Whether you’ve been considering entering detox on your own or are required to go by the courts, your attitude about the process will have a strong impact on your success. Careful review of your current situation and what your life goals are may make it easier to be positive about the work of detox and rehab. Make sure you do your homework so you fully understand the details on alcoholism & other drugs rehabilitation services.
Previously, it was believed that detox was all an addict needed to learn to make better decisions and move forward into a life of sobriety. We now know that detox is just a first step in the move toward a sober life. Your ability to survive detox and move into a healthy rehab process may require you to change your attitudes about yourself and addiction in general.
Detox and Rehab Will Take Time
It is likely that you didn’t become an addict overnight. If you’ve never used an illegal drug, you may have started drinking years ago. Alcohol may have been a normal part of your adulthood for years. You may not be able to pinpoint the time that alcohol became a need rather than a pleasure.
When you enter detox, you may be in the company of other addicts, which could make you feel uncomfortable. As you move into rehab, you will need to accept the vulnerability of your own addiction as you learn to accept yourself and understand your condition.
Depending on your situation, you may choose to undergo inpatient rehab once you complete detox. If you have some support at home or if you want to be with your spouse and children, an outpatient program may serve you best. Do be prepared to do inpatient detox. Trying to detox on your own can be fatal and detoxing with the help of a loved one can do irreparable harm to the relationship.
What to Focus on During Detox
Detox will draw on your emotional reserves. You may become extremely irascible and even abusive as your body and brain are starved of a chemical that they have learned to tolerate and to need.
Your medical support team will do their best to keep you safely comfortable. If the nausea is so extreme that you can’t keep down fluids, you’ll likely get an IV. You may get medication for pain or something to reduce your stomach upset.
Because you’ll need to be monitored for your safety, be aware that you may lack privacy. Your fluid intake and output may need to be checked to make sure that your kidneys are functioning as well as can be expected. During this time, make sure that you are focusing on staying hydrated if possible, staying clean, and calming your mind with whatever tools you possess.
What to Work on During Rehab
During rehab, you will want to gain a better understanding of the conditions underlying your addiction triggers. Fully understanding your own attitudes about addiction can help you get more out of group therapies. Digging into your family history and some of the childhood lessons you may have learned about those who use drugs and alcohol can help you be more gentle with yourself.
A big part of the rehab process is learning new coping skills. If you were trained as a child to avoid asking for help, you may have to stop thinking of yourself as a rugged, tough person. If you have a family history of addiction and learned that stressed adults always reach for a drink, you will need to develop new stress management skills. In any of these cases, you will need to learn to think of yourself as a person who can change and create a better life.
Detox and rehab will not be easy. Your experience will be unique, but the big goal si the same. Detox will cleanse your body and brain of drugs. Rehab will offer you new ways to manage emotions and find joy as you rebuild your life. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day. Call 833.970.2054.
