Well done on deciding to enter private rehab! It is the first step on your road to recovery from addiction – and it’s a huge one. Your journey towards great mental health and sobriety starts now.
If you’re feeling some trepidation, that’s normal. No one knows what to expect from their first day in private rehab, especially with preconceived notions from decades of inaccurate portrayals in movies and TV shows. You are likely concerned about certain aspects of rehab that are not at all relevant.
The good news is that private rehab is often a comfortable and enjoyable experience. You will meet new people, receive empathetic care from experts in the addiction recovery field, and learn about who you are beyond addiction. It’s a meaningful time that you will likely look back on with fondness.
Of course, in order to feel at ease when you enter rehab, it is helpful to prepare, both mentally and logistically. Here is a guideline for how to prepare for your first day in private rehab.
Learn About the Process
The first day of any experience can feel disorienting and even overwhelming. This is true whether you’re enrolling in college, beginning your stay at a luxury resort, or entering rehab. For many people, information eases anxiety. As such, learning about the process at the private rehab you have chosen can be very helpful.
Here is how the process generally works:
Step 1: Check-In
Check-in at most private rehabs is a well-structured and facilitated process. Certain staff are trained to ensure check-in is seamless and that you are put at ease. You will likely have to complete some paperwork, with necessary documents such as identification and insurance information on hand. Paperwork can seem boring and unnecessary, but research has shown that its familiarity can calm anxiety. The check-in staff will also explain the facility’s policies and answer any initial questions you might have.
Step 2: Assessment
The rehab will need to carry out a few assessments to ensure you get the best customized treatment. These include medical exams and psychological assessments, helping the physical and mental health professionals present to tailor a treatment plan to your specific needs. These evaluations may include blood tests, mental health screenings, and discussions about your substance use history. They help determine how medications will affect your body, which therapies will be most effective, and how they need to prepare you for returning to your regular life.
Step 3: Orientation
It’s going to be crucial that you understand how the facility works, the facilities to which you’ll have access, and what is expected of you. You’ll be shown to your room and privacy expectations will be explained. You may be introduced to some of the staff and your peers, with information about who to speak to if you are having trouble or need help navigating certain aspects.
The first day is primarily about settling in rather than intensive therapy, and this understanding makes it easier to mentally prepare for your first day. It’s important to keep in mind that you are not figuring this out alone, but rather being eased into the experience of private rehab.
Prepare Mentally
It takes tremendous courage to admit that you need help. Nevertheless, every person, no matter how brave, feels nervous about the unknown. Preparing yourself mentally can help in the time leading up to your first day in rehab, as well as the initial phase of the program. Here are some strategies to prepare yourself mentally:
- Acknowledge Your Feelings: Feelings of anxiety, fear, or even excitement are all valid and even helpful. Accepting them for what they are, and recognizing their role in your journey, can make it easier to let them be. Try journaling as it can help articulate these emotions and provide clarity.
- Set Realistic Expectations: The first day is about acclimatization rather than immediate transformation. Try to let go of any preconceived notions and let yourself enter rehab with as little judgment as possible.
- Practice Mindfulness: You’ll learn more about mindfulness during your time in rehab, but for now you can try simple techniques like deep breathing or meditation. These strategies have been shown to calm anxiety, whether about recovery as a whole or pre-admission jitters. Mindfulness reduces stress and enhances emotional regulation, which is why it is used so broadly in mental health and addiction treatment.
- Talk to Supportive People: You’ve already admitted to your support system that you need help. By breaking your silence, you’ve made it easier to share your feelings at any time, including your trepidation about your first day in rehab. Since they may have their own anxiety, be sure to mention that you’re not asking for advice but simply getting it off your chest.
What to Pack
Most people don’t really know what to bring to rehab. A simple list of guidelines can help tremendously. Here is a checklist based on recommendations from leading rehab facilities:
- Clothing: Pack casual, comfortable outfits suitable for various activities, including fitness sessions and therapy groups. Check if the facility has specific dress codes.
- Toiletries: Include essential hygiene products, avoiding any items containing alcohol (e.g., certain mouthwashes) or that can be used for self harm (e.g. razors).
- Medications: Bring prescribed medications in original packaging with necessary documentation.
- Important Documents: Include ID, insurance cards, and emergency contact information.
- Personal Comforts: Consider packing photos, a journal, or a favorite book for downtime. Some rehabs do not allow the use of smartphones during your stay. If you have alternative devices for listening to music and other leisure activities that you usually use your phone for, bring them too.
Find out which items are prohibited by the rehab. Substances, weapons, and any objects that can be used for self-harm are prohibited by all rehabs.
Arrange the Logistics
Organizing logistics beforehand can eliminate last-minute stress. Consider:
- Transportation: Confirm your travel plans well in advance. If you’re not driving, arrange for a drop-off or a professional transport service. If your chosen private rehab is out of the city or state, confirm flight arrangements and for any airport logistics.
- Communication: Inform your employer, school, or other responsibilities about your plans. Complete any required leave-of-absence paperwork.
- Household Arrangements: Delegate responsibilities such as pet care or bill payments to trusted individuals.
Manage Your Relationships
Entering rehab affects not just you but also your loved ones. You will be leaving them for a while and this can be difficult for both you and them. Set clear expectations about communication so as to maintain these relationships without stress. Speak about:
- Limited Contact: Many facilities restrict phone or internet use in the first days or weeks to encourage focus on treatment.
- The Support You Need: Share your goals and ask for their understanding and encouragement. Having a support network ready for post-rehab can boost long-term success.
- Boundaries: You may need to distance yourself from certain individuals who may hinder your recovery, such as enablers or negative influences.
Prepare Finances and Administrative Requirements
Addressing financial and administrative tasks beforehand can prevent unnecessary stress. This includes:
- Insurance Verification: Confirm your benefits and any out-of-pocket costs.
- Payment Plans: If necessary, discuss payment arrangements with the rehab center.
- Paperwork: Complete forms provided by the facility to expedite the admission process.
Prepare Your Mindset
Your mindset can significantly impact your rehab experience. Here are ways to cultivate a positive outlook:
- Embrace Growth: View rehab as an opportunity to learn new skills and rebuild your life.
- Visualize Success: Imagine yourself completing the program and achieving milestones.
- Affirmations: Create a list of positive affirmations to reinforce your commitment. Examples include, “I am capable of change” and “I deserve a healthier life.”
Read the Rehab Rules and Expectations
Each facility has specific rules designed to create a safe and supportive environment. They should be available from the rehab or on their website. They often include requirements for:
- Participation: in scheduled activities.
- Respect: for staff and peers.
- Honesty: in assessments and discussions.
Remember Your Motivation
When deciding to go to rehab, you may feel extremely motivated, but that may not remain the case without reinforcement. In order to remember your motivation:
- Reflect on Your “Why”: Write down your reasons for seeking help, whether it’s improving health, rebuilding relationships, or achieving personal goals.
- Bring Personal Reminders: Such as photos, letters, or mementos that inspire hope and determination.
- Set Goals: Both short-term and long-term in order to track your progress.
Conclusion
Your first day in private rehab may seem daunting, but it can actually be a seamless and enjoyable process. You will be assisted every step of the way, with staff at the rehab having extensive experience with checking in hundreds of residents. It is helpful to prepare mentally and logistically for entering rehab, as it can settle any nerves and assist in regulating emotions such as anxiety.
Rehab is often a meaningful and enjoyable time in a person’s life. With this in mind, the time leading up to your first day in private rehab can be an enjoyable period of anticipation.
Sources
- SAGE: Habits and Routines of Adults in Early Recovery From Substance Use Disorder: Clinical and Research Implications From a Mixed Methodology Exploratory Study. Accessed December 2024.
- Oxford Academic: Residential rehabilitation for drug users: a review of 13 months’ intake to a therapeutic community. Accessed December 2024.
- PLOS One:People who use drugs in rehabilitation, from chaos to discipline: Advantages and pitfalls: A qualitative study. Accessed December 2024.
