What happens in rehab?
Rehab (short for rehabilitation) is the process of getting treatment to help someone overcome an addiction. This can involve staying in a facility during treatment or following a programme as an outpatient (whilst still living at home).
There are often misconceptions about what rehab is, or what happens there. Here, I discuss what really happens in rehab, including the types of treatment available for different addictions.
What types of addiction can be treated in rehab?
Various types of addiction can be treated through rehab. These include:
- addictions to substances, such as drugs and alcohol
- behavioural addictions, such as gambling or shopping addiction
- eating disorders
Treatment approaches may vary depending on the type of addiction someone has. But all addictions share the common trait of having an uncontrollable need to do something (also known as a compulsion), even when we know it causes harm. The aim of rehab is to break the cycle of addiction by looking at what causes this behaviour.
What happens when you go into rehab?
Rehabilitation programmes can be different depending on who is providing them. You might go into a residential rehab facility, where you stay throughout your recovery. Or you might follow a rehab programme as an outpatient.
If you have a substance addiction, the first step of rehab might be to undergo a medical detox. This is where you receive support to stop taking the substance you’re addicted to. If you have substance addiction, It’s very important that the detox process is managed safely by clinical experts.
The main part of rehab is therapy. This is where you engage in treatment to help overcome your addiction. The types of therapy you have will depend on your type of addiction, and what’s suitable for you. You might try different approaches to see what works best.
The following types of therapy might be given in rehab.
12-step approach
The 12-step approach was first created to treat alcohol addiction. It’s now used widely to help treat other addictions. The programme provides a series of steps to help change your unhealthy thought patterns and behaviours. These steps take place in a group therapy setting. Group therapy can help you connect with others and realise you’re not alone in your struggles with addiction.
This approach can be taken at your own pace. It focuses on shifting your mindset to change your behaviour in the long-term.
Talking therapies
One-to-one talking therapies can help to overcome addiction. These might include counselling, psychotherapy or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
CBT is one type of talking therapy that’s often used to treat addictions. During CBT, you’ll be encouraged to see how your thoughts, feelings and behaviours are connected. The aim is to reframe the way you think and behave.
CBT aims to treat addiction by addressing some of the root cause of the behaviours. For example, we might be engaging in an addictive behaviour due to negative or irrational beliefs. Understanding this can help us to find healthier coping strategies. Techniques learned in therapy can also help reduce your stress and manage cravings during your recovery.
Psychotherapy can also be used to treat addiction. You’ll work with a therapist to address your experiences and feelings. Psychotherapy can also involve creative activities such as art or music therapy.
Holistic therapies
Holistic therapies can include activities such as meditation and yoga. These are often available in rehab to help people relax their body and mind during their recovery. Holistic therapies may not be for everyone.
Treatment plans depend on the individual, but it can be helpful to try new things to find what works best.
What’s a typical day like in rehab?
A typical day in rehab may look different for every individual.
Someone in an inpatient facility will engage in a range of group therapy sessions throughout the day, with regular breaks in between. There will also be individual ‘one-to-one’ therapy sessions. They’ll also have some free time in the evenings and weekends to relax or have contact with friends and family. Inpatient rehab centres are normally comfortable environments and free from distractions to reduce stress or triggers.
Someone following an outpatient rehab programme will also attend the same regular therapy group and one-to-one sessions. But they’ll return home afterwards. Someone might undergo rehab as an outpatient if their circumstances do not allow them to stay in a clinic.
What happens after rehab?
Addiction is often a long-term problem and cannot be completely ‘fixed’ in a few weeks or even months. It can be tough to face reality after you leave rehab, no matter how much progress you’ve made.
Rehab treatment should provide an aftercare programme to help support you after you leave. You’ll likely need to continue therapy, whether that’s group or individual therapy (or both).
Having a support network is crucial to your recovery. A good rehab programme should work with you and your loved ones, to work out how best to support you and maintain positive relationships.
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Sources Sources
- What is rehab? Change Grow Live. Changegrowlive.org, accessed 22 April 2025
- Rehab Treatment. UK Addiction Treatment Centres. Ukat.co.uk, updated March 2025
- 12-step programme for addiction recovery. Priory. Priorygroup.com, updated September 2024
- CBT and therapies for addiction treatment. Priory. Priorygroup.com, updated January 2025
- Life after rehab. UK Addiction Treatment Centres. Ukat.co.uk, updated March 2025
- What is psychotherapy? UKCP. Psychotherapy.org.uk, accessed May 2025
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