Going to rehab or enrolling in a program to rid yourself of an unhealthy vice is something that is generally stigmatized. This is not because improving yourself is bad, but people often assume that they will be judged on the basis of the fact that they are seeking help or the fact that people will know that they are suffering from an addiction that is out of their control. Every addiction has a mental and a physical aspect to it, while some people can overcome the problem on their own, others have difficulties overcoming one of the two aspects of the addiction. If you have enrolled in a rehab center, you should be proud of yourself for taking the step to change and improve your life. If your difficulty requires you to admit yourself into rehab for a few days, here are some things you should know that will definitely improve the quality of your stay and help you gain the most benefit from this procedure.
1. Pack Well
You are going to a rehab, it’s not a prison, you are going there willingly and you will be spending some days with people who suffer from similar problems as yours. When packing you should take all of the things you use on a regular basis including your clothes and personal hygiene products. It’s important you pack a few extra things like a sweater and maybe some shorts, depending on where you are and what you are recovering from. Withdrawal of various substances can have a physical effect on the body, some might feel cold, some might feel hot, so you want to be prepared rather than having to tough it out. You are going to be in a social setting so you want to look presentable but also be comfortable at the same time.
2. Check Regulations
Different rehab centers have different regulations on what you are allowed to bring along, how you can spend your day, the things you can and can’t eat, etc. Most rehab centers will not allow you to bring along a phone so you might want to learn more about what kind of things they permit and what they don’t so you go prepared. Moreover, this will also give you a better understanding of what your experience will be like. However, it’s nothing to worry about, nearly all rehabs have their own entertainment and you will have all the basic amenities to enjoy your time there.
3. Journal
Even if you aren’t a big writer and have never kept a diary, journaling is an extremely powerful activity that can have a profound effect on both your mental development and the way that you are able to cope with withdrawal. Moreover, journaling is a great way to keep yourself busy and helps you keep your mind off of your withdrawal. While you are in rehab you will have plenty of time to think and plan about your life after you get out, make the most of this time and those thoughts and note them down. With your ideas clearly written you will have a more defined path to follow once you are out.
4. Be Open
Often people go into rehab so focused on the fact that they want to quit a substance that they have a hard time getting their mind off this subject and their cravings are higher than ever. Even though they might not like the substance anymore, the fact that they think about not having access to it so much, they start to crave it more than before. Rehab centers are full of activities to help patients keep their minds off their problems and actually enjoy participating in these events with other patients. While in rehab not only are you going to have the chance to learn a lot of new things but you will also meet a lot of people and it can be a really transformational time for you. It is critical to go in with an open mind and keep yourself available for new ideas and people. Good bonds and behaviors that you create here will last you a lifetime and help you live a new and transformed life.
Even though it can be a bit daunting at first thinking of putting yourself into confinement, it seems much worse than it actually is from the outside. While some of the prohibitions might seem unnecessary they are there because they have helped thousands of other people recover from their problems. Think of it as an alternative lifestyle for a few days, if you are really committed to changing your life it shouldn’t be a problem.
