Drug treatment programs are usually very intensive and require you to do hard work. You worked hard to get your drugs or alcohol, so you have to work just as hard at your recovery. Patients are assigned to a therapist and psychiatrist who will meet with you daily to assist you. A typical day in a drug or alcohol treatment center includes individual counseling sessions with your therapist, group therapy sessions in which patients are able to speak about problems that they may have in common. This allows patients to progress with one another and learn from each other. There also may be films and/or lectures on the many aspects of addiction. Meals are served cafeteria style. Patients may also attend outside AA meetings in the community or in-house meetings. Drug treatment can also be fun. It is important to learn how to have a good time without the use of drugs; so many treatment centers provide a gym, swimming pool, basketball courts, and volleyball courts for patient's leisure use.

Some main goals of drug and alcohol treatment are:

• Help the patient through the acute symptoms of withdrawal
• Provide comprehensive evaluation and assessment
• Provide a stable and supportive environment
• Treat patients with respect
• Help the patient recover emotionally and physically
• Help the patient recognize the negative consequences that their substance abuse causes
• Help the patient prepare for a less intensive continuing treatment
• Get the families of the patients involved with their treatment