If you are committed to recovering from a substance abuse disorder, you may be considering an addiction treatment center. Naturally, if you’ve never been in such a place, you probably want to know what you can expect. In general, there’s a routine that is followed each day, which keeps your days ordered and allows you to focus on recovery. This guide will take you through an average day in a treatment center so that you can make the right decision and be prepared when you arrive.
A Typical Day in an Addiction Treatment Center
There is a wide range of treatment centers available, but they all have a common goal, which is to treat substance abuse disorders. Most follow a similar framework of treatment and are generally very structured and scheduled throughout the day. This helps patients by removing uncertainty about what’s next and creates a supportive environment that is conducive to recovery.
Mornings
Patients at most treatment centers are not allowed to sleep in and must be up early, ready for breakfast. Some centers also offer morning activities, such as yoga, meditation, or some type of workout to get the day started. The purpose of this is to teach patients healthy lifestyle habits that they can incorporate into their routines when they go home. Group sessions and therapy often happen in the morning as well. These sessions teach patients to recognize triggers and change their behaviors.
Afternoons
The afternoon at a treatment center usually involves a variety of therapeutic sessions, some of which occur in groups, and some of which occur individually. Your treatment plan will be customized, based on your specific needs. Some of the therapy options you may participate in include the following:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Group therapy
- Specialized sessions
- Family therapy
- Art therapy
- Neurofeedback
- Biofeedback
- Music therapy
- Equine therapy
Evenings
Evenings at a treatment center include dinner and might involve an additional group or 12-step session. A healthy sleep schedule is important during recovery, so patients are sent to bed at a consistent time each night, allowing them to get enough sleep before they are woken in the morning for breakfast. This involves going into your sleeping space and turning off the lights. Patients are not usually allowed to hang out in their rooms and must lie down and attempt to sleep once the switches are flipped and it gets dark.
Free Time
Most treatment centers offer free time for their patients at some point during the day. This might be after your afternoon session and before dinner. It might be after dinner, before lights out. Whenever it occurs, most centers have entertainment options to choose from. That might be billiards, games, sports, swimming, or movies. Some centers also host holiday-themed events or special guest speakers. Some patients choose to spend their free time reading, exercising, or meditating.
Now that you know what a day at an addiction treatment center is like, you are more prepared to decide if it’s the right choice for you or your loved one. If you have questions about getting the process started, we’re here to help. Contact Canon Human Services Centers, Inc. today.