Making the choice to attend an addiction treatment program is a brave and life-saving decision. Recognizing your struggles with substances and making the decision to lead a healthier lifestyle is the first step in everybody’s recovery. If you have made the choice to ask for help and pick up the phone, the hardest part is already over. Although there is more work to be done, you should take a moment to feel proud of yourself and know that good things are coming. With that said it is completely normal to feel worried, scared, and apprehensive before checking in to treatment on your first day. When walking into a new place with unfamiliar people and surroundings it is understandable that you would have hesitations. But not to worry, the first day of any program is going to be very similar and here are some ideas of what you can expect!
Whether you’ve chosen to attend treatment out of town or close to home, a staff member of the program will make prior arrangements with you and your family on the best way to get you to the facility. You will be given the contact information of who is meeting you at the airport, or the facility and will be able to reach them easily if you get lost or delayed. If coming from out of town oftentimes you will be informed on who is picking you up, what part of the airport they will be meeting you in and what kind of vehicle you will be transported in. You can expect the process to go smoothly and quickly and to be greeted kindly and discreetly without others in your surroundings knowing where you are going.
Upon arrival at the treatment center you will begin the intake process. A staff member will go over all policies, rules, and daily procedures with you. You will have an open space to ask any questions you might have. You will also be seen by a medical doctor. This is a good time to go over your medical history and any other physical issues you might have so your medical team will be able to best meet your needs throughout your stay. You will have the opportunity to meet with the doctor as needed in your time in treatment.
You will also meet with your therapist for your first session. In your initial meeting you will have the space to talk about what brought you to treatment and what goals you would like to accomplish during your stay. You will have a chance to talk about underlying issues and trauma that impacted your addiction. You will be able to tell your therapist about a co-occurring mental health diagnosis you may have and start to create a plan to manage your symptoms. If needed an appointment with a psychiatrist to manage medications will be made.
Upon your arrival to treatment a staff member will need to search the belongings you brought with you. This is to ensure there is no contraband in the facility such as drug paraphernalia, weapons, alcohol or other prohibited items. You may have to give up your electronics such as cell phones, computers and tablets at this time. If you are taking any medications, they will be taken from you and held by the onsite medical professionals who will give you your medications when it is time for your dose. Before checking in to treatment it is a good idea to request a list of items you can and cannot bring with you. If you are entering treatment at the outpatient level of care, a staff member will let you know if there are any materials you might want to bring with you to groups or certain attire you may want to wear on days where there are groups involving outdoor or offsite activities. The majority of your belongings will reside in your residence whether that be at home or in a sober living environment.
During the final stage of your intake process you will be given a tour of the facility and be made familiar with the organization of the program. You will be shown the daily schedule and get an idea of how things operate. You will be introduced to the rest of the staff and clinical team that will be caring for you throughout your journey. You may have a chance to meet some of your peers in the program as well. Depending on how your feeling and what level of care you are starting your programming at; you may be invited to attend a group session, grab a meal, or lay down and relax. Staff members will make themselves readily available to you and you can be sure that you will be supported and treated with kindness as you do your best to get comfortable.
Create Recovery is an outpatient treatment center located in Los Angeles, California. We serve men and women struggling with primary substance abuse disorders and secondary mental health diagnosis. At Create Recovery, clients come to programming during the morning and afternoon and reside in sober living or locally in their own residence. Our treatment approach is all inclusive and built around treating the whole person. We understand that you are not your disease and aside from obtaining time sober, that there are other things you may want to work on to get your life back on track. Our program consists of both individual and group sessions that focus on relapse prevention, life skills, and healing trauma. We offer a flexible programming schedule and an individualized approach designed to help you meet your goals. We understand that change can be scary and uncomfortable; but we also know what awaits you on the other side of recovery. Now is the time to take charge of your life. If you are interested in finding out how outpatient treatment can help you, call our admission line today to speak confidentially with one of our dedicated counselors.