Preparing for treatment at a residential detox center is essential to a successful recovery. Planning and preparing ahead of time can help the whole treatment process go more smoothly. It helps to know what to expect during treatment and what you may need while at the facility. You will need to know which loose ends you will need to tie up and what type of items to pack to make your stay at the facility more comfortable. Keep reading to learn some residential detox center preparation tips to help you feel more ready for treatment.
At Serenity Grove, we understand that you may be a bit nervous about preparing for residential treatment if you do not know what to expect. We are here to answer any questions you have about treatment at our alcohol detox center in Georgia. Call us at 844.904.3485 if you need help preparing for residential detox at our center.
Residential Detox Center Preparation: Knowing What to Expect
If you have never attended an addiction treatment program before, it is helpful to know what to expect. Residential treatment programs may include detox as the first step toward recovery if your treatment team recommends it. For moderate to severe addictions, detox is needed to help you safely and comfortably get through withdrawal. Residential detox treatment may include:
- 24/7 monitoring and support as substances leave your system
- Medication to alleviate the withdrawal discomfort
- A highly structured environment free of temptations and triggers
- Individual and group therapy sessions to start delving into the underlying causes of addiction
Each treatment facility runs its programs somewhat differently, so it is best to reach out to the facility to get more specific information to help you prepare.
Preparing for Residential Detox
Using the above information about what to expect during addiction treatment can give you an idea of what you may need when preparing for residential detox. Here is a general list of what else you can do to prepare for your stay:
- Gather important documents you may need, such as your health insurance card, identification, list of medications, and relevant phone numbers. Depending on the facility, you may not have access to your phone, so it is best to write down the numbers of your primary care physician and loved ones you may need to contact.
- Check with the treatment center to see if they want you to bring your current medications with you and any medical records. If you have allergies to any medications, make sure you have a list of these.
- Verify your insurance coverage for treatment. The treatment center may do this for you, or you can choose to reach out to your insurance company yourself. Many plans cover at least some portion of addiction treatment.
- Schedule time off with your employer. Do this as soon as you know you are going in for treatment so your employer can make any necessary arrangements to cover your absence.
- If you have the sole responsibility for caring for children or pets, make arrangements for a friend or family member to care for them while getting treatment.
- Since you will receive several therapy sessions daily, you may want to bring a journal for drawing or writing. This can help you process some of the challenging emotions in therapy.
- Check with the facility about any restrictions on clothing or toiletries you may bring. Some detox centers restrict items such as shaving razors, toiletries that contain alcohol, and clothing with shoelaces or drawstrings.
Preparing for residential treatment can give you peace of mind before starting your recovery journey.
Life After a Residential Detox
Once you have completed the detox process, you might be wondering what to do next. For most people, the answer is addiction rehab, a longer-term addiction treatment program. There are several options for suitable addiction treatment after residential detox:
- Residential rehab – Continuing to live in a treatment facility for a more extended period, possibly up to one year
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP) – Attending outpatient treatment approximately five days a week for four to six hours each day
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP) – Attending outpatient treatment approximately three days a week for two to four hours a day
- Outpatient program – Attending treatment sessions once per week for one to two hours
The above treatment options are listed in order from most intensive to least. Many people attend addiction treatment in this order, slowly tapering down to the most flexible outpatient program. This allows you to transition from a highly structured setting to everyday life without the potential culture shock of jumping back into an environment that contributed to your addiction.
What to Do After Treatment
Your treatment team at the residential detox center will likely help set you up with the next level of treatment. Some facilities offer a full continuum of care in-house, while others may partner with outpatient facilities or refer you to one in your area. In addition to enrolling in continued addiction treatment, here are some other tips for life after a residential detox:
- Consider whether you need sober housing. It is vital that you live in an environment that is supportive of your recovery. If your home environment will make sobriety difficult, speak to your treatment team about local sober housing.
- Attend therapy sessions regularly. These are likely to be part of any addiction treatment program you choose, but you can also schedule additional sessions with a therapist if you need more support. Counseling helps you work through struggles that arise during recovery such as stress at work or home, relationship problems, financial worries, and low self-esteem.
- Join support groups. Sober support groups can help you connect with others in recovery in a more casual setting than your treatment facility. Groups may be led by a peer in recovery or consist of relaxed, sober meetups to help you have fun without drugs or alcohol.
The changes you make to your home, work, and social environments will go a long way toward helping you sustain your sobriety.
Get Ready to Recover at Serenity Grove’s Residential Detox Center
Call Serenity Grove at 844.904.3485 when you are ready to recover for good. Our friendly staff will let you know what you will need to prepare for your residential detox treatment to go into treatment feeling confident and at ease.
