| Checking into an alcohol and drug rehab center is | | | | At some point you will meet your drug or |
| for most addicts one of the most frightening | | | | alcoholism treatment team. The team will normally |
| times they experience. All the components that | | | | include a physician, therapist and case manager or |
| made your life predictable and safe is all of a | | | | maybe a social worker as well as support people. |
| sudden turned completely upside down. You will | | | | Some alcohol or drug rehab centers also provide |
| be isolated from your family and friends and | | | | a nutritionist and perhaps an activities director. |
| spend your life surrounded with strangers. And | | | | The same staff members will remain on your |
| last but not least, your weird but safe comfort | | | | personal treatment team throughout your time at |
| zone consisting of a life of addiction will be | | | | the drug rehab center. |
| stripped away like a lightning strike. Let's face it; | | | | Within the first 24 hours at an alcohol or drug |
| many addicted persons people have no clue as to | | | | rehab center, you will have to go through a full |
| what to expect within their first 24 hours at an | | | | physical examination. In cases where the doctor is |
| alcohol or drug rehab center, so here is a rough | | | | of opposite gender from yourself, a nurse or |
| checklist you can prepare yourself with. | | | | staff member of your gender will be present as |
| When you first arrive at an alcohol or drug rehab | | | | well. You will need to undergo urinalysis and most |
| center, you will have to go through an intake | | | | likely blood testing to determine which drugs are |
| interview. This is your first meeting with a highly | | | | currently present in your system and in what |
| skilled therapist. The therapist will ask several | | | | amounts. You may also be screened for |
| very personal questions. Try to cooperate as | | | | tuberculosis as well as other communicable |
| good as you can with your intake therapist, as | | | | diseases. The doctor or his staff will meet with |
| your intake will help to stake out the course of | | | | you to discuss your test results and make |
| your treatment. Your intake therapist will diagnose | | | | recommendations for medical assistance with |
| your alcohol or drug addiction problem as well as | | | | your drug addiction problem. |
| any coexisting psychological disorders through the | | | | Within a couple of days, your treatment team will |
| use of very specific standardized criteria. | | | | work out an individualized drug or alcoholism |
| During or shortly after your intake interview, you | | | | treatment plan. This will include the process for |
| will be given a so called information and orientation | | | | your initial detox, as well as the treatment that |
| packet. The contents of this packet will vary | | | | will take place next. You are the most important |
| between drug rehab centers, but will always | | | | member of your team, so do not be afraid to |
| include a Patient's Bill of Rights or a similar | | | | speak up and contribute your own thoughts and |
| document, which lists numerous rights to which | | | | opinions. If the company's policy states otherwise, |
| you are entitled by law. Your packet will most | | | | you should strongly consider changing to a |
| likely also include a schedule of activities, | | | | different alcohol or drug rehab center. |
| information about the alcohol or drug rehab | | | | As we already have emphasized, entering an |
| center's history and goals, insurance details as well | | | | alcohol or drug rehab center can be a frightening |
| as other information that is important to your | | | | experience. However, when you know what is |
| stay. | | | | likely to happen, this experience can be a lot less |
| After a while, it's time to take a look at your | | | | traumatic. Don't be afraid asking questions and |
| living quarters. The belongings and contents of a | | | | carefully listen to the answers. The staff and a |
| patient will be searched intensely. Objects that are | | | | center like this has dedicated their professional life |
| not permitted will either be locked away or | | | | to help you in your battle against your alcohol or |
| destroyed, depending on the legal options. Your | | | | drug addiction problem and will do what's in their |
| own clothing is typically allowed however, in some | | | | power to make your stay as pleasant and useful |
| centers there is a dress code. | | | | as it can be. |