If you’ve been struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, deciding to enter treatment is a truly life-changing choice. And even when you know it’s the right choice, making a big change can feel overwhelming and intimidating. Knowing what to expect can help ease the anxiety you may feel about entering inpatient treatment. In this blog, we’ll walk through the intake experience and a typical day in drug and alcohol inpatient treatment at our Seattle treatment center.

Who Needs Inpatient Treatment?

Inpatient rehab may be the right option if you’ve tried getting sober on your own without success, if you can’t function at work, school, or home, or if you can’t avoid the triggers to drink or use in your current environment. Inpatient treatment offers you the medical support and care you need to make recovery your sole focus.

What Happens in Residential Inpatient Treatment?

At Lakeside-Milam Recovery Centers, the first step is to speak with our admissions team to discuss the issues. You may schedule a clinical addiction assessment with one of our skilled clinicians. During the assessment, you’ll talk with the clinician about how you’re functioning in your everyday life and how drug or alcohol use is affecting all areas of your life. This assessment usually takes between 60 and 90 minutes.  If the clinician determines that you meet the criteria for inpatient treatment, that recommendation will be made.

Admission

If you decide to accept our clinician’s recommendation, you’ll schedule a day to be admitted. We know that people are often apprehensive and stressed about entering treatment, so we’ve made our admissions process as simple as possible.  Upon admission, you will meet with a nurse to assess if medical care is needed for withdrawal management (often referred to as detox).  You will meet treatment team members, and you’ll be assigned a treatment buddy. This is someone who is in inpatient treatment already. They’ll show you around the facility, introduce you to other patients, and tell you about the activities that make up the daily schedule.

Detox and Medically Managed Withdrawal

Often, when people arrive to our Seattle treatment facility, they’re experiencing withdrawal from alcohol and/or drugs that requires withdrawal management, commonly referred to as detox. During detox, you’ll be cared for by our compassionate medical staff. If you need medication to help manage your withdrawal symptoms, the Medical Director or Nurse Practitioner will prescribe it. During detox, you’ll take part in the daily activities of the center as much as you’re able to.

Evaluations

Within a few days of your arrival, you’ll get a thorough medical evaluation to find out what, if any, physical injury or damage you’ve sustained as a result of your addiction. We can share the results of this evaluation with your primary care physician if you choose. You’ll also meet with your assigned case manager. They’ll guide you through your course of treatment which can include mental health therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, family education, and facilitate your daily group therapy sessions. You’ll subsequently meet with your case manager once a week to go over your progress and address any new issues that you’ve uncovered.

Daily Schedule

In inpatient rehab, each day follows a similar schedule. In contrast to the chaos that substance use disorder can cause in your life, having a regular schedule provides much needed structure and stability. Many people also find that it reduces their anxiety to know what’s going to happen ahead of time.

Morning Schedule

Each day begins with a 15-minute meditation session. After meditation, it’s time for breakfast. Because healthy eating habits can fall to the wayside when you’re in active addiction, many people who enter treatment are malnourished. Our culinary staff prepares nutritious meals that will help you regain your physical health. If you have any dietary restrictions, we are happy to accommodate them. 

Once you’ve finished breakfast, it’s time for 24 Hour Reading. You’ll gather with your group and read out of the daily reflections book. This brings everyone together and helps set the tone for the day.

After the 24 Hour Reading, you’ll attend a morning lecture.  Here, lectures aren’t like those you may remember from school. Morning lectures are educational discussions led by case managers, clinical coordinators, and recovery technicians. Topics run the gamut, from how nutrition can help in recovery to recognizing emotional defense mechanisms. From time to time, we also have guest lecturers who share their recovery stories. You’re encouraged to ask questions as you gain the knowledge you need to recover. 

On weekends the morning session is focused on the first three steps of 2 step recovery.  In a Step 1, 2, 3 Session, you’ll take a deep dive into each one of the 12 steps.  These sessions are led by someone who has completed inpatient treatment at Lakeside-Milam, so they’ve been in your shoes and can provide the insights and wisdom they’ve gained during and after treatment.

Then, it’s time for Group Therapy. During this one-hour session, a counselor will lead your group as you discuss issues related to your substance use disorders and strategies for coping with those disorders. While talking about your issues in front of a bunch of strangers may sound intimidating, most people find group therapy very rewarding. You will likely end up forming lasting friendships with the members of your group.

After Group Therapy, it’s time for lunch. Lunch is a great opportunity to nourish not just your body, but also your spirit by connecting with your peers in recovery.

Afternoon Activities

Once you’re done eating lunch, you’ll either attend an afternoon lecture or enjoy some recreational time.

Afternoon lectures are similar to morning lectures. You’ll learn about everything from the neurobiology of addiction to foods to fight depression and anxiety. We believe that knowledge is power, so learning everything you can about the nature of substance use disorders is a crucial part of your recovery.

Then it’s time for you afternoon group therapy session. Group therapy is a great way to get support and feedback from people who are going through a journey similar to yours. Sessions may be structured or more freeform, depending on the needs and goals of your group.

Your schedule includes recreational time, which you can use to reconnect with nature by taking a walk on our beautiful walking path, enjoying a little fresh air in the outdoor courtyard, or just absorb the peace and quiet of our scenic campus. Or if you want to get a little exercise in, we have yoga mats and free weights available for you to use. You can also hang out and connect with your peers in one of the common areas.

In the Evening

After recreation, you’ll gather for dinner. The members of our culinary team are experts at preparing meals that are not only delicious, but also aid in your recovery by helping you build muscle and maintain a healthy weight. Dinner is also another opportunity to build community by connecting with your peers.

After dinner, you can choose an activity that interests you, such as a scheduled yoga class. Or you can do whatever activity sounds good to you at the moment, including meditation, drawing, writing, reading, playing volleyball, exercising, or gathering with friends in a common area.

Everyone at our Seattle treatment center attends a 12-step meeting of some kind for an hour each evening. The meeting you choose will depend on what type of use disorder you’re recovering from. Our experience is that people who involve themselves in 12-step programs are less likely to relapse, so this is a very important component of your treatment.

After your 12-step meeting, it’s time for a snack. We end each day with a short meditation guided by one of your peers. Then it’s off to bed.

There are several times throughout the week that you can check in with family and friends. On Wednesday evenings, family members can visit and attend a lecture with you. Then they’re invited to a support group for family members while you attend your 12-step meeting. Family members can also visit by making an appointment. You’re in control of who visits you; all you have to do is let our staff know who is invited to visit.

Tuesday through Friday, you have access to your personal cell phone for 40 minutes each evening to do whatever you need to do, whether that’s checking email, calling family and friends, or just playing a word game.

Make the Change

For many people, residential inpatient treatment is the first step towards recovery. The time you spend in residential inpatient treatment gives you a break from the stress, confusion, guilt, and shame that often accompany untreated substance use disorders. You have to opportunity to envision a new way of living and make positive changes as you work towards that goal. Residential inpatient treatment is where you’ll gain the tools you need to sustain your sobriety and live the full, rich life you deserve.

If you’re struggling with addiction, you don’t have to struggle alone. We’ve helped thousands of people reclaim their lives. We can help you, too. Call us today.heal their lives from the destruction of the disease of addiction because we believe that our work not only restores individuals, but communities.