Preparing yourself to enter addiction treatment

What to Know Before Entering Addiction Treatment

Finally taking the first step toward recovery and entering into an addiction treatment program is one of the best decisions you can make for yourself. However, that doesn’t mean it’s not a scary one. For many people, the idea of entering into a rehab program can be intimidating and nerve-wracking, for a number of reasons — but it doesn’t have to be.

By doing your research, setting your affairs in order before you go, and preparing for what’s to come, you can set yourself up for a positive and successful start to recovery.

Understand Your Program Will Work

First and foremost, it’s important to do your research and find a substance abuse treatment program that’s right for your specific needs.

Will you be offered a holistic style of treatment in which your physical, mental, and emotional well-being will be addressed? Will you be offered medication in order to make detoxing a bit easier? Is there a family therapy program to also help those in our lives affected by your addiction? Do they offer dual diagnosis treatment to address co-occurring mental health issues? These are things to consider.

Once you find your program, ask about what a typical day looks like. From when you’ll be having meals and therapy sessions to when you’ll have opportunities to exercise or be in nature, knowing a typical schedule can help you mentally prepare for what’s to come.

Speak to Your Loved Ones

In some cases, your family members or friends may be the ones who convinced you to seek help in the first place, so they’ll know that you’ll be leaving for treatment. In other cases, you may have made this decision on your own and wish to inform your loved ones that you’re taking this important step towards recovery.

Understand that, while you’re free to disclose the fact that you’re heading to treatment to whomever you choose, you are also under no obligation to do so. If there are friends or family members you would rather not know about your treatment, don’t tell them and ask those who do know not to spread that information without your consent.

Speak to Your Employer

Attending inpatient addiction treatment means you’ll be absent from work for an extended period of time — which can make some adults worried that they’ll lose their jobs. Under The Family and Medical Leave Act, you can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid medical leave and are protected from termination if you go to rehab as long as you follow the process and meet certain requirements.

To be eligible to file for leave under the FMLA, you must:

• Have worked for your employer for at least 12 months

• Have worked at least 1,250 hours over those 12 months

• Be employed at a location in which your company employs 50 or more employees within 75 miles.

Remember, you must file for this before leaving for rehab, so it’s important that you speak to your employers as soon as possible to get the process started and protect your job.

Take Care of Financial Obligations

Even though you’re going to be away from home for a bit, you’ll still have bills to pay. If you share the bills with another person, such as a mortgage, you may be able to rely on that person to make sure payments are made on time.

However, if you’re solely in charge of your bills or think you’ll have trouble covering payments while you’re not working consider doing the following:

• Setting up automatic payments where possible

• Taking a personal loan to cover larger payments

• Using paid vacation time to maintain your income

• Filing for short-term disability

Pack Accordingly

While every program is different and suggest bringing various things with you to treatment, you can typically count on needing to pack the following:

• Seven days worth of comfortable clothing and comfortable shoes

• Enough alcohol-free toiletries to last the time you’re staying

• A list of your prescription medications

• Around $50 to $100 in cash or prepaid cards

When you enroll in your treatment program, ask the admissions team what they suggest you pack so you have everything you need for a positive experience.

Spend Time with Loved Ones

Although you’ll be back home before you know it, it can be difficult to be away from your friends and family while you’re in rehab. Before you head off to your treatment, spend some quality time with your loved ones — whether it’s a movie night with your kids or dinner with friends, enjoy each other’s company and look forward to an improved relationship upon your return.

Comprehensive Addiction Treatment Center in Georgia

As hard as it is to see when in the grip of an addiction, there is a bright and rich future waiting for you once you take the first steps towards recovery. At Mount Sinai Wellness Center, we are helping people make that future a reality by showing them the benefits of sobriety and empowering them to find fulfillment in their lives after treatment.