Most people committing themselves to rehabilitation facilities for the first time may not know the steps they should take to be fully ready for their stay. It is entirely normal to feel stressed about the processes. It would be best to put some things such as your job and family responsibilities on hold when you are away. It would be best to understand that you could deal with the worries by taking time to get ready for treatment.
The pain of leaving your family and friends behind and embarking on the journey to recovery can be unbearable sometimes. However, you will feel better knowing that you have already made the difficult decision to seek the help that you need. Rehab centers employ professional personnel whose primary role is to ensure that your stay at the facility is comfortable and fruitful.
The following are some of the things that will help you prepare for your stay at the rehab.
Understand How Rehab Functions
You might be afraid to go to rehab because you are unsure about how the facility operates. However, understanding how it works can go a long way in calming your nerves and preparing you psychologically for the future.
Properly functioning in everyday life without abusing drugs and other substances is usually the primary goal of the treatment process. Large portions of the rehabilitation program focus on building honesty with yourself and facing the beliefs and feelings that drove you into addiction. The first few days of your stay revolve around making you comfortable in the system and making the doctors aware of your personal needs.
The medical staff will familiarize themselves with your drug and medical history as well as the state of your mental health. They will then create an effective treatment schedule that is tailor-made just for you.
Take Care of Your Family, Job, and Financial Obligations
For most people, it is challenging to inform your family or colleagues that you are going to rehab. However, it would be best if you had a conversation about your current situation with the people who matter most.
You have to meet your work, financial, and family obligations before entering the facility. You need to organize proper care for your children and get permission from your employer to miss work for a few weeks.
Obtaining support from your loved ones is crucial in gaining the strength to face the drastic changes you will experience. If you are a parent, ensure that you leave your children under the care of someone they are comfortable with and whom you trust to take good care of them.
However, in some cases, some facilities provide child welfare services that can enable you to stay with your child in rehab. Ensure that you have payment mechanisms in place for bills that will require payment while you are recovering at the institution.
Pack Adequately for Your Stay
Ensure that you pack bright and light according to your intended duration of stay. Most rehab facilities provide lists of things you can take to rehab among other requirements. The following are some of the most common items that you should never forget.
- Government licensed Identification Card.
- Current prescription medications
- Insurance cards
- Grooming and hygiene products
- Appropriate clothing
It would be best if you never forgot that most facilities don’t allow mobile communication devices as you can use them to breach other patients’ privacy. If you love reading, you can bring a few books to provide an escape for you.
Ensure That You Have a Robust Support System
Without the presence of loved ones, rehab can be daunting since you are undergoing one of the most challenging transitions in your life. However, you will not be the only one experiencing problems adjusting to the environment. You will share the struggles with other patients and people that you will get acquainted with at the facility. The friends you make in rehab will help you cope with daily struggles as you offer each other support and work towards sobriety together. Developing relationships during recovery has a long-lasting impact since loneliness is one of the common catalysts for relapse.
Decide the Best Type of Rehab for You
There are two significant types of alcohol and drug rehabilitation. In the outpatient model, you stay in your home and attend scheduled treatment sessions at a facility, while in the inpatient model, you reside at the facility for the whole length of treatment. The benefits of inpatient facilities include distraction-free intensive treatment and increased motivation to face the challenges you will encounter during your stay. Also, you can easily dissociate yourself from enablers, stressors, triggers, and your past life.
In most outpatient facilities, therapy is provided on a daily or weekly basis. However, the treatment process is less intensive and allows you to continue attending to your daily commitments. Outpatient services are highly recommended for patients who have already been through inpatient treatment and need encouragement from others to maintain sobriety.
If you live in Phoenix, you may even find a campus or a detox center that offers individualized treatment options. Make sure to check out this phoenix detox center for more information on how they can help you start your journey to recovery. Just remember that the treatment provider you choose should have a good reputation and must meet your specific needs.
On the other hand, if you reside in Tucson, you can find everything from traditional inpatient rehab to alternative therapy options like holistic treatment or wilderness therapy. You may also find a campus specialized for drug rehabilitation in Tucson for young adults or professionals. Whatever your needs, make sure to research and find the best fit for you before entering treatment.
Keep a Journal
Writing a regular account of feelings, experiences, and thoughts is a proven way to advance your recovery process. Jotting down your experiences helps you cope with and come to terms with the various emotions you will experience during your stay. From your notes, you will be able to gauge your progress and achievements.
Also, you can quickly identify the factors that may be preventing you from beating addiction. You will also develop a sense of accountability for your actions when faced with temptations once discharged from the facility.
Understand the Advantages of Detoxification
Since the withdrawal symptoms can be excruciating and, in some cases, dangerous, stopping abruptly (cold turkey) from substances is not encouraged. Stopping substance abuse suddenly can cause anxiety, seizures, heart failure, depression, and hallucinations. Carrying out unsupervised detox at home has led to fatalities in the past.
The complications are severe because addiction alters the brain chemistry making your body incapable of functioning as needed when it lacks the substance. Detox under strict medical guidelines will clear your body of harmful substances safely and with round-the-clock supervision. A holistic approach to treatment combined with the latest technology will make your detox and recovery experience pleasant.
You should be aware that the more prepared you are, the more likely you will enjoy your stay. Adequate preparation also ensures that you benefit from treatment and therapy routines at the rehab facility. Ensure that you have a robust support system to encourage you as you work towards sobriety.
