Rehab Works If You Work It

Making the decision to enter drug rehab is a courageous move. Many addicts and alcoholics are usually tentative about making the decision to go to rehab because of not knowing what to expect. Some feelings that may be evident when contemplating going to rehab are:

• Fear
• Anxiety
• Anger
• Anticipation
• Relief
• Grateful

Once in rehab the addict and/or alcoholic will face a new structure. This structure is a mock family system and often times interactions and relationships can be just as intense as their biological families. Rehab has different rules that the addict will need to follow. This may be difficult because addiction is characterized as being unruly. Some resistance may develop as the addict is challenged and confronted about unhealthy thoughts and behavior patterns. Resistance accompanies underlying feelings such as:

• Shame
• Guilt
• Remorse
• Pride
• Arrogance
• Entitlement

When an addict realizes that being resistant is only hurting him or her, they begin to decrease their level of resistance. Once this occurs, the addict is now open to suggestions and begins working the program. The addict’s cloudy thinking lifts and things begin to make sense. They become more accountable for behaviors and their self-awareness increases. Other feelings experienced when the addict or alcoholic begins to work at rehab are:

• Forgiveness
• Trust
• Love
• Faith
• Peace
• Optimism

Rehab works if your work is part of an Alcoholics Anonymous program slogan, “keep coming back, it works if you work it.” Working the rehab program allows psychological and behavioral change to occur. Psychological changes are made internally, which helps the addict change behaviors and enter recovery. The addict is challenged to have healthy coping skills without the use of drugs and alcohol. 

The work that an addict begins in rehab continues throughout recovery. Practicing through the cycle of emotions, in the safe environment of rehab, allows the addict to cope and explore healthier responses. This will become practice for dealing with triggers that elicit these types of emotions out of rehab helping the addict or alcoholic to remain clean and sober.

Tagged: addiction treatment, alcohol addiction, alcohol and drugs, care, rehab, treatment program

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