Drug & Alcohol Rehab: What is Rehab and What’s it Like?

What is Rehab?

Rehab is the process of treatment for those suffering from addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. This may include a combination of medical treatment and psychotherapy.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 52.6 million people aged 12 years or older needed substance use treatment in 2024.1 This highlights the ongoing demand for effective alcohol and drug rehab services.

What Does Rehab Do?

Rehabilitation is a carefully crafted process that gives people suffering from addiction the best chance to manage the disorder on a long-term basis. It:

• Addresses the root causes of addiction through evidence‑based therapies like cognitive‑behavioral therapy (CBT) and group counseling.
• Builds healthy routines with scheduled activities, meals, and personal time to reduce relapse risks.
• Teaches coping and life skills to manage cravings, handle triggers, and navigate everyday challenges without substance use.
• Provides medical support for withdrawal symptoms, co‑occurring mental health issues, and overall wellness.
• Fosters community support through peer groups like 12‑Step programs or other mutual‑help programs.
• Prepares for long‑term recovery with aftercare planning, relapse prevention strategies, and ongoing support resources.

Whether inpatient or outpatient, the goal of rehab is to give individuals the tools, guidance, and structure they need to achieve and maintain lasting recovery.

Types of Rehab

• • Residential or inpatient rehab is a form of addiction treatment that provides individuals with 24-hour care under the supervision of professionals.
    • Due to the comprehensive nature of the care provided, residential rehab is often recommended for cases of severe or long-term addiction and those suffering from co-occurring disorders.
  • Outpatient rehab may provide similar therapies to those provided in inpatient rehab, but clients return home or to a sober living environment after treatment each day.
    • There are also different levels of outpatient rehab, ranging from programs that meet once or twice per week to partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) that involve 6 hours of therapy per day, most days each week.

How Long Does Rehab Take?

Specific schedules and durations vary from program to program and according to the individual’s needs, but there are some consistencies between most rehab programs

The most common durations for rehab include:

• Short-term rehab programs.
• 7-day programs.
• 30-day programs.
• 60-day programs.
• 90-day programs.
• 6-month, 1-year, and 2-year rehab programs.
• Extended-stay programs, such as sober living homes.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), addiction treatment is most effective when an individual remains in treatment for the duration of their program.2 Also note that some individuals may begin in inpatient rehab and then transition to an outpatient program as they progress through treatment.

What is Rehab Like? A Day in Residential Rehab

Below is a sample of what one may expect during a day in one of our residential treatment centers:

• 6:30 a.m. Breakfast, homework, and personal time
• 7:45 a.m. Gym, pool, or yoga/meditation
• 8:30 a.m. Community and healthy relationships with group topics
• 10:00 a.m. Group behavioral therapy with rotating daily topics
• 11:00 a.m. Strategies for self-improvement and other group topics that rotate daily
• 12:00 p.m. Lunch
• 1:15 p.m. Process group therapy
• 3:15 p.m. Specialized track and other breakout groups
• 4:15 p.m. Guest speakers or other activities
• 5:00 p.m. Dinner, gym, pool time
• 7:00 p.m. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings
• 8:00 p.m. Big Book study
• 10:00 p.m. Wind down
• 11:00 p.m. Lights out

Life in Rehab: Structure and Routine

Life in rehab is very structured. Each day is filled with activities and therapies to eliminate boredom and downtime. By following a new daily schedule and way of living, individuals can avoid reverting to old habits that could threaten recovery. Strict structure can also distract clients from substance cravings they may experience. In alcohol or drug rehab, there is some personal time available between meals, daily activities, and therapy sessions, but much of the day is planned out for clients.

Morning Schedule

The day often begins early in the morning, with a set wakeup time. Most of AAC’s facilities have a wakeup time somewhere between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. Nurses may administer medications first thing in the morning, and there may be some private time for individuals to get ready for the day. Additionally, depending on the treatment center, time may be set aside in the morning for yoga or meditation—since both can offer calming benefits and help set the tone for the day.

Breakfast

Like everything else at an inpatient alcohol or drug rehab facility, breakfast occurs at a set time each day, often between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Individuals eat together in a communal setting, helping to foster relationships that are formed in rehab.

Early Therapy Sessions

Some type of therapy often follows breakfast. The first session of the day may be individual therapy, where patients meet one-on-one with a therapist. Or therapy sessions may take place in a group setting. These first sessions typically range in length from 45-90 minutes.

Afternoon Schedule

After morning therapy sessions end, there may be a scheduled time for a specific activity or personal time in which individuals may be able to participate in group fitness classes, recreational activities, or journaling.

Lunch

Lunch typically takes place around noon. Some facilities may separate meals by gender; others may not.

Afternoon Therapy Sessions

Lunch is commonly followed by afternoon therapy sessions. If individual therapy took place in the morning, the afternoon session may consist of group therapy.3 Group therapy generally involves one or two therapists leading a group of individuals through the session. Individuals dealing with similar issues in daily life are generally grouped, providing an opportunity for them to learn from each other’s experiences and support each other in the recovery process.

Complementary/Alternative Therapies or Sessions

After a brief break following group therapy, individuals may participate in complementary or alternative therapies or sessions. These may include specialized treatment tracks for certain groups, such as Veterans or young adults, for instance.

It may also be a time when clients can participate in:

• Yoga.
• Wellness.
• Alternative healing.
• Art therapy.
• Music therapy.
• Equine-assisted therapy.
• Or other classes or therapies.

These activities vary by facility and day. By learning new skills or exploring new things, individuals may build renewed self-confidence and acquire a better understanding of themselves.

Evening Routine

Dinner typically takes place around 5 p.m., and it may be followed by a group discussion or 12-Step meetings. Individuals may then enjoy some downtime before bed when they can journal, read, or meditate. Most rehab facilities have a set “lights out” time, as restful sleep is vital to recovery.

Special Events and Schedule Variations

While most days at rehab follow a similar schedule, there may be special activities or events throughout the week that alter the schedule. For example, special events may be held on family visitation days or weekends when some facilities offer excursions for eligible individuals.

Why do People go to Rehab?

People may choose to attend rehab for a variety of reasons. Some common reasons people attend rehab include:

• Hitting rock bottom, and looking to change.
• Experiencing strained relationships with people they love.
• Having loved ones express concerns regarding their substance use.
• Trying but being unsuccessful in their attempts to quit on their own.
• Relapsing and realizing they need help in order to stop substance use again.

How Does Outpatient Rehab Vary?

Outpatient options can range from highly structured programs that resemble inpatient care to standard outpatient services requiring just a few hours per week.

Since individuals continue to live and sleep at home or in a sober living residence during outpatient treatment, a good portion of therapy may be dedicated to addressing temptations faced in the outside world. Individuals must have a strong support system at home and a substance-free home environment to thrive in outpatient addiction treatment.

Finding a Program That’s Right For You

According to SAMHSA, there are over 16,000 specialized addiction treatment centers in the United States.4 With so many choices, the selection process can seem overwhelming.

That’s why it’s important to first consult your doctor, mental healthcare professional, or an addiction care specialist, who can assess your needs and help create a customized treatment plan for you. You’ll want to find a treatment center that provides the appropriate level of care for you. 

American Addiction Centers’ facilities offer the complete continuum of care at facilities spread throughout the United States. Services at AAC facilities include:

• Medically supervised detox.
• Inpatient/residential rehabilitation.
• Outpatient treatment programs.
• Evidence-based therapies.
• Treatment for co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
• Individual and group counseling.
• Specialized treatment tracks.
• Medications for addiction treatment.
• Case management.
• Mutual-help groups.
• Aftercare.

The right treatment center for you depends not only on the level of care you need but also additional services you require, the amenities you’d prefer, and your insurance coverage.

AAC operates accredited treatment centers providing high-quality care throughout the United States. Call (866) 761-4296 to speak to a compassionate and knowledgeable admissions navigator, who can answer your questions, explain your options, verify your insurance, and help you begin your path to recovery. You can also apply for rehab online.