What is a Day in Rehab Like?

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Making the decision to go to a New Jersey rehab center is a major accomplishment. Still, you may feel a little nervous about attending an addiction treatment center. It can help to understand what a typical day in rehab is like and how you can plan for rehab.

There are many different types of addiction treatment programs in New Jersey, however, most residential programs follow a similar framework. During inpatient, you will live at the treatment facility and follow a strict daily schedule. This schedule can help reduce stress, provide stability, and help support patients in early recovery.

Depending on the facility you attend, your individual treatment needs, and the amenities offered to you, certain details about your day may vary. However, here is a general outline of what you can expect during a day in rehab.

Wake Up At The Same Time Each Day in Rehab

Unfortunately, rehab isn’t a vacation, which means you probably won’t be allowed to sleep in after you are done detoxing. Instead, you will be expected to wake up at the same time each morning. Many rehab centers will send behavioral health technicians into your room to make sure you are awake.

Depending on the rehab center, you may be required to cook your own breakfast or go to the cafeteria for breakfast. Some programs offer extra amenities in the morning to help you begin your day in a relaxed state of mind, such as yoga or guided meditation.

Before heading over to therapy, you will make your bed, pick up your medication, and have some time to get ready for the rest of the day. This type of structured morning will help you introduce new healthy habits into your life.

After you are ready for the day, you will head over to the clinical area of the treatment facility and attend a group therapy session. Morning therapy sessions are usually focused on the addiction and recovery process.

Therapy All Afternoon

Inpatient rehab consists of a lot of therapy. During the middle of the day, you will participate in the most intensive treatment sessions. These sessions may look into underlying issues like trauma, mental illness, abuse, eating disorders, and more.

Most treatment programs will have one type of therapy before lunch and another after lunch. Depending on the time of day and the day of the week, you may participate in any of the following treatment therapies:

Group Therapy

Group therapy sessions may consist of 6-12 group members that meet regularly with their primary therapist throughout the week. This allows you to share experiences with your peers, relate to other people, and develop healthy relationships that foster emotional healing.

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy sessions will involve you and your primary therapist. During these one-on-one sessions, you may discuss sensitive issues that you don’t feel comfortable discussing in a group, your treatment plan, your progress in treatment, and your aftercare goals.

Gender-Specific Therapy

Since men and women experience addiction differently, they can benefit from gender-specific treatments. This allows men to open up to other men about sensitive issues and for women to do the same. Gender-specific sessions may be held once or twice a week.

Family Therapy

Family involvement is an integral part of the recovery process. Most treatment centers will offer family therapy sessions during which you and your family members can discuss issues within the family, improve communication skills, and learn how to better support one another as you move forth in the recovery process.

Specialty Therapy Sessions

Depending on your individual needs, you may attend one or two specialty therapy groups. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Anger management
  • Grief and loss counseling
  • PTSD therapy
  • Family dynamics therapy
  • Relapse prevention
  • Stress management
  • Parent’s groups

End Your Day in Rehab With a 12-Step Meeting

After your daily therapy sessions are over, you will return home or to the cafeteria for dinner. Then, most New Jersey rehab centers will either bring a 12-Step meeting into the rehab facility or take you and the other patients to a meeting in the community. 12-Step meetings provide a supportive and anonymous outlet for which people can continue their recovery after rehab.

Once the meeting is over you will head back to your room and get ready for bed. You will have a curfew during which you will be expected to be in your room and ready for “lights-out.”

Filling Your Weekends and Free Time During Rehab

During the weekends and in other spare pockets of time, you will have down-time so you can relax and do whatever it is you would like to do. Many New Jersey rehabs will have amenities like pools, sports, and recreational games. Or, you can spend your free time hanging out with your peers, reading, or journaling.

You may also be given the option of participating in alternative forms of therapy, such as:

  • Art, music, or dance
  • Exercise/outdoor recreation
  • Animal-assisted therapy
  • Chiropractic
  • Acupuncture
  • Neurofeedback therapy
  • Biofeedback therapy

Find Help Today

Now that you know what to expect during a day in rehab, you shouldn’t waste any more time. Pick up the phone and call now to find a drug and alcohol rehab near you.

Medically Reviewed: February 15, 2021

Dr Ashley

Medical Reviewer

Chief Editor

About

All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

Dr Ashley Murray obtained her MBBCh Cum Laude in 2016. She currently practices in the public domain in South Africa. She has an interest in medical writing and has a keen interest in evidence-based medicine.


All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

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