Anyone who’s battled drug or alcohol addiction knows how strong you must be to overcome your addiction. First and foremost, it can take several attempts to achieve and maintain sobriety. Most of us that have achieved sobriety will admit it took several attempts to finally kick our preferred substances. It’s also very common to be nervous before entering an inpatient rehabilitation facility to address your drug and alcohol dependency. It could be your first-time seeking treatment, or you may have had a little slip up, but there truly is nothing to worry about. In fact, this is one of the most exciting times of your life. You likely feel pretty terrible at the moment, but you have taken the first, and most important step to achieving recovery – you have acknowledged that you’ve had enough of drugs and alcohol hurting you and those you love. Here are some tips to prepare yourself for rehab:
Be proud
Drop any ideas of shame or embarrassment. Our society has shamed those suffering from drug or alcohol addiction for far too long. Addiction is a chronic disease. Just like heart disease, addiction can be treated and successfully managed under the guidance of medical professionals. Science has proven unequivocally that addiction is not a sign of weakness or damaged character, but rather a chronic disease that can be treated and managed effectively. Just like it takes time to find the right dose of medication to manage a person’s hypertension, it takes time and a tremendous amount of hard work to achieve and maintain long-term sobriety after battling addiction. Make sure to prepare for rehab with the right mindset – you’re tired of substances controlling your life and you’re ready to reclaim the life you deserve!
It takes a commitment
Treating drug or alcohol addiction appropriately requires various levels of care. The first level of care is medical detox. Detox is the process of removing all drugs, alcohol and toxins from the body. Since there are multiple factors that determine the duration for a person to fully detox, there is no set time frame to complete the detox process. Anyone who has completed medical detox knows how good you feel immediately after this level of care. While it’s wonderful that you’ve completed detox, there is a lot more work to accomplish prior to discharge. Addressing underlying issues that have fueled your addiction is imperative to maintaining long-term sobriety. Residential level of care capitalizes on your freshly clear mind, allowing our team of dedicated medical professionals to work with you to address the underlying problems that caused you to turn to drugs or alcohol. When you prepare to enter rehab, it’s best to go in with the mindset that you’ll be staying at least 30 days. Some treatment plans may call for shorter stays, however, planning for 30 days prepares you for extra time to work on personal issues.
What to bring when you prepare for rehab
Most treatment facilities will have similar requirements when it comes to what you can bring during rehab. It’s best to prepare for at least a 30-day rehab stay. Accredited treatment facilities will offer plenty of amenities to make you feel like home during your treatment. Though it’s tempting to pack plenty of clothing, you’ll only need about one week’s worth of clothes, as laundry services will be included during your treatment. It’s best to choose comfortable clothing for various weather conditions should you decide to participate in outdoor adventure therapy groups. Toiletries will be provided, so there’s no need to pack these kinds of items. Since patients are not able to have access to personal cell phones during treatment, we recommend bringing items that will help alleviate temporary feelings of homesickness. Print pictures from your phone and make a photo album, bring a few of your favorite books or books you’ve been wanting to read and bring a journal. Remember, electing to enter an inpatient treatment facility is the best way to overcome your addiction and begin living the life you were meant to live.
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