Inpatient Addiction Rehab - What To Expect

Congratulations on making the Smart decision to seek help!

The fear of the unknown can make this entire experience quite intimidating.
Let's discuss what to expect when entering a substance abuse rehab in hopes of alleviating some of those anxieties. 
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5 Expectations for Entering an Inpatient Addiction Treatment Center

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1. Where Am I Going and What Should I Bring?
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Sometimes a simple google search can help us to feel more at ease about where we will be staying for the duration of our treatment. 
Check out some photos, read reviews, and make sure to look for a list of approved items to pack.  If you are unable to locate a list on their website, perhaps an admissions counselor would be able to email you a list. 
Just give them a quick call and see what they recommend.
Whatever you do, do not over pack. 
This slows down your admission process and is something that many people do not consider when they enter treatment. 
Generally, each article of clothing must be searched and washed prior to it being placed back in your possession. 
If you bring double the amount of clothing necessary, expect it to take twice as long to receive your items, if they permit you to go over the limit. 
In some circumstances a counselor may just have to choose which articles of clothing you receive and store the rest for you. 
This is why it is best that you stick to the list to ensure this process starts off on the right footing.
Don't worry - they will absolutely have a washer and dryer.
It's generally recommended to pack a different outfit for each day of the week. That means seven of each article of clothing. 
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Definitely pack art supplies

​Keep in mind each facility is different, but art supplies is almost universally a huge hit in rehab. Especially now that adult coloring books are all the rage! 
The facility may require that any supplies be unopened. 
Again, each item must be searched. If you bring in 200 of your favorite gel pens just think about how long that would take a counselor to open up each cap. 
Additionally, there may be approved and unapproved items. 
For example, sometimes spiral notebooks are a no-go. 
They don't want anyone to unravel the spiral and engage in self-harm. 
Just because you may not personally struggle with those thoughts, you never know if your roommate does. 
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Here are some additional items that may not be permitted:
-Items containing alcohol, such as mouth wash.
-Q-tips, straws, or band t-shirts (can be triggering for some)
-White clothing, or provocative clothing
 -Bandanas (gang affiliation)
-Belts (suicide risk)
 -Aerosol cans such as hair spray or moose, nail polish or nail polish remover (huffing) 

Treatment facilities have these rules in place for a reason. 
Their number one priority is to keep everyone safe and comfortable. ​​

​Double check to make sure you packed your journal, daily devotional, and recovery Bible

2. Enter Treatment with an Open Mind

​Expect to be in treatment with a diverse group of people from all walks of life. 
​Expect to connect with some and not so much with others. 
Expect to have a favorite counselor and one that you may not really care for at all. 
If this is your first time entering treatment expect to hear terms that may sound foreign to you. 

For example:
Healthy coping skills, relapse prevention, high risk situations, mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, cognitive distortions, the list goes on and on. 
Expect to have questions. 
And don't be afraid to ask for further explanation. 

Expect to work really hard to unlearn old unhelpful behaviors and explore new healthy life-style changes. ​
A popular saying in rehab is
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It Works if You Work it!

Keep that in mind. No one can do the work for you. 
You must put at least double the effort into your recovery as you put into getting high or drunk. 

Let that sink in.
To what extents have you gone to get your drug of choice or to come up with the money to buy it? 
To what lengths have you gone to lie about it, cover it up, or manipulate to be able to drink or use?
How much effort has been put into drinking or using and what terrible outcomes have stemmed from it?
Have you lost a job, lost a marriage, emotionally hurt your kids or the people that love you, are you involved in the legal system, health problems?
Think of any and all negative consequences. 
Now expect to put in the effort to repair all that has been broken. 
Do not expect it to happen over night.
​That's why we say:
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One Day at a Time

3. This one Sounds Pessimistic, but expect to want to leave

​You are in a new, unfamiliar setting with people you may not know or get along with and there are rules in place that you may not understand or even agree with. 
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Frankly, it'd be somewhat strange if you weren't at least a little homesick.

​Just know this - it's worth it!
You're worth it!
Whenever thoughts of giving up enter your mind, remember why you started and think of the consequences of quitting. 

When someone chooses to leave treatment ASA or against staff's advice it is almost always for one of two reasons. 
1. Their cravings are so high that they just want to leave and go use. 
2. It's over something petty. A peer did something that really irritated them or maybe a counselor handled a situation in a way that they didn't agree with. Either way, so what. 
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This too shall pass

If you stay in treatment long enough you will learn that emotions are just temporary. 
Cravings are like waves. They rise and they fall. 
Don't give up the permanent for the temporary. 
Think long term! 
Practice impulse control and frustration tolerance. 
Don't make choices based on how you are feeling. 
Make choices based on what is best for your future.

I can't tell you how many times I've watched clients leave ASA only to call the next day asking to get back in. 

Sleep on it! Don't make rash decisions. 

Not everyone has the opportunity to get right back in. In fact, if you leave and go use or drink you may not see tomorrow. 
Addiction really is life or death. 
Stop convincing yourself otherwise. 

4. Expect to get more out of treatment if you're honest and open up about your trauma and mental health struggles

We all know that opening up to a stranger can take some time. However, depending on how long your treatment stay is, time may not be on your side. 
Sadly, many programs are overworked and understaffed. 
It's not unusual for a counselor to be allotted one hour per week for an individual counseling session with each one of his/her clients. 
If you are in a month long program that means you may see your primary counselor for only four - one hour sessions during your stay.
FOUR hours out of an entire month!
*Insert sad face emoji*  
If you are in a longer stay program that's great! 
The longer the program the higher the success rates.
One strong indication of whether or not someone will be successful in their recovery is how long they abstain from drugs and alcohol.
Obviously the longer you are in treatment the more time you have under your belt. 
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Make the most out of your individual and group time

If you enter a program that does not permit much time for one on one sessions with your primary counselor - take all of your free time and group therapy time to learn as much as you can about yourself and the tools you need to develop to be successful in your recovery. 
Self-reflection and self-responsibility are two key factors in making significant life-style changes. 
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Take the time to discover why you were using. 
When did it start?
When did it get out of control?
Is there a pattern to this behavior?
What skills can I develop to replace my unhealthy habits?

Learn as much as you can and apply it! 
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5. Expect Great Things!

While much of rehab can be difficult, so much more of it can be amazing.

You get out what you put in!

Choose to look for the positives in every situation.
Practice gratitude every day, but even more so on the particularly tough days.
Pray, pray, and pray some more.
Grow your relationship with God. 
Surrender and submit. 
Place your life in his hands and acknowledge that you are no longer in control. 
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Then step back and watch great things happen!
The clients that I have personally observed to do the best in their recoveries are the ones that have chosen to stop living life on their own terms and to start following Jesus, living like Jesus, loving like Jesus, making choices that honor Jesus. 
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He has said that he will make a way out of any temptation. All we must do is turn to him and away from our sin!

1 Corinthians 10:13 

We hope you found today's message helpful. 
Please tell someone about Your Praying Friend, but make sure to tell everyone about Jesus!
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