If things are challenging in rehab for you right now, you might think it’s time to quit, especially if you have done inpatient rehab several times and find yourself relapsing repeatedly. No matter how challenging the situation may seem, continuing to go to rehab and get treatment, even if you relapse, is a far better alternative than just giving up.
Once you return to alcohol and drugs, things will only get worse for you. Instead of thinking about giving up, it’s better to focus on the positive aspects of recovery and the reality of the challenges you will face with the goal of taking steps to make sobriety a permanent part of your life.
Recovery Is a Process
If you feel disappointed because you are still battling with recovery after many months or many years, it does not mean that the inpatient rehab systems don’t work. It could mean that you have unrealistic expectations.
In all likelihood, you did not become addicted to drugs and alcohol in one day. It was a process that took months, if not years. Undoing the damage can take just as long. You can compare it to traveling the wrong way on a road to get to your destination. If you drive 50 miles in the wrong direction, you will need to go 50 miles backward to get to your starting point before you can start to progress forward.
The same thing happens with recovery. You may have been dealing with substance abuse for several years. You can’t expect things to reverse themselves in just a matter of weeks or months. However, when you get yourself back to your starting point, you have a unique opportunity to make your life better going forward.
However, if you give up on the recovery process, you lose that chance and will not reap the benefits of the work that you have done up until this point. Now is not the time to throw it all away.
Inpatient Rehab Gives You a Unique Renewed Lease on Life
Not everyone who becomes addicted to substances has the ability to recover. Many people have died during their first use of illegal drugs or within a few weeks of addiction. Unquestionably, if given the chance, most of these individuals would have given anything to be given the chance you currently have, even if it meant they had to go through the inpatient rehabilitation program several times.
The fact that you are alive and can contemplate whether or not you should continue with rehab means that you are a fortunate individual. However, if you stop getting treatment and give up, this could be your last chance. You owe it to yourself, your family, your friends, and everyone who has supported you on your journey to take advantage of this lifeline that inpatient rehab is offering you. It is a special opportunity allowing you to make your life better.
Control Your Emotions
Inpatient rehab is designed to be intense. It pulls at your emotions, and it forces you to take a hard, honest look at who you are and what it is that is led you to the situation that you are in. Sometimes, being forced to take an honest look at yourself in the mirror can make you feel angry, and this could trigger a decision to want to quit rehab and relapse.
Don’t allow your emotions to control you. Instead, you control them. If you decide to quit rehab or relapse when angry, you’re deciding at your lowest point. It is impossible to make solid decisions when strong emotions are pulling your mind. Anger and frustration narrow your mental view and force you to focus on the immediate perceived concern. You’re not thinking about the repercussions for yourself, your family, or your future. Eventually, these strong emotions associated with rehab will die down. However, if you quit rehab and fall back into the patterns of drinking or using drugs, you will be dealing with other strong emotions like regret, remorse, and disappointment.
Don’t Quit
How many times should you go through inpatient rehab before calling it quits? As many times as it takes for you to be successful. Remember, it only takes a minute to quit rehab and relapse, but it could take years to get over the effects of that decision if you ever do.
Do you want to break free from substance use? Are you struggling to find the right inpatient program for your needs? We can help. Contact us today at 833.970.2054.
