24 Hour Drug & Alcohol Rehab: Same Day Admission & Emergency Rehab
Seeking substance use disorder (SUD) treatment is a brave step, and when you or a loved one are ready to get help, waiting isn’t always an option. Same-day admission rehab ensures you can access the care you need quickly, without delays that could lead to second-guessing or relapse. Same-day admission rehab removes barriers and gets you on the path to recovery as soon as possible. Learn how same-day rehab admissions work and how to find a facility that can provide the help you need, when you need it.
What Is Same-Day Admission Rehab?
Same-day admission rehab allows individuals to enter an addiction treatment program immediately, often within hours of contacting the facility.
Same-day rehab can help reduce common barriers to treatment, such as waiting periods for assessments, bed availability, and insurance verification. These barriers can cause people to give up on treatment and lead to missed care for those who need it the most.1 Same-day admissions streamline the process to provide urgent care.
Studies show longer wait times have been associated with decreased follow-through with treatment.1 The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) indicates that a sign of a quality rehab allows you to be admitted as soon as possible.2
Individuals experiencing life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures, often require immediate care at a medically supervised drug or emergency alcohol detox center.1,3 Some may also face psychosocial crises or severe mental health symptoms, like suicidal ideation, necessitating urgent intervention.1,3 Others may be highly motivated to seek treatment in the moment, but being placed on a waiting list can diminish that motivation and lead to second thoughts about entering rehab.1
Emergency Drug or Alcohol Rehab and Detox
While there isn’t a universally accepted definition of emergency rehab, it typically refers to a form of same-day rehab where people can be admitted to treatment immediately.
Emergency alcohol rehab or emergency drug rehab can help prevent further harm to individuals facing severe medical or mental health crises that require immediate detox or urgent substance use treatment.3 This includes those experiencing suicidal thoughts or attempts, psychosis, or serious withdrawal complications such as delirium or seizures, which can occur with severe alcohol withdrawal or benzodiazepine withdrawal.3
Medically supervised emergency drug detox involves various interventions, such as medication, monitoring, and support, designed to manage acute intoxication and withdrawal.3 Medical detox can be a crucial and potentially life-saving step that can help prevent serious complications that could occur if a person doesn’t receive treatment.3
While detox can be an important first step in recovery, it’s not the same as formal treatment for SUD.3 Treatment, or rehab, refers to a comprehensive approach to treating SUD and involves various therapeutic services that help people achieve and maintain recovery.3 Following detox, individuals are generally advised to transition to some form of ongoing treatment, such as inpatient addiction treatment or outpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs, so they can learn necessary skills and address underlying issues associated with substance misuse and addiction.4
24-Hour Drug & Alcohol Rehab Admissions
24-hour admissions rehab and rehabs with same-day admission are similar but not necessarily the same. Both provide rapid admission and access to care, but 24-hour detox and 24-hour inpatient rehab are forms of emergency crisis care that focus on round-the-clock access and availability for intake. In contrast, same-day rehab involves fast entry to rehab during business hours.3 Entering 24-hour drug treatment centers that offer emergency care usually means going to a hospital emergency room.3
What to Expect in Emergency or Same-Day Rehab
The admission process for same-day rehab may seem overwhelming, but it typically follows a streamlined protocol to ensure quick access to care. The first step is often an initial assessment, where addiction and medical professionals conduct a comprehensive evaluation.3 This includes drug testing to identify substances in the bloodstream, screening for co-occurring mental and physical health conditions, and assessing individual needs (such as legal, social, or vocational challenges) to create a personalized treatment plan.3,4
Individuals who require medical detox will often be transferred to a supervised detox facility, where they receive 24/7 monitoring and medications (as needed) to manage withdrawal symptoms as comfortably and safely as possible.3 Individuals who don’t require medical detox are typically placed in a same-day inpatient rehab or an outpatient program.
Throughout the admission process, staff members answer questions, help coordinate insurance or financial arrangements, and provide emotional support. The goal of emergency or same-day rehab is to remove barriers to treatment and ensure you or your loved one receive immediate care and a structured path to recovery without unnecessary waiting periods.
What Do You Need To Get Admitted to Rehab the Same Day?
If you or a loved one want to get admitted to same-day rehab, you should have several things on hand to make the admissions process as smooth as possible:
- Your insurance information, including your insurance card, policy number, and type of plan.
- Other payment information if you don’t have insurance.
- Any relevant medical information, such as if you’ve been diagnosed with a co-occurring disorder (e.g., anxiety) or any medications you may have been prescribed.
- Emergency contact information.
Rest assured that rehab admissions staff will help you step-by-step through this process, so don’t worry if there’s anything that you’ve overlooked.
Start the Admissions Process & Get Into Rehab Today
If you’re struggling with substance misuse or addiction, or you know someone who is, we are here to help you every step of the way. American Addiction Centers offers same-day admission for those seeking help for SUD. Our simple admissions process takes just minutes. Contact AAC at to speak to a caring, knowledgeable admissions navigator who can answer any questions you may have, explain how to get admitted to a facility as soon as possible, help you understand how to use health insurance coverage for rehab, and quickly verify your insurance.