Registering for a rehabilitation program can be a daunting thought. This is especially true when you realize it involves taking time away from your friends and family to undergo addiction treatment or detoxification. However, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone, and just like you, many people of all ages experience a similar feeling of uncertainty.
Therefore, it’s normal to feel stressed about this profound step in your recovery journey. However, you can easily combat these feelings with adequate preparation for a rehab facility. On that note, here are three tips to help you get ready for rehab.
1. Understand how rehab works.
In many cases, people dread rehab because they don’t understand how it works. In other words, people who don’t know what to expect at a treatment center are more likely to be paranoid and worried. The first step, therefore, is to read more about the rehab process. This will help calm your nerves and may possibly make you look forward to it.
Rehab is an inpatient treatment that’s especially beneficial for people struggling with drug abuse, alcohol abuse, or substance use disorder. The substance abuse treatment process typically follows the same steps. The main focus is to teach you abstinence and how to go about your daily life without substance use. This means you’ll be required to spend a lot of time exploring your thought patterns and emotions.
While the exact schedule will differ from center to center, they typically involve sharing your medical health condition with the doctor or therapist to create a personalized and effective treatment plan. you might then undergo a medical detox (if you suffer from withdrawal symptoms). Next in line are the counseling and therapy sessions. Once these stages are completed, you’ll be booked in for aftercare programs which typically involve outpatient treatment options like acupuncture and group therapy.
For instance, unlike a standard treatment center, a luxury drug rehab center will provide you with your own therapist, meaning they use a one-on-one treatment approach in delivering executive treatment programs to patients. This ensures privacy and allows the patient to feel relaxed and comfortable. Contrary to the widespread assumption that you can only access a luxury rehab facility if you’re a celebrity, anyone can always access a luxury treatment center. However, remember to confirm with your health insurance company to know if your insurance plan covers it.
2. Pack only essentials.
When packing for rehab, you’ll need to stick to only the essentials. Pack light and smart, as it’s the best way to minimize distractions that can compromise your sobriety. Thankfully, most rehab centers will provide you with a list of essentials you’ll most likely need while you are at their facility. These typically include any current prescription medications, hygiene and grooming products, a government issue ID, appropriate clothing, credit or debit cards, a list of important contact information, and a few photos of your loved ones to motivate you.
There may be downtimes between your therapy sessions, and you’ll probably want to go with a book, magazine, or MP3 player, but remember to check in with your facility, as some will prefer that you leave these things behind and spend that time journaling.
Admittedly, it can be challenging, but try to remember that you’re there to focus on yourself and receive the best treatment. Besides, these things will be waiting for you when you get out, so use this time to focus on yourself.
3. Enjoy your new support system.
Leaving your loved ones behind while in rehab can be tough, but the good news is that you’re likely to make new lifelong friends if you keep an open mind. Furthermore, unlike your old friends, these people have been in similar situations, so they understand your struggles. As such, they can be a great source of hope and support as you embrace your new sobriety lifestyle.
Furthermore, the friendships you build in rehab often extend beyond the rehab center. They’ll provide you with an established network of support even as you go through your outpatient treatment—like when you’re undergoing CBT therapy.
You see, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is a form of therapy that helps patients overcome depression, social anxiety disorder, insomnia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), among other mental health disorders. Cognitive therapy uses a present-focused and present-solving treatment approach to changing a person’s thinking patterns.
This means you’ll have to self-reflect and deeply understand the source of your addictions. This can be an emotional phase, and having a support system that understands you in every way will go a long way to help you prevent relapse and achieve long-term recovery.
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