Getting the Most Out of Rehab

BE WILLING TO LISTEN, TO LEARN AND WORK HARD FOR YOUR RECOVERY

Health&Wellness Staff Report

Many people realize they cannot get over their addiction unless they enter rehab. That is a big decision to make and a proactive one. Rehab could be the place where your life turns around for the better. How can you make the most of your rehab experience? Here are some tips to keep in mind as you prepare for rehab. • Accept you need help overcoming your addiction and be ready to do the hard work needed to do so. • Play an active role in your own recovery. The more involved you are, the more likely it is you will make good demonstrable progress during your time in treatment. • Keep a positive attitude.

Believe this stint in rehab will help you overcome your addiction.

• Be open to learning more about yourself and what caused you to need rehab.

• Be patient. Recovery will not happen overnight. Don’t expect a quick fix. Give your recovery a chance.

• Be willing to listen and work and try – and succeed.

• Don’t hesitate to ask for what you need, whether it’s advice or help.

• Work with your therapist.

The personal relationship you develop with the therapist you meet with individually can be a cornerstone of your recovery.

• Whether you like them or not, follow the facility’s rules.

• Keep your mind focused on the moment. Don’t try to think ahead to what will happen when your program ends.

• Make sure to spend time reflecting on what you are learning and what you need to do to stay on the road to recovery.

• Be honest. Dishonesty is a natural outgrowth of addiction. Let go of the need to lie, manipulate or deceive.

• Take an active part in group therapy, but don’t monopolize the discussions. Learn to accept and give feedback. • Realize you will have ups and downs – good days and bad – while in rehab. B

ut there are people in place – staff, doctors, therapists – who are there to help you through the bad days.

• Don’t dwell too much on past regrets or harmful experiences.

• Stay for the entire recommended length of time.

Research shows you will have a better chance of maintaining your sobriety if you do. • Give yourself the space and time to heal. Addiction affects the mind, body and spirit. It takes time to work through your issues and make necessary changes.

Perhaps most important, be sure to create an aftercare plan for when you leave rehab. Recovery is a lifelong process that does not end when your treatment program is over. It is something you will have to work at every day. Put a support team in place and ensure they are ready to step up and

help you when needed. Attend AA or NA meetings as necessary. As well, learn about relapse prevention so you know what to do if you happen to relapse. Learn to identify your triggers – those things that make you begin to crave drugs or alcohol more strongly. Taking time to identify what makes you feel like relapsing will help you create a more informed action plan for recovery when you leave treatment.

Sources:

• American Addiction Centers (www.americanaddictioncenters.org) • Recovery.org • The Recovery Village at Palmer Lake (www.palmerlakerecovery.com)

This article sponsored by National Youth Advocate Program:

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