What Drug and Alcohol Rehab is Really Like

You’re getting ready to go to rehab and you’re understandably scared. You know you need help but you have no idea what daily life in a drug and alcohol treatment center is really like. And all of the questions you asked during the admissions process were hard to grasp, considering this is a life-changing decision. Gatehouse Academy knows and understands the fears and concerns you have and the fears and concerns your parents and family have. We want to put your mind at ease with this article by explaining to you how our drug rehab works and what your life will be like for the next several months.


After your initial detox, you will go to the Hassayampa River Ranch where you will find beautiful scenery and the privacy you need to begin learning the skills you need to cope without drugs and alcohol. The majority of our residents gain much of the confidence they need in order to beat their addictions and recover to live a life of sobriety.

Mornings at Gatehouse Academy begin with Work Ethic. This is an essential part of the individualized treatment that you receive because many of our clients did not learn the skills that make up ‘everyday life’ because they were under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Work Ethic can include learning how to do laundry, cooking for yourself and others in the program, learning how to clean and learning how to take care of yourself. The skills learned during Work Ethic prepare you for when you leave treatment and help you learn how to work and deal with others. One of our main philosophies is that our clients gain self-esteem by doing esteemable things. Work Ethic plays a large role in building confidence.

We have Morning Circle Monday through Friday mornings following Work Ethic. Morning Circle is a time when we as a group, men and women, listen to the stories of other addicts in recovery and we discuss the feelings and issues we may be experiencing while we learn how to not depend on drugs and alcohol. A sense of community is felt and any conflicts between residents can be resolved at this time. Morning Circle also prepares our clients for attending aftercare once drug alcohol rehab is completed.

Following Morning Circle, an array of activities are provided and where a specific client goes depends on that client’s individualized needs. For instance, some attend Art or Vocations/Automotive/Carpentry School. Others attend Group Therapy, Peer on Peer or Individual Therapy. Still, others practice Yoga, and develop physical health along with stronger concentration and relaxation skills.

School accounts for a large part of the afternoon every day. Because our clients are between the ages of 17 and 25, most need to finish high school or work towards a college degree. There is time allotted everyday for studying and attending classes. We feel that if our clients are to be successful once they graduate from Gatehouse Academy, they will need to have a proper education in order to support themselves in healthy productive ways.

Gatehouse Academy’s program is based on the original Alcoholics Anonymous 12-Step program. Our clients participate in meetings based on the 12-Step model, which not only plays an integral role in their recovery but also prepares our clients for the aftercare they must participate in to maintain their sobriety after treatment. We have Big Book Study where our clients learn the fundamentals of AA and NA.

Tai Chi and Karate are also offered along with Equine Therapy. One of the things that truly sets Gatehouse Academy apart from other drug and alcohol rehabs is our extensive therapies that are offered. Many of our clients find that working with horses or practicing Yoga helps them deal with their personal issues and they develop greater confidence and self-esteem by participating in these therapies.

Gatehouse Academy does extensive testing on each individual client in order to discover any previously undiagnosed mental disorders that may be contributing to the person’s addiction and education. Many times we find that a person has been suffering from disorders such as depression, anxiety or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to name a few and many times these undiagnosed disorders have led the addict to self-medicate. Once the Dual Diagnosis is determined, the appropriate treatment can be administered. Many times a person needs to be treated for the mental disorder in conjunction with their addiction treatment and this ensures a greater success rate. Our therapists are specially trained in addiction and recovery.

At Gatehouse Academy, our clients spend on average a year learning the behavioral and cognitive skills needed to maintain sobriety after drug alcohol rehab, when they are back in mainstream society. We do everything we can to prepare each individual person with the skills, confidence and the plan needed to help them abstain from drugs and alcohol.