The first few days are often the hardest part – mostly because of the unknown. Here, our nursing team walks you through what actually happens from the moment you arrive, so you can come in knowing what to expect.

Clinically reviewed by Bongeka Chamane (Nursing Manager, Registered Nurse, SANC 16268179)
Review date: 12 October 2026

What Happens During The First 72 Hours Of Rehab?

During the first 72 hours at Liberty Home, patients complete their admission assessment, meet the nursing team and receive a medical evaluation. Where necessary, medically supervised detoxification begins, with nurses monitoring withdrawal symptoms and providing around-the-clock support. As patients stabilise, they gradually settle into their personalised recovery programme.

Before you arrive

Feeling nervous, unsure or even wanting to cancel is completely normal. Most people who walk through our doors have felt exactly the same. A few practical things make arrival smoother:

Bring all your current medication in its original packaging, with prescriptions or a letter from your doctor listing what you take and why. This includes over-the-counter medicines, supplements and inhalers.
Bring a summary of your medical history if you have one – diagnoses, allergies and recent test results all help.
Don’t try to stop drinking or using medication suddenly before you come. For alcohol, benzodiazepines and some other substances, stopping abruptly can be dangerous. Tell our admissions team honestly what you are using, and we will plan your detox safely.
Pack comfortably – casual clothes, comfortable shoes, toiletries (we may ask that some products are alcohol-free) and anything that helps you feel at home, such as photos or a book. Products that contain alcohol, such as colognes and make-up setting sprays, are kept by the nursing team and can be used under supervision. Where an alcohol-free version exists (for example mouthwash), please try to buy that instead.
Questions? Contact Liberty Admissions Here

Travelling from the Netherlands, Belgium or the UK? Cape Town is on South African Standard Time (UTC+2) all year, so there is little or no time difference from the Netherlands and Belgium, and only one or two hours from the UK – which means minimal jet lag. Our team can advise you on travelling safely if you are currently dependent on alcohol or medication. Being honest about how intoxicated you may be on arrival helps us plan extra assistance to fetch you safely from the airport. A useful tip: keep all your medication in your hand luggage, to avoid loss and exposure to extreme temperatures and pressure.

Hour 0–6: Arrival and admission

When you arrive, you will be welcomed by our team and shown somewhere calm to sit down. Then we take care of admission, step by step:

Paperwork and consent. We explain the programme, house guidelines and your rights, and ask you to sign consent forms. You can ask questions at any point.
A belongings check. We check bags for alcohol, drugs, medication and other items that could put you or other residents at risk. This is done respectfully and with you present. It isn’t about mistrust – it is about keeping the house safe for everyone.
Medication handover. All medication is handed to the nursing team, checked against your prescriptions and recorded. From now on, nurses store and give your medication.
Nursing assessment. A nurse will check your vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, breathing and oxygen levels), weight, and ask about your physical and mental health, allergies, sleep, eating and any immediate concerns.
Screening tests. Usually a breath alcohol test and a urine drug screen. These are routine for everyone and help us understand what your body is withdrawing from, so we can keep you safe. Please also bring any blood test results from the last six months, and any scans or other investigation results that may be relevant – these give us a baseline of your current health.
Medical assessment. A doctor assesses you and, if you need detox, prescribes a withdrawal plan tailored to you. The doctor’s assessment takes place within 24 hours of your admission, so it may not always happen immediately on arrival.

Please note: we ask a lot of questions on day one. Please answer as honestly as you can – nothing you tell us will shock us, and accurate information is what allows us to keep you safe and comfortable.

The first night

The first night can feel strange. You may be tired, anxious, shaky or unable to sleep. This is where 24/7 nursing makes a real difference:

A nurse is on duty throughout the night, and we check on residents regularly, especially those in detox. How often we check on you during detox is guided by internationally recognised withdrawal scales such as the CIWA-Ar and COWS – anything from hourly to four-hourly, depending on the severity and nature of your withdrawal. Either way, a nurse is always close by.
If you need medication for withdrawal symptoms, it is available as your doctor has prescribed.
If you can’t sleep or feel overwhelmed, you can come and talk to us. That’s what we’re here for.

Day 2: Detox and settling in

For many people, day two is when withdrawal symptoms are at their most noticeable, depending on the substance. You might experience sweating, restlessness, nausea, aches, low mood or anxiety.

What we do:

Regular monitoring using standard withdrawal scales and vital signs, so your medication can be adjusted to how you are actually feeling.
Comfort care – fluids, light meals, rest, warm showers and a quiet space.
Gentle involvement in the programme as you feel able. If you are still unwell, rest comes first. As you stabilise, you begin joining some groups and meeting your therapist.

You will also start to meet the other residents. Many people tell us that hearing “I felt exactly like that when I arrived” from someone a few weeks ahead of them is one of the most reassuring moments of their first days.

Learn more about our Alcohol Detox here.

Day 3: Finding your feet

By the third day, many people – though not everyone – start to feel physically more settled. You will usually:

have more energy to join the daily programme, including group sessions;
meet your counsellor or therapist to begin your individual treatment plan;
start to learn the daily routine (see our article on a day in the life at Liberty Home);
feel some of the fog begin to lift.

For some substances, such as benzodiazepines, withdrawal takes longer and is managed more gradually. Your nurses and doctor will explain your personal timeline.

Learn more about our Phases of Recovery here.

The feelings no one warns you about

It is very common in the first 72 hours to:

feel relief and regret at the same time;
feel tearful, irritable or numb;
doubt whether you “really” need to be here;
want to leave.

These feelings are normal, and they usually pass. If you feel like leaving, please talk to a nurse or counsellor first. We won’t judge you – we’ll listen, and help you think it through.

Staying in touch with family

We know families want to know that you have arrived safely. On admission, the nurse who receives you will let your family know you have arrived safely – by phone or WhatsApp call, or by leaving a message if they can’t get through. Please tell us at the enquiry stage, before admission, who you would like us to notify. The nurse will explain to your family that they can contact the facility at any time to ask how you are doing, but that they can expect to hear from you directly only after about five days, during phone times (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings). Many programmes ask for a short settling-in period with limited phone use, so that you can focus on yourself during these first days.

Frequently asked questions

Will I be locked in?

No. Treatment is voluntary. House guidelines and support help you stay focused, but you are not detained.

What if I arrive intoxicated?

Please still come. Be honest with us about what you have taken, and we will assess and monitor you safely.

Can I keep my own medication in my room?

In most cases no – nurses store and give all medication, for your safety and that of other residents. There may be exceptions for items such as asthma inhalers or skin creams. You will still have access to all of your medication whenever you need it – it is simply given under supervision, for your safety and that of others.

Will I be expected to attend groups straight away?

Not if you are unwell. Detox and rest come first, and you join the programme as you are able.

What if I can’t sleep?

Poor sleep is very common at first. Talk to the night nurse – there are practical things that help, and your doctor can review it if needed.

A closing note

The first 72 hours are about safety, comfort and settling in – not about having everything figured out. You don’t need to arrive feeling ready; you just need to arrive. Our nursing team at Liberty Home is here around the clock to help you through those first days. If you have questions about admission, please get in touch – we’re happy to talk you through it.

Contact Liberty Home here.

This article is for general information and does not replace individual medical advice.