Making the decision to get treated for alcoholism can be very difficult. But it will change your life. It is the first step towards a new, healthy and happier life. Alcohol abuse is responsible for over 3 million deaths each year worldwide. It is the cause of 1 in every 20 deaths. There is also a causal relationship between alcohol abuse and several mental disorders, disabilities and injuries. In addition to this, alcoholism causes significant economic losses to individuals and society in general. In short, you are definitely making the right decision by getting treatment.
However, you might be feeling scared and overwhelmed before actually going to rehab. It is common to feel stressed about putting some aspects of your life on hold, like your job or family obligations. But you need to overcome your addiction in order to properly take care of these things in the first place. You have already taken a huge step towards sobriety. Now it’s about preparing yourself so that you can make the most of your treatment and focus on recovery. In this article, you will find three tips that will help you do just that.
Know What To Expect
It might be a little less scary to go to rehab if you know what you will go through and what you will find at the clinic. Every rehab facility has different rules, routines, and treatment methods. A good idea is to call the one you chose and ask all the questions you have. Ask them what a typical day at the facility will be like. Ask if you will be on a special diet, if you’re allowed visitors, what items can you bring, etc. If you haven’t chosen a rehabilitation center yet, do some research and ask these very same questions. Choose the one where you feel will fit your specific needs.
Keep in mind that, no matter what type of treatment or facility you choose, recovery is hard and uncomfortable. Alcohol detox, for example, is one of the most difficult parts of recovery. It’s when your body starts cleansing itself from all the toxins it received from alcohol over time. It is also when you go into withdrawal. It can cause serious symptoms that, if not treated correctly, can be deadly. It’s important that you know what you will face soon, but you shouldn’t get discouraged by it. Rehab centers have medical professionals that will help you not only through alcohol detox but throughout your entire recovery process.
Tie Up Any Loose Ends Before Entering Rehab
While you’re in rehab, your main focus should be yourself and your recovery. This is why you should take care of any work, family, financial or legal obligations. Stressing about your outside life while you’re in rehab can make it harder to maintain focus on your goal. Work closely with your family, friends and work colleagues to make sure that your responsibilities are provided for while you are in rehab. If you have bills that need to be paid while you’re in treatment, sign up for automatic payments or arrange with someone you trust to make sure your bills will get paid. You don’t want to come back to a chaotic life after completing your treatment; stress is a major relapse trigger and you may face having to start all over again.
This is also a great opportunity to work on your relationships with your family and friends. Alcoholism probably impacted your relationships with your loved ones, perhaps by pushing them away or hurting them in different ways. Re-engaging with the people who are close to you is a very helpful way to prepare for rehab. It can help you focus on your recovery and remind you about how sobriety will help these relationships. Chances are they are relieved and happy you’re getting treated and will encourage you throughout the process.
Practice Relaxation and Stress Relief Techniques
If you’re feeling very stressed or anxious, you can practice some techniques that can help you overcome these feelings and make you feel better. One of them is meditation, which can be as easy as closing your eyes and focusing on your breathing for a few minutes a day. You can practice it before going to bed, or whenever you start feeling anxious during the day.
Another great idea is to exercise, which releases chemicals in your body that make you feel happy and relaxed. Yoga can be especially helpful for this purpose, but you can practice any kind of physical activity you want. From group sports to taking walks around the block, the important thing is to do something that can help you relax and stop worrying about your future treatment.
Preparing yourself ahead of time for treatment can help make the transition easier. Knowing what to expect, making sure that everything at home will be taken care of, and trying to relax in the meantime, are great tips to help you get ready for the amazing journey you’re about to embark upon. It will be hard at times, but it will be worth it. Make the most of your time at rehab. Learn as much as you can, don’t be afraid to open up, and remember to be patient with yourself. Congratulations on this taking this important step, sober life awaits you!
What do you think are other good tips on preparing for addiction treatment? If you have any questions or would like to suggest something, please leave a comment below.