Your First Day – What to Expect from Rehab

Last Updated: Nov 19th 2021

Reviewed by Brittany Polansky, MSW, LCSW

If you’re heading into rehab or are considering it, it makes sense that you would be concerned about what you will encounter on your first day in a drug and alcohol treatment center. For most people who go into rehab, the following topics discuss what they will experience.

Signing Up and Checking In

After you contact us and set a time and date for your entrance into a First Step Behavioral Health inpatient rehab program, the time between that call and checking in to rehab should be spent informing those who need to know that you will be spending some time away to heal yourself.

On the day you check in, you will arrive at the facility and complete some paperwork regarding your medical state, mental health, and more. If you have not already set up a way to pay for rehab, you will do so before checking in. The staff at this time will also help talk to your health insurance to see if they will cover the costs.

Note: in some instances of rehab, the patient will also go through medical and mental health assessments immediately after checking in.

Your Room and the Grounds

Once checked in, the staff will give you a brief tour of the rehab center, which will include important locations that you will need to go to during certain activities and drug addiction treatment therapies. You will also be shown to your room at this time and able to drop your bag off.

Contraband Checks

In your room, you and a staff member will check the belongings you brought with you to rehab to ensure no contraband has been brought through the facility’s doors.

Mealtime(s)

While much of the time on your first day will be spent answering questions and acquainting yourself with the rehab center, you will probably be on site during dining hours. If you have an appetite, you can eat with the rest of the patients during those mealtimes.

Detox Begins

The day you check in to rehab will also mark the day that you begin detox and your life of sobriety. Though detox is a challenge, our staff will help you through it – we know you can make it and better yourself for good.

Reviewed for Medical & Clinical Accuracy by Brittany Polansky, MSW, LCSW

Brittany has been working in behavioral health since 2012 and is the Assistant Clinical Director at our facility. She is an LCSW and holds a master’s degree in social work. She has great experience with chemical dependency and co-occurring mental health diagnoses as well as various therapeutic techniques. Brittany is passionate about treating all clients with dignity and respect, and providing a safe environment where clients can begin their healing journey in recovery.