The admissions process marks the official beginning of drug rehabilitation. You may feel a sense of anticipation, fear, anger or all of the above as you prepare to go through the stages of recovery. During your admission, you’ll be asked a lot of questions about your substance use, your medical condition and your psychiatric history. You’ll also be asked practical questions about your background, your place of residence, your marital status and your insurance coverage.
When you’ve reached the point that you’re ready to get help for drug addiction or alcoholism, filling out a stack of paperwork may seem like an overwhelming task. The role of the intake counselor or admissions representative is to guide you through the process, making it easier for you to provide the information that the rehab facility needs to develop your personalized treatment plan.
Initiating Your Admission
If you’ve made the decision to get admitted to drug rehab, you’ve already taken a big step in your recovery. The Los Angeles Times reports that fewer Americans are seeking treatment for alcoholism and other addictions. In fact, the number of people who entered treatment between 1993 and 2003 dropped by over 20 percent. Of those who enter treatment, approximately half will be sober 12 months after graduating from rehab. But these statistics shouldn’t discourage you from getting help; like other chronic diseases, addiction has a high relapse rate. One of the primary purposes of rehab is to learn how to prevent relapse and achieve long-term sobriety.
For many drug users, getting admitted to rehab starts with a phone call. You might call a facility’s 24-hour hotline, dial a toll-free number or text the facility for information. However you decide to ask for help, the most important part is that you reach out to a professional who’s qualified to assist you.
Not everyone who gets admitted to a rehabilitation facility does so willingly. Some clients enter treatment as a result of a family intervention. Others go to rehab because they’re ordered by a court to get treatment as an alternative to serving time in jail. Regardless of your reason for admission, you can make the most of this opportunity by taking full advantage of the recovery resources at your disposal.
Providing Information
As part of the admissions process, you’ll be interviewed by your treatment team or provided with a form to complete. You’ll be asked to give basic demographic information such as:
- Your name
- Your date of birth
- Your gender
- Your address
- Your driver’s license number and/or social security number
- The name, address and telephone number of at least one person who can be contacted in an emergency
- Your employer
You will also be asked about your history of substance abuse and your prior treatment, if applicable. For each of the drugs you use now or have used in the past, you may be asked:
- How long you’ve used the drug
- How frequently you use this substance
- The date you last used it
- Whether you regularly use multiple drugs
You’ll also be asked about your past experiences with addiction treatment. You might be asked if you’ve been through drug or alcohol rehab, and if so, the name of the program you attended.
Your admissions team will need to know about your current and past health history, especially if you have any serious medical or psychiatric conditions that might affect your treatment. You’ll be asked whether you’re under a doctor’s care and whether you’re taking any medications. Your counselor may ask if you have a history of mental health disorders, or if you’re currently experiencing any severe psychiatric symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, or thoughts of hurting yourself or other people. You may be asked questions about your personal relationships, such as whether you’re currently having conflicts with a spouse or partner, and whether you have any financial difficulties.
As part of your admission, you’ll discuss payment for your recovery services. The method of payment will depend on your personal resources and the facility’s requirements. Many facilities accept a variety of health insurance policies or offer sliding scale options for clients having financial difficulties. Your admission counselor should be sensitive to your needs and should help you find a payment solution that works for you.
Stages of Treatment
After you’ve been admitted to rehab, you’ll go through several stages as you work towards recovery. The admission process may be followed by detox, in which the toxins are cleansed from your body. Once you’ve completed the detox phase, you’ll transition to rehab, an intensive process of self-evaluation and physical recovery. Psychotherapy, peer group support, medication therapy and family counseling are the core components of many rehab programs.
The developmental model of addiction recovery reflects the steps that many addicts go through as they proceed through rehab. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has outlined these steps:
- The transitional period. During this initial phase, you come to the realization that you can no longer use your drug of choice.
- The stabilization period. This phase, which includes detox, involves getting the drugs out of your system so that you can create a solid foundation for your mental and physical recovery.
- The early days of recovery. You begin to face the realities of leading a drug-free life and developing coping strategies for dealing with life’s stressors.
- Middle stages of recovery. You begin to explore ways to create a richer, more satisfying life without drugs or alcohol.
- Late phase of recovery. You learn how to identify and correct negative thought patterns that encourage you to drink or use.
- Maintaining your recovery. You continue to develop a healthy, sober identity and learn new ways to handle your day-to-day life.
Admission to a drug rehab facility is the launching point for your recovery. If you keep your goals in mind from the first day you begin, you’ll increase your chances of remaining abstinent over the long term. At Axis, we’re with you from the time you’re admitted through the maintenance phase of your recovery. Call us to get started with the process of rebuilding your life in sobriety.
