Going through rehab for a drug problem or even a behavioral problem is a trying experience. Even though you know it will be good for you, the fact that you are going against what you desire is never easy. The main thing to keep in mind is why you started the program, and how much better off you’ll be once you’ve completed your course. Making the decision to live a life of sobriety, and investing your time and energy into overcoming your addiction, proves you’re already on the road to recovery.
The process of changing your lifestyle and starting over can be made a lot better with the assistance of a professional. On that note, here are 5 tips to help you get the most out of your stay in rehab.
1. Be Active In Meetings
Chances are when you start a rehab program, you will be part of a group. This will mainly consist of people who share your substance abuse issues, or it might be a group of people who are struggling with different kinds of addictions and behaviors. Not only do you need to find an encouraging group to work with, but you also need a group that you feel comfortable with.
In group discussions, you are sharing some of your most personal thoughts and feelings. If you aren’t comfortable with the people around you, this will be difficult and the meetings won’t be as beneficial as they should be. Find a support group that suits you and aim to be as active as you can to get the most out of it. The right group can make the experience more pleasant and boost your determination to get better.
2. Discuss Things With Your Doctor
A key person in your rehab journey is the professional you work with. Group meetings are only one part of the process. You will also need a strong relationship with the counselor to be able to express yourself freely and really find the root of the problem. In California, any quality addiction treatment facility will teach you that substance abuse is the result of your thoughts, trauma, emotions, or even perceptions. The goal here is to address your underlying problems, so you can overcome your addiction. You need to be completely transparent with your doctor so that they can give you the best treatment possible and give you the tools to commit to a healthy lifestyle.
3. Understand The Process
Different doctors will have different strategies when it comes to battling your addiction. Some will prefer that you go cold turkey, while others might suggest lower doses to ease the withdrawal stage. Different drugs have different withdrawal durations, so don’t be alarmed if you think your recovery is a little slow. Give yourself the time you need to remove the substance from your body, and have faith in the tried and tested process.
4. Trust Yourself
When drug addicts sign up for a rehab program, they typically have very high motivation. They are coming from a lifestyle where they have had access to their drug of choice, and they aren’t yet facing things like physical and mental withdrawal symptoms. The patient is aware that rehab is the best option to get clean.
The problem is a few weeks or even days into the program when things start to get challenging; that’s when people start to lose motivation. They start to crave the drug, and the desire to go through with the treatment starts to fade away. This is particularly challenging if you aren’t in a full-time facility, as this will demand a lot more discipline from you in staying away from the drug. However, believing in yourself and letting go of self-doubt is half the battle.
5. Plan For The Long Run
Addiction recovery can take years. There are countless examples of people who have had quite a few relapses during the road to recovery. This is not something to fear. Relapses are common, which is why the best way to counter them is to plan for the long run. Use your time in rehab not only to get clean but to equip yourself with the tools to handle triggers and the temptation to relapse.
As much as you want to stay on the straight and narrow, there will be tough days. The goal is to not beat yourself up over any setbacks. Instead, understand that planning for the long-term will include setbacks, but these should never discourage you from getting back on track. Remember, you are working with your own timetable. Meaning, just because the program worked for someone else in less than a month, that doesn’t mean it will work for you in the same way. If you stick to your personal plan, without comparing yourself to others, and exercise discipline, you will come out the other end stronger.
In order to kick the habit, stay off it in the long run, and minimize the chances of a relapse, rehab is a must. Remember, it is not uncommon for people to relapse several years after treatment and return to square one. However, with these 5 tips, you can develop the skills you need during your time in rehab to make the road to recovery much easier.
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