What My First Day in Drug Rehab Treatment Was Really Like

What’s treatment like? Am I doing the right thing? Will I be the most screwed up person there? Will the other people talk to me? These were just a few of the questions that were going through my mind on my flight to go to treatment.
 

When I decided to go to treatment my union sent me to a treatment center out of state. I remember being so incredibly scared but I can tell you that I was so relieved to know that I didn’t have to drink anymore. I was tired of being tired. I had never known anybody that had gone to treatment and I didn’t know what to expect. I look back and I can’t believe that I felt so much shame. At that point in my life I felt like a failure because I could no longer control my drinking and my life.

I remember finally arriving after two flights and walking down to baggage claim where I was meeting somebody from the treatment center. The guy that was there to pick me up had a big smile on his face and welcomed me to the city. It was only about a fifteen minute drive to the treatment center but it felt more like an hour. I had never been to that particular city and it all looked so foreign to me. When we finally got there he helped me with my bags and we walked in to the facility.

The first thing I did when I walked in was to go into a small office to check in. There were two ladies in there that just seemed so happy to have me there. They had to ask all the medical and psychological questions for my file. I do have to admit that some of those questions were hard to answer at that moment in my life. Now I have no problem admitting that I am an alcoholic and what my low point in my life was.

After I was done checking in I was searched along with my luggage. The people there needed to make sure that I was not trying to bring in any alcohol or drugs. I couldn’t believe that anybody that was going into treatment would try to sneak contraband into the facility. I was so naïve about the whole thing back then. I figured everyone there wanted to get clean and sober as much as I did. I didn’t know that people were there to try to save their jobs and to just get their family off their backs.

Once I had my luggage back I was taken to my room to meet my roommate. After I dropped off my stuff and changed I got a tour of the place. I was shown the big TV room in the middle of the facility. There also was a small workout room, the court yard where all the smokers would hang out, the medical facility and the cafeteria. I got a chance to eat some lunch and spent the rest of the day watching TV while meeting the rest of the patients that would become some great friends.

So that was what the first day of the rest of my life.

We all know a friend or family members that have a substance abuse problem. If they are thinking of checking themselves into treatment you can tell them about what it’s like. Yes, it is scary, but it is the best thing in the world. I owe my life to the treatment center I went to and I hope that this helps anybody that is thinking of getting help for themselves. Don’t forget, you’re not alone!
 

Bio
Oscar is a thirty something recovering alcoholic. He’s been sober since 2005. You can follow his sobriety journal at Life Without Beer Goggles. Oscar also stays in touch with his readers on his Facebook page and Twitter.