Life Before and After Time at a Rehab Facility
“Rehabilitate: to restore or bring to a condition of health or useful and constructive activity.”
There is no shortage of addiction rehab facilities in the United States, aiming to rehabilitate addicts back to a condition of health; but making sure it’s a good one and a match for you is imperative. Picking the best rehab facility increases your chances of a solid foundation and a program that you can stick with for long term sobriety.
What Is a Rehab Facility?
There are different types of rehab facilities, some are Inpatient, and some are Outpatient…some even offer a combination of both service types. Most rehab facilities have certain basic things in common:
The Intake Process.
The Detoxification Process (detox).
The Rehabilitation Process (rehab).
The Process of Ongoing Recovery.
An inpatient rehab facility can be in different places:
Hospitals—which offer around-the-clock access to medical staff and supervision by healthcare professionals.
Out of Hospital Residential Facilities—these will usually offer 24/7 care but not necessarily by medical staff.
Luxury or High-End Private Facilities—these offer more resort-like amenities, making the process somewhat more comfortable and private.
An outpatient rehab facility can be similar, with the exception that patients are permitted to return home each night after treatment. This works for those with significant work or familial obligations and those with milder, newer/short-lived addictions.
The specific plan for treatment will vary with every individual and should be discussed and managed with addiction specialists and rehab advisors.
Detox Then Find a Rehab Facility
Rehab can’t start until after detox. Physical detox is important but is only the first stage of treatment.
Drug and all alcohol addictions require a phase of detoxification at the start of every rehabilitation process. Detoxification is usually a safe process when undergone in a supervised medical setting, but in some cases it can be potentially very severe and it’s not advised for individuals to detox on their own at home.
Once a person is through the initial detox from alcohol (or drugs) then they can continue with rehabilitation. Getting to a healthy state requires a process of healing. This is where people can get to core issues involved with their addictions, so they can effectively move on with their lives—without their addictive behavior and using substances.
The essential ingredient is committing enough time to rehab in order to effectively overcome your addiction. Our long-term behavioral changes in life usually require a process of behavioral therapy and ongoing support.
Why Does a Stay at a Rehab Facility Work?
While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to the treatment of addiction, and different rehab facilities work more effectively than others, they are an addict’s best shot at a healthier life and sometimes, at staying alive.
An effective rehab facility works because they holistically treat all areas of a patient’s life — not just their substance abuse or addictions. There are usually mental health conditions linked to drug addiction that need to be addressed. Cognitive behavioral therapy addresses thoughts that patients have in relation to substance abuse and helps people reform their thinking patterns and make behavioral changes toward a healthier choices and a sober life.
Through most rehab facilities patients will become acquainted with well-known and established 12-step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). In these aftercare meetings patients leaving rehab finding the continued support they need to maintain sobriety
Life After a Stay in a Rehab Facility
Many addiction rehab facilities offer follow-up programs to assist patients as they return to normal life such as sober living facilities.
These aftercare plans may include living with other individuals recovering from addiction or weekend stays at the rehab centers. Either way, a supportive transitional time for those recovering from addiction before being thrown back into “normal” life is almost always suggested.
When people have completed their “rehabilitation” program, they are not finished…recovery is a lifelong process, requiring ongoing care and attention. The journey to a healthier, happier, more rewarding and sober life is not a quick and easy one. It is a lifelong commitment. However, this journey, like all others, is made much easier by taking it one step, one day and one moment at a time.
If you or someone you love has questions concerning addiction treatment, or the rehabilitation process, you can call this free helpline: 800-662-HELP (4357)
A rehab support advisor who can provide you with information about rehabilitation programs will answer your confidential call and find the help you need to achieve long-term recovery.
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