Five Do's and Don'ts to Get the Most Out of a Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center
Substance use disorders are prevalent in the United States. Approximately 21 million Americans have at least one addiction. (1) The goal of a drug and alcohol rehab center is to help a person withdraw from alcohol and drugs to achieve long-term recovery.
Professional drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers are safe and secure places to rid one of a substance use disorder. They include medical staff and counselors. They also include people who have successfully rehabilitated from drugs and alcohol and are uniquely qualified to help a person suffering from a substance use disorder.
When entering such centers, clients must follow strict rules to assist in getting and staying sober throughout their time at the centers. Drug and alcohol rehab programs include medical detox, individual therapy, group therapy, health and wellness programs, aftercare, and more. The best centers offer individualized, tailored programs and not one-size-fits-all programs.
Unfortunately, only 10 percent of people with a substance use disorder go in for treatment. Congratulations on choosing the personal and financial commitment to get sober and stay sober. Let's look at five do's and don'ts to get the most out of a drug and alcohol rehab center.
Do Fully Commit to the Program
As soon as a person enters a rehab program, they must fully commit if they want to be successful. That means committing to sobriety by following the rules and doing the work. (2) One may relapse. In fact, about 40 to 60 percent of people relapse after leaving treatment. (3) However, relapse doesn't mean failure. It means the treatment needs to continue. It's important to remember that no person has to rehab alone. Professional rehab centers contain many tools to help a person with a substance use disorder.
Don't Break the Rules
One must follow the rules when they enter a rehab center. (4) The rules aren't there to punish but are carefully designed to help one get sober and stay sober. Examples of rules include no violent behavior, no skipping therapy sessions, no sex, no drug or alcohol use, etc., but they will vary with each program. Those running a rehab program may ask someone unwilling to follow the rules to leave. Unless court ordered, there would be no rule for a person to finish a rehab program. That leads back to having the willingness to commit to the program.
Do Be Patient
Rehabilitation is a process that takes time. It may be the most challenging thing one can do, but remember, a person with a substance use disorder doesn't have to get sober alone. Be patient! A person trying to stay sober will have good and bad days in rehab.
While on the road to recovery, some people experience post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS.) Anxiety, depression, low energy, insomnia, etc., can occur after a person stops using and can affect about 90 percent of opioid users and 75 percent of alcohol users. (5) A professional rehab center will have the tools to help a person work through PAWS.
Do Write Things Down
People who write down their goals are 42 percent more likely to achieve them (6), and doing so in rehab is wise. Keeping a file of personal notes and any literature collected is also intelligent.
Don't Skip the Aftercare Process
Whether you are in rehab for 30, 60, or 90 days, completing a rehab program is not the end, it's just the beginning. The care you receive after the process is just as important. Aftercare programs help you prevent a relapse once you leave the program. (7) These programs include things like sober living homes, 12-step groups, medication, therapy, etc. Unlike rehab programs, aftercare programs don't stick to any specific timeline. Instead, they are there for as long as a person needs.
These five dos and don'ts to get the most out of a drug and alcohol rehab center go a long way to make a stay successful, whether 30, 60, or 90 days. Good luck on the journey to sober living.
(1) https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/addiction-statistics
(2) https://www.addictions.com/alcohol-addiction-treatment/5-tips-that-will-make-rehab-more-successful
(3) https://www.familyaddictionspecialist.com/blog/10-most-common-reasons-for-addiction-relapse
(4) https://alcohol.org/rehab-centers/the-rules-and-expectations/
(5) https://www.semel.ucla.edu/dual-diagnosis-program/News_and_Resources/PAWS
(6) https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/13/self-made-millionaire-how-to-increase-your-odds-of-success-by-42-percent-marie-forleo.html
(7) https://www.addictioncenter.com/alcohol/aftercare-programs