How to Get into Drug Rehab When You’re Afraid of Asking for Help

This article was written and published by Holdfast Recovery

 

Entering rehab is a brave and extraordinary choice to make that can improve your life as well as the lives of everyone who’s close to you. It’s difficult for someone who hasn’t experienced addiction to understand it, leading the sufferer to experience shame and withdrawal. The nature of addiction makes it challenging to self-diagnose because the reward centers in your brain firmly compel you to continue using substances. If you’ve developed the strength and clarity to consider that you may need help, you should feel proud.

It’s Perfectly Normal to Feel Hesitant

People usually go to great lengths to hide the fact that they’re suffering from a substance use disorder from other people, as well as themselves. Attending a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program means facing up to a painful truth and making big changes in your life. While it’s absolutely normal to feel scared of going to rehab, focusing on the future and all the positive outcomes can cement your intention of seeking help and getting better.

The Best Strategy for Overcoming Your Fear of Rehab

Accepting that you have a problem is the first step along the road to recovery. If you’ve thought about starting a rehab program but have doubts and fears that are holding you back, the best way to overcome them is by doing research. The more you understand about the rehabilitation process, the less intimidating it will seem. Learn about what happens during treatment and thoroughly explore your options with regards to which facility to choose to enter. Some questions to consider include:

• Should I choose inpatient, intensive outpatient, or outpatient services?
• Would it be better to stay close to home?
• As a first responder, do I need to seek specialized care?
• Will my faith be taken into consideration at rehab?
• What type of therapy is available?
• How long does the treatment program last?

What Happens in Rehab?

Here’s an idea of how the process of going to rehab works. Rehab offers intensive outpatient treatment — if necessary, we can refer you to a detox center to prepare you for it. If you need a place to stay during treatment, you have access to sober living facilities. We recommend spending 90 days at rehab, receiving intensive outpatient care for the first two months, and stepping down to general outpatient care for the last month, or when you’re ready.

Assessment

Before you enter the rehabilitation center, you’ll speak to a friendly admissions staff member about your needs. The center will ask for some essential but brief details about your medical history and drug or alcohol use. We’ll find out when you’re ready to get started and how long you’re going to stay and then book you in.

Intake

On your first day, you’ll be shown around the facility and introduced to the staff and attendees. A staff member will interview you and perform an assessment so they can devise your personalized treatment plan.

Therapy and Sober Activities

During intensive outpatient rehab, you attend for around 25 hours per week. If you’re ready for general outpatient care, you’ll spend 15 hours a week at the clinic. During this time, you’ll participate in group therapy, individual counseling sessions, psychoeducational lessons, and classes to promote self-care.

Aftercare

During rehab, you’ll work closely with the health care team to plan for your continued recovery once treatment has finished. Rehab gives you the tools you need to stay sober, but abstinence is an ongoing process.