For many of you, addiction treatment starts in an addiction recovery center because of the proven success rates. You may be wondering what your day will be like while in the center. These programs are very organized, with planned meals, meetings, and activities. Structuring your day helps to reduce idle time and provide structure in your life to begin your road of recovery from drugs or alcohol.
Morning Routine
The morning routine usually includes a healthy breakfast. Residents typically are not given the option to “sleep-in,” but are expected to wake up within a certain time in the morning with the other residents. There are classes after breakfast that help you to increase your mindfulness and relaxation – such as yoga or meditation. After the chosen class, you have group sessions with the therapist or counselor and the other residents.
The setting, or milieu, is always conducive for a social environment that makes everyone feel welcome to share their thoughts and feelings. The rules are laid out in the first meeting; for example, one rule is always to be respectful of the speaker.
The topics at hand are related to addiction recovery: the 12-step-program, managing emotions, rebuilding your life, and the list goes on. These group sessions are not optional but mandatory. You are expected to speak up and add your input while at these sessions, as well.
What’s Next?
After a healthy lunch, you will have more therapeutic sessions. The sessions vary according to the center, but overall the common interest is that each of the sessions is therapeutic for you: they will help you in recovery and not harm you.
Some of the different sessions may include:
Group Sessions: these are lead by a certified or licensed substance abuse counselor. Each course has a theme so that the group can stay on topic for the day. The group sessions are helpful because the group members can hear what their peers are saying and not feel alone during the healing process. The group members can see that other people have had similar experiences in their walk, also start to recognize patterns that lead to success and defeat.
Stress management:
These sessions are essential in addiction recovery because stress is usually a significant factor in the battle of recovery from drugs and alcohol.
Grief counseling:
The purpose of grief counseling is to help you deal with inevitable loss in your life: the death of a loved one or friend. Grief is powerful and causes anger, sadness, frustration, and even deep depression; it is vital to manage pain in addiction recovery from alcohol and drugs, because you may see these substances as a way to cope with the loss of your loved one.
The counselor will determine which stage of grief you are in by only having a conversation with you. After this, the counselor will help you diminish the feelings of guilt tied to the loss of your loved one, then help you adapt to your present life in ways that work for you.
Exercise programs:
Exercise programs provide a healthy outlet for stress while in the addiction recovery process. Usually, you can choose what type of workout is best for you – whether it is cardio, weight training, or stretching. Exercise classes at addiction recovery centers are available in between group sessions, scheduled therapies, or in the evenings when you have more flexibility in your schedule.
Animal-assisted therapy: Addiction recovery centers sometimes include animal-assisted therapy because research has shown that this therapy reduces stress, improves your mood, and helps with your socialization skills. Sometimes, equine therapy is an option, which includes horses. Other times there are dogs or other animals available.
One-on-one behavioral therapy is offered and includes you and the counselor to identify and fix destructive recurring patterns in your life. Other treatments include dance, art, or music therapy that allow for positive self-expression. These can also help with stress management as an outlet for emotions.
Many programs will help you live a full life in recovery; however, most of them have the same structure and types of therapies to offer. Recovery is possible with an addiction recovery program! Ready to begin? We can help, call now at 800-411-8019.