What Do I Need To Do Before Treatment Begins?
If you or a loved one are seriously considering attending a drug or alcohol rehab program, there are a number of steps you will have to take before treatment begins. Here are some of the most important ones.
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Determine If Rehab Is Necessary For You
Taking the first step into a life of sobriety with the assistance of a treatment facility is a powerful way to gain control over your life. Treatment facilities offer prospective patients the opportunity to gain life-changing healing with medically supervised detox, behavioral therapy, support groups, proper nutrition, and life skills counseling. Treatment facilities will also help patients understand what underlying issues are causing the addiction or substance abuse.
Despite its many benefits, the majority of individuals who struggle with addiction and alcohol use disorders never reach out for the treatment they need. Be it social or familial stigma, concern over the price of treatment, or the sheer power of denial, countless individuals suffering from substance use problems carry their illness for far too long—often, to their graves.
However, the single biggest reason why individuals don’t seek the help that they need is because they don’t believe rehab is necessary for them. The truth is, making an informed decision to walk away from a life of addiction greatly benefits the treatment seeker as well as his or her loved ones.
In general, rehab is necessary for anyone who is having problems stopping or reducing the use of a substance that is negatively impacting their life. It doesn’t matter whether the substance is legal, illegal, or even prescribed. There is a common misconception that someone needs to, “hit rock bottom,” before they should seek treatment. Nothing could be further from the truth. The earlier an addiction is treated, the more likely that treatment will end successfully. An addiction that is treated early also does less damage to the addict’s family as well as the addict’s own life.
The best way to determine if you need treatment is to contact a treatment provider and complete either an intake assessment or schedule a substance abuse evaluation. This way, they can evaluate your situation and best identify the level of care and type of treatment that would most benefit you based on your individual needs.
Determine If An Addiction Is Severe Enough For Treatment
Seeking treatment for drug and alcohol abuse via rehab facilities is pivotal in quitting a self-destructive habit with the care, knowledge, and support from providers. Sometimes the best way for you to know if your addiction is severe enough for treatment is by taking the advice of people who know and care about you the most. If loved ones have suggested treatment for your habit, your addiction has probably gotten to the point where rehab is necessary.
You can also judge the severity of your addiction based on your own actions. You should absolutely seek treatment if your addiction is:
- Severing your relationships
- Creating vulnerability over influence of drugs
- Causing painful side effects
- Creating a sense of guilt
- Creating a strong dependency/craving
- Increasing depression
- Increasing anxious personality traits
- Inducing intensive feelings of hopelessness
- Increasing aggressive behaviors
- Increasing self-harming behaviors
- Resulting in overdose
- Causing you to blackout or pass out
- Causing you financial stress
- Causing you to engage in acts you find immoral
You can also judge the severity of your addiction based on physical characteristics you may be exhibiting, such as:
- Track marks in arms
- Weight loss
- Frequently dilated pupils
- Dental and skin damage
- Disheveled or unkempt appearance
- Physical injury
If deep cravings for a drug exists, and emotional and physical dependence are present, treatment will greatly benefit you and your loved ones. Contact a treatment provider now.
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Understand The Benefits Of Medically-Supervised Detox
Addiction can alter the brain chemistry, leaving the body unable to function “normally” when it is deprived of the substance. Stopping “cold turkey” from drugs and alcohol is discouraged, as the side-effects can be extremely painful, and even dangerous. Patients who attempt sudden, unsupervised detox can experience withdrawal symptoms like hallucinations, anxiety, depression, seizures, moodiness, heart failure, and more. Performing unsupervised detox at home can even be fatal in some cases.
Medically-supervised detox helps clear the body of harmful substances in a safe manner. Patients will be supervised 24/7 and helped through any discomfort they may feel as they transition into sobriety. Many facilities combine cutting-edge traditional medication with gentle, holistic treatments to enhance the detox and recovery experience.
Decide Which Type Of Rehab Is Best For You
There are 2 primary types of drug and alcohol rehab: inpatient, where the patient resides at a treatment facility for the duration of treatment, and outpatient, where the patient stays at home (or a sober living home) and attends treatment sessions during the day at a facility.
Many inpatient rehab facilities require at least a 30-35-day commitment. Here, patients can experience intensive treatment without distractions and remain motivated to push through challenges in recovery. Inpatient rehab truly allows patients to fully separate themselves from their lives, including stressors, triggers, and enablers.
Outpatient facilities offer treatment while allowing patients to continue to attend to daily commitments. Therapy is provided daily or weekly and is typically less intensive than inpatient rehab. Outpatient rehab is best for patients who have already attended inpatient therapy, as they can continue to benefit from the support and interpersonal bonds gained during inpatient therapy, gain encouragement and support from others going through the same types of challenges, and continue to talk and process with a therapist to explore the root cause of their addiction. Outpatient rehab also helps patients gain eduction on the disease of addiction, learn additional health coping skills and relapse prevention techniques, and take the time to truly invest in themselves to improve mental and physical health. Outpatient rehab is typically less costly and provides the patient with more flexibility.
Please note that with private insurance, individuals are not usually allowed to “choose” what level of care they are accepted into. The client must meet certain criteria from the insurance company to be authorized for outpatient or inpatient rehab. Self-pay clients have more influence as to what level of care they enter. But still, a proper substance abuse evaluation is required to determine if the needs of the client match the level of care they are entering.
Prepare For Treatment
Accepting that help is needed to enhance the quality of your life is key mental preparation for rehab, as someone who denies they are in need of treatment is far less likely to be successful.
Taking care of obligations prior to treatment will reduce any stress you may feel while in rehab. For instance, making sure that your job is aware of your situation and coming up a plan for your return after treatment ends will reduce stress and enable a more relaxed state of mind.
If child or pet care is a challenge, you can look into keeping children or pets with family caregivers or examining government child care options. Communicating about the decision to go to rehab with loved ones is helpful in building support with family members. Gaining support from employers and family members once you make the decision to enter rehab is another critical component in gaining the courage to make, and stick with, a drastic lifestyle change.
Determine Whether You Should Travel For Rehab
Traveling is not always needed for recovery, and there are many advantages to local rehabs for some treatment seekers. For example, you may have the support of local family and friends.
However, traveling for a rehabilitation facility is often recommended as it further removes you from triggers or factors which may have contributed to drug or alcohol abuse. Being immersed in a new space can encourage the formation of connections with staff members and help reset your mind to encourage recovery.
Choose A Rehab Facility
Knowing your needs and preferences will help you make informed choices. Asking questions will help you better assess which facilities are suited for you. Examining available treatment services may help you narrow down options. For example, if you prefer a complete approach, you may want to choose a facility which focuses on holistic healing. You should also inquire about relapse rates and aftercare options. Although increasing insurance coverage for addiction means there are fewer financial obstacles for patients receiving the best care available, it is also important to choose a facility that accepts your preferred payment method.
There are qualified providers who can guide you through the rehab process. If you or someone you know is seeking treatment, contact a provider now to find out more.
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