Drug rehabilitation starts with basic detoxification from the chemicals that have been ingested. Once the detoxification phase is finished, the patient then ventures into a rehabilitation process, which consists of daily living activities. These are meant to reflect everyday living within reason inside the institution. The activities focus on reality-based needs that include food shopping, planning menus, basic housekeeping skills, nutrition and socializing with other people without the use of drugs. Learning the skills to cope without drugs is necessary and beneficial to the continuation of healing.
Nutritional Training
Nutrition plays a key role in a person's life. Poor habits of the past involving food intake---or the lack thereof---are explored and modified. Much of the drug rehab program focuses upon re-education to re-adjust thinking to help avoid the mistakes that originally led to drug abuse. This re-education entails, in part, learning how to eat in a healthy manner. Food menus are shared as well as nutritious recipes, which are tasty and beneficial in vitamins and nutrients. Women and men learn how to eat normally and how to keep themselves hydrated with nutritious drinks and water on a daily basis.
Socializing
Socializing is necessary for the re-integration of the former addict into society. A drug rehab provides an environment where residents may interact with many other people who have similar pasts. Inside the rehab facility, however, they are taught to socialize in new, healthier ways to help avoid a recurrence of drug abuse upon release. Socialization must be relearned in regard to normalcy and appropriate behaviors. Knowing what is safe and appropriate outside the rehab facility is important. Safe practices in everyday life including safe sex, keeping doctor's appointments, as well as attending support groups regularly, are important facets built into the program of rehabilitation. The structure of rehabilitation is emphasized as the men and women learn to calendar their days with activities and needed plans that correlate with treatment after the drug program is finished.
Housekeeping and Food Shopping
Housekeeping and everyday shopping are necessary skills to survive within a community. Knowing how to shop and keeping a budget are skills that are taught in the facility. This includes how to save money and use it wisely to pay bills and keep food in the refrigerator. Having food and nutritious drinks on hand are important and help stop the cravings for illicit substances.
Support Groups and Outpatient
Learning coping skills is important to living within a community. The skills will be taught over a period of time. Residents are encouraged to join groups while in treatment in an attempt to help them make a successful return to the community. "People need people" is the philosophy of drug and alcohol rehabilitation treatment, and most communities are sensitive and aware of the complex needs of their community members in dealing with their vulnerabilities. Learning coping skills forms a strong foundation for success.
