What Can I Expect at a Drug and Alcohol Rehab Program?

January 14, 2015

Alcohol Abuse Statistics

February 16, 2015

What was the biggest advantage of going to a residential alcohol and drug rehab?

January 29, 2015

If you went to a residential alcohol and drug rehab program, what aspect of the experience did you find most helpful? What feature was the most important to you? Note: This Reader Response topic has been closed, please use this form to share your experience, or join the discussion in the Alcoholism Forum.

Go or Get Fired

I test + for marijuana. I use 2-3 times per week (less than many “responsible” drinkers). My employer gave me the option of a 30-90 day suspension which included completing a rehab program or get fired. So, I am going. I know why I smoke and believe I haven’t caused a problem until now: my co-workers must pick up the slack in my absence. I am going to keep an open mind and listen to what they have to say.
—Guest greyhound

Zach

I didn’t have AA where I lived and my bottom resulted in the decision if I was to keep drinking I was gonna kill myself I held a gun to my head and was ready to end it all. March 12, 2009 when something came over me I new of a mental health hospital near by I contacted them the next morning they told me of an intense inpatient treatment in there facility for people like me. I was twenty six days on a dry drunk when I entered cuz I had to wait for a bed. I got two things from treatment the Big Book “my bible ” and twenty eight more days of sobriety . I was told when I left I would be drunk in two days. I took a suggestion from an alcoholic who brought me my first AA meeting while I was in treatment to do ninety meetings in ninety days . I went to 278 meetings in ninety days. I acquired an old timer with 33 yrs as a sponsor he chose me by calling me out in a meeting he has taken me through.the steps and showed me how to live sober by applying the traditions. I have received the promises.
—Guest zach

Rehab summary

Awareness. Plain and simple, without writing an essay. I came to know myself.
—Guest chad

Expect answers

I had to go to a rehab program because of a DUI. Being forced into these programs in my opinion is not good for any person, it is kind of like having a gun pointed at you. You need to want to go to rehab and accept the help they are offering you. Going to AA meetings is less expensive and everyone there knows what you are going thru, and they offer plenty of support and will give sound advice. Like they say, I must want to stop drinking, it is just that simple. I know how it is to be drunk all the time, wonder what it will feel like to be sober all the time? It is a goal I am setting.
—Guest joe

I haven’t gone to rehab

I have been to detox 4 times in my life, but haven’t gone to rehab. I have even quit several times on my own. I read a book that said you cant quit drinking until u know why you are drinking. I still keep relapsing. I know this is what I need to do, because if alcohol is not available to you, then you are not going to drink. If you are in a controlled environment, you are not going to drink! I mean, come on, let’s be honest. What do you do when the “craving starts?”
—Guest Brenda

Treatment center

I spent 3.5 months in a treatment center and $35,000 (1990) and it was worth every cent. My wife and drinking partner sobered up in AA for nothing.
—Guest norm

It was the start of recovery

Treatment gave me the structured, safe environment that I needed to get sober. Three meals a day, education during the day, stuffed into a van for a AA meeting every evening. They got me sober. After treatment, I transitioned to AA and the AA program and fellowship has kept me sober for 29 years.
—Guest Sober in Florida

Rehab wasn’t enough for this addict

In rehab I learned alot about why I got high. I learned a lot about the disease of addiction and how my past was involved in my need to self medicated. But rehab wasn’t enough for this addict, I needed something after rehab. I had nowhere to go when I was discharged from the rehab because I had burned all my bridges and I knew no one who did not get high. I checked into a halfway house and started attending Narcotics Anonymous. After the allotted 6 months at the halfway house I was discharged. Now what, I thought. Home was not where I belonged. I surfed the net and found a three quarter house called Oxford House. It was there that my real recovery started. No staff, just other addicts trying to stay clean and sober. There I learned how to live life on life’s terms. I learned to budget, to pay bills on time, and to live life without using drugs. We were each others eyes and ears. We held each other accountable. My “rehab” experience took a little over two years and began April 14, 2008.
—Guest Just for today

Residential Rehab

After using heroin and alcohol for 15 years and going in and out of detoxes on what you’d call spin drys, I decided to try a 6 month Program. It was the best decision I could have made. With all my bridges burned and no family to support me, I received much needed support and a family of my own there. I now have 10 months sober!
—Guest Kimberly

Stability helped

The biggest advantage for me in extended rehab was either Stability (mostly through sober time and a healthy diet) or Education. It helped me stay sober for around sixteen months. That I have to say “around” that much time begins to tell the story – I don’t know exactly because I got complacent and basically took my success for granted. Now I commend myself each night, or stroke of midnight, just reaching Day 100 (among a Lot of other changes, of course) this am! Good luck and God Bless!!
—Guest idrinkalone

Environment

A sober and clean environment and being with people just like me, with the same problems, issues, etc.
—Guest gjc1964

It’s your rehab

Last year I spent 9 months in residential rehab in Middlesborough, where I was able to address both my addiction and social and mental problems. If you are reading this and thinking about rehab, I hope you make the right decision. Rehab is not an easy option it will be the hardest thing you will ever do, but it is worth the effort. You must put in the effort, nobody can do this for you.
—Guest Angus

Thank God I went

Rehab? I Loved/Hated it! It felt so good to be able to let go and let someone help me. To be so sick in a place where I didn’t have to explain myself, and feel myself get better/healthier. It made me love myself again.
—Guest cas2cam

Food and rest.

The people at rehab made me eat. I was getting so skinny and I found that I was getting calories from alcohol and pretty much was starving. As I ate correctly, I found that my cravings minimized. I don’t look like a haggered old lady anymore. Forcing us to have regular sleep patterns was also a plus. When I start feeling like I may relapse, I think of the “HALT” and at least can monitor how much I am Hungry or Tired. I’m still working on the Angry and Lonely part of “HALT” but I’m sure I’m making progress.
—Guest Wanda

Someone else is worse off

I learned that every body is different. I learned that no matter what you have done your family will always love you! I learned that a lot of women depended on boyfriends way too much and usually it’s the wrong relationship to begin with. I learned that no matter how far down the scale you have gone there’s always someone else who is worse off than you are.
—Guest rp