Drug and Alcohol Rehab Admission Process in Spain

May 8, 2022

Last updated: October, 2025

Admitting the need for help is one of the most courageous steps a person can take. For many, entering a drug or alcohol rehab programme represents both an emotional and practical turning point. The admission process may seem daunting at first, but it is carefully structured to ensure safety, trust, and personalised care from the very beginning. At Hacienda Paradiso, the process is designed to make entry into treatment as smooth and supportive as possible for individuals and their loved ones.

Understanding the Admission Journey

The drug and alcohol rehab admission process begins the moment someone reaches out for help. It involves more than administrative details; it marks the point where a person recognises the problem and chooses recovery. This step often brings relief and renewed hope, especially when handled by a compassionate and professional team. Every admission is approached with confidentiality, empathy, and respect for the individual’s background, health, and circumstances.

In Spain, addiction treatment is increasingly focused on integrated care. This means that medical, psychological, and emotional aspects are all evaluated together, helping to identify co-occurring disorders such as anxiety, depression, or trauma that may influence addiction patterns. By addressing these from the start, the recovery process becomes more stable and sustainable.

Step 1: First Contact and Assessment

The first contact usually happens through a phone call or online enquiry. During this stage, a short, confidential assessment is carried out to understand the nature of the addiction, current wellbeing, and personal goals for recovery. This initial exchange also allows the admissions coordinator to answer common questions about length of stay, treatment options, and travel arrangements.

For many families, this call is the moment when things begin to feel manageable again. It is the first sign of structure, clarity, and hope. Once the basic information is collected, a more detailed intake assessment is scheduled with a licensed clinician.

Step 2: Comprehensive Intake Evaluation

The intake assessment is the foundation of an effective treatment plan. Conducted by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or psychotherapist, it explores a person’s addiction history, physical condition, and emotional state. This includes medical background, medication use, and the presence of any mental health challenges that may require parallel care.

When co-occurring conditions such as depression or anxiety are identified, they are integrated into the recovery plan to avoid relapse and to support full mental balance. This clinical precision is what distinguishes professional treatment centres from non-specialised facilities.

At Hacienda Paradiso, the intake evaluation is also an opportunity for open dialogue. The person entering treatment can discuss fears, expectations, and goals, while the team ensures that every recommendation aligns with their needs and comfort level.

Step 3: Personalised Treatment Planning

Following the assessment, a multidisciplinary team creates an individualised treatment plan. This plan outlines both the therapeutic and medical approaches needed to achieve recovery. It may include a combination of psychological therapy, group sessions, mindfulness practices, and holistic health treatments that align body and mind.

For individuals requiring detox, a medically supervised detoxification phase is conducted under continuous monitoring to ensure comfort and safety. Once this phase is complete, the focus shifts to deeper psychological work: identifying emotional triggers, learning new coping mechanisms, and rebuilding confidence.

Every programme at Hacienda Paradiso combines evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with holistic elements like yoga, art therapy, and nutrition. This balance between science and self-discovery helps promote long-term change rather than short-term abstinence.

Step 4: Beginning Treatment and Daily Life in Rehab

When the person arrives at the clinic in southern Spain, they are welcomed into a calm, supportive environment surrounded by nature. The first few days are designed to help them adjust gently to the new setting and establish a sense of stability.

Life inside the rehab follows a structured daily schedule, balancing therapy sessions, physical activity, and time for rest or reflection. This rhythm helps the nervous system recover from stress and creates the foundation for emotional healing. Residents participate in both individual and group therapy, gaining insight into themselves and learning from others who are on similar paths.

Nutrition, sleep, and wellness are central to the process. At Hacienda Paradiso, sustainability and eco-living principles extend into daily life, from organic meals to outdoor therapy sessions that reconnect individuals with nature and calm. This environment fosters focus, clarity, and renewed purpose.

Step 5: Preparing for Long-Term Recovery

Recovery does not end when a person leaves the rehab centre. For lasting change, long-term planning is essential. Before discharge, every individual works with their therapist to create a clear aftercare strategy. This includes relapse prevention techniques, continued therapy sessions, and lifestyle adjustments that support ongoing stability.

A key feature of Hacienda Paradiso’s programmes is the 12-month aftercare plan included in all packages. This follow-up ensures that progress continues through ongoing support, whether through virtual sessions, periodic check-ins, or local referrals. Having structured guidance after treatment greatly increases the chances of maintaining sobriety and emotional wellbeing.

group therapy treatment hacienda paradiso malaga spain

A Supportive Environment for Change

Entering rehab is not simply about stopping substance use; it is about rebuilding trust in oneself and rediscovering balance. For many, being in Spain provides the peace, distance, and renewal needed to begin that process. The Mediterranean light, slower rhythm of life, and professional clinical care create an environment that naturally supports transformation.

Each step of the admission process is designed to empower, not overwhelm. By combining medical expertise with human understanding, Hacienda Paradiso helps people take control of their recovery journey with dignity and hope.

If you or your loved ones are considering treatment for addiction, reaching out is the first step toward change. The admissions team is ready to provide confidential advice and guide you through each stage with compassion and care.

Request more information to learn how Hacienda Paradiso can help begin the path to lasting recovery in Spain.


Frequently Asked Questions: Rehab Admission Process in Spain

How long does it take to be admitted to rehab in Spain?

Most admissions can be arranged within a few days once the initial evaluation is completed. In urgent situations, entry can be organised within 24 to 48 hours depending on medical and travel needs. The goal is always to ensure safety and readiness before beginning treatment.

What happens during the initial assessment?

A licensed professional reviews medical and psychological history, current symptoms, and personal goals for recovery. This information helps design a safe and effective plan tailored to the individual’s needs. The process is private, respectful, and non-judgmental.

Can someone start rehab without giving consent?

Rehabilitation requires voluntary participation. A person must agree to enter treatment for it to be effective. Families and friends can encourage and support this decision, but genuine commitment is key to long-term success.

What should someone prepare before entering rehab in Spain?

Bring identification, medical information, and necessary prescriptions. Comfortable clothing and an open mindset are all that is needed. The centre provides everything else, including meals, therapy schedules, and wellness activities.

What kind of aftercare is offered following treatment?

Every programme at Hacienda Paradiso includes a 12-month aftercare plan to maintain progress after leaving the clinic. This may include online therapy, relapse prevention sessions, or coordination with local professionals to ensure continuity of care.

Our addiction treatments

Detox @ Purify™

Detox, the first stage of becoming free from drug and alcohol dependency, is both physically and psychologically uncomfortable. Purify™ by Hacienda Paradiso was created to ease this discomfort. Restoring the body and mind in safe and comfortable surroundings, under medical supervision. The detox process will be complete within seven to ten days, with many clients beginning a successful programme of recovery after the detox process is complete.

Alcohol Addiction

Hacienda Paradiso is an award-winning alcohol treatment facility where the process of treating addiction is grounded in care, compassion and recovery. The process of treating alcohol addiction usually goes through four stages: admission, detox, rehab, and lasting recovery. We adopt an approach that is discreet, non-judgmental and individual. Our priority is to look beyond the symptoms of alcoholism and treat the causes of the condition, delivering successful lasting recovery and remission.

Bipolar Disorders & Depression

Childhood trauma, stress, grief, structural brain changes, hormonal imbalances and other neurological indicators have a proven link to Bipolar Disorder & Depression. Treatment at Hacienda Paradiso is highly effective and helps sufferers gain valuable insight and increased control over mood swings and other symptoms. It is essential to seek treatment as early as possible.

At Hacienda Paradiso, you will meet our Consultant Psychiatrist on admission. They will help you describe the symptoms you have experienced, and together with the exceptional therapeutic team, will create a treatment plan with you. If you have been using alcohol or substances, we will help you to safely detox in comfort, while we assess your care plan and recovery.

Our addiction treatments

Detox @ Purify™

Detox, the first stage of becoming free from drug and alcohol dependency, is both physically and psychologically uncomfortable. Purify™ by Hacienda Paradiso was created to ease this discomfort. Restoring the body and mind in safe and comfortable surroundings, under medical supervision. The detox process will be complete within seven to ten days, with many clients beginning a successful programme of recovery after the detox process is complete.

Depression

Hacienda Paradiso luxury residential depression clinic takes an individualized deep dive with clients on a therapeutic led journey of recovery. The World Class treatment teams deliver long term remission from all forms of depression, depressive episodes and previously treatment resistant cases of major depressive disorder. Award-winning therapists and psychiatrists at the Hacienda work with clients to identify and treat and heal underlying problems. If the causes of depression are not identified, treated and healed, sufferers of can continue to experience symptoms throughout their lives.

Drug addiction

Drug addiction is a very complex, multi-faceted disorder. Major indications of drug addiction include cravings, withdrawal and unsuccessful previous attempts to stop or reduce use. The drug addiction experts at Hacienda Paradiso treat all forms of addiction including cocaine, cannabis and prescription medication. Hacienda Paradiso takes a pragmatic and highly individualized approach to drug addiction by treating the underlying factors and any co-existing mental health issues. The team at Hacienda Paradiso has been recognized internationally for their success and dedication to long term successful recovery.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Dual diagnosis is a term when a mental illness and substance misuse disorder coexist simultaneously. Often depression and anxiety may lead to alcohol and drug addiction and vice versa. The complexities of Dual Diagnosis is to establish the specific order of coexisting conditions to effectively treat the underlying causes to create successful, lasting and long term recovery from addiction and remission from coexisting mental health conditions.
Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is an emotion that is okay to feel. Experiencing it occasionally is common and normal. However, anxiety disorders are much different to feeling the occasional bout of anxiety. Anxiety disorders can be paralyzing to those who experience them. They can leave a person feeling unable to cope with life.

Residential treatment at Hacienda Paradiso Clinic allows you to live, learn, and understand your anxiety disorder. Often clients experience significant and rapid reduction in anxiety and in many cases complete remission from a debilitating condition.

Gambling Addiction

The World Class team at Hacienda Paradiso are experts at treating pathological gambling addiction. Our unique and highly individualized programme of recovery equips you with the tools to break the cycle of addiction. We will create a unique treatment plan to heal the symptoms and address your own specific root-causes.

Gambling addiction often coexists with other addictions or mental health issues so it’s imperative to assess any dual diagnosis concerns that may have previously been undiagnosed.

Gaming Addiction
Video game addiction is a very real mental health condition impacting many millions of people around the world, across all ages. The most addicting games include Fortnite, League of Legends, PUBG, Minecraft and other household names. This is because video games are designed to be addictive.

Gaming addicts may experience significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning. Gaming disorder is a process addiction and help is available from the team at Hacienda Paradiso. The friendly, non-judgmental therapeutic help develop a healthy relationship with technology and devise ways to ensure long term recovery and remission from video game addiction.

Sex Addiction
Dr Ruth Arenas leads our award-winning residential sex and love addiction clinic. Hacienda Paradiso is the only treatment center in Europe to separate love and sex addiction. While we recognize the similarities, we identify and treat each as standalone unique issues that may be triggering compounded emotional distress.

Dr Ruth is one of the Worlds foremost authorities in compulsive sexual disorder and hypersexuality. Residential treatment at Hacienda Paradiso boosts self-esteem and rebuilds mechanisms to increase resilience. Our World Class professionals help clients achieve freedom from destructive, compulsive and obsessive behaviors.

Prescription Medication Addiction
If you or a loved one has developed a prescription drug addiction, help is available. At Hacienda Paradiso our prescription drug addiction treatment is focused on complete and lasting long-term recovery. Our approach is non-judgmental and highly therapeutic. Our medical experts and clinicians will design a treatment plan specific for your situation, and the nature of your prescription drug addiction.

The exact treatment depends on the specific prescription medications, while at same time identifying and addressing the issues and reasons underlying the addiction.

DNA Testing for Addiction
The clinical team at Hacienda Paradiso are able to use cutting edge DNA testing to identify which drugs would be safer and more effective for use in a client’s recovery. As one of the only treatment clinics in Europe to offer DNA testing the team are able to quickly find which medically assisted treatment works best in each unique and individual case. This groundbreaking approach reduces the potential for uncomfortable side effects and greatly speeds a client’s recovery.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS)
Transcranial direct current stimulation is a non-invasive procedure that uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain. TDCS is successfully used in the treatment of depression, PTSD, anxiety and other persistent psychological issues. Transcranial direct current stimulation at Hacienda Paradiso is particularly successful when a client presents with treatment resistant depression.