Inpatient treatment is often key to recovery from a mental health or substance use disorder. Yet going to rehab can be scary. It requires adjusting to a new setting, new schedule, new people, and new habits.
The first 24 hours of rehab are especially important in this transition and can understandably involve more anxiety for individuals and families. Knowing what to expect can ease some of this fear and uncertainty.
For help demystifying what happens upon arrival to our inpatient facility and over the course of the first day, we reached out to Zach Cole. As Administrator of Support Services at FHE Health, Cole helps to ensure that our patients feel fully supported throughout treatment, with the help of our mental health specialists. In the below interview, Cole answered commonly asked questions about what to expect in the first 24 hours of rehab.
Day 1 at FHE Health – What to Expect
A lot happens during the first 24 hours of rehab, and the sections that follow will provide a peek; but are there certain aspects of the first 24 hours at FHE that don’t happen at other rehab facilities? we asked Cole. He mentioned:
- Semi-Private and Private Rooms – While all our rooms are semi-private and made for two people to room together comfortably, along with their personal belongings, private rooms may be available upon request.
- Amenities – Patients can relax and soak up the sun in our outdoor green space or by the pool. Our gym and wellness center offer cutting-edge “neurotherapies” that rewire the brain for better health and can be discussed during the intake assessment as a component of the treatment plan. (Learn more about the intake assessment in the next section.)
- Freedoms – Cellphones and electronic devices are permitted on Day 1 of treatment in FHE’s inpatient mental health program Restore.
What Happens Upon Arrival
What happens upon arrival to the rehab facility? Cole mentioned the following:
An In-Depth Intake Assessment
The first thing that happens is “an in-depth intake assessment of your medical needs and history,” Cole said. “This helps our medical and clinical team develop a personalized plan of care, with treatment goals that support your specific needs.”
The assessment is administered by a member of our nursing department and, depending on the program, either a mental health specialist or a behavioral health tech, Cole said.
What can you expect to be asked as part of this evaluation?
“You’ll be asked questions about the symptoms you’re experiencing, any underlying medical and/or psychiatric conditions, and what medications you’re taking,” Cole said. “If you’re embarking on drug or alcohol treatment, you’ll be asked about the substances you’ve been taking and how often and for how long.”
The Assignment of a Primary Therapist
“You’ll also be assigned a primary therapist upon intake,” Cole continued. He noted that the primary therapist provides weekly, one-hour individual sessions throughout the course of residential treatment. The primary therapist may also conduct family sessions as well.
A Safe Call
Every patient has the opportunity, once admitted, to make a safe call to their emergency contact, Cole said.
Medical Stabilization
Medical stabilization is a priority, one that starts within the first 24 hours of rehab. This includes a medically supervised detox for those beginning drug or alcohol treatment. During this process, medical staff are on hand 24/7 to ensure the process is as safe and comfortable as possible. You may also be prescribed comfort and/or psychotropic medications, depending on your symptoms, Cole said.
Other Aspects of the First 24 Hours and What to Expect
Emotional Support and Orientation
First-day anxiety is common when you’re entering an unfamiliar setting and trying to navigate a large campus. One way that we help orient and support our patients is by familiarizing them with the schedule.
The schedule can vary, depending on the program and your treatment plan, Cole said, but typically it will include all group and individual therapy sessions, as well as medical and psychiatric appointments, meetings with a case manager, and, depending on the individual, other wraparound services. Being informed about where to be and when to be there helps to ease the patient’s anxiety.
There is also the option of being able to talk to your primary therapist or another member of our team, if you’re needing some extra support, Cole said.
Daily Structure and Comfort
Participation in group and individual therapies also starts on Day 1 of treatment, unless withdrawal symptoms or another medical issue makes it too difficult to comfortably participate. Participation in these groups is mandatory.
They cover a wide range of topics and skills that aid in the healing and recovery process.
Another common question: “Can I rest or sleep when I arrive?” Yes — if you need some time and space to relax or acclimate, that is an option, Cole said.
Family and Communication
As soon as a patient has been admitted, they can speak with their family via the safe call (if their emergency contact is a family member). If the patient signs a consent form, their primary therapist will be in weekly communication with the family, via a phone update on the patient’s progress in treatment. When appropriate, the primary therapist may organize a joint session for the patient and their family to address dynamics or issues that are relevant to recovery.
The first day of rehab can be daunting. But with more information about what to expect, it’s not quite as scary. And, while the choice to enter inpatient treatment takes courage, it can also be the most rewarding decision a person can make for their health, quality of life, and relationships.
