By: Stan Popovich
Do you struggle with addiction and plan on going to rehab for treatment?
It can be very scary when going to rehab for the first time.
As a result, here are some suggestions on what you can do to help reduce your fear and the uncertainty of going to rehab.
Talk To Your Family & Friends
It is important to tell your loved ones that you’re going to check into rehab. They need to know where you’re going and how long you’ll be away.
If you have children, they should be a part of your recovery journey. You don’t need to get into all the details but telling them that you’ll be away will prepare them. They also need to know who they will be staying with and for how long.
Approach Treatment with an Open Mind
Let go of what you “think” rehab is going to be like and experience it for yourself. Remember why going to rehab was necessary in the first place. Develop your own opinions instead of relying on the hearsay of others. Sometimes you just have to see how things are for yourself rather than listening to everybody else.
Follow The Rules of Rehab
The most important thing a person should do is to follow the rules when entering rehab. Focus your energies on getting better and don’t do anything that could get you into trouble. Your main goal should be to find the answers to help manage your addictions.
1. Be friendly with others: Do not take your frustrations and fears out on the staff or on your fellow residents. A person going to rehab can be scared and frustrated, so it is important to find some other ways of dealing with these issues. Blaming others for your problems will interfere with your recovery. Be nice to others and in turn most people will treat you with respect.
2. Be open with the staff: The best way that the treatment staff can help you during your stay is if you are open and honest with them. If you face some legal issues, family problems, personal concerns, etc., then let the staff at your treatment facility know. You should be open with the people you are working with so they can help you.
Attend The Addiction Treatment Programs
To get the most out of rehab, you must focus on yourself. You need to put your focus and attention on learning, healing, and growing as a person.
1. Listen to the professionals: A person who goes to rehab must follow the advice from their counselors. The counselors that you are dealing with have dealt with many people in your situation. These people are experts and following their advice will help speed up your recovery and help get your life back on track.
2. Go to the programs and meetings: Many of the rehab facilities offer programs in the mornings, afternoons, and at night. Make sure you attend these programs. The purpose of these programs is to help educate you in finding the ways to overcome your addictions. If you decide to sleep in or decide to skip the programs all together you could miss valuable information and delay the recovery process.
3. Ask questions: Going to rehab can be a new and stressful experience. Always ask questions about anything that you are not familiar with to help make your stay more pleasant. The people at the rehab are there to answer your questions. There is no such thing as a dumb question so don’t be hesitant to get the answers to your questions related to your stay and rehab experiences.
4. Write down everything: When talking to the professionals, it is impossible to remember the advice given to you. Most people forget what their counselors say after a few days. Talking to the experts can provide valuable advice on how to deal with your fears and anxieties and you don’t want to forget what they said. If possible, find a way to write down the advice given to you by the doctors and staff.
Don’t Rush Rehab
Many times, people will try to rush through their treatment program as quickly as possible. When people rush through the process, they will miss out on essential aspects of their treatment, and they won’t get the most from the program. It is better to do the work now rather than doing everything all over again at another time and place.
1. Ask for help: Sometimes people are hesitant to talk to the staff because they are embarrassed or don’t want to feel like a burden. It is important to remember that the staff at the treatment facility are there to help you.
2. Don’t assume anything: Many people think they know what to expect when they go to rehab. It is important not to assume anything when you’re in rehab. Each situation is a new experience and don’t assume that your previous stays will be a repeat of the past.
Recovery Is Your Goal
A mistake that some people make when going to treatment is thinking that all they need is to go to rehab, and then life will be better. It is important to understand that treatment is an opportunity to lay a firm foundation for living a life of recovery. Going to treatment is a great opportunity to develop new skills for living a sober life, but these things won’t mean much if the person is unwilling to apply them to their life.
What To Do After Rehab
Your rehab experience is an important part of staying sober in the long term. But the real work comes after you leave. Back in the “real world” are all the old stresses and temptations that led you to your addiction in the first place. This is what you can do:
1. Get referrals: Before you leave rehab, make sure to get the names of local referrals so you can continue your treatment in aftercare. Get a referral for a local therapist, 12-step program listings, and support groups to help build a network of support.
2. Contact local resources: Get any information regarding the local mental health resources that can address any issues that may be interfering with your recovery. Get as much information as possible and contact the appropriate places when you have finished rehab.
3. Plan ahead: Have a plan on where you’re going to live, how you’ll spend your free time, when you’ll go to AA meetings, and who you’ll check in with to keep you accountable.
4. Attend scheduled support sessions: Going to meetings regularly is likely to be a crucial part of your long-term sobriety. In addition, these sessions are a great source of support if things get tough.
Like What You Read?
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