Are you or your loved one struggling with drug and alcohol addiction? You are not alone because, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], over 20 million Americans are addicted to drugs and alcohol. The best way to get professional help and become sober again is to visit a rehabilitation clinic.
A rehab clinic such as Parker Rehab offers a stable and supportive environment, which is crucial for a newly recovering drug and alcohol addict. In addition to that, inpatient rehab offers numerous therapies and treatments and 24/7 medical support, all of which can speed up the recovery of a recovering drug and alcohol addict.
However, enrolling in a rehab treatment program is a decision that requires strength, commitment, and courage to work toward a sober lifestyle. It is a choice that can be very challenging, and that’s why some people tend to give up along the way. But with the right mindset and dedication, you can change your life.
Preparation is crucial when you want to enroll in rehab. In this article, we are going to give you some of the essential things you need to know before entering a rehab clinic. Let’s delve into them.
- Make sure that the rehab deals with your specific addiction
First things first, before you enter into a rehab clinic, you need to confirm if they deal with your specific addiction. The best way to achieve this is by researching thoroughly the rehab. If you are not in a position to do that, you can ask a friend or family member to do it on your behalf. Most rehab programs are usually targeting treatment for specific drug use. The type of detox and recovery you will take will vary, depending on the substance you are abusing, For instance, whether you are abusing opioids or a sedative. By using a more targeted approach, you are more likely to recover in the future.
So if you don’t want to get disappointed in the future, go for the rehab that offers your specific addiction because, after all, addiction treatments are not one-size-fits-all.
- Know what your insurance will cover
The cost of treatment at a rehab clinic can be very expensive. This is why it is important to make arrangements in advance so that you know what you are entering into in terms of finance. While most insurance companies won’t cover it all, most plans will cover at least a percentage of clinic payment. This can come in handy, especially when choosing the right program and the length of time you want to stay at the facility.
In addition to that, you need to ask your potential rehab center if they accept insurance. Some programs do not accept insurance, so you may want to shop around until you find a rehab center that accepts insurance.
- Remember to ask the rehab clinic about recovery and how they handle detoxing
Most rehab clinics will gladly answer patients’ questions regarding what happens once they are admitted and how the detoxification works. Depending on your addiction, the withdrawal process can be severe.
Withdrawal happens when one stops taking a substance or drug their body is dependent on. It can lead to nausea, fever, vomiting, dizziness, confusion, and many other symptoms. Most of these rehab clinics handle the withdrawal process differently.
Some clinics force you to stop the drug or substance all at once, while others do a weaning process, whereby the drug is cut down to minimize some of the withdrawal symptoms and minimize suffering and illness.
- Treat addiction as a disease
As you or your loved one start the journey to recovery, it is crucial not to blame yourself or your loved one. Addiction is typically a brain disease, just like any other disease that infiltrates the body. Since most people perceive drug and alcohol abuse as a choice, the fact that it is actually a disease is usually shrugged off, which can make people feel like they are failures or as if they have done something terrible.
- There is no right way to recover
One thing that you have to remember before entering a rehab clinic is that people are different and they respond differently to various treatment methods and therapies available. So that means not every step will benefit everyone. Some people may respond to specific things positively, while others may not. So if something is not working for you, don’t be too hard on yourself. Just accept that it may not be an effective tool for you and your journey to recovery and move on to the next tool or treatment.
- Life after rehab may be more difficult
In a rehab clinic, it is easy to make major strides in your effort toward recovering. Many patients find the peer support and safety of rehab to be comforting and make their journey to recovery smooth. When your time at the clinic is up, and you have to face the real world, staying sober can be quite a challenge. You are no longer working with the same doctors and counselors, and the people you share the same goal –to live a sober life are no longer around. While this can be quite hard on you, just shouldn’t give up. You need to know the challenges of entering the real world after the program and know how to overcome them. This can become very helpful in your recovery and remaining sober even in the future.
- Relapse can happen, but it’s not the end
One thing you need to remember when recovering from drug and alcohol addiction is that relapsing is very common. But when you relapse, don’t be too hard on yourself, don’t blame yourself, or think that it is the end of the road for you, and you will never get out of this mess.
Take the relapse as an opportunity to restart. Accept that you have slipped up and seek treatment and get back on your path to recovery. After a relapse, you will be able to determine what caused your relapse and how to avoid them so that you can fully recover.
