The first time you experience a drug rehab facility can be quite intimidating. You’re not sure what to expect while you are being given treatment for your addiction. You don’t know what type of therapy is offered. The list is long, and you are worried. It’s normal to wonder what will happen on a day-to-day basis before you decide to commit to a program. Understanding what to expect will put your mind at ease so you can focus on getting and staying sober.
You likely know that you will have to talk to a therapist during your stay. What you don’t know, however, is just how often you will get to talk with your therapist during treatment. Read on to learn more.
Types of Therapy in Rehab
Checking into a rehab facility automatically equals therapy. You should be aware that therapy sessions are not limited to simple one-on-one time with a counselor. You will be expected to participate in the following types of therapy- private, group, and family. Let’s break each one down a bit further.
Private- Private therapy will usually begin the first day of your stay. Every patient will be given a personal therapist to talk to on a one-on-one basis. Your therapist will help you recognize what events trigger your drug or alcohol use. Once these triggers are pinpointed, you’ll talk about what you can do if or when they occur in the future to keep you from using again. If you have a mental health disorder, you’ll discuss this concern with your therapist privately.
Group- All residents of an addiction treatment center are expected to participate in group therapy every day they are there. Group therapy sessions help patients realize that they are not alone in their struggles. It provides support from others while allowing residents to give out their own support. Sessions allow patients to bond with one another over shared trauma and circumstances.
Family- Family therapy is not always a requirement during rehab. If it is, your therapist will want you to wait for at least a couple of weeks before bringing in family members. Family sessions will take place with a licensed therapist on hand to oversee the conversation. They will lead the session and mediate when necessary.
Private Therapy Sessions in Rehab
How many times you are given therapy sessions during your rehab stay will depend on a few factors. During the initial intake process, you will sit down and speak with the staff concerning your addiction. They will then assess your needs according to your history of drug or alcohol abuse.
In most cases, you will have access to private therapy sessions at least once a day during your time in the program. You’ll be scheduled for a certain time every day, typically seven days a week. Individual sessions are extremely important for continued recovery. This will also be the time that your therapist discusses any co-occurring disorders you may have.
Co-Occurring Disorders- What are They?
One of the more common reasons for relapse centers around co-occurring disorders. A co-occurring disorder is a mental health issue that may or may not have been identified and diagnosed. Anxiety, bi-polar disorder, depression, and PTSD are just a few of the mental health disorders that may be causing you to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. If you are dealing with a mental health issue along with your addiction, this is called a dual diagnosis.
It’s very important to let your doctor and therapist know from the beginning that you have a mental health concern, even if you have never been formally diagnosed. They will address this problem separately during your therapy sessions to get to the root of your addiction. In many cases, a mental health disorder is what triggers drug and alcohol use in the first place. On the flip side, abusing drugs or alcohol will often make a mental health disorder worse.
Final Thoughts on Therapy
The number of sessions you have with your therapist while you are in rehab will depend on a few factors. In most centers, you can expect to talk to someone every day. It is extremely important to take therapy as seriously as possible. Take advantage of as many therapy sessions as you can while you are there. These sessions are designed to help you as much as possible.
When you are ready to take back control of your life after abusing drugs or alcohol, give our facility a call at 833-610-1174. to learn what we can do to help.