Choosing to seek professional help for substance use disorder is a courageous step, and if you’ve made that decision, you’ve already taken a significant stride toward a healthier, more fulfilling life. The Healing Center’s drug and alcohol rehab in Cherry Hill, NJ, is designed to guide you through every stage of recovery—from initial admissions to overcoming addiction to sustaining long-term sobriety.
Your first week in treatment is a crucial phase that lays the foundation for your success. Understanding what to expect in your first week of addiction treatment may alleviate some of the anxiety you have about entering rehab, giving you the confidence and clarity needed to fully embrace the process. At The Healing Center, we aim to provide a true sense of comfort, hope, and safety. Let’s walk through what your first few days will look like.
The Importance of Your First Week in Rehab
The first week of addiction treatment in Cherry Hill is pivotal for setting the tone of your recovery. During this time, you’ll begin adjusting to the program’s structure, expectations, and overall therapeutic approach.
For many people, this adjustment serves as their introduction to healthier routines and habits. After experiencing the chaos and uncertainty that substance addiction can cause, the structure of rehab often feels reassuring. From detox to therapy, assessments to group sessions, each aspect of your first week will help you shift toward healing, one day at a time.
Admissions and Orientation: Your First Step
When you arrive at The Healing Center’s drug and alcohol rehab, the first step is the admissions process. Our team of compassionate professionals will welcome you into a safe and supportive environment where you are treated with dignity and care. During admissions and orientation, we take the time to get to know you—your needs, concerns, and personal experiences with addiction. This is how we tailor your treatment plan to meet your unique goals. Expect the following during your admission process:
How The Confidential Intake Assessment Works
A licensed clinician will guide you through a thorough intake assessment to gather information about your substance use history, personal circumstances, medical history, and any co-occurring mental health conditions.
This assessment allows us to:
- Identify the level of care you’ll need during treatment, such as partial care, intensive outpatient treatment, or standard outpatient treatment.
- Determine if you require a detox period before active therapy begins.
- Establish a foundation for your custom care plan that addresses both addiction and any underlying issues.
With your input, clinicians will work to create a treatment framework personalized to your needs.
Meeting Your Care Team During The First Week of Addiction Treatment
During your orientation, you’ll meet the dedicated professionals who will help you on your recovery journey. This team includes therapists, counselors, case managers, and support staff, all of whom are committed to providing high-quality care in a welcoming, judgment-free environment. Our staff takes pride in getting to know you personally to ensure that you feel heard and understood. Addiction recovery is a collaborative process, and we work alongside you every step of the way.
Touring Our Facility
To help you feel comfortable, one of our team members will provide you with a guided tour of our facility in Cherry Hill, NJ. During this tour, you’ll learn where therapy sessions, group meetings, and other activities will take place. Our state-of-the-art addiction treatment facility is thoughtfully designed to promote healing and comfort. From soothing common areas to private counseling offices, every space is safe and welcoming.
What to Expect During Your First Day of Rehab: Settling into Treatment
Once you’ve completed the admissions process and orientation, your first day officially begins with a focus on establishing your routine. One of the most important things to understand about what to expect in rehab is that your days will follow a structured schedule that includes therapy, education, and personal development.
Morning Routine
Mornings typically begin with a light meal or refreshments followed by mindfulness exercises or group discussion. Many clients use the first portion of the day as an opportunity to set intentions for how they’ll engage in their recovery journey. At our addiction treatment programs in South Jersey, we understand the power of starting each day with a positive mindset. Whether through guided meditation, journaling, or engaging in a group session, mornings are your time to mentally prepare and create emotional balance.
Therapy and Counseling
Throughout the day, you’ll begin participating in scheduled therapy and counseling sessions. During your first week, these sessions aim to help you understand the nature of your addiction, identify triggers, and begin developing coping strategies.
Therapeutic offerings include:
- Individual Therapy: During one-on-one sessions, you’ll speak with a licensed therapist about your addiction, goals, and the underlying causes of substance use. These private conversations allow you to explore your journey in a safe and nonjudgmental space.
- Group Therapy: Connecting with others who are also on a recovery journey can be a powerful experience. Group therapy sessions foster peer support, shared insights, and accountability.
- Family Therapy: If appropriate, family members may become involved in your recovery process to help rebuild trust, improve communication, and establish healthier relationships.
At this stage, therapy is focused on self-discovery and understanding—critical elements for forming your foundation for recovery.
Educational Workshops and Skill Building
Addiction treatment goes beyond traditional therapy—it’s also a guided learning process that equips you with the knowledge and skills needed for a healthier, more stable life. In your first week, you’ll take part in educational workshops designed to help you understand how addiction impacts the brain and body, build effective coping strategies for stress and cravings, and learn proven relapse-prevention techniques. These lessons give you a foundation for recognizing triggers, staying grounded, and navigating early recovery with confidence.
These workshops are led by experienced facilitators who create an engaging, supportive environment that encourages participation and open discussion. As you move through each session, you’ll begin to practice new habits, embrace healthier thinking patterns, and strengthen your ability to maintain sobriety beyond treatment. Day by day, these tools become part of your routine, empowering you to build long-term recovery on a strong and informed foundation.
Transitioning From Detox During Your First Week in Rehab
For many individuals, detox is the first essential step toward recovery. If you have recently completed a medical detox program elsewhere, your transition into treatment at The Healing Center marks the beginning of the therapeutic phase of your journey. Detox allows your body to clear substances and begin stabilizing, so by the time you arrive, you’re ready to focus on emotional healing, behavioral change, and long-term recovery planning. While detox can feel challenging, it creates the clarity and physical foundation needed to fully engage in treatment and make meaningful progress in rehab.
Although The Healing Center does not provide medical detox services onsite, our team ensures a smooth and supportive transition for individuals who are still experiencing post-detox symptoms or early stabilization. For clients who need continued relief from lingering withdrawal or cravings, we offer Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) when clinically appropriate. MAT can help ease discomfort, improve focus, and support your emotional well-being as you move into therapy, group work, and skill-building activities. Our clinicians collaborate closely with you to ensure safety and comfort, offering ongoing monitoring and compassionate care as your body adjusts.
Once stabilized, you’ll begin participating fully in our structured treatment program, which includes individual therapy, group counseling, relapse-prevention education, and holistic practices designed to strengthen your recovery foundation. This transition marks a powerful shift—from physically withdrawing from substances to actively rebuilding your life with purpose and guidance. By entering treatment after detox, you’re not just stepping away from addiction—you’re stepping into a new future with clarity, support, and renewed commitment to long-term sobriety.
What to Expect When Adjusting to The Structure
One of the most significant shifts clients will experience at the start of treatment is the structured environment of rehab. Addiction often brings chaos, inconsistency, and unhealthy routines that make daily life unpredictable and stressful. At the The Healing Center, you’ll be introduced to a carefully crafted daily schedule that revolves around healing and self-development—meals at regular times, therapy sessions, group discussions, skill-building workshops, reflection periods, and support activities. This kind of schedule helps replace the instability of addiction with a reliable rhythm, which research shows is especially useful in early recovery.
During your first week, you’ll quickly begin adjusting to the routine: you might attend morning check-ins, individual therapy, group work on relapse prevention, educational workshops on coping strategies, mindfulness or holistic recovery practices, and structured downtime for rest and reflection. The intentional repetition of these activities builds accountability and consistency, reducing the risk of slipping back into old patterns. In fact, a study examining the habits and routines of adults in early recovery found that “the restructuring of time is important because of the potential unease that can prevail after abstaining from drugs and needing to create new or renewed patterns of habits and routines.” That means the structured environment isn’t just helpful—it’s foundational for moving forward.
Structure also fosters a sense of stability, predictability, and control—elements that often vanish during active addiction. When everything is scheduled and supported, feelings of anxiety, restlessness, and boredom—key relapse triggers—are significantly reduced. At The Healing Center, the aim is to create an environment where you can focus on recovery, rebuild healthy habits, and reclaim your life. Over time, the structure helps you replace destructive patterns with purposeful routines, laying the groundwork for sustainable sobriety and
What Makes The Healing Center Unique?
At The Healing Center’s New Jersey drug and alcohol rehab, we’ve designed our programs with personal connection and individualized care in mind. Located in the heart of Cherry Hill, NJ, we provide community-based treatment options that empower our clients to heal—and thrive—while maintaining connections to local support systems.
We’re proud to offer:
- Evidence-Based Practices: Our treatment programs are rooted in proven methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and trauma-informed care.
- Personalized Care Plans: Every client is unique, which is why we tailor your recovery journey to meet your goals, challenges, and strengths.
- Compassionate Staff: Our team of licensed clinicians, therapists, and counselors prioritize your comfort, progress, and well-being every step of the way.
- South Jersey Connection: The Healing Center is fully immersed in Cherry Hill and connected to community resources such as support groups, sober housing, and employment programs.
Recovery Is Possible—Contact The Healing Center Today
Starting rehab can feel intimidating, but by understanding what to expect in your first week of addiction treatment, you gain the clarity and confidence to embrace your journey wholeheartedly. At The Healing Center in Cherry Hill, NJ, we guide clients step by step through detox, therapy, and recovery, with compassion, professionalism, and unparalleled care. Don’t let substance abuse control your life any longer—our team is ready to help you take the first step toward healing today. Contact The Healing Center to learn more about our addiction treatment programs in Cherry Hill, NJ, and start your path to recovery. Your future begins here!