Why the Rehab Environment Makes a Difference

Why the Rehab Environment Makes a Difference

Addicts don’t go to rehab to feel comfortable. Or at least, they shouldn’t. Addicts go to rehab because they have a serious, crippling addiction issue and they’ve hit rock bottom. They’re tired of blaming other people or things and ready to take full responsibility for their life, but they also know that they can’t-do this alone. Addiction is bigger than any one person.

Rehab is a serious, thoughtful place. There are rules and regulations that should be followed to increase the odds of success. That being said, rehab is not jail. In fact, plenty of people end up in rehab because they fear it’s their last chance to avoid jail. Rehab is supposed to be a place for healing, and so that’s why where you go to rehab matters.

Some people decide to stay close to home and family members, while for others, getting a fresh start on life means they need to experience a fresh location. There’s something so hopeful about arriving in a new setting, one free of all the history you have in your hometown. Talk to your doctor about the best kind of rehab situation for you. Go online and explore all of your options.

Think about where you feel most at peace. The answer should have nothing to do with drugs because then people would feel “at peace” doing cocaine at their dealer’s house at noon on a Thursday. No, think about elements that relax you when you’re sober. Do you like being surrounded by nature? If so, what kind of nature? Some people find comfort in trees, while others love the beach. In fact, beaches have a special, even mythical power in our culture. That’s why many people choose to recover at Beachside and other facilities along the coast. Looking at the water can be a very soothing experience. It can clear your mind and focus your energies on getting better.

Don’t think of rehab as a vacation, though. You’re not there to party at the beach (or at all, as rehab is pretty much the opposite of partying). If you aren’t committed to working on yourself, then don’t waste your time and money traveling to a pristine setting. Addiction experts are very good at knowing who is truly committed to the program. If you’re just there to goof off, then you’re better off staying at home. You may have access to great seafood and moonlit walks along the beach if you choose a coastal facility, but that doesn’t mean this is a pleasure trip. It’s really important to know the difference.

Listen to the doctors and addiction experts who are taking care of you during your stay. Open up about any relevant past experiences or traumas. Struggling with addiction does not mean you’re a bad person, even if you’ve done bad things or been in bad situations. Many veterans, for example, struggle with PTSD, which then leads to self-medicating on drugs and alcohol. Some rehab for veterans, therefore, focus on improving coping mechanisms to reduce dependence on addictive substances. Veterans often suffer from feelings of guilt, but guilt can be a positive emotion if you channel it properly. You want to use the guilt as a reminder not to do certain things anymore, not as an excuse for diving back into drugs to help you forget about all those past traumas. In many cases, people suffering from addiction are also dealing with an undiagnosed mental illness. Be open to that possibility as well. You’re not broken, or at least not so broken that you can’t be put back together eventually.

If all this sounds difficult, that’s because it is. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Find an environment that inspires you to be a better person. Rehab is hard work, but it doesn’t have to happen in a hard place.

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