Fears about Drug and Alcohol Rehab

If you are faced with the prospect of entering a rehab programme, you may well have some fears and concerns. This is understandable as choosing this type of treatment is a huge step. The reality is that nobody would ever enter this type of programme unless there was a good reason for him or her to do so. It is the benefits of this type of programme that will make it so worthwhile. Most people will find that rehab is tough in some ways but enjoyable in others. It is never as bad as people expect to be, and it is common for individuals to look back on this time as one of the most rewarding in their life. Having the right information about what to expect in rehab can go a long way to help with fears and concerns, so hopefully this article will be of value in this regard.

What Happens During Admission to Rehab

The different rehabs will vary in how they approach admission, but the usual thing that happens is that the individual will be fully assessed on arrival. This involves taking a history of their addiction problems and any other pertinent information. This type of assessment is important because it will be used to create a treatment plan for the individual. It will also give the therapists an idea of how they will be able to best help the person. This initial assessment is very important, but the treatment plan that is created from it will not be written in stone. It will be regularly updated to reflect the changing needs of the client.

How to Prepare for Admission to Rehab

Here are a few suggestions for how people can prepare for admission to rehab:

• Each of these facilities will have rules and regulations, and it is important to find out what these are before you go. There may be rules for how much contact you will have with the outside world. Most rehabs will allow you to bring your mobile phone, and some will have Wi-Fi and internet access, but this is not always the case.
• You will also need to find out about what you should pack before going to rehab. There may be certain things that are forbidden. For example, most rehabs will not want you to bring in alcohol based mouthwashes and similar products. It is probably best not to bring too much with you into rehab, but it can be a good idea to bring some reading material – although many of these rehabs will have their own library.
• It is a good idea to write about your hopes for rehab, and why you are going there. This can be a letter just to yourself, and you will not need to show it to anyone else. The benefit of this type of letter is that you can use it to remind yourself what this is all about. You might want to take it with you into rehab and if you are feeling low, you can read it and give yourself a boost.
• Some people will feel the urge to go on a binge before going to rehab. This is a dangerous idea, and it is not recommended. Some rehabs will not admit you if they think that you have been drinking or using drugs that day – you will want to check about their policy for this.
• The best attitude to have when entering this type of programme is 100% commitment and a beginner’s mind. If you are willing to do whatever it takes to become sober this will make you an almost unstoppable force. Having a beginner’s mind is important because it means that you will be in the best position to learn. If you enter rehab with too many strong beliefs and opinions, it can prevent you from getting the most out of the programme.
• There will usually be a great deal of written work in these programmes, and you may be expected to keep a journal or write your life story. A nice idea is to bring your own empty journal – this could be something that looks nice and it will therefore feel more important to you. You may want to check with the rehab first to see if this is a worthwhile thing to do.
• It is also worth finding out before you go if you are going to need any spending money. Some facilities will have their own shops where you can buy snacks, and newspapers. If you smoke cigarettes, you will probably want to bring along money for this.
• If you are travelling abroad for rehab you will need to make sure that your passport is valid, and that you have the appropriate visas for your destination. If you are travelling somewhere outside of the EU, you might also need to get some vaccinations.
• Entering rehab is an exciting time, and it is worth appreciating this fact. You are about to embark on a new period in your life – one that can be better than anything you have experienced before. You will need to work hard to get the most out of this experienced, but make sure you leave some time to just enjoy the ride.

Are You Dealing with an Addiction Problem?

The word “addiction” can be associated with such negative images that people feel very reluctant to admit that they have this type of problem. The stereotype of an “addict” is somebody who is at the lowest rung in society, and there is a great deal of stigma associated with it. This means that even those individuals who are really struggling because of alcohol or drug abuse can feel reluctant to get help. They may use the fact that they do not fit in with the usual stereotype for this behaviour as evidence that they do not have a problem. This means that they continue to suffer because of the substance abuse and their life continues to deteriorate.

If you are unsure about addiction, you can call us here, or just text the word “help” to 66777. We will be able to tell you about addiction recovery options in the Portsmouth area.

Substance Abusers Who Do Not Fit the Stereotype

The stereotype of people who are caught up in addiction will tend to include images like the following. This type of person will be expected to be:

• · Doing badly in life. They may move from job to job or they may be unemployable and living on social security payments.
• · The individual will have let go of their appearance and will have poor hygiene habits. It is usually obvious by the way they dress that they are caught up in addiction.
• · They will have turned to crime in order to support their habit. They will probably buy their drugs from criminals in back alleys.
• · They will live in abandoned buildings or smelly bedsits.
• · They will not be respected in their local community.
• · They will be estranged from their family.
• · They are likely to be aggressive and abusive.
• · The drugs that the person takes will be illegal and bought on the black market.

The reality is that only a tiny minority of people who abuse alcohol or drugs will fit the stereotypical image above. There reality is that the individual can have a serious addiction problem and:

• · Be considered successful in life. The individual may have a great job and a good income. Their career may be taking them higher all the time and they may be highly respected by bosses, clients, and work colleagues.
• · They may only wear the best clothes and have impeccable personal hygiene habits.
• · The individual may never have broken any laws in order to remain addicted. They might only ever drink the finest wines and spirits. If they do buy drugs, it might be from a work colleague.
• · They may live in a large house in a respectable neighbourhood.
• · They may be a hero in their local community. Many may even view this individual as a positive role model.
• · They may be loved by their family and friends, and be considered good at taking care of their family and social responsibilities. These loved ones might not even be aware that the person is struggling with addiction.
• · The individual may be able to keep their act together in public, so that they are always viewed positively.
• · The individual may only use drugs that have been prescribed to them by a doctor. The problem is that they are no longer using this medication as intended, and they may be manipulating medical professionals to keep them supplied.

The reality of addiction can be far different from the stereotype, and this is something that can negatively affect people no matter who they are.

Addiction Recovery in Portsmouth

There are plenty of quality addiction recovery resources available in the Portsmouth area. Call us now on 0800 140 4824 to find out more about what these options are, and how they will suit your needs. Our goal is to help you find those options that will make it most likely for you to end your addiction problems.