How Does a Drug Rehab Work?

Due to the fact that the drug problem in 2020 is almost an epidemic, everyone out there knows the meaning of the word rehab. Still, they have no idea what the rehab facility or how the drug rehab process actually works. If they did, they might not hesitate to help their loved ones who are in desperate need of an intervention. Some might even be ready and willing to make this step on their own. This is something that in this day and age everyone needs to learn.

1. What does the admission process look like?

The first question worth asking is what the admissions process looks like. Here, a person has to undergo a certain interrogation process that involves several relevant questions. These questions are on the topic of drug and alcohol use, existing medical conditions and mental illness and co-occurring conditions. There are also other, external, factors concerning your financial and insurance information, as well as one’s living environment.

2. The detoxication stage

The most challenging thing here is definitely the detoxication stage. This is the period in which your body is supposed to get free of all the physical addiction over your poison of choice. Sure, there is a painful withdrawal phase but this really doesn’t last for that long. Usually, this doesn’t last longer than 10 days. The problem lies in the fact that psychological addiction lasts a lot longer than that. In other words, you need to proceed to the next step which is…

3. Developing a healthy routine

Drug rehab is not a process that lasts X days and after that, you’re just released in the world, oblivious, aimless, and addiction-free. It’s a method that’s supposed to teach you how to live without the drugs. This is why it insists so heavily on the concept of establishing a healthy routine. A typical day in the rehab usually starts with a healthy exercise and a morning meeting. Then, there’s the afternoon therapy. Residents at the facility usually spend free time outdoors, doing a sporting activity, while they fill the evening schedule with 12-step meetings. Needless to say, once they’re out, cured addicts are supposed to fill in the time left vacant by these meetings with meaningful chores of their own.

4. Adequate mental preparation is pivotal

The way in which a person gets to rehab matters quite a bit. Getting there yourself can be better, seeing as how there’s usually a ton of intrinsic motivation involved. Still, this doesn’t make it easy. On the other hand, if you’ve confirmed that your loved ones, friends or employees are using with the help of some drug test kits this can be somewhat more difficult. You can’t just force them to go to rehab since their reluctance might undermine all the efforts of people at the facility. You need to devise a strategy to convince the person in question that this is what they need.

5. Dealing with fears

Previously, we’ve talked about mental preparation and the biggest part of this lies in dealing with different sorts of fears. Some people fear admitting that they have a problem. There are those who fear failure, as well as those who fear success. There are some people who build their entire identity around this habit, which is why they fear becoming someone else if they quit. Dealing with these fears is the best way to start a successful rehab process.

6. Expectations need to be realistic

The next thing that you need to hear is that rehab isn’t successful 100% of the time. Now, this sounds like a controversial thing to say from the perspective of a post that’s supposed to convince you to enroll in rehab. Still, this only appears so if you fail to see the bigger picture. If you are expecting a miraculous cure, you will get disappointed once it fails to provide necessary results. People re-check into rehab and some manage to cure themselves of this affliction after several trials. One can’t allow one potential failure to discourage them from trying to get better.

7. Success rates are not that important

The procedure in the majority of rehab facilities are standard and the impact of the staff can be quite random. There are several therapists and some are better than others. Some might suit you more as a personality. The majority of success is your own responsibility. Your own determination and resolve are the main determiners of the effectiveness of your rehab. The key thing is that there are suitable conditions and that the resident is determined to get better.

8. Money can’t buy you out of this problem

The most expensive rehab program is not necessarily the best one. If this were the case, there wouldn’t be so many celebrities who relapse. Sure, there are some rehab facilities whose professionalism, staff size, and facilities location/capacities make it more expensive. The key thing is that you shouldn’t confuse the cost of a rehab facility with its efficiency. This is one of those problems in life that money can’t buy you out of.

9. It’s not impossible to do it at home

The very last thing you need to know is the fact that rehab staff members aren’t miracle workers. In a lot of cases, a lot of staff members lack the necessary education in this field. This is especially true for those in supportive roles. Also, not every method used here is entirely scientific. Add to this the fact that some of the best-rated rehab centers have a long waiting list and you’ll conclude that you might be better off at home. While extra support can make a huge difference, it’s your resolve that will make or break your efforts.

10. Dealing with the past

One of the biggest causes of a relapse is the fear of dealing with the past. There are a lot of people who develop a drug habit due to being under too much pressure, dealing with a mental problem, or even peer pressure. So, what good is leaving drugs behind only to return to that same pressure, mental problem and circle of friends? In order to cure yourself and minimize the chance of a relapse, you need to deal with your past. Doing so is not easy but it’s more than necessary.

In conclusion

The last thing worth keeping in mind is the fact that addiction is an affliction. It’s something that they (or you) need to get cured of. In order to do so, you need to do exactly as the doctor prescribed. Wanting to get better is the first step on this journey of a thousand miles. So, make sure that you or the person in need have enough intrinsic motivation for this voyage.