WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN GOING TO REHAB

The idea of going to rehab can seem overwhelming, but addiction treatment is often necessary to begin a lifelong recovery journey. Without effective strategies for coping with triggers, a relapse can often be just one tough situation away. Rehab helps you learn healthier ways to manage thoughts and behaviors without turning to drugs, and success rates are higher among those who attend a treatment facility. Still, it can take some courage to make the call and enroll in treatment.

Fortunately, it’s easier to accept the idea of rehab when you understand what to expect. This rehab preparation guide will give you an overview of what rehab is like, what you’ll need to bring and the types of treatment you’ll receive throughout the process.

Steps of the Rehabilitation Process

The very first step of the recovery journey begins when you contact one of our helpful representatives. They will learn more about your situation and find out which type of treatment program would be most effective for your situation.

The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper is often able to offer same-day admission, but our clients can choose when they’d like to arrive for treatment at our facility. After arriving on your scheduled date, the rehab process will begin.

Addiction Assessment

Though the representative you spoke with may have gotten a general idea of your medical and drug history, our medical team conducts a comprehensive addiction and psychological evaluation following your arrival. During this addiction assessment, your care providers will screen you for co-occurring disorders, learn more about your medical history and create an individualized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs.

Medical Detox

Most people entering addiction treatment will need to go through medical detox. This process involves allowing the body time to remove all drugs and alcohol from its system, which can take a few days or longer. It’s common to experience uncomfortable drug withdrawal symptoms as the body begins to crave the drugs it has come to rely on. You may be given medication-assisted treatment to help cope with these symptoms and make the detox process easier to manage.

Though it may be uncomfortable, this is the safest way to detox from substances. Drug withdrawal symptoms can sometimes be life-threatening, so medically-supervised detox ensures that your condition is monitored around the clock by professional medical staff.

Therapy

During your stay, you will attend various types of therapy for drug addiction. One of the most common forms is cognitive behavioral therapy, which teaches people how to deal with negative thought patterns in more positive ways. It is a valuable tool that can help you return to daily life with new ways of coping with stressful or triggering events.

You’ll participate in individual and group therapy for substance abuse, as well as more holistic forms of treatment. Many recreational therapy activities, such as art, music or exercise, help people find new outlets for managing stress and maintaining their recovery.

Aftercare Planning

When your inpatient stay is completed, you may transition to less intensive programs, such as partial care services or outpatient care. Your aftercare begins after completing all treatment.

Aftercare is a long-term plan to help you maintain lifelong recovery and it typically involves follow-up appointments, counseling and maintenance medication, if needed. Facility staff will also provide you with resources for support groups, sober living homes and other aftercare services.

Preparing for Rehab

Before you leave for drug and alcohol treatment, there are a few things you’ll need to do to prepare. It’s important to consider:

• Travel accommodations: Our intake coordinators will work with you to ensure you arrive at our facility safely and on time. You are responsible for arranging travel accommodations, but if you are flying, we can help arrange transportation from the airport to the facility.
• Packing for rehab: When deciding what to pack for rehab, you’ll need to be aware of what you can and cannot bring into the facility. We recommend that you bring:
  • Recommended clothing:
    • Season-appropriate clothing
    • Sweater or jacket for indoors and outdoors
    • Long pants, shorts, socks, undergarments
    • Ladies’ proper undergarments
    • Men’s proper undergarments
    • Hat, beanie, warm gloves
    • Tennis shoes, flip flops, sandals
    • Comfortable & discrete work-out wear
    • Comfortable sleepwear
    • Ladies: one-piece swimsuits
    • Men: knee-length board swim shorts
  • Toiletries and Personal Care Items
    • You’ll likely share a bedroom with at least one other client. Pillows and sheets will be provided. You’re welcome to bring your own toiletries, with a few exceptions. Items that were opened before arrival or include alcohol are not permitted. This rule is designed to protect the residents and staff members and maintain a substance-free environment.
    • Personal masks (optional, as facility supplies are available)
    • Eyeglasses/contacts/sunglasses
    • Dental flossers
    • Hairbrush
    • Unopened supplies (optional, as facility supplies are available)
    • Alcohol-free mouthwash
    • Toothbrush, unopened toothpaste
    • Deodorant
    • Alcohol-free shampoo and conditioner
    • Sunscreen
    • Face wash and moisturizer
    • Lotion
    • Lip balm
    • Feminine products
    • Alcohol-free contact lens solution
    • Disposable razors (secured and checked in/out at specific times)
    • Blow dryer/styling tools (secured and checked in/out at specific times)
    • New, unopened pillows, blankets, and comforters
    • Hygiene products with alcohol listed among the first three ingredients will not be allowed at the center. The facility can supply residents with shampoo, conditioner and other items upon request.
  • Documentation
    • The safety and confidentiality of our residents are very important to us. To ensure a seamless process, we ask that you bring the following documentation with you to treatment:
    • If vaccinated: a copy or picture of your COVID-19 vaccine card
    • Photo ID: State/Government valid ID/Driver’s License/Passport
    • Necessary travel documentation
    • Relevant medical records/list of providers with contact information
    • A list of family members and their contact information
  • Financial
    • Small amount of cash ($200)
    • Credit card
    • Debit card
    • Checkbook
    • Prepaid Visa gift card (only this will be used for all purchases facilitated by staff on your behalf)
  • Electronics
    • Cell phone
    • E-reader
    • Music (MP3, iPod, ear buds, headphones)
  • Medications
    • Tobacco
    • Cigarettes
    • Chewing tobacco
    • All tobacco products must be unopened
    • Journal/Hobby Items
• Do not bring:
  • Drugs or alcohol
  • Drug or alcohol paraphernalia
  • Computers, tablets, cameras, video recorders or audio recorders
  • Electronic devices with cameras or internet access (smartwatches and e-readers)
  • Products with alcohol listed in the first three ingredients
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Vapes and e-cigarettes
  • Dental floss
  • Opened hygiene or toiletry products
  • Weapons, including pocket knives
  • Clothing depicting drugs, paraphernalia or explicit language or images
  • Overly revealing clothing, such as short shorts and tank tops
  • Pornographic material
  • Cards, games and sporting equipment
  • Aerosol products, such as hairspray and deodorant
• Payment: There are many ways to pay for drug rehab and we are in-network with most private insurance providers. We do not accept Medicaid or Medicare, but we are able to create affordable payment plans that allow people of all income levels to receive treatment. Contact us or your insurance provider to verify whether addiction treatment is covered under your policy.

Food

Our in-house culinary team prepares three nutritious meals per day for each of our clients. You will be able to choose from a few different meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Vegan and vegetarian options are also available. Though outside food in rehab is not allowed, we provide three snacks a day in addition to meals.

Sleeping Arrangements

In rehab, rooms are shared by two residents, but this can vary depending on your level of care and treatment needs. Roommates share a private bathroom as well.

Phone Use

While you are allowed to bring your phone to rehab, there are often restrictions in place. Rehab is meant to have minimal distractions and be free from potential triggers. To help achieve this goal, we securely store your cell phone upon your arrival to help you focus on your recovery. After the first 72 hours, there is dedicated phone time offered several times a week during non-clinical hours.

Smoke Breaks

You are allowed to take periodic smoking breaks in rehab, but the frequency of these breaks is determined by your treatment schedule and your doctor’s recommendations. If you smoke, make sure to bring enough unopened cigarettes to last the duration of your stay. While combustible cigarettes are permitted, vaporizers and e-cigarettes are not permitted.