Detox/rehab experiences?
Next stop: real life
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 990
Detox/rehab experiences?
Hi all - I haven't had internet for a few days, and I don't know when it'll go out again, so sorry if I don't reply. 
A week from today, I'll be checking into a hospital for a three-day detox, followed by a seven-day inpatient clinic. My shrink will give me some info, I'm sure, but... what should I expect? Will there be programs/ meetings in the hospital, or should I bring a lot of books to fill my time? Are most inpatient rehabs AA-centric, or will it be more of a tutorial on alcoholism? (I do plan on attending a once-a-week young person's group, but I'm not a fan of AA.)
How do I get the most out of this?
A week from today, I'll be checking into a hospital for a three-day detox, followed by a seven-day inpatient clinic. My shrink will give me some info, I'm sure, but... what should I expect? Will there be programs/ meetings in the hospital, or should I bring a lot of books to fill my time? Are most inpatient rehabs AA-centric, or will it be more of a tutorial on alcoholism? (I do plan on attending a once-a-week young person's group, but I'm not a fan of AA.)
How do I get the most out of this?
Captain Lurker
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: California
Posts: 1,367
:ghug
Not sure about the hospital you will be going to, but for me the detox did have group meetings and it is helpful, they also talked alot about what happens medically to your body if you continue to use. Very informative and helpful.
Please if anything go with an open mind and attend the meetings even if they seem to you to be AAish, ok hon ~ You won't regret it, trust me.
Let us all know how you are doing?
Not sure about the hospital you will be going to, but for me the detox did have group meetings and it is helpful, they also talked alot about what happens medically to your body if you continue to use. Very informative and helpful.
Please if anything go with an open mind and attend the meetings even if they seem to you to be AAish, ok hon ~ You won't regret it, trust me.
Let us all know how you are doing?
Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 24
I did an emergency room to hospital detox for 3 days the first time I ever quit (this is the second and final time currently).
I think where you go/what you do depends on how bad off you are. They initial ran basic tests and then inserted an IV and sent me to a type of sober living/rehab like place with about 25 people in it and a kitchen, etc. Except I was bad off and started seeing things on fire, thought people were trying to kill me, etc.
From there I was sent to a hospital bed for the 3 day detox. They basically drug you up and you sleep and just walk around in your hospital room for 3 days. They draw blood a couple times a day and 6 times a day they inject some drug into your IV to make you normal again. Basically I went through detox without ever feeling any symptoms and I was home and fine 4 days later.
So, in summation, I think it depends on where you are. If you're really bad off it's a hospital bed with close surveillance but if you're not it's more of a rehab facility with meetings and the like.
I think where you go/what you do depends on how bad off you are. They initial ran basic tests and then inserted an IV and sent me to a type of sober living/rehab like place with about 25 people in it and a kitchen, etc. Except I was bad off and started seeing things on fire, thought people were trying to kill me, etc.
From there I was sent to a hospital bed for the 3 day detox. They basically drug you up and you sleep and just walk around in your hospital room for 3 days. They draw blood a couple times a day and 6 times a day they inject some drug into your IV to make you normal again. Basically I went through detox without ever feeling any symptoms and I was home and fine 4 days later.
So, in summation, I think it depends on where you are. If you're really bad off it's a hospital bed with close surveillance but if you're not it's more of a rehab facility with meetings and the like.
not a greeter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: padmasana
Posts: 13,927
Sorry I missed this yesterday Tellus. I do hope you get a chance to read everyone's suggestions. Krissy's post was right in line with what I was going to say. Just re-read it lol.
Bring what the rehab advises... not sure how much time, programs, group, therapy etc will be alotted for during your 3 days. You'll be busy de-toxing anyway hun... I don't think you'll get bored if that's what you're thinking.
Open mind & our well wishes are 2 things I say to def bring :ghug2.
Bring what the rehab advises... not sure how much time, programs, group, therapy etc will be alotted for during your 3 days. You'll be busy de-toxing anyway hun... I don't think you'll get bored if that's what you're thinking.
Open mind & our well wishes are 2 things I say to def bring :ghug2.
Next stop: real life
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 990
Thanks to everyone for the replies. 
I got a call today from the woman who's arranging this for me, and she gave me the number for the inpatient place. I'm going to call tomorrow and get an idea of what I should bring, what I should expect, etc. Plans have changed a bit, too: instead of Monday, I'll be checking in for the detox after work on Sunday, then going straight from there to the inpatient place on Tuesday afternoon.
I thought I'd be scared sh*tless about all of this, but I honestly can't wait.
I got a call today from the woman who's arranging this for me, and she gave me the number for the inpatient place. I'm going to call tomorrow and get an idea of what I should bring, what I should expect, etc. Plans have changed a bit, too: instead of Monday, I'll be checking in for the detox after work on Sunday, then going straight from there to the inpatient place on Tuesday afternoon.I thought I'd be scared sh*tless about all of this, but I honestly can't wait.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: seattle
Posts: 468
hey telus,
most likely you will be hit by a hodgepodge of information, over those 7 days.
no matter what you hear, and especially wether you like it or not, i suggest that you try to just keep an open mind...
mainly what i got out of 23 day inpatient is (1)that my insurance was exausted, (2)drinking and drugging to the bitter end was my best idea of living (and insane), and (3)i couldnt stay clean and sober unless i worked with people like me; who now had sobriety to share... obviously all my attempts at control had failed... obviously infact, i checked myself in to rehab... i couldnt even stop me, let alone stay stoped... not on my own power...
AA is many times the last house on the block, when we tried everything else and failed, we surrendered... NA is great, as well... also, na is different, so i suggest checking it out...
why is it popular? well, for me, it works... Millions of us, in fact...
so, i ended up paying over 17,000 (out of pocket portion)for an AA big book, a NA basic text, and the same instructions everyone else gave me...
most likely you will be hit by a hodgepodge of information, over those 7 days.
no matter what you hear, and especially wether you like it or not, i suggest that you try to just keep an open mind...
mainly what i got out of 23 day inpatient is (1)that my insurance was exausted, (2)drinking and drugging to the bitter end was my best idea of living (and insane), and (3)i couldnt stay clean and sober unless i worked with people like me; who now had sobriety to share... obviously all my attempts at control had failed... obviously infact, i checked myself in to rehab... i couldnt even stop me, let alone stay stoped... not on my own power...
AA is many times the last house on the block, when we tried everything else and failed, we surrendered... NA is great, as well... also, na is different, so i suggest checking it out...
why is it popular? well, for me, it works... Millions of us, in fact...
so, i ended up paying over 17,000 (out of pocket portion)for an AA big book, a NA basic text, and the same instructions everyone else gave me...
Last edited by Aa_vark; 01-08-2008 at 05:26 PM.
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