Alcohol and Drug addiction doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a gradual progression and so is the treatment and recovery process – Rehab is no quick fix – you will get out of the process what you put in!!! The main goal of rehabilitation is to give you the best environment and opportunity possible to heal, learn and change.
You have done your detox, and now you find yourself on your way to the rehabilitation unit. There are probably a thousand thoughts going around in your mind, butterflies in your stomach; sweaty palms, feelings that are usually masked by the substance of choice.
Once you come through the door, you will be met by a member of the team and shown around your new surroundings. Once you have settled the admission paperwork will be complete, care plan explored, and your rehab journey will begin.
Expect a challenge
Expect to be challenged, expect to have some uncomfortable feelings, you are going on a journey of discovery. As you go through addiction treatment, you’ll realize that you’ll have to learn to live with a new type of normal. You’re going to feel uncomfortable for a while but know that everyone who goes through treatment goes through this stage. The more you learn about how addiction has impacted you, the more comfortable you’ll get with the new sensations and feelings you’re experiencing. Eventually, your life before treatment may start to feel foreign.
Rehab will give you structure and routine, we will take care of the basics while you take care of yourself. Having this routine and structure will aid you in your transition home as this is a normal part of living a sober life.
One of the most effective methods used in addiction treatment centres is Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). CBT homes in on your behavioural responses to specific triggers. Once those are identified, the therapist will guide you toward new, healthier responses to those triggers. The one-on-one and group therapy sessions provide a safe environment for you to feel free to open and share your fears and concerns, allowing the therapist to provide tools and alternative behavioural responses to these sources of anxiety.
During the final stages of rehab, a lot of time is focused on preparation for the move back home, relapse prevention, peer groups, support networks and the aftercare process. It’s important to be ready for this day. It should be looked at as a graduation, you are moving from one step in your recovery to the next. You will be encouraged to set up a schedule that aids your recovery.
Your return home may cause a large shift in the familial situation. You should never feel obligated to jump back into a life the way you used to live it. Obviously, that wasn’t working for you.
Conversations with family members are important
In some cases, you may need to have conversations with your family members to avoid any misunderstandings or hard feelings. If your family members were a part of your addiction, you need to calmly tell them any changes in living have nothing to do with them. You’re merely trying to get readjusted to a sober life. Family sessions can be offered as part of the recovery process to aid with what can be for some people a difficult conversation around the addiction a
As you learn to cope with your new life, you’ll learn about the feelings you’re experiencing and how to handle them; how to change your negative thought patterns; and how to reduce stress. These new skills and tools will give you a lot of relief. You may even find that you begin to think about life differently than before.
The first mistake you can make after exiting rehab is thinking you are fully recovered. Letting your guard down allows your thinking to drift back to old ways of doing things. You begin to justify actions that put your recovery in real danger.
Engaging in behaviour that threatens all the hard work you put in getting to this point is simply not worth the risk. Not being in a structured environment doesn’t mean you should go back to living life in the fast lane.
Recovery is a lifelong process
Now isn’t the time to be cocky and think “you’ve got it made.” Though you may be talking about the first year of recovery, it’s a lifelong process.
The ego need is the first one to deceive us. You shouldn’t be prideful about your recovery. Don’t let pride, ego, overconfidence or complacence put you in a position that could lead to some very undesirable consequences. Living life with humility isn’t just for people recovering from addiction. We should all aspire to be greater than ourselves and be humble in our thoughts and actions.
