Everyone has told you to get help: your spouse, colleagues, best friend, and even your neighbor!
They tell you to get sober or risk losing it all! You know you have a problem, and you know you need to get help, but where do you start? We have heard this many times and compiled a list of steps you can take toward lifting that weight you have carried for too long.
1: Start with an online search.
The Internet has long replaced the phone book as our go-to for finding information, start with a Google, Bing, or DuckDuckGo search for residential rehabs near me. You can even contact a local hospital or medical clinic, usually, they will be able to provide referral resources for all kinds of addiction treatment specialists. When possible speak with a person who is familiar with the alcohol and drug treatment community, their experience may help get you moving in the right direction. Never give up because asking many questions will help you get in contact with a psychotherapist or addiction treatment program that can give you the answers you need.
2: Ask yourself which is right for you, outpatient or residential?
Before you can even select which rehab to attend you will want to know the differences between Residential and Outpatient rehabs.
– Outpatient centers usually have therapy sessions daily, their program durations will vary
-Inpatient residential alcohol rehab programs can last anywhere from 30 to 120 days and require the individual to live at the facility during that period.
- Because outpatient treatment relies on the individual to use their willpower to sustain abstinence, it may not be the right choice for everyone
- Inpatient programs by their very nature remove possible temptations and triggers.
Which one is right for you? You may not know the answer to that immediately. To find out you have to share your personal addiction history. When you speak with a member of their intake team, you may be asked if you have ever been in rehab. Responsible centers will want to know how severe and life-threatening your current situation is. Because each treatment center operates differently the questions will vary.
3: Learn all you can about available treatment options.
Too many choices confuse us, and more importantly, can lead to indecision and inaction. Nearly everything we hand over our hard-earned money for takes considerable looking into nowadays, because of how many options we have presented to us. On top of that, the sheer amount of information available within a few swipes, taps, or mouse clicks is astonishing. The point is, that making decisions is harder than ever, and choosing the right rehabilitation or treatment program is by no means in the “easy” category of decision-making. There are plenty of options for most people, and those who live in more populated areas will have even more choices as far as rehab goes. Here are just a few of the options many seeking treatment for themselves or someone close to them may be presented with:
- 12-step programs
- Residential treatment facilities
- Government-funded rehab centres
- Holistic treatment centres
- Faith or spirituality-based programs
- Inpatient treatment
- Outpatient treatment
- Online support groups
The truth is any one of these options could work for someone, but that isn’t the whole story. The bottom line is some treatment options have a higher rate of success overall than others, and those options should be at the top of one’s list when researching the subject, either for themselves or for a loved one.
4: Learn about your options
There are a variety of approaches to treating addiction, some are based on Psychotherapy, while others on 12-step programs and abstinence for 28 days, some integrate pharmacotherapy, others alternative or holistic approaches. At Sobriety our foundational approach is Psychotherapy, primarily Cognitive based talk therapies in private and group settings. However, we also integrate pharmacotherapy and holistic or alternative options where applicable as well. And should a resident lean towards the 12-step model we are happy to arrange to take them to meetings.
Before you can decide what a perfect program looks like for you, you will want to know what their treatment approach is, and then compare that to what you know will resonate with you. If you are unsure explore these options in greater depth with the member of the intake team who has taken your call.
5: Ask a Professional
A doctor, addiction specialist, psychologist, or any other medical professional can make very helpful suggestions when it comes to where, in your area, the best treatment center or program for you may be.
A residential, inpatient facility will statistically have the greatest track record of success overall.
Inpatient centers frequently offer the three stages of recovery: Detox, counseling, and therapy, as well as aftercare. When these three phases are combined under one roof, so to speak, the chances of recovery increase drastically.
6: Manage expectations
Seeking help for any addiction is a big step, and it involves a fair amount of commitment regardless of which treatment option best suits the individual. Almost all treatment centers are happy to provide in-depth information to better prepare residents and their loved ones for what lies ahead. These may cover subjects like, what to bring, what you can expect, what are the options for visiting etc.
Overall remember that communication between the resident and the team of professionals guiding them through recovery is crucial to the outcome of any treatment program.
7: Consider your health and lifestyle
Important factors such as dietary or health restrictions and needs, spiritual needs or practices should also factor into your decision process. Asking the following can help narrow down the search:
- Am I spiritual or religious?
- Do I believe my spirituality will assist in my recovery?
- Do I use holistic medicine or practice holistic treatments for certain ailments I suffer from?
- Am I active? Do I exercise frequently and take care of myself through healthy eating?
- Am I vegan, or vegetarian, or have specific dietary requirements?
- Do I suffer from depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or another mental health condition that may have caused me to self-medicate?
- Did my mental health condition make my addiction worse? Will it continue to do so?
8: Covering costs.
When considering any rehab you will need to have an honest look at your finances. If you have private insurance coverage, they may cover part or the entire costs through your benefits package.
Depending on your income level, some addiction rehabs can provide payment plans or scholarships. Keep in mind that there are differences between private and government-run rehabs, each will have specific rules and procedures, it is a good idea to learn as much as you can before you decide to prevent unnecessary stress, which will make the process feel less stressful.
