So you’ve made the decision to enter rehab for substance abuse—congratulations! You just took a very exciting step in the direction of a healthier, happier life. Whether it’s you that will be attending rehab or a loved one, know that it is a journey to be celebrated not a destination, and it will not be completed without the loving support of family and friends.
Entering treatment
Everyone who enters rehab has different reasons for beginning treatment, and they are all in various stages of addiction and substance abuse. Some may have mild symptoms and inconveniences that hamper daily life, and some may be facing complete and total devastation of relationships, life, and health. Regardless of where the start of the journey finds you, there are some things that you should know and expect when you begin treatment.
What is detox?
Detox is the period of time in rehab that your body and brain will be forced to readjust to the experience of being without your drug of choice. Depending on the length of time that you’ve been using, and the substance you have chosen to use as well as other factors with regard to health, you may have mild to severe detox symptoms. Come common symptoms of detox include:
- anxiety
- sweating, clammy skin
- trouble breathing
- shakiness
- fatigue
- insomnia
- heart palpitations
- mood swings
- irritability
One of the reasons people prefer inpatient treatment during this time is so that they can be monitored for symptoms and made more comfortable. You have a number of resources on which to draw when going through inpatient treatment; taking the opportunities provided to you will ensure that you have a more effective and easy experience.
Digging in
Once your medical care team is convinced that the bulk of your physical symptoms have passed, you begin the work of digging in through a combination of therapies to discover where the roots of your addictive behaviors lie. Many patients feel that this is one of the most difficult, yet rewarding aspect of care, as it forces them to take a hard look at life in general and decide to make necessary changes for better mental, physical and emotional health. This process will be instrumental in providing you with the needed tools for getting back into the game of life once more.
Opportunities for self care
Many people who become addicted to drugs and alcohol forget how to practice self care techniques in order to make themselves feel good. In both inpatient and outpatient programs, there are opportunities to take advantage of that involve self care, building relationships, and building a life filled with quality experiences once more. Bodywork, taking nutrition and wellness classes, and social events take up some time during rehab and offer some welcome relief from the deep business of uncovering the self. Take advantage of these opportunities, as they will teach you more about yourself and once again show you how important it is to prioritize yourself and your healing process above all else.
Accountability to others
Another part of the rehabilitation process is learning to make an accounting of mistakes that have landed you here, and to begin the process of fixing situations and healing relationships so that you can move on. Having integrity with all parts of this process is what will begin to truly make a difference in the way you see life, the probability that treatment will work for you, and your ability to move on.
Is Rehab 100% effective?
There a number of factors that go into making a lofty statement like completely effective. The number of times a person has undergone therapy and whether they have relapsed is one factor. The length of time that one has been sober after treatment is another factor that plays into making claims such as completely effective and “cured”. In general, it is thought that rehabilitation is not a destination, but a journey, and that by following program guidelines, taking advantage of opportunities for health and healing, and surrounding oneself with supportive family and friends while building a new life free from triggers to addictive substances will all promote the highest probability of success when it comes to completely treating an individual. Is treatment one hundred percent effective? The answer lies in what you choose to do with your desired program, and how your choices, thoughts, and behaviors will contribute to your healing going forward.
You and you alone choose your destiny from the moment you choose to change your life, and you will make of this experience what you desire it to be. Our best advice to you? Go for it! Claim the life that you truly wish for in regard to health, prosperity, and happiness, and be passionate about learning to love and care for yourself in such a way that addiction is no longer an option. You can do it! Call us today at 833-820-2922 to get set on your pathway to a better life!