Alcohol Rehab Facilities: 5 Things to Avoid

Most people diagnosed with an alcohol problem can benefit from treatment. But what are the things you need to avoid during treatment? How can you make your stay at a rehab facility more beneficial? We share our ideas here.

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How to ensure success?

Whether you choose to go to rehab, rely on self-help programs, get therapy, or take a self-directed treatment approach, support is essential.

Don’t try to go it alone.

Here, we review some common DO’S AND DON’TS when considering a rehab facility. Then, we invite your questions in the comments section at the end.

Alcohol rehab: WHAT TO DO before and after alcohol treatment

Recovering from alcohol addiction is much easier when you have people you can lean on for encouragement, comfort, and guidance. Support can come from family members, friends, counselors, other recovering alcoholics, your healthcare providers, and people from your faith community. What does real help look like?

TIP 1: Lean on close friends and family.

Having the support of friends and family members is an invaluable asset in recovery. If you’re reluctant to turn to your loved ones because you’ve let them down before, consider going to couples counseling or family therapy. Professional mental health treatment can help you immensely.

TIP 2: Build a sober social network.

If your previous social life revolved around alcohol, you may need to make some new connections. It’s important to have sober friends who will support your recovery. Try taking a class, joining a church or a civic group, volunteering, or attending events in your community.

TIP 3: Consider moving in to a sober living home.

Sober living homes provide a safe, supportive place to live while you’re recovering from alcohol addiction. They are a good option if you don’t have a stable home or an alcohol-free living environment to go to.

TIP 4: Join a recovery support group and attend meetings regularly.

Make meetings a priority. Spending time with people who understand exactly what you’re going through can be very healing. You can also benefit from the shared experiences of the group members and learn what others have done to stay sober.

5 things to avoid during Alcohol rehab

Because an alcohol use disorder can be a chronic relapsing disease, persistence is key. It is rare that someone would go to treatment once and then never drink again. More often, people must repeatedly try to quit or cut back, experience recurrences, learn from them, and then keep trying.

For many, continued follow up with a treatment provider is critical to overcoming problem drinking. These are the 5 things you need to avoid for effective and successful treatment:

1. Non-certified programs

When you start looking for alcohol treatment, you may see advertisements for programs in tranquil settings with gorgeous views. While amenities like that are nice to have, they probably come with a big price tag. Focus on what is truly important: appropriate licensing, quality of care during the program, follow-up services, and staff credentials.

2. Unnecessary costs

Cost may be a factor when selecting a treatment approach. Evaluate the coverage in your health insurance plan to determine how much of the costs your insurance will cover and how much you will have to pay. Ask different programs if they offer sliding scale fees – some programs may offer lower prices or payment plans for individuals without health insurance.

3. Unfair payment terms

DON’T sign off on someone else’s debt. The addict should be responsible for paying for treatment. Further, AVOID paying via credit card. Instead, work out a payment plan with the treatment center directly. This way, you can avoid high APR%.

4. Avoid temptation and bad influences

Avoid treatment centers where drug or alcohol are present! During and after treatment, remove all alcohol, barware, and other drinking reminders from your home and office. Seeking professional help can prevent relapse – behavioral therapies can help people develop skills to avoid and overcome triggers, such as stress, that might lead to drinking.

Most people benefit from regular checkups with a treatment provider. Medications also can deter drinking during times when individuals may be at greater risk of relapse (e.g., divorce, death of a family member). Distance yourself from people who don’t support your efforts to stop drinking or respect the limits you’ve set. This may mean giving up certain friends and social connections.

5. Negative mindset

What you think will impact how you behave. Too much negativity can be particularly dangerous for those individuals who are coping with addiction. It can lead to conflict and prevents the individual form meaningfully connecting with other people. Practicing mindfulness can bring you greater awareness about your thoughts and feelings.

Alcohol rehab facilities…your questions and answers

If you still have questions about what to avoid during alcohol rehab, please post your questions in the comments section below. We will try to respond to all comments promptly and provide you with a personal response.

Reference Sources: NIH: Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting Help
Help Guide: Alcohol Abuse Treatment and Self-Help
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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