Lakeview Health Systems offers a wide range of care, from medical detoxification to an intensive outpatient program. The most clinically intensive level of care is our Inpatient Rehab, which patients typically enter after completing a medical detoxification.
Traveling away from home for treatment is effective because it removes you from the environment where you used drugs or alcohol. Avoiding triggers like people, places, and things gives you a better chance at recovery.
When people go away to treatment they are also less likely to give up. Many of our patients have tried other methods first, such as outpatient treatment, private counseling, psychiatrists, and 12-step programs, and relapsed. They found they needed a more intensive level of care.
Inpatient Rehab means that you live, sleep, and eat in the same facility that houses your group therapy, the doctors, therapists, and medical staff. Help and support always surround you. If you cannot sleep in the middle of the night, for example, and need someone to talk to, there are always caring people available.
To give you a better idea of what inpatient rehab is like we will take you through a typical day in treatment.
6:30 AM - Good Morning!
We do everything possible to make the morning a pleasant experience. If you are not a morning person, don’t worry. 6:30 AM might sound like an early hour, but when you haven’t been drinking the night before, or are not waking up sick with withdrawal symptoms, you will see it is actually nice to get an early start on the day. Plus, a consistent wake-up time helps you develop a routine again, which is sorely lacking in many patients when they come to rehab.
There is ample time to shower, shave, get dressed, and feel good about the way you look. If you need to make any early telephone calls to family or friends, you can fit that in before breakfast as well.
Finally, we like to take advantage of Jacksonville’s nice weather and go for a short walk.
7:30 AM - A Hearty Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so we make it a good one with a hot, nutritious meal. This may include eggs, bacon, toast, fruit, and other healthy foods perfect for a recuperating body. Many addicts and alcoholics neglect their bodies while using (gourmet meals are hardly a priority!). There is also ample time after for your morning cup of coffee (it is decaf, sorry) and a cigarette (if you are a smoker, of course).
8:45 AM - Groups
We start the morning off with a few different group meetings. First is Focus Group, which helps you start the day with positive thoughts, goal setting, and an opportunity to get anything out that may be bothering you. And, having just stopped using drugs or alcohol, we would expect some things may be bothering you! That’s OK. You can share whatever is on your mind with people that are in the exact same situation as you. It is helpful to be able to turn to someone that will listen and can offer helpful advice. Additionally, you will find doing the same for others actually feels good.
Next, we have a lecture covering health and diet. Learning how to eat well is an important part of recovery. Our program treats the mind, body, and spirit, and eating right is one of the best ways to help the body.
Finally, you have Primary Group, which is more group therapy, but this time with your primary therapist.
We may call you out of group from time to time to meet with your therapist, call family, attend a doctor or psychiatrist appointment, or meet with the dietician. One of the benefits to inpatient treatment is having all of this in one location.
11:45 AM - Lunch
After all the walking, sharing, listening, and appointments, we take a lunch break. Again, we have hot, delicious lunches. If you want to go light, we have a full salad bar everyday so you can create a custom salad. Our patients enjoy the meals here and they love the desserts! And of course, there’s time after lunch for a cigarette or some socializing with friends.
12:30 PM - More Groups
You’ll get used to sitting in a circle, that’s for sure. We resume after lunch with more groups, including another primary group and lecture. Topics of discussion can include trauma, boundaries, behaviors, consequences, relationships.
3:15 PM – Ice Cream!
We take a break Monday through Friday to enjoy an ice cream snack in the middle of the afternoon. It can get hot in Florida, so this is welcome refreshment on most days.
3:30 PM - Community Meeting
We finish the afternoon with a community meeting to check-in with everyone again and see how we’re doing as a whole. If you need to bring anything to the attention of staff about the program or community, this is encouraged (of course, you can bring anything up to staff at any time).
4:30 PM - Mail Call
You can receive mail while in treatment as well as write and send letters. If anyone has sent you mail or a package, this is when you receive it. We encourage you to take this opportunity to write letters. It is therapeutic for you, and there are probably many people that care about you and want to know you’re safe and getting help.
4:30 PM - Dinner
You’d be surprised how draining group therapy can be! Our last meal of the day includes tasty, home-cooked meals and a nice dessert. One of the benefits to an inpatient rehab is that all we cook all of your meals, so you don’t have to worry about grocery shopping or cooking. These can be anxiety-causing activities if you have not done them in a while. Eating well every day for 6 weeks will teach you the kinds of foods to include in your diet and help establish a routine for healthy eating.
5:15 PM - Evening Walk
After dinner, we start to wind things down. We like to take another walk at the end of the day to enjoy the cooler afternoon temperatures and give your meal some time to digest. You will find that gentle walking, especially in your first days of treatment, is a nice way to flex your muscles and get your endorphins flowing.
5:45 PM - Recreation
Here is some time to play board games, watch television, socialize, do a group activity, etc. We make it an organized time in which everyone can participate. Life in recovery should be fun and include a variety of activities. Sobriety is like a pie, and you have to cut equal pieces for recovery, work, and fun.
7:00 PM - 12-Step Meeting
One thing we do every day, no exceptions, is attend a 12-step meeting, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. We try to get you in the habit of attending such meetings daily, so that by the time you finish treatment it is automatic. We recommend attending 90 meetings in 90 days after your discharge.
12-Step meetings offer an ongoing program for recovery that has proven successful for people around the globe. There are meetings in almost every city, state, and even many countries. You’re surrounded by people that are in the same situation as you, dealing with life’s problems, and not drinking.
The 12-step meetings we hold here are open for anyone in the community to attend. Many people enjoy visiting meetings “inside” because they like to help people that are just getting started in recovery. It also reminds them of what it was like getting sober, which is often a helpful incentive to stay sober.
8:15 PM Free Time
Your evenings are relaxed, a time to unwind and reflect on the day. You can socialize with new friends, make telephone calls, read, meditate, do homework assignments, and get ready for bed. Remember, there is always friendly staff, including a 24-hour nursing team, to help you with anything you need.
11:00 PM Lights Out
We turn in after a long day at 11:00 PM so that you get a good night’s sleep. Your room is semi-private, spacious, and comfortable. You’ll have a roommate to share your experience, strength, and hope from the day with. Remember, everyone is in the same boat. We are all far more alike than we are different.
Congratulations, you have just completed a full day in treatment. You’re going to be discussing some serious issues and will be emotionally up and down on any given day. Remember, no matter how difficult it may seem, “this too shall pass.” You can have some of the greatest and worst days in treatment. However, no matter how bad it gets, it will not be as bad as it was using and abusing. We can promise you that.
If you have any questions about our inpatient rehab, or if you need help or advice about a drug or alcohol problem, you can call our free Addiction Helpline, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at 1-800-884-1727. You can also reach our Helpline by using Live Chat or through our Contact Us form.
