In order to prepare for rehab, a potential attendee should know what type of facility he or she will be entering and should be ready for the daily routine in that program. Once an addict has decided that rehab is the best place to recover, he or she should then do research on the different drug alcohol rehab programs available and which ones can deliver the results the addict desires.
Sometimes it is a good idea for a potential attendee to visit a drug alcohol rehab facility before signing up for the program. The addict can ask the counselors questions about therapy at the facility, visiting hours for friends and family and the daily activities at the facility. The addict can even ask detailed questions such as the food served or the sleeping arrangements. These are all important issues that a potential patient has to feel comfortable with before signing up for a specific drug alcohol rehab program.
Rehab is often a tough and uncomfortable place to be for an addict. The patient is forced to change an unhealthy behavior that he or she may have been succumbing to for years. The rehab attendee must also examine his or her way of thinking and dealing with stress and learn a new way to cope and live. Since patients go through so much growing, changing and harsh self reflection, it is important that they are in an environment that is challenging but encouraging. According to HelpAddicts.com, rehab should include “normal” activities that are physically and mentally challenging in order for the patients to feel useful and to ease into their new lifestyles.
Each individual may need to consider the length of the program he or she is interested in. The average length of a rehab stay is usually about 6 weeks. However, the counselors can generally determine how long a patient will need to stay in the program before he or she is stable enough to go to a sober living facility or even return home.
Drug alcohol rehab should not only offer patients a sanctuary with counseling and addiction services while they are in treatment, but also after they have completed the program. Most addicts should consider only attending a rehab that promises relapse prevention programs. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, drug alcohol rehab can be completely successful for some people, while others may experience bouts of relapse with their disease. With a rehab program that offers relapse counseling, it is less likely that these relapses will be severe or will last for an extended period of time. A steady regimen of counseling and attending rehab meetings is often enough support for a patient who has completed the rehab program to stay sober.
The daily regimen of a certain drug alcohol rehab should be examined by a potential patient before he or she decides to attend the program. Factors such as the length of stay, types of activities and offering of relapse counseling are important to make the addict feel comfortable with the facility and the recovery process.