When you prepare to enter inpatient drug or alcohol rehab, it is akin to thinking about going away to college. Getting the most out of both experiences requires pre-planning, preparation, and putting in a good foot forward before you head into it. Even if the two are not the same thing, you are beginning new journeys towards making your life better. When you are prepared, you can rest assured you will fare better than if you just land there without any forethought.
Create a Plan
When preparing for rehab, don’t fall prey to assumptions about what you may think it is like. Even if you went before, it will be different this time because you are committed differently. This total life transformation of addiction recovery is key to long-term success. Part of securing your future is having a plan. You might consider:
- Knowing what you want and writing down goals
- Work with team of people to help you
- Consider long-term focus with short-term goals that lead up to it
Pack Wisely
If you are preparing to head to rehab, you may not be thinking about much of anything other than just getting in the door. The last thing you need is to feel unprepared and have a rough start. You will want to check over your things before you head off and pack effectively:
- No revealing tops or attire depicting substance use, alcohol, sexual stuff or violence
- Work out appropriate attire for physical activities
- Swimwear suitable for public (non-revealing)
- Identification like driver’s license or state ID
- Non-narcotic prescription medication
- Positive reading material, inspirational texts, and recovery-related books
- Mobile phones (may be confiscated but available for breaks or after you leave)
Post-Rehab Goals
You do not have to wait for therapy or meetings with a case manager to start thinking about your future. The things you want to achieve while sober should motivate you to keep going in recovery. Be sure the goals are personal to you and you want to achieve them. These goals cannot replace an earnest desire to stay sober. You must stay sober to commit to these goals for the rest of your life. The goals may shift but your sobriety should always be first priority.
Social Circle
Consider your social circle and how you will evaluate these relationships in light of sobriety. Not everyone can come with you into recovery. You will learn to evaluate these relationships and determine whether they are suitable for your new lifestyle. The bonds formed in active addiction may seem like the most important relationships in your life but through sobriety you may realize the connections hinge on shared affliction. It is okay to let people go for your own mental health and sobriety.
The Springboard Center’s addiction treatment programs are tailored to meet the needs of each client. We help you prepare for addiction rehab but also for the rest of your life after rehab. It is important to recognize that many of our services offer a group setting and environment, so that the client spends time with other people affected by the same chronic disease and problems. 432-620-0255
