Drug addiction is huge issue, but making the decision to enter treatment is powerful. If this describes your situation, congratulations! You are taking the first step toward an amazing new life in recovery. Here are a few tips to help you navigate the process successfully:
- Give yourself some space. When you first enter treatment, you may experience some emotional ups and downs in addition to the physical withdrawal symptoms that come with stopping use of your drug of choice. Give yourself the time you need to stabilize emotionally and get to the point where you feel confident enough to take the next step in treatment.
- Ask questions. At the onset of treatment, you may undergo some evaluation and assessments to determine which treatment options will be most effective for you. If you are unsure of what is happening or what your therapeutic team is considering and why, feel free to ask questions and voice your opinion along the way. Your input is extremely valuable.
- Speak up and take part. When you are in therapy, whether in a group setting or one on one, don’t be afraid to speak up and take an active role in the therapeutic process. Your experiences, stories, fears and hopes are all important to share in the context of personal therapy as well in the context of the group. The better your therapist understands you and where you are coming from, the better equipped he or she will be to guide you toward a sober future that is what you envisioned.
- Address any issues as they arise. It’s normal to experience conflict, both internal and external, when you are going through the process of transitioning out of active addiction into sobriety – especially with others who are going through the same thing. If any issues arise in treatment, take the time to address them early on in order to limit the distraction from your true focus: growth and healing. Just make sure that you do so respectfully.
- Include your family. If you have family members who would like to support you or if you will be leaving treatment and moving in with others, it may be helpful for those people to take part in your recovery by coming to family therapy sessions with you or attending family events at treatment.
- Think about the future. What is it that you want for yourself when you leave treatment? Where would you like to live? With whom? What would you like to do for a living? How do you envision your future self? When you have an idea of where you would like to be, you can work backwards to create an actionable plan that will help you get there.
- Be patient with yourself. Each person progresses in treatment at his or her own rate. You are under no obligation to feel a certain way or to have reached any predetermined status at any given time in your recovery. The only stipulation is to stay sober each day and to stay in treatment until you feel comfortable enough in your ability to stay sober on your own that you are ready to move on. Everything else is negotiable according to your needs.
- Consider aftercare options. Some people take longer than others to get ready to transition into independent living after treatment. If you prefer, you always have the option to choose sober living or outpatient care after residential treatment. Do what is right for you and make sure that you feel safe in sobriety every step of the way.
Learn more about what you can do to improve your chances of success in rehab and recovery when you contact us at Michael’s House today.