. We can provide specialist counselling for PTSD, sexual assault and domestic violence.
Family therapy
You and your loved ones will sit down with a counsellor to discuss how your addiction has affected your relationships. In a family therapy session, you will all be encouraged to share your experiences in safety. As a recovering addict, learning to acknowledge the harm you’ve caused is critical for all parties to heal.
Group therapy
In group sessions, you’ll talk through your experiences in a guided conversation with other recovering addicts. All of them will have experienced the same trials and tribulations as you have, and the solidarity you build with them will help you all take your next steps towards recovery and sobriety.
“One of the most important factors relating to any treatment of drug and alcohol addiction is after-care. Specifically - the period immediately after the 90-day stay at the retreat. Raymond Hader offered various exceptional after-care treatment options to suit the needs of everyone. The 12 step model of recovery has been proven to be extremely effective worldwide.”
~ S K
[H2] Outpatient Rehab
Returning to the outside world after residential therapy is a delicate time for recovering addicts. Your vulnerability can lead you back to substance abuse and relapse. But you won’t be alone.
Once you’ve completed residential therapy for substance abuse, you’ll be offered a place in our intensive outpatient treatment program.
We’ll offer you transitional housing so you have a safe home to return to as you reintegrate into society. You’ll have ongoing access to personal and group therapy sessions at our transitional homes. You and the other residents will also be regularly drug and alcohol tested to ensure everyone is safe and sober.
Once you’re back on your feet, you can use our relapse prevention services to keep yourself on the sober path. Our mental health services administration team will check in with you daily, and you’ll still have access to all of our counselling services.
