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Usually, new inmates must go through orientation. That happens within a week. Inmates that communicate well with their counselors and case managers can sometimes convince them to get family members approved faster than normal. It depends on the inmate's persistence.

The only way you'll know is if your inmate tells you. You cannot get a copy of or information regarding to any of the inmate's visiting list, call list, commissary spend, or people that send your inmate money or mail. Believe it or not, inmates have a right to privacy just like you.

The inmate uses their commissary (and pay others for theirs) to inventory all of the popular items available and then sell to all the other inmates. The other inmates use the inmate's "store" to supplement their needs between commissary visits, or inmates that are on commissary restrictions. The items you buy from the inmate store come at a premium - in most cases, you get one item and pay back with two of the same items.

Most prison state systems and the federal (BOP) facilities give the inmates their best possible release date which includes good time. That is 15% off the sentence calculation. You cannot get more than 15% without snitching on someone. The good time credit is applied at the beginning to have something to hold over the inmate in their compliance with the rules. All you can do is lose what they've already given you.

Not going to happen. The inmate is entitled to full privacy - their visitation list, call list, commissary money whereabouts, and what was spent are fully protected. 

You would have to get permission from the warden to travel too long a distance. It is highly unlikely that they will allow that or furlough to a hotel or temporary residence.

Pretty much immediately if you are not on some sort of restriction. The delays happen when the inmate does already have an approved call list. If they are already in the system, there should  not be a delay

Unfortunately, you already know the answer to this one.  Your loved one is still using and no matter how they appear most of the time, those unexplained absences are explained when he violates (as a result of a UI or other tests). The only person that can change is the person using - they have to want to change or nothing will change.

You can ask your inmate. They always know what the deal is. Federal cases are harder to find information about unless you know the jurisdiction where the indictment stems. You have to find out where the inmate caught their charge and then go to the clerk of that District Court.