What Should I Expect in the First 30 Days of Treatment?

Deciding to seek treatment for addiction is a significant step in your journey to recovery. While you may be feeling excited about what the future holds, you may also be feeling some anxiety about the unknown. Entering treatment is an alien world that may seem intimidating at first, but sure enough, you will get the hang of things and be on your way to recovery. Even in thirty days of treatment, you can find healing in a facility’s detox program, therapy sessions, group meetings, and other treatment modalities. Knowing what to expect can help you prepare for treatment and lessen your anxiety about what is to come. This way, you can focus on your recovery. 

Admissions

When you start the process of entering treatment, the first thing you will need to do is an initial exam and interview. This is done on a case-by-case basis and will help the facility get an idea of your needs concerning your history, background, type of addiction, duration of addiction, the severity of the addiction, date of your last use, underlying medical conditions, and more. This way, the facility can determine if you are a good fit for their programs to ensure you are set up for success. The staff will then create a personalized treatment program from the initial exam results and interview and establish whether a 30-day program is right for you or require more extended care.

Medical Detoxification

After you have been admitted to the facility, and a treatment plan has been created for you, you will then enter the stage of detoxification (detox). This is only required if deemed necessary by your treatment staff. However, you will most likely need to undergo some form of detox. This process is crucial in early recovery because it removes all toxins in your body caused by substances. 

Detox should be medically supervised to ensure you are safe and comfortable during the process. You will most likely experience some form of withdrawal symptoms that could place you in a state of discomfort or severe medical distress. The detox period typically lasts between one to three days, but it might take longer if your addiction is more severe or has lasted for an extended period. Some facilities use medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to ease the symptoms of withdrawal during this process. If the facility does not have medically supervised detox, you might be referred to a place that does or not admitted to the program until you have been clean for at least 48 hours.

Treatment

Once you have finished detoxing, you are ready to enter active treatment. This is the primary part of rehab that will teach you how to heal and live life without drugs and alcohol. You will most likely stay at the facility while undergoing treatment to ensure maximum success. During this time, you will learn more about addiction as a disease, identify triggers, meet with a therapist, go to group therapy, and participate in various treatment modalities that will help you live life outside of treatment. 

You will also learn how to cope with any underlying mental health disorders or emotional concerns that may have contributed to your substance abuse. This will be done in therapy, using cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, somatic therapy, or holistic therapy. Medication can also be used to help clients throughout the recovery process, but this is up to the digression of the treatment staff. 

Family Therapy

Some treatment centers are more family-focused, which can significantly help the recovery process. The family is educated on addiction, what causes it, coping mechanisms, the family’s role in it, and how to support their loved one going through treatment. This way, communication is opened up, and long-term recovery is more likely once the patient leaves the facility.

Finding Your Sober Support Network

While you are in treatment, you will be surrounded by individuals in different parts of the recovery process that have gone through the same thing you have. While their stories may be different and their reasons for using might change, you can empathize and connect with the individuals on a more personal level. You will understand what each other has gone through. Often, the friends you make in treatment will be there to support your recovery for the long term. Be open to making friendships and being there when others need you, as one day they may be there when you need them.


The first thirty days of treatment may seem intimidating if you have never been to an addiction treatment facility. You may not know what to expect, causing you to be filled with anxious thoughts about what is to come. However, knowing what to expect will ease your mind and help you prepare for the healing process. At Northstar Transitions, we understand how important your decision to seek treatment is, and we want you to have a healing experience at our facility. We assure you that you will be in the best of hands in your early days of recovery, and you will see a change in the person you are after just thirty days of treatment. While more extended stays in treatment are recommended, we can set you up with the tools you need for long-term recovery even in thirty day stays. You don’t have to be anxious about treatment. Call Northstar Transition today with any questions you may have at (303) 558-6400.


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