What to Expect in the Rehab Intake Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Finding a Rehab: Initial Contact and Pre-Screening

This first point of contact, often with an admissions counselor, sets the wheels of your recovery in motion. Here’s what you can expect:

Reaching Out

Be prepared to share some basic information about yourself and your situation. This might include your contact details, the substances you’ve been using, and the severity of your use. The admissions counselor will likely ask about your motivation for seeking treatment and any previous attempts at recovery. This initial conversation is also a chance for you to ask questions about the rehab’s programs, treatment costs, and what to expect once you get there.

Pre-Screening and Assessment

Following your initial contact with an admissions counselor, you’ll likely undergo a more in-depth pre-screening with a clinical professional. They’ll ask questions about your medical history, mental health, and substance use patterns. This may include details about the frequency and duration of your use, any withdrawal symptoms you’re having, and the impact addiction has had on your life. While these questions might feel personal, it’s important to answer them as honestly as possible. The better your treatment team understands your situation, the more effectively they can help you.

The information gathered during pre-screening helps rehab staff determine the most appropriate level of care for your individual needs. It also allows them to identify any co-occurring mental health disorders that should be addressed alongside your addiction. And it lets them know if you may be a good fit for specialized treatment, such as targeted therapies for certain conditions or support groups for certain patient populations.

Arriving at Rehab: In-Depth Assessment

Once you arrive at rehab, you’ll receive a comprehensive assessment that digs deeper into understanding you and your addiction. This evaluation, conducted by multiple members of your treatment team, is used to map your road to recovery. It typically involves 3 key areas: medical, psychological, and substance abuse evaluation.

Medical Evaluation

A medical evaluation by a healthcare professional ensures your physical safety throughout treatment. They’ll review your medical history and current medications, and may order additional tests if necessary. This allows them to identify any underlying health conditions that are contributing to your addiction or require management during detox.

Psychological Assessment

A psychologist will then assess your emotional and psychological well-being. This is often based on what behavioral health professionals call a biopsychosocial assessment.¹ Because “a variety of different things can ‘cause’ or worsen behavioral health symptoms,” says Licensed Professional Counselor and Qualified Clinical Supervisor Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes, looking at the physical, cognitive, and relational aspects of someone can help you piece together more of their puzzle.

Your psychological evaluation may include standardized testing, as well as discussions about your mental health history, current mood, and any underlying mental health disorders like trauma or anxiety. All of these factors play a role in addiction and need to be addressed as part of your addiction treatment plan.

Substance Use Evaluation

An addiction specialist will conduct a thorough evaluation of your substance use history. They’ll ask detailed questions about the types of substances you use, how much and how often you use them, and the impact addiction has had on your life. This may also include a discussion about your triggers, cravings, and past attempts at recovery. This forms a clearer picture of your addiction so your rehab team can help you tackle your problems.

While going through multiple rehab assessments might seem redundant, they’re each important. They form the basis of understanding for who you are and what you’re going through, and make your treatment team aware of any biological factors that might affect your response to treatment. Ultimately, it helps them create a treatment plan that will effectively meet your needs.

Creating a Personalized Treatment Plan

The information gathered in the intake process is used to create your addiction treatment plan. This plan outlines your treatment goals and what you’ll do to work toward them over the course of the program and on a day-to-day basis.

A Collaborative Effort

The different specialists at your rehab—medical doctors, therapists, counselors, holistic wellness practitioners, and support staff—will work together to review your assessment results and discuss the most effective course of action.

Tailored Interventions

Your treatment team will use certain therapeutic interventions to target your unique challenges. For example, if you’re struggling with co-occurring depression, your plan might include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to address negative thought patterns. If you have a history of relapses, your plan might emphasize relapse prevention strategies and learning recovery skills.

Adjusting as Needed

As you progress through the treatment process, your clinical team will monitor your response to treatment and adjust your plan accordingly. This ensures the program is optimized to meet your needs as they evolve. As an active participant in your recovery journey, you’ll also have the opportunity to voice your concerns and preferences as they come up.

Financial Arrangements and Insurance

Figuring out how to cover treatment costs can be intimidating, but it shouldn’t hold you back from getting the help you need. Rehab admissions teams are experienced in helping patients navigate insurance processes, and are there to answer your questions and help you along the way. There are several financial avenues you can use to access treatment:

Insurance Coverage

Contact your insurance provider directly to ask about their in-network rehabs and the extent of your coverage for addiction treatment. This will give you a clearer picture of what portion of the treatment costs your insurance covers.

Out-of-Pocket Costs

Even with insurance, there may be out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles, co-pays, or coinsurance. Your rehab’s admissions team can give you a detailed breakdown of estimated costs associated with your treatment plan. Be sure to ask about any additional fees so you know exactly what to plan for.

Payment Options and Financial Assistance

Many rehabs offer flexible payment plans to help manage the financial burden. They can also connect you with resources to explore financial assistance programs. Government-funded programs like Medicaid may offer coverage for addiction treatment, and some rehabs have scholarship funds for those who can’t afford treatment.

See frequently asked questions about insurance coverage for rehab.

Orientation and Beginning Treatment

The first few days in rehab can feel like information overload, which is why it’s important to get oriented and ease into the process.

Orientation

During orientation, you’ll receive an overview of the facility’s policies, daily schedule, and safety protocols. This includes information about meals, group therapy sessions, medication management (if applicable), and expected behavior within the facility. You’ll also finalize your living arrangements, whether it’s a private room or shared accommodations. The rehab staff is there to address any questions or concerns you may have and help you feel comfortable in your new surroundings.

Structure and Support

Rehab is a safe, structured environment with routines that will become the foundation of your life in recovery. The first few days to a week in rehab are about acclimating to this new routine and settling into your daily schedule and activities. This structured environment is one of the main benefits of residential rehab, as it provides an immersive, recovery-focused experience.

Connecting with the Community

Orientation is an opportunity to meet the staff members you’ll interact with throughout your stay, such as nurses, case managers, and therapists. You’ll also have the chance to connect with other patients in your program. You’ll likely spend a lot of time with your program peers as you attend group therapy and other activities together. These people will be an important support system during this stage of your journey.

Family Involvement and Support

Addiction impacts the entire family, and rehab recognizes the importance of including your loved ones in your healing process. Different programs have different tools for facilitating family support in rehab.

Family Programs

Many rehabs offer specialized family programs designed to educate your loved ones about addiction and empower them to best support you. These programs may include several components:

Psychoeducational workshops: These workshops aim to educate families about addiction, its causes, and the recovery process. This helps them understand what you’re going through and how to create a more supportive environment for you when you return home.
Family therapy sessions: These sessions provide a safe space for open communication between you and your family. A therapist can guide discussions, address underlying issues, and help your family learn supportive communication skills.
Support groups: Family support groups connect loved ones of people in recovery. Sharing experiences and challenges with others who understand can be incredibly validating and provide valuable coping mechanisms for your family.

Involving Family in Your Healing Process

Rehabs often facilitate ongoing communication between you and your family during your treatment stay. This may involve:

Family day: Some rehabs have designated dates toward the end of a program where family members visit to attend workshops, therapy sessions, and activities with their loved ones in the program.
Family visits: Rehabs might also allow patients to schedule individual family visits within the facility’s guidelines. These visits allow for face-to-face interaction in a facilitated context to create space for mutual understanding.
Communication: Different programs have different policies on using your devices to stay connected with your loved ones while you’re in treatment. If this is important to you, check with your rehab for details on theirs.

Setting Boundaries

While family involvement is encouraged, it’s also important to establish healthy boundaries. Rehab is a great time to break old patterns and practice new ways of handling relationships, while you have the support of your therapists. Your treatment team can help guide you through this process.

Working with the staff, you can create a plan outlining the frequency and duration of visits or phone calls that feel comfortable for you during this vulnerable time. Your therapists can also teach you assertive communication skills, allowing you to clearly and confidently express your needs to your family. The goal of family programming is to help you heal relationships with your family and reinforce an important part of your support system to prepare for your return home.

A strong support network is an essential aspect of life in long-term recovery. But not everyone’s relationships with family members are healthy or supportive of their healing progress. Your family in this case might include chosen family, extended family, your partner, or close friends who are unconditionally loving and supportive. You’ll be making major life changes and continuing to face challenges after you complete treatment, and your support network will be a key part of your success.

The First Step Toward Your New Life

The rehab intake process may seem like a lot, but it’s an incredible first step toward changing your life. Think of it as laying the foundation for a healthier, happier you.

The information gathered during intake allows the rehab staff to create a personalized treatment plan specifically designed to address your needs and maximize your chances of success. As such, it’s important to be honest and transparent with staff throughout the process. The more information you share about your addiction history and challenges, the better equipped your treatment team will be to deliver an effective treatment plan. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and voice any concerns you have. The rehab staff is there to guide and support you every step of the way.

Deciding to change your life is a hugely empowering act. Approach the intake process with courage and a commitment to your healing. With the right support, you’ll be well on your way to a beautiful life in sobriety.

Search for addiction and mental health treatment centers and contact their admissions staff directly today, and take the first step toward your new life.

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