What to Expect in Your First 30 Days of Opioid Addiction Rehab

Starting opioid addiction rehab is a courageous and often first tangible step toward recovery for many, and for good reason. The initial 30 days of drug rehab are transformative, filled with challenges and breakthroughs that set the foundation for lasting sobriety and your ability to continue on the right path. Whether you’re entering treatment yourself or supporting a loved one through this journey, knowing what happens during residential opioid treatment can reduce anxiety while building realistic expectations for what to expect. This article will walk you through each phase of early recovery, from medical detox and medication-assisted treatment to behavioral therapy and building new coping skills that support long-term wellness.

Main Points

• Medical detox with medication-assisted treatment safely manages withdrawal symptoms during the initial phase
• Individualized treatment plans address substance use disorder alongside co-occurring mental health conditions
• Behavioral therapy teaches practical skills for managing cravings, identifying triggers, and preventing relapse
• Structured daily routines replace chaotic patterns and establish healthy habits supporting long-term recovery

Week 1: Assessment and Entry into Opioid Addiction Rehab

The first week of opioid addiction rehab focuses on safely assessing you for the severity of addiction and underlying conditions while managing withdrawal symptoms under medical supervision. Treatment facility staff conduct comprehensive assessments to evaluate your physical health, mental health status, and substance use history. They will check for substances like fentanyl, heroin, alcohol, and more to ensure they are getting the full picture and implement the best treatment course.

Undergoing Medical Detox

Often, especially for those with moderate to severe substance use disorders, a medical detox is recommended before diving fully into other aspects of opioid addiction treatment. During this critical period, opioid treatment programs may introduce medication-assisted treatment (MAT) options that have active ingredients which include:

• Buprenorphine
• Methadone
• Naltrexone

These FDA-approved medications come in different formulations that help restore balance in brain circuits affected by prolonged opioid use disorder. You’ll work closely with medical professionals who monitor vital signs, adjust medications, and ensure your comfort throughout the detox process.

What is Medication-Assisted Treatment?

Medication-assisted treatment combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapy to treat opioid use disorder. MAT treatment has proven highly effective, with research showing it reduces opioid overdose risk and increases the engagement rates of further substance use treatments. compared to abstinence-only approaches.

Many medications include either buprenorphine (often prescribed as Suboxone, Sublocade, or Subutex), methadone for longer-acting relief, and naltrexone for blocking opioid receptors through brand names like Vivitrol. These medications restore balance in the brain’s reward system without producing euphoria, allowing patients to focus on recovery work rather than managing intense opioid cravings and withdrawal discomfort.

Week 2: Establishing Your Treatment Plan

By week two, many withdrawal symptoms for opioids typically subside, and you’ll step fully into your individualized treatment plan for your opioid addiction rehab.

This plan addresses your unique needs, including:

• Any co-occurring mental disorders
• Trauma history
• Medical conditions like hepatitis C or heart disease.

Your substance abuse treatment schedule fills with group therapy sessions, individual counseling, educational workshops about addiction as a chronic disease, and recreational activities. Treatment centers with opioid addiction rehab create structured daily routines that replace chaotic patterns associated with drug abuse and criminal activity, helping you rediscover purpose and stability.

The Role of Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapy forms the cornerstone of effective addiction treatment and opioid addiction rehab, helping you identify triggers, develop coping strategies, and change thought patterns that fuel substance use. These evidence-based approaches, combined with MAT treatment, significantly improve long-term recovery outcomes for treating opioid use disorder oud.

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches practical skills for managing cravings and high-risk situations.
• Many patients benefit from contingency management programs that reward positive behaviors.
• Group therapy provides peer support and accountability, while individual sessions address personal trauma and mental health concerns.

Week 3: Building Recovery Skills

During the third week, you’ll actively practice new skills learned in therapy sessions. This phase emphasizes practical application, turning theoretical knowledge into daily habits that support sustained recovery beyond your time in residential care.

• Treatment programs introduce stress management techniques, communication strategies, and healthy lifestyle habits.
• You’ll participate in relapse prevention workshops that identify personal triggers and create detailed action plans.
• Some opioid treatment centers offer vocational training, financial planning classes, and family therapy sessions.

Addressing Co-Occurring Mental Health Issues

Approximately 50 percent of individuals with opioid use disorder also experience co-occurring mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or PTSD. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 21.5 million adults in 2022 had a co-occurring disorder, who are at a higher risk of developing a substance use disorder.

Treatment facilities provide integrated care addressing both substance use disorder and mental disorders simultaneously. Your treatment team may adjust psychiatric medications, provide trauma-focused therapy, and teach strategies for managing symptoms without returning to drug use. Recognizing the connection between mental health and addiction creates a stronger foundation for lasting recovery.

Week 4: Transition Planning and Aftercare

The fourth week prepares you for life after residential treatment, or for continuing if your stay is longer. A rehab stay is typically 30 to 90 days, depending on your individual situation. Addiction recovery continues long after leaving the treatment center, helping maintain realistic expectations and commitment to aftercare recommendations.

• Many treatment centers help coordinate housing, employment support, and ongoing medical care.
• Your care team develops a comprehensive discharge plan including outpatient therapy appointments, support group connections, and continued access to medication-assisted treatment.
• You’ll identify local resources, create emergency contact lists, and practice refusal skills for high-risk situations.

Daily Structure in Opioid Addiction Rehab

Treatment facilities maintain consistent daily schedules that promote healing and accountability. A typical day includes morning meditation, group therapy sessions, individual counseling, educational workshops, physical fitness activities, and evening reflection time. Structured mealtimes provide proper nutrition essential for healing brain circuits and restoring physical health. Supervised recreational activities that teach healthy stress relief alternatives to substance use. This predictable routine helps many patients feel safe while developing new habits that replace patterns associated with opioid misuse and drug abuse.

What a typical day in opioid addiction rehab might look like:

Opioid Addiction Rehab Frequently Asked Questions

How does rehab work for opiates?

Opiate rehab typically begins with medically supervised detoxification, often using medications like methadone or buprenorphine to ease withdrawal symptoms. This is followed by behavioral therapy, counseling, and support groups to address psychological dependence. Programs may be inpatient or outpatient, lasting weeks to months, depending on individual needs.

What is the most common treatment for opiate addiction?

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is most common, combining FDA-approved medications like methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone with counseling and behavioral therapies. This approach reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms while addressing underlying psychological factors. MAT has proven highly effective for long-term recovery and preventing relapse in opiate addiction.

Find Brotherhood in Recovery

You don’t have to fight this battle alone. At Into Action Recovery, our long-term residential treatment program builds genuine brotherhood among men committed to lasting sobriety. Our elevated care facilities provide the environment you need to heal completely, not just temporarily. Join men who understand your struggle and are building better lives together. Step into action today.