If you’ve chosen to begin rehab and start making the changes necessary to regain control over your life, you should be proud. It’s not an easy decision to make, especially if you’re struggling against the confines of addiction. This disease takes over your mind, and it becomes incredibly hard to prioritize anything else apart from your substance of choice. Not knowing what to expect can make the experience seem more daunting than necessary.
By gaining an understanding of what happens during your recovery journey at rehab and getting into the right mindset, you can prepare and minimize any fears or worries you might have.
What Is Detox?
Knowing what to expect and doing your research are the best ways to prepare yourself for detoxification treatment. The most important thing to realize about this initial process is that the focus is almost entirely physical. Your body is purged of the substance that has been causing you the problem, giving you a clear mind to work on the psychological grip of a substance use disorder.
When you detox at a rehab clinic, the focus of the doctors, nurses, therapists and support staff is on making the process as painless and safe as possible. Trying to do it alone can be dangerous, especially if you’ve been using opioids or benzodiazepines. Your body becomes dependent on having these drugs in its system, and managing these undesirable withdrawal symptoms in a residential setting is the most sensible option.
How Are Withdrawal Symptoms Managed?
There are several methods the staff deploys to help minimize withdrawal symptoms and promote a safe, peaceful recovery. In cases of opioids and some other drugs, you may be prescribed a medically assisted detox. Doctors administer non-narcotic doses of medication that help to ease you off the substance you’ve been using without causing a shock to the system. As you gradually taper off these medications, your body adapts to the changes more comfortably.
If you don’t require a medical detox, there are still plenty of activities and alternative treatments for you to take part in to relieve pain and promote relaxation. Some of these include:
- Group meetings
- Meditation, mindfulness and yoga
- Music and art therapy
- Massage
- Drinking electrolyte-enriched beverages
- Eating light, healthy meals
- Chiropractic treatments
- Acupuncture
Call the Clinic and Ask Any Questions You May Have
We strongly recommend that you compile a list of questions to ask the clinic in advance of starting your course of treatment. If there’s anything that concerns you or any preconceptions you want to find out more about, write it down. By speaking to the staff in advance, you’ll get insight into how caring and helpful they are. It also gives you the best chance of feeling secure by knowing exactly what to expect. Here are examples of some questions that may be worth asking:
- How long is the average detox?
- What items can I bring to the detox center?
- How will detox medication affect me?
- Can I speak to loved ones?
- Who works at the clinic?
- What does a typical day look like?
Positivity Is Key — Focus on the Future
A crucial piece of advice to keep in mind is that your attitude is everything. The entire recovery process goes much more smoothly if you embrace it with open arms and engage fully. While some aspects of recovery aren’t desirable, the benefits outweigh the negatives by a mile. Maintain a positive outlook and try to think of the bigger picture if you feel down. Remember, in rehab, there is always someone to talk to — make the most of it.
If you’re ready to get into a detox program, call our luxury rehab center in California at 866-986-2486.