Can Anyone Please Tell Me What Happens in a Drug Treatment Program?

Residential treatment is often the last stop for an out-of-control substance-abuser. It offers a “time out” from situations that trigger self-destructive behavior, a chance to experience predictable and consistent consequences of behavior, an opportunity to participate in community, and for family bonds to be repaired. In the process, self-esteem — the major antidote to alcohol and drug use – is increased.

There are stories here to get a sense of what they go through on this site and a brief explaination:

http://www.drugrehabtreatment.com/drug-treatment.html

The program I went through started with a 3-day detox period. A time when you are given your space, plenty to eat, no “structure”. Time to get some of the dope out of your system. This period was followed by a 4 week in-patient period which gets you out of seclusion and into the general population. In my case about 40 guys. I HAD to get out of bed at 7:00 a.m. each morning, dress, get what I would need for class that day and the door to my dorm room locked behind me until 5:00p.m. The day was filled with group sessions. 4 to 6 each day. Attendance was mandatory. We had chores to do each evening. We had plenty of food to eat. The group sessions were divided uo into several subject matters. The 12 Step Program (like AA) was one. We watched movies and learned about the phsiology of the drugs on our bodies. We just went around the room and put in our two cents worth. In the beginning most new folks didn’t say much. They mostly listened. As we all got into the second week, we learned that most everybody in the group was at least as screwed up as, well, I was. The 40 of us sorta bonded and supported each other. No personal attacks, no bullshit allowed, either verbally or physically. Our days were scheduled out to the hour. The idea was to get us used to having some sense of structure in our life. Give us something to do and think about besides dope and how bad our general situation was. Homework every night, individual session time with our personal counselor. By the end of the 1 month stay, well, we all had 30 clean days behind us, learned how to live a more structured life, understood more about our disease. Addiction very definately is a disease. We also learned about the “out-Patient” sessions available to us. Whether it be AA, NA, or coming back to the treatment center one or two days a week. The support structure was there for those of us that wanted it. Some people just went through the motions because they were on paper. The rest of us worked the program. Some of us relapsed, some slipped, some had to re-do the 30 day program. Treatment is a good thing if you want to get control of your life again. You have three options: You will make it work and straighted up, you will be institutionalized, or you will be dead. It’s your program. A last word. It is MUCH easier to stay straight than it is to get straight. Say your prayers and get your ass some help. Help is out there. I hope this helps. Good luck.