Your First Day of Rehab in Delray Beach: What to Expect

first day of rehab in Delray Beach

Your First Day of Rehab in Delray Beach: What to Expect

Going to rehab can be scary. Not only are you leaving behind your substances, but you’re also entering into a new and unfamiliar environment. You will have to get uncomfortable, feel difficult emotions, and learn to cope without the use of drugs and alcohol.

Thinking of the entire rehab experience as a whole can be overwhelming. There’s one popular saying in the rooms of AA that members use to remind each other to take life day by day: “One day at a time.” The truth is, you don’t have to worry about finishing rehab or leaving rehab right now. All you need to prepare for is your first day.

To help ease your nerves, here is what you can expect during your first day of rehab in Delray Beach.

The Intake Process

Before you can start with treatment, you’ll need to go through the intake process. This is when you arrive at the rehab center and are “checked-in” by a staff member.

Intake can be divided up into three phases: the personal items search, evaluation, and tour of the facility. Let’s take a look at what you can expect during each.

Baggage and Personal Items Search

Before you arrive at rehab, the treatment center should have provided you a list of what to bring to rehab as well as a list of prohibited items. If you have followed the directions and only packed what you need, this process will be fast and simple.

A staff member will thoroughly search your luggage and personal items to make sure you didn’t pack anything that is against the rules. If you did, the item may be discarded, locked away until your release, or sent home with a friend or family member.

This is done to protect you and your peers during treatment. After you have been cleared to enter the treatment facility, you can continue with the rest of your first day in rehab.

Clinical Evaluation

After the baggage search, you will meet with a substance abuse counselor or psychiatrist and a medical doctor. You will be asked a series of questions about your medical history, family medical history, any prescriptions you are taking, your history of substance abuse, and any symptoms you are currently experiencing.

You may also be examined by a doctor, asked to give blood for routine testing, and provide urine to screen for which drugs are in your system. Your doctor will also make sure you are stable enough to begin treatment. If you are not, you may be referred to a detox center.

The information gathered during intake helps the treatment team develop a tailored treatment plan that meets your needs.

Facility Tour

After the evaluation, the hardest part of your first day in rehab in Delray Beach is over. Next, you will tour the facility and begin getting to know staff members, the therapists, and your peers.

If you are going to inpatient rehab, you will be shown to your room and living area and given time to put your belongings away. You will also be shown around the clinical facility and informed about the rules you are expected to follow.

Starting Therapy on Your First Day

If you arrived at a Delray Beach rehab center early on in the day, you may have plenty of time to jump right into therapy. It’s likely that you’ll be asked to join an afternoon therapy group, however, you won’t be expected to participate on your first day. Instead, you can listen and begin to get the feel of the treatment center and how therapy sessions are run.

You may also be introduced to your primary therapist who will begin getting to know you, talking to you about your treatment goals, and answering any questions you may have. Even though you may do some therapy, it won’t be that difficult or emotional on your very first day.

Getting Comfortable

Most days in rehab end with a 12-Step meeting or another kind of support group. You will be invited to attend this group where you will start meeting your peers.

At the end of the day, you will go back to your room and get ready to go to sleep. You will have access to a team of medical and clinical specialists 24/7.

Start Your Recovery Journey Today

Many people are, understandably, scared to go to rehab. The reality is you only have to take the rehab process one day at a time – and it all starts with making the phone call to ask for help.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction and ready to turn your life around, give us a call today. At Florida Recovery Group, we offer a fresh, natural environment, with a brand new vantage point from which addiction treatment can really start.