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Before Treatment Begins

Traveling for Rehab

Deciding whether to travel or stay local for addiction treatment is very important and ultimately depends on a variety of personal factors.

Should I Travel for Rehab?

Making the decision to get help is the first step in your journey towards recovery; however, deciding where you should go to receive treatment may be the most important. Each treatment center is unique in its living environment, therapies offered, types of addiction treated, and more. You have to figure out which center is ideal for you. The location of the drug and alcohol rehab is one of the most important deciding factors for choosing a rehab. For some people, being far away from the toxic relationships of home is the only way that they will be able to get sober and begin to heal properly. For others, being close to the comfort of friends and family is a necessity. Regardless, sometimes, the best fit for you isn’t always located close by and you may have to travel to get the care that you deserve.

Deciding whether or not to travel for rehab is a personal decision, and those considering traveling for treatment should consider a variety of factors before making a final choice, such as: addiction treatment programs offered, insurance coverage, personal lifestyle, and environmental influences. The most important consideration, however, is finding a treatment center that fits your individual needs.

Benefits of Traveling for Rehab

There are many benefits to traveling for rehab, including a new geographical environment. A new location provides both the one attending rehab and his or her loved ones the time and space needed to begin to fully heal from the devastation of addiction. Being away from home then gives you a sense of a new beginning and new life that is completely separate from addiction. Traveling reinforces the idea that you are starting over, and this new location can help you feel more inspired and committed to your sobriety. Bad habits are also much easier to break when you are far away from your old temptations, people, places, and things, such as: friends that are also addicted to drugs or alcohol, environmental triggers that you encounter every day like the bar you used to go to, and situational stressors like work or home life that triggered you to use.

While it’s true that you can remake your life, thoughts, and decision-making process from anywhere in the world, it can be much harder to do so when you are continually exposed to the same environment in which you used to abuse drugs and alcohol. For many, putting distance between themselves and their triggers helps reduce the desire to use again.When you are far away from the places and people that previously prompted your substance abuse, it’s easier to stick to your recovery program as you establish new mental and physical boundaries. Studies have shown that traveling for a quality rehab increases your chances of long-term sobriety rather than simply settling for a lower quality program that is near your hometown. In fact, the National Survey on Drug and Use reports that an estimated 15% of recovering addicts achieve a better outcome when they attend an out-of-state facility.

Some people may also be concerned about the professional and social impact of attending addiction treatment and traveling for rehab helps protect your reputation. Many worry that if anyone finds out they are going to rehab, then they will be looked at differently, judged, or even face professional consequences. For this reason, privacy is very important. Traveling to a different city or state for rehab provides anonymity and reduces the chance that you’ll be recognized while in treatment.

Disadvantages of Traveling for Rehab

While traveling for rehab affords many benefits for many people, it is not for everyone. For example, if you’re very close to your family or have a very solid support system at home, going away for treatment may prove to be more detrimental than not. If you’re hours away or in a different state, it can be difficult for loved ones to visit or have an active role during the treatment process. It is important to note, however, that many drug and alcohol rehabs will provide ways for friends and family to stay connected despite the distance via Skype and other telecommunications.

Another disadvantage to travelling for rehab is that it can be more difficult to establish an aftercare plan if those constructing it are not familiar with your hometown area. There may also not be a strong local support system for when you return from treatment, as most of the people you will meet in rehab are not from your home city or state.

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Benefits of Staying Local for Rehab

There are several benefits to receiving treatment at a local rehab. First and foremost, it’s cheaper than traveling. Going to rehab in another city or state means the cost of airfare, gas, and possibly hotel stays must all be added to your treatment plan budget. This can make going to a local rehab a better option for some people financially. Another important benefit of staying local for rehab is remaining close to loved ones. Having the support and involvement of family and friends is very helpful while in treatment, as well as afterward. Going to rehab close to home allows loved ones to be actively involved in the treatment process. Many centers offer family therapy sessions and visitation hours, and travel can be prohibitive to this type of involvement.

Another plus is that a local drug rehab’s administration will be familiar with the area and its addiction treatment resources, making it easier for them to create an aftercare plan for you. In terms of ongoing care, local rehabs have a huge advantage as information is more easily accessible and usually more affordable.

Staying local provides patients with a safe network of friends, family, and counselors that they can set assured are always nearby. Another important benefit of staying in your hometown for treatment is the fact that it you learn how to effectively confront and manage substance abuse triggers. While this can be a disadvantage as much as an advantage for some, it can give you the opportunity to develop skills to avoid and refuse the temptation of triggers so you can arguably learn how to better cope with the possible issues that will arise after treatment.

Disadvantages of Staying Local for Rehab

In addition to the benefits of attending local rehab, there are also some negatives as well. For some, drug triggers, including people and surroundings, are too much to bear during their initial recovery period. Not everyone has access to a healthy network of family and friends, and staying local may cause temptation to drop out of the addiction treatment program.

Social connections can also become a distraction and take your focus away from your recovery. Additionally, local rehab centers are often easier to quit as you know home is relatively close by. A distant treatment program away from home not only affords a person more time and space to dedicate to their recovery, it’s also harder logistically to abandon the program midway through.

Finding the Right Rehab for You

Traveling for rehab might be the kickstart for recovery that you need; a new location means a fresh start and one that’s free of substance abuse with no judgment or preconceived notions from others. However, deciding on where you should attend addiction treatment is far more than simply the location. Your choice should be based on the effectiveness of the program and which facility is best for you. For guidance on finding the right treatment center there is help. Contact a dedicated treatment provider today.

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