Traveling and Planning for Rehab in Rhode Island

How to plan your travel, accommodation, and budget for RI rehab? If you plan to travel for rehab to the Ocean State, this article will help you make an informed decision on all the above.

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minute read

ARTICLE OVERVIEW: Traveling for rehab is a personal choice. There are pros and cons. What are the unique benefits of traveling for rehab to Rhode Island? We review here.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Why Travel for Rehab

Finding a rehab that fits your personal needs might require that you move from your home state. In fact, completely changing completely your environment to break free from addiction can help you a lot! First of all, you’ll avoid triggers more easily. You’ll be far from dealers, bars,or people that you were using with. Plus, you’ll avoid the things that remind you of addiction.

Second, traveling to Rhode Island can make you more committed to your recovery. You’ll necessarily put your life on hold. A new environment can push you more quickly towards the “new you”.

But why Rhode Island, particular?

A stay in a good rehab can help you focus 100% on your recovery. Programs like those operated by American Addiction Centers provide 24/7 medical care along with talk therapy. Plus, you will be able to uncover the underlying issues behind addiction. Educational sessions on addiction can help you understand how this disease works. Finally, you will get the chance to rebuild your social and family relationships.

Traveling to another state can be expensive, but there are many ways cut expenses. What you need is to plan ahead. This article can help you set a budget to anticipate the real cost of living in Rhode Island. More here on cost of living,  types of accommodations, and what can you expect when you sign up for rehab in RI.

 

PROs and CONs

Whenever you’re traveling for treatment, you should always consider the good and the bad. Be sure that the treatment center sets up customized treatment plans and uses evidence-based therapy. Here, we offer you some more practical PROs and CONs to consider if you’re planning to travel to Rhode Island for rehab.

PRO #1. Change in scene. Distancing yourself from your everyday routine can help you see life more objectively. Without distractions, you can go deeper. Moving away from your triggers can be crucial when going through treatment. A new environment can help keep you on track, which essential in the recovery process.

PRO #2. Increased dedication. Rehab is voluntary. But, the fact that you have traveled for miles to get into a treatment center will increase your sense of responsibility and commitment.  Basically, an out of state rehab can give you a positive attitude towards treatment.

PRO #3. Privacy and confidentiality. Are you worried about being judged or facing professional issues if someone finds out you went to rehab? Being away in Rhode Island for rehab will make it less likely to be recognized and will guarantee your privacy. Plus, it may be easier to open up about your problems in front of strangers. Meeting new people with similar experiences can help you feel supported.

PRO #4. A fresh start. The goal of rehab is to start over. Rhode Island can be a great place to begin a new way of living. Traveling for rehab means you’re giving yourself the chance to start a new life and rediscover yourself.

CON #1. Distance from family. Addiction recovery is difficult. Many people need the support of their loved ones to get through. In fact, when family members are involved in the process, the rates of dropping out of treatment decrease significantly. However, recovery is an internal process. Distance from family can be a good thing.

CON #2. Fear of the unfamiliar. Getting sober means facing your fears and overcoming your fears. Fear of getting better, fear of the unknown, fear of letting go of old destructive habits, fear of change. But, you mustn’t let fear stand on your way. Once you face your fears you’ll feel liberated and more confident. Learn more about the programs available in various substance abuse treatment centers in Rhode Island. Get in touch with people who succeeded. You can do it.

CON #3. Cost. Transportation, accommodation, or the cost of other basic necessities can hit your pocket. But, if you weigh your options you can see that there is nothing more important than investing in your health and future. We’ve outlined the main costs of traveling to Rhode Island outlined below. Also, there are treatment centers that include travel expenses in the cost of treatment. Call us now so we can discuss treatment options. We offer a 90-day guarantee. This way, you can be assured of successful outcomes.

CON #4. Legal issues. Certain legal restrictions may complicate going to rehab in another state. However, with the help of your lawyer, you may ask the drug courts and the judges to authorize your traveling for rehab to Rhode Island.

Visiting a Loved One in Rehab

Visiting a loved one in Rhode Island rehab can be more than welcomed. Support is one of the most important things for someone going through rehab. But, you should know what to expect and prepare yourself for the visit. Usually, rehabs organize visits after 2-3 weeks of residency. Visits may be limited to weekends or weekday afternoons. Take the invitation, even if it’s just once. Your visit may mean the world to your loved one.

But keep your visit positive and directed on good mental health. If you can’t think of anything positive to say, just stick to small talk like sports, news, and the weather. Or, give them praise. Keep in mind that rehab is a difficult time for them and they need a little bit of encouragement that they get can go a long way.

Then, check the rehab’s visiting policy. Residential treatment centers are very strict with visiting policies. Make sure you always arrive on time and follow the process. These rules are made to help your loved ones get better, so try to respect them.

 

Finally, plan to meet with staff. They are important part of your loved one’s treatment plan and recovery progress. Rehab staff usually have a lot to share with you. They can give you advice going forward, because they know what is really happening. Also, they are seeing your loved ones for who they really are and they can help you understand them a little bit more.

What NOT to do?

1. Never get into big discussions. Leave the family drama at home. Treatment is about breaking the chains of addiction, not about discussion something negative. These talks won’t help the recovery process. In fact, they could add extra anxiety.

2. Never discuss the cost of treatment. Rehab costs money. This is not a secret to keep, but reminding your loved one how much they’ve spent, it may trigger unwanted feelings including guilt and shame.

3. Never discuss weight. People who are in treatment usually gain weight. But discussing their figure may raise embarrassment which can lead to negative reactions.

4. No jokes, nor sarcasm. During the stay at rehab, most people are sensitive and emotional. Usually, they have question how they ended there. So, making jokes or giving sarcastic comments is not an option. Instead, show support and encouragement about their progress.

5. Avoid talk about the future. The idea behind the recovery is to teach you to ‘live in the moment’, day to day, one day at a time. Making plans about the future can create a lot of pressure for your loved one.

Travel to and from Rhode Island

There are several ways you can travel to get to Rhode Island form anywhere in the country. Depending on where you live you can choose to go either by car, by bus or by plane.

Car: If you want to know how much a trip to by car Rhode Island will cost, you can check AAA’s calculator for more information. It calculates and compares gas prices depending on where you are in the country.

Bus: You can choose from several bus companies that offer services. Book tickets and check schedules on the Greyhound bus schedule.

Train: Trains can be fun. There are different options you can choose. For more information on prices, routes and scheduling check Amtrak.

Airplane: Airplane prices may vary depending on whether or not you are flying during a low or high season. For example, you can expect prices to be much more expensive during the holidays or weekends. All of the following prices for plane tickets are based on round trip searches made in 2019:

New York ↔ Providence RI: $240
Chicago IL↔ Providence RI: $150
Los Angeles CA ↔ Providence RI: $300
Tampa FL ↔ Providence RI: $270
Las Vegas NV ↔Providence RI: $290
Atlanta GA ↔ Providence RI: $250

Average Cost of Living in Rhode Island

The following prices are compared to the United States’ National Average:

 Cost of living Rhode Island United States
 Overall  119.4  100
 Grocery  105.7  100
 Health  80.1  100
 Housing  143.8  100
 Median Home Cost  $269,000  $216,200
 Utilities  115.9  100
 Transportation  120.8  100.0
 Miscellaneous  109.8  100.0

Short Term Rentals

If you’re going to Rhode Island for rehab, you will probably be placed in the treatment facility itself.

If you’re visiting a loved one you’ll need to find a place for short term stay. The average prices for apartment rent in 2017 differentiate depending on the location. Some towns are more affordable than others. For instance, average price for rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Rhode Island was $1,385. More precisely, Foster, Glocester, Exeter, Richmond, West Greenwich and Little Compton all average $944 per month in rent for a two-bedroom apartment. At the top of the list in monthly rent is Jamestown at $1,932 per month for a two-bedroom apartment. Providence comes in at $1,357 per month.

For shorter period stays you can visit the site Airbnb and find a location and price that suits you best.

Hotels

When you book a hotel online, it’s important to be located near places you want to visit. Also, pay attention for hidden fees and special deals. Finally, we suggest that you read visitor’s recommendations to learn about how the hotel can suit your needs.

If you’re planning on staying in Providence, the average price for a hotel room per weeknight is $150 and for weekend night $200. The most expensive time to stay is September, while the cheapest month to stay is November. Hotel prices in Warwick are averaging around $100 for weeknight and weekend nights. The most expensive time to stay is August, while the cheapest month to stay is March. In North Kingstown, the average price for a hotel room per weeknight is $100 and for weekend night $120. The most expensive time to stay is August, while the cheapest month to stay is June.

Other Places to Stay

If you are looking for other cheaper places to stay you can consider short-term, cheaper stays in a hostel. The positive side of staying in a hostel that you can meet new people. However, hostels are not so clean and you’ll have limited personal space and lack of privacy.

The cheapest option may be visiting relatives or friends. If you have someone close in Rhode Island you should consider reaching out to them. It can be a good experience catching up with someone you haven’t seen in a while. The downside of this kind of stay may be that you won’t have much privacy and you’ll have to synchronize your period of staying with their availability.

The Statistics

Feel alone?

The fact is that you’re not alone in your battle with addiction. According to the 2018 NSDUH, it’s estimated that 11.2 percent of the nation’s population used illicit drugs in 2017. That’s 1 in 9 people, or 30.5 million. Out the 30.5 million people, an estimated 20.7 million were in need of substance abuse treatment. That is 1 in 13 people. [1]

In Rhode Island in particular, between 2014-2015 about 63,000 individuals aged 12 or older or 7.0% of all individuals in this age group had an alcohol use disorder in the past year. In a single-day count in 2015, 14,269 individuals in Rhode Island were enrolled in substance use treatment. [2] Among those individuals in Rhode Island enrolled in substance use treatment in a single-day count in 2015:

  • 34.0% were in treatment for a drug problem only;
  • 20.5% were in treatment for an alcohol problem only;
  • 45.5% were in treatment for both drug and alcohol problems.

As you can see, many people are actively looking for help.

If you’re struggling with addiction, it’s important to seek treatment. Enrolling into a treatment facility increases your chances of recovery. Call our helpline and learn more about your treatment options. Our admission navigators are available to talk with you day and night. They are waiting for your call …why not make a change today?

Your Questions

Beating addiction is a long and difficult process. It takes courage, careful planning, and professional help. A good program will address the root of your addiction, and teach you how to live a drug-free life.

Still have questions?

Give us a call. Or, leave us a comment. We try to answer all questions related to rehab in Rhode Island personally and promptly. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to post them in the comments section below. If we do not know the answer to your question, we will refer you to someone who can help.

Reference sources: [1] SAMSHA: NADUH 2017 Annual National Report
[2] SAMSHA: Behavioral Health Barometer for Rhode Island, Volume 4
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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