A stay in inpatient rehabilitation isn’t something that anyone plans on, but it can be a critical first step in recovering the life lost because of substance abuse. Addiction takes so much away from its unfortunate denizens. It robs people of their ability to choose, love, work, and live as they want. When it gets bad enough, and it’s obvious that something must be done, how can you make the best of a bad situation and be successful in inpatient rehabilitation?
You might start by seeing inpatient rehabilitation as your second chance instead of just a bad situation. While living with many other people can be uncomfortable at first, and you might be nervous about the new environment and restriction of freedom, it’s important to note that drug addiction itself has limited your choices as well. If you’ve lost homes, friends, and work because of addiction, you might feel freer than you’ve ever felt before the first day you wake up in inpatient rehab and don’t have the urge to use. It’s a new lease on life. Here’s how to make the most of it.
Tips For Physical Comfort
The basics in inpatient rehab will matter. Before heading off to rehab with your luggage, make sure that you’re taking everything you’re supposed to take. If it’s a residential rehab, you’ll pack heavier than if it’s a short-term program. Either way, here are just a few things you might want to bring along:
- Pen and paper
- Makeup
- Books to read
- Music player (if allowed)
Pack clothing for all the days you will need clothing instead of just pajamas. Don’t leave anything behind, as it can be difficult to have anyone bring you things while you’re in an inpatient program. Make a list of everything you need and then pack those things religiously!
Be Clear About Inpatient Rules
Inpatient rules are often one of the things people worry most about. Will you be able to talk on the phone to anyone you want? Will you be able to have a cellphone during your stay? How about a computer tablet to keep you busy with games? What time will you need to be in bed every night, or are you going to be allowed to be a night owl? All of these questions are important to people who want to make the most of their time in rehab.
Accepting the rules of the rehab will be important to your success. By abiding by the rules, you’ll benefit more from therapy in rehab, you’ll get along better with your other rule-abiding peers, and you’ll make more solid bonds during your stay. People in rehabs must be respectful of each other, even though everyone is going through one of their most difficult times in life. By being respectful, everyone wins. Patients need to respect other patients and their right to privacy and compassion, and staff members also need to respect patients as they go about their jobs.
Following the Plan
During your stay, you’ll likely talk to an inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation counselor, someone who has experience treating the type of addiction you want help for. Two policies reign in the patient-therapist relationship: honesty and respect. The patient must be honest, and the counselor and patient must respect the relationship they have and work together to find solutions to problems. You’ll want to be honest at all times with rehabilitation staff. Hiding anything or failing to seek help for problems that are at the forefront of your addiction will only hurt you. Make sure you stay honest in therapy.
Honesty during group meetings is also important. Not everyone in early recovery will share during group meetings, but if you don’t share, make sure you listen. Listening in early recovery can save your life from substance abuse. Everyone speaking in group meetings has gone through things in addiction that it might benefit you to hear. If you’re lost about speaking, don’t worry about it. Many people in early recovery never talk in meetings or group therapy sessions. However, make sure you have your ears open, ready to receive the messages that might save you from a lifetime of substance abuse. The meetings and counseling sessions are very important and will lead to your ongoing success.
If you’re ready for a successful stay in rehab or just need to talk to a substance abuse counselor who wants to help, just call us today at 844-903-2111.