What to Expect

Your first day at River City Recovery marks the beginning of a new chapter. Whether you’re feeling nervous, relieved, uncertain, or hopeful, it’s okay. You’re not expected to have all the answers. You’re not expected to be perfect. You just have to show up. From there, we’ll walk with you.

We’ve designed our Day One experience to be clear, structured, and welcoming. Our goal is to make sure you feel safe, supported, and oriented, not overwhelmed. By the end of your first day, you’ll know what your week looks like, who your team is, and what comes next in your recovery journey.

Arrival and Welcome

When you arrive, a member of our team will greet you, walk you through the check-in process, and answer any immediate questions. If you’re attending in person, you’ll be given a brief tour of the facility to help you feel grounded in your new environment. If you’re participating virtually, we’ll ensure your tech setup is working and you’re ready to engage.

What you’ll need:

Orientation and Paperwork

Next, you’ll sit down with a staff member to complete your intake paperwork and orientation. We’ll explain:

This is also your chance to ask questions and voice any concerns. We want to make sure you understand your rights, responsibilities, and what’s available to support you.

Clinical Assessment or Check-In

If not already completed prior to arrival, you may meet with a therapist or nurse for a clinical or medical intake. This helps us ensure that you’re medically stable, emotionally safe, and that your treatment plan reflects your current needs.

This session helps us personalize your care from day one.

Program Introduction and First Group

Depending on your arrival time and level of care (PHP or IOP), you may join a group on your first day or begin programming the following day. If you do participate in a group, don’t worry: there’s no pressure to share right away. You can simply observe, get a feel for the process, and introduce yourself when you’re ready.

You’ll also receive:

What You’ll Leave With

By the end of your first day, you’ll have:

You don’t have to know how to recover yet. That’s what we’re here for. All we ask is that you show up, and keep showing up, even on the hard days.

Support for Families on Day One

If a family member or loved one is supporting your treatment, we’ll provide them with information about how to stay involved, what to expect, and how they can support your journey. With your consent, we may schedule a check-in call with your primary therapist or case manager within the first week.

Starting treatment can be overwhelming. But at River City Recovery, your first day is designed to give you one thing above all else: clarity. You’ll know where you are, who’s here to help, and what to expect as you take your first steps forward.