People go to drug and alcohol rehab at all stages of addiction. Some enter treatment when they first recognize they have a problem to prevent it from becoming worse, others go when they’ve hit their own “rock bottom,” and then there are others who go if they’ve had a relapse to get back on track. Whatever your reason, rehab can help you to get back on your feet and overcome addiction while improving your physical, mental, emotional, and social health.
But before you go, you may be curious about what rehab is all about. What can you expect? How does the process work?
Detox
One of the first stages of rehab is detox. Before you can begin overcoming addiction, you need to rid your body of any drugs or alcohol that are present. These substances can interfere with your ability to really embrace recovery. If your body and mind are still under the influence, it will impact your thinking and decision making.
You may be worried about withdrawal and dealing with these unpleasant symptoms. A medically supervised detox means that there are medical personnel monitoring your progress and ensuring your safety. They may prescribe certain medications to help ease withdrawal symptoms and make you more comfortable. Once you’ve completed detox, you can begin intensive inpatient treatment to work through underlying issues that led to your addiction and developing coping skills to prevent relapse.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment contains many different elements. First and foremost, you are in a safe, drug-free environment where you can focus on recovery. You don’t have to worry about temptation or access to harmful substances. Each day you will follow a schedule so that you know exactly what to expect and what you will be doing.
Activities typically include individual and group therapy, nutrition counseling, exercise, acupuncture, massage therapy, meditation, yoga, support group meetings, and limited free time. You may also have the opportunity to engage in family therapy where your loved ones can get support and together you can work through issues related to your addiction and start rebuilding relationships. Individual and group therapy gives you the chance to work through some of your personal struggles and connect with others who are going through similar challenges. You’ll develop strategies and resources to help you deal with stress, temptation, boredom, conflict, and more.
Holistic healing methods such as massage, yoga, and meditation help you to connect mind and body. You can become more aware of how your mental and physical health impact one another and take steps to improve both. Meditation and yoga can help you to clear your mind and reduce stress. You may also be able to engage in activities such as gardening, nutrition therapy, and art or music therapy depending on the program. Keep an open mind when it comes to these activities because you never know what will resonate with you and prove a powerful resource in your recovery.
Inpatient treatment can last anywhere from 30 to 90 days or more. It all depends on your individual situation and needs. Some people progress more quickly than others while some need more time. Resist the temptation to compare your progress to someone else’s because everyone recovers at their own pace.
As you finish up inpatient recovery, you will develop a relapse prevention plan. This will support you upon transitioning out of rehab and reintegrating into society. It will have strategies and plans for how to deal with various situations, who you can turn to for support, and what to do when you face temptation.
Outpatient Treatment
Some clients choose to transition to outpatient treatment following their inpatient care and others head home. Outpatient treatment can provide continued therapy and counseling but allow you to live in your own home and just attend during the day. It is typically not as intensive as inpatient treatment and focuses on continuing to build your skills and confidence. This can be a good step down for clients who aren’t quite ready to be on their own yet. Some people also choose to go to a sober living home for additional support.
Support Group Meetings
Other clients transition back home and may continue going to a therapist on their own and often participate in support group meetings. These meetings can help them to stay focused and motivated because they are surrounded by others who are at all different stages of recovery. Some are newly out of rehab while others have maintained their sobriety for years.
Your treatment and recovery should be tailored to your individual needs. Not everyone responds to the same approaches or methods, so you need to figure out what works best for you. Don’t let fear stand in your way of receiving the help you need to recover. You will have support along each step of the way and people to guide you through each process. Think about all the living you have left to do and how much you still want to achieve in life. Drug and alcohol rehab is your chance to start a new chapter in your life and make changes going forward. Your life does not have to be dictated by addiction.
If you’re ready for a fresh start, contact Chapters Capistrano at 949-276-2886. Our Malibu-area rehab offers customized treatment plans to meet your individual needs and luxury amenities. Make the choice to turn your life around today.
