Rehab can be the turning point in your battle against addiction. If you’re struggling with alcohol or drug abuse, you may need to take some time off to get healthy again so that you can move forward with your life. This process will involve more than just learning to live without drugs and alcohol; it will also teach you how to live a fulfilling and healthy life, free of the shackles of addiction. The most important part of this process will be learning how to stay away from substances that might tempt you into using again. You’ll also learn the skills needed to prevent relapse and stay sober for good.
What is rehab?
Rehab, short for rehabilitation, is a broad term used to describe drug and alcohol treatment programs. Rehab could include residential (live-in) or outpatient care that provides medical supervision and support. It includes a variety of programs like individual therapy, group counseling, support groups, 12-step meetings and family education. Most rehab centers encourage aftercare and continuing involvement in recovery groups once you leave—and some offer outpatient services so clients have access to these resources even after treatment ends. If you’re trying to quit an addictive substance, start with these resources on how to find addiction help.
What are its goals?
The main goal of any rehabilitation facility is to bring patients into a sober state. The second and equally important goal is to keep them there. After all, it’s easy for addicts to slip back into bad habits after returning home from treatment. As such, many facilities employ therapy programs designed to help patients avoid relapsing upon their return home; like avoiding alcohol or other drugs when going out with friends or attending parties where substance abuse is common.
Why should I enter rehab?
Many people don’t get treatment for their addictions because they don’t see how rehab will benefit them. Because drugs and alcohol are more available, inexpensive, and socially acceptable than ever before, we tend to view addiction as a choice. However, once drug or alcohol use begins to impact every aspect of your life and family (if you have one), it’s time to seek professional help. Addiction is a disease that changes both brain chemistry and behavior over time. It makes it nearly impossible for most addicts to stop on their own without outside assistance; in fact, only 10% manage to abstain from alcohol or drugs without treatment. A quality rehabilitation program teaches individuals how to lead sober lives in order to prevent relapse once they return home.
What happens during rehab?
There are a number of types of inpatient treatment for addiction. In some cases, patients may be treated at local hospitals or clinics, but many patients attend fully residential programs where they stay on-site 24 hours a day for several weeks or months.
How do I choose the right program?
There are so many options, from inpatient and outpatient facilities to individual or group counseling, that it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all of them. One way to narrow down your choices is by asking yourself what kind of treatment makes sense for you—and then taking it one step further. Think about how important support groups are to overcoming your drug or alcohol problem. Are there specific types of therapy that appeal to you? If money is an issue, do research into potential funding options such as health insurance and state assistance programs. What level of care seems right for where you are right now? Understanding these things should help clarify which rehabilitation program is best for you and why.
