9 Ways to Make Sure Drug Rehab Won’t Work for You
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There are some sure-fire ways to fail at rehab. Here are 9 ways to make sure drug rehab won’t work for you. (Therefore, do the opposite of these things if you want to be successful).
#1. You Keep Clammed Up
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Secrets keep us sick, by refusing to share in group and with your therapist in one-on-one sessions, you’re only hurting yourself, which is something we addicts and alcoholics do well. I get it, we have trust issues but, rehab is a safe place to begin healing. And you’ll get out of it only what you put into it.
#2. You Refuse to Take Suggestions
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As they say, you’re best thinking got you here (rehab) so, obviously there’s a better way. It’s time to realize that you can’t figure this thing out on your own and be open to suggestions from those who’ve come before you as well as professionals in the addictions field. Why try to reinvent the wheel when it’s all laid out for you?
#3. You Commit to Being in Denial
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You’re not convinced that you’re an addict or alcoholic. You just decided to go to rehab (or were told you need rehab – either by family, friends, work, the law) for no particular reason. Right. Well, you know what we say…people don’t just “end up” in rehab without a good reason. If you needed a vacation, there are much better-suited places for that type of thing.
#4. You Treat It Like a Joke
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You keep your armor on at all times, deflecting everything with sarcasm and humor. You might even plan and scheme with your friends ‘on the outside’ to bring you drugs when they come to visit. To that I ask: Why? Like, what’s the point? Can’t you see how ridiculous that is?
#5. You Fall in ‘Love’
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you think you and your rehab boo are the modern day romeo and juliet
You decide to focus on a love interest rather than use the precious and relatively brief time (let’s face it, 28 days is really only a drop in the bucket when you compare it to a lifetime) to focus on yourself and learn how to recover. For those of you lucky enough to have your folks or other loved one pay out-of-pocket for you to have this opportunity, that’s a slap in the face.
#6. You Sign Out AMA
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In other words, you leave “against medical advice.” You have the right to do that. So, I guess you’re good now ‘cause you’ve ‘dried out’ in detox for a few days. Eureka! You’re cured. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.
#7. You Focus on the Differences
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As alcoholics and addicts, we tend to think we’re special, unique, and inherently different – almost fatally flawed. Another way to put it is thinking you’re “terminally unique.” It’s kind of a dark fantasy we have. The thing is, yes, we’re different from other people (people we call ‘normies’) but, we are totally alike when it comes to our fellow addict/alcoholic.
#8. You Stick with the Negative ‘Nancies’
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As they say, misery loves company. Don’t let yourself get sucked into the black hole vortex of negativity that will undoubtedly be at your rehab in the form of pissed off, closed off, pessimistic people. And, if you start out as one of these people, get over it. Like, yesterday.
#9. You Don’t Do Aftercare
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You did your 28-day stint. You’re cured. You can go back home and jump right into daily life, as if nothing is different. Let me break it down for you, baby girl…EVERYTHING is different now. And acting like you just need to get on with life can prove disaster. My suggestion: take as much time as possible after rehab in the other levels of treatment, such as intensive outpatient (IOP), as well as living in a halfway house or sober house. Treat yourself with kid gloves. This is when you need to take your time – taking baby steps while you re-learn how to live life on a daily basis.
If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse or addiction, please call toll-free 1-800-777-9588.