How to Prepare for Addiction Rehab

Many addicts experience anticipatory anxiety when thinking about entering substance abuse treatment. Many questions such as what should I expect, will I be able to see and speak to my family and will I be in pain, plague the addict prior to treatment. These feelings of trepidation some times prevent addicts from following through with treatment and getting help for their addiction. Having insight about the expectations of treatment is helpful to decrease anticipatory anxiety.

• Let go of preconceived notions about treatment. There are many reality television shows out about drug and alcohol rehab centers, as well as television and movie portrayals. Unfortunately, this perspective is through the vision of directors and producers to gain ratings. Rehab is about healing, not drama.
• Prepare to follow rules. Some addicts feel that they don’t want to be told what to do. Rehab is a structured environment. This is to help the addict regain stability and decrease chaos that the addiction thrives off of. The rules and regulations of a treatment center are there for safety reasons and to protect the addict from unhealthy behavior patterns which he/she once participated in while using drugs and/or alcohol.
• Take suggestions from addiction staff. There are many slogans which imply the reason addicts need to listen to others who are not active in addiction initially. One of those slogans is: “Your best thinking got you here.” The main focus for addicts active in addiction is obtaining and using substances. Addiction hurts your ability to think logically.
• Have an open mind about change. Although addiction is characteristically chaotic, it can produce a black and white style of thinking in the addict. This style of thinking is based upon extremes and keeps the addict in a rigid mindset decreasing flexibility for change. The addict should be aware of all or nothing answers and he or she should attempt to find the gray area.

Entering addiction treatment is a good decision. The disease of addiction does not want the addict to get better because treatment will weaken the power of the disease. The addict’s thoughts will become stronger regarding avoiding treatment, especially as the enter date approaches. It is important to have an extremely strong and supportive network surrounding the addict. This will help combat the internal struggle the addict will have about going to treatment.

Letting go of preconceived notions, preparing to follow the rules, having an open mind and taking suggestions from addiction treatment staff is the best advice when preparing to enter addiction treatment.