When it comes to substance abuse, half the battle is won the moment the individual acknowledges the need for drug rehab. Not everyone will admit to this, however out of fear of rejection, alienation, and judgment.
It is difficult to get help if the person concerned doesn’t even realize there’s a problem in the first place. As a result, their loved ones sit by helplessly as they sink deeper and deeper into addiction.
However, once you muster the courage and the will to ask for help, everything else will follow.
If your friends, family, and loved ones are urging you to submit yourself to one of many drug rehab centers, listen to them. The only reason they’re pushing you to do this is that they care about you.
Here are a few facts that any recovering individual needs to know.
Residential Drug Rehab and Outpatient Drug Rehab are Not Identical
These two rehab facilities are different. As the name suggests, the former option houses patients who wish to participate in intensive and longer drug rehab programs. The patients in this kind of rehab facility won’t go home until they have finished the program they have signed up for.
The latter option is a program tailor-fitted for patients who don’t have a severe addiction problem. They have a set of schedule to follow but they can continue with their lives with minimal disruption, as long as they comply with the arrangement. Patients don’t have to admit themselves in outpatient drug rehabs.
Most people would suggest that residential rehabs are much better than outpatient rehabs because the former option removes you from the sources of drug addiction. It temporarily isolates you from the same environment and group of people who might have influenced your behavior.
Also, it allows you to have more time to ponder on your life and your choices while inside the safe confines of the facility. Everything you do inside is geared toward your recovery—from the food you eat, the activities, and the intensive counseling set out for you.
However, the right treatment for you will be determined upon proper consultation with a doctor or addiction counselor.
Your Willingness and Attitude Help During the Rehab Process
Change won’t happen overnight. Also, you won’t make huge progress in your treatment if you don’t have the desire, commitment, and willingness to change for the better.
Keep tabs on your improvement and check how well you are progressing. If you are not satisfied with what you see, check again and contemplate what needs to be done to get you back on track. If you are satisfied with your progress, use that satisfaction as fuel to motivate yourself to stay committed to the whole drug rehab process.
If you are persistent, no matter how difficult and tiring the process is, your efforts will pay off. You can be successful in your battle against drug addiction.
If your progress is quite slow, don’t lose heart. Bear in mind that a quick fix is not sustainable for the long haul. Your drug rehab facility will advise you to do it slowly but thoroughly.
Just follow your treatment plan diligently and you can really break free from drug dependence.
Commitment and a good disposition will also help you when you are on your own. It will remind you to be strong despite the temptation, and also remind you that you are tougher than any addictive substance or troublesome situation that would have once brought you down.
Drug Detox Centers Are Not Enough
There are drug detox centers which claim to have a remedy for addiction. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as flushing out all the chemical toxins from your system. The best treatment comes in the form of an appropriate drug rehab plan and a great support system. Detox may be an important part but it is not a miracle step that will work on its own.
If a rehab facility tells you they have the magic cure for addiction, be wary. There isn’t one. Every treatment plan is personalized to the individual’s situation. The road to sobriety is long and hard but totally worth it.
Programs in drug abuse rehab facilities include psychological counseling to help address and sustain the patient’s need to build up their willpower to fight the habit.
You Need Support from the Community and Loved Ones
No man is an island. Everyone needs a shoulder to lean on, especially in times of sadness and trouble. Having your family and friends around will aid your fast recovery. Welcome the love and support from people who care and from those who matter to you. Embracing this can make a positive impact on your life.
Also, don’t hesitate to accept addiction support from others and most importantly, from yourself. Throughout the drug recovery process, you might experience extreme depression, so it would be best that during this time you have people who can pick you up when you are down. These people can also keep subtle tabs on behavioral changes, monitor your progress, and remind you not to fall back into your old patterns.
Acceptance from family, friends, and loved ones is also a very good way of bringing back the confidence taken by substance abuse.
Group Counseling Is Not Scary
The reason why some find group counseling scary, is because it revolves around sharing a part of themselves with strangers. Opening yourself up to virtual strangers to discuss deeply personal situations and problems can be difficult, considering we always fear judgment and criticism by default.
More often than not, group counseling leads to bigger and unexpected breakthroughs. As a matter of fact, individuals who have experienced group counseling sessions often claim that the whole process made them feel less lonely and isolated.
It’s similar to having someone to talk to in times of emotional distress. Having shared what you’re going through with people can actually lighten the burden and help you feel better about yourself and your circumstance.
Drug Rehabs Offer Holistic Treatments
There are numerous drug rehab centers that offer holistic treatment for their patients. As the word suggests, this kind of treatment targets a holistic and all-encompassing approach to drug rehabilitation.
Most of the treatment programs offered include yoga, art therapy, and meditation. They don’t only focus on addiction but on the entire well-being of the person. In these treatment centers, patients are taught to be in touch with their essence and learn how to cope with problems and stress without resorting to substance abuse.
According to statistics, holistic treatments are generating positive effects in substance abuse recovery. Since the entirety of the patient’s being is examined, treated, and healed, drug abuse becomes more manageable and less scary.
There’s No Template for Drug Treatment Abuse
No two drug dependents’ cases are alike. Hence, there is no sole treatment type that is guaranteed to work for all cases. A good treatment facility knows how to deal with the unique peculiarities of each patient’s condition.
The good thing about drug rehab facilities is that they assess your individual needs and your unique circumstance. Once done, they will create an individualized and customized treatment plan for you.
This is where psychological assessments and consultations come in handy. It will help the treatment facility and healthcare provider understand the patient better so that they can come up with a better and more effective drug abuse treatment plan.
There Is Life after Rehab
Reintegration and going back to their normal lives are among the many goals of the drug rehab patient. Since recovery is long and demanding, it doesn’t end after finishing your drug rehab treatment program.
Getting out of rehab is difficult but avoiding relapse is even harder. Falling into old patterns is something that puts pressure on the individual and loved ones. Aftercare services like 12-step programs and drug assistance/support groups can help you stay motivated and help keep you right on track.
The whole idea of drug dependence and substance abuse is very alarming, all the more if you are not familiar with any treatment process. Getting started and getting well-informed is actually easier than you think. With all these in mind, you will be ready to take the next giant step toward a cleaner, healthier, and soberer lifestyle.
If you are still in limbo whether or not you need to seek professional help now, think of what you’re missing. Think of your family, your friends, and all your loved ones. Don’t you want to enjoy life with them to the fullest?
Help is readily available. All you have to do is admit that you need it, ask for it, and help us help you break away from addiction for life.
The road to recovery is long and hard, but with the right social interactions, treatment facility to seek help from, and with that unwavering will to fight substance abuse, it’s not going to be impossible.A Message From Our CEO
Medical disclaimer:
Sunshine Behavioral Health strives to help people who are facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions. It does this by providing compassionate care and evidence-based content that addresses health, treatment, and recovery.
Licensed medical professionals review material we publish on our site. The material is not a substitute for qualified medical diagnoses, treatment, or advice. It should not be used to replace the suggestions of your personal physician or other health care professionals.