Drug rehabilitation programs have the power to change lives. Drug rehab can take people who have been lost and give them a compass so that they can find their way back to being part of regular society. Making the decision to seek drug addiction treatment is not an easy decision. It can be one of the hardest decisions you will ever make. The idea of leaving behind a very comfortable, while still harmful, part of your life can feel very threatening. Once you have made the decision to participate in treatment, it is important to be prepared.
Here are a few things that you should know if you are considering drug rehab for yourself or a family member:
1. There is a difference between inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation.
Inpatient and outpatient rehab are the two major types of rehab available to people who have made the decision to seek treatment. Outpatient treatment programs are best for people who have moderate addictions and obligations that make it inadvisable for them to participate in a residential program. Outpatient programs allow drug users to continue to be a part of their regular lives while still seeking addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment programs are best for people with more severe addiction problems who need to be kept away from the outside influences that they have been experiencing. Inpatient programs require that patients live within the treatment facility and abide by the rules that the program sets forth.
2. Attitude makes a difference.
If you are not ready to seek treatment or you believe that it will not work, you are probably better off not getting started at all. If you go into treatment with a positive outlook and a healthy mental attitude, then you are likely to be successful. If you want to seek treatment, but you are not sure it is going to work, fake it. Even if you do not believe it, tell yourself and anyone else that you will be successful in treatment and that you are going to come out the other side a more amazing you.
3. Your loved ones are telling you the truth.
It is possible that you are making the steps to go to treatment because of an intervention staged for you by the people who care the most about you. An intervention means two very important things – that there are people who love and care about you who do not want to see you continue to harm yourself, and that you are in denial about what you have been doing to yourself. In rehab, you will be asked to take responsibility for your actions and for your drug use. You are the only person who can make the decision to take that responsibility and it is a sure sign of healing when you can take ownership of your own behaviors.
4. Group counseling is not so scary.
For people who are naturally introverts or have trouble with public speaking, the idea of group therapy can be terrifying. It can sound very intimidating for almost anyone. Many participants are hesitant to share at first because it is a group of strangers, but eventually, everyone loosens up a bit and realizes that you are all there with a common purpose. You all have things that you can learn from one another. As participants begin to feel less isolated and more a part of this bigger support structure, some of the biggest breakthroughs can occur during group therapy.
5. Rehab does not end when the program ends.
One of the most important parts of rehabilitation happens after your formal rehab treatment is finished. Aftercare is one of the best things that you can do for yourself once your program ends. There are both formal and informal aftercare options. Some facilities offer aftercare programs that include 12-step groups, continued therapy session, sober living activities, and potentially more training in how to live a drug free life. You can also find most of these options on your own. Narc-Anon groups have regular meetings all over the country. You can make and keep maintenance and follow-up appointments on your own. You can also seek out a sober living group that fits into your schedule and participates in activities that are right for you.