What is Rehab?
A rehab, or a rehabilitation center, is a therapy center for addicts. Addiction can be to anything. Addiction to alcohol, prescription drugs, or street drugs is common. Addiction is the dependency on psychoactive drugs and substances for normal functioning.
It is not easy to quit drugs. Some very strong drugs like cocaine, heroin, LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide), and some prescription drugs are taken in more than the prescribed amount, leading to withdrawal symptoms. These withdrawal symptoms can vary from drug to drug. Typically, some strong withdrawal symptoms include shivers, cold chills, insomnia, fever, headache, head-spinning, and blurred vision. In such conditions, the addict is unable to think straight. Chances of relapse are a lot higher. Any addict needs a counselor or a sponsor to help them get through the withdrawal stage of addiction.
However, this task can be extremely difficult outside a rehabilitation center or without the help of an expert. This is because addicts are always ready to sacrifice to get their fix. If such a condition prevails for longer periods, it is evident that the addict requires professional help.
Preparing Yourself for Treatment/Rehab
Suppose you have decided to commit yourself to a rehab center, congratulations! You have taken the first step towards your sobriety. There are many addiction rehab services offered by rehabilitation centers. Assess your condition and the necessary treatment. You can contact rehab centers and collect all the necessary information that you require.
Once your treatment plan is drawn, and you are set to go to the rehab, you must prepare for some things:
Settle Your Work and Family Matters
Once you commit yourself to a rehab center, you do not go out before fully completing your treatment. Therefore, the first thing you must prepare for is settling your work and family matters. Depending on your progress, you will be committed to rehab for as long as it takes. There is no set time limit. If you are highly addicted to the strongest drugs, the process will be that much harder and might take a long time.
For this reason, you must take care of your home and work matters. You may need to take an indefinite leave of absence from the office, or at least for a few months. Find someone trustworthy and responsible for caring for your dependents like any elderly or minors at home. This will help keep your mind at ease, knowing that you have a clear schedule so that you can focus on your sobriety.
Tie Your Loose Ends
Take care of any bills or debts that you may have. Set up a monthly automatic payment system for your bills. Assign a trusted individual with the task. Make sure to have a tracking and records system for all your payments. This way, once you get out, you can easily account for all your finances. Ensure delivery of required resources for your dependents.
Make sure that all the relevant people in your life know that you are committing to rehab. This way, they will know that you will be out of reach for quite some time.
Items to Bring with You
Rehabs have certain policies regarding carry-ons. Some centers have stricter policies than others do. Make sure to contact your specific rehab to inquire about carrying essentials. If you are still unsure, here is a list of recommended items you must carry along with you:
- Government issued identity card, driver’s license, or insurance cards
- A list of emergency and close contact numbers.
- Cash for vending machines or any store runs.
- Cheque book and credit card for rehab payments.
- Your wedding ring or wristwatch.
- Simple, comfortable, and appropriate clothing.
- Toiletries, bath accessories, and hygiene products.
- Medication prescriptions.
- Any other item that you may need that your center allows.
Keeping your carry-ons minimal has a purpose. It helps you stay focused on your recovery. The fewer items you have, the less distracted you will be. The journey to recovery can be hard. Therefore, make it as easy for yourself as possible.
Benefits of Rehab Treatment
The biggest benefit sought after for rehab is slimming the chances of a relapse. Remember, rehab centers may cost you. However, all your money will be worth it. If you have a habit of falling back to your old patterns, committing to rehab is the only solution.
The rehab will not just make you sober but help stabilize your life! Drug addiction is a serious concern that you must deal with in time. Otherwise, it might jeopardize your personal and professional life and your relationships.
Let us look at some other benefits that rehabs bring:
Support System
Your rehab center will be full of people just like you. Whatever you are going through, they are going through the same. You will feel easy and comfortable sharing your concerns. Nobody will judge you. You will have a strong support system that you can rely on. You will get the encouragement and motivation you need to quit your addiction forever.
Rehab centers also encourage family therapy. This helps rebuild your relationship with your loved ones. If addiction draws you away from your family, family therapy will bring you closer.
Meetings and Accountability
Rehab centers hold meetings for addicts almost every day. These are therapy sessions to assess your day-to-day progress. This helps boost your confidence towards sobriety. Other people on the same sobriety journey with you will hold you accountable.
Some centers offer you a chip every day, which keeps adding to the number of days you have remained sober. This will give you a further confidence boost. You can keep a record of your sobriety this way. Additionally, keep a journal to record your progress and whatever good you achieved that day.
Helps You be Free of Self Sabotage
It is common for a drug or alcohol addict to be self-sabotage. They might also go into depression this way. Rehab centers maintain a set routine for all the members. It helps the members indulge in productive activities. These include sculpture making, jewelry making, art, etc. It helps make the participants feel better about themselves.
Such a solid structure helps maintain sobriety and keeps people’s minds off drugs. The centers also encourage game nights and healthy competitions among the participants to create a sense of bonding.
Regular Therapy Sessions
Other than group therapies, you also get individual counseling and therapy sessions. Your charge case or your psychologist analyzes your progress regularly. You can go to them in case of any problem. They are there to support you mentally and emotionally. They also prescribe you your required medications.
Summing Up
Signing up for a rehab center is the best path forward for you towards sobriety. If you hit dead ends with any other treatments, rehab is the only sure way out. If you are an addict, you need to focus your energy on sobriety. Only then can you take care of anything else in your life. Do not wait to start your sobriety journey. The sooner you start, the better your chances of recovery are.
There are several benefits of checking into rehab, including a professionally handled sobriety journey. It offers an environment completely dedicated to sobriety. Everything you do inside the rehab ensures your recovery. It minimizes your chances of a relapse.
After you leave the rehab center, you need to carry on your journey. It would be best if you were more responsible and considerate of others. Keep attending meetings every day in your area. Issue a new sobriety chip every day to keep track of your sobriety, and you will be good to go.