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Rehab FAQ: Answers To 15 Most Common Rehab Questions

Last Updated: March 27, 2024

Authored by Nena Messina, Ph.D.

Reviewed by Michael Espelin APRN

Why do people go to rehab? Because it is effective! Still, drug rehab can be a scary topic to talk about, not only for the addict but for their family and loved ones as well. They might have many rehab questions and might not know how to go about the entire process, what happens in drug rehab, and so many other pertinent rehab FAQs that may leave them confused.

Here are some of the most common rehab FAQs that can give an insight into how to go about drug rehab and what constitutes it, so one will know everything before checking yourself into rehab.

Rehab FAQ No.1: Do I Need Rehab?

This can be a difficult question to answer, particularly if “do I need rehab” is a rehab FAQ that a person is posing to themselves. It’s hard to be objective regarding drug and alcohol addiction, especially about one’s issues, but generally, a person who realizes the problem is already on the road to recovery. This, however, is a long and thorny route.

According to data from SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health in 2016, only 7% of individuals dependent on narcotic substances and co-occurring disorders had access to a rehab facility.

Many people believe they don’t need treatment because of misjudging the severity of the addiction. People who can’t stop taking a particular drug even though they’re aware of the risks may decide to get treatment. Additional criteria, such as developing physical or psychological conditions or illnesses due to drug abuse and developing tolerance toward the drug – needing more and more of it to get the desired effect – are implicated in this decision.

Assessing Addiction Severity

In line with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, several criteria assess whether one is suffering from addiction and needs help. If so, to what extent – mild, moderate, or severe.

These Criteria are Listed Below:

  • Taking the substance for longer or in more significant amounts than intended
  • Being unable to stop or cut down on the substance, even if it is causing problems at work, at school, or at home
  • Urges and cravings to use
  • Investing a lot of time and effort in obtaining, using, or recovering from drug/alcohol use
  • Giving up activities one used to enjoy because of drug or alcohol use.
  • Continuing to use despite risks
  • Falling behind on work or school-related tasks because of substance use
  • Developing a physical or psychological problem that was caused or exacerbated by the use
  • Developing tolerance – needing higher amounts to get the desired effect
  • Suffering from withdrawal symptoms, which go away after use
Assessment session with rehab therapist.

When Does One Need to Go to Rehab? 7 Sure Signs

To answer this rehab FAQ, in most cases, a doctor needs to determine if a person meets the DSM criteria and a proper examination is in order. A person doesn’t need to be physically addicted to drugs or alcohol to need rehab – other adverse effects are sufficient to qualify for it. Unfortunately, less than 1% of the 22.7 million individuals who need help for substance addiction receive such in the US.

Don’t Be In the Other 99% – Read About Seven Reasons to Go to Rehab Now:

Health Problems Caused by Substance Addiction

If a doctor has told a person that drugs or alcohol have inflicted health problems, this should be considered a sure sign one needs rehab. For example, frequent stimulant use can cause cardiovascular failure and psychosis. Alcohol can damage the brain, heart, and liver, and opiate abuse due to addiction can slow down the respiratory system and cause permanent brain damage. In addition, injecting drugs increases the risk of contracting hepatitis C or HIV.

Legal Troubles Caused By Drug Addiction

Suppose a person has been arrested for being drunk or high in public, driving under the influence, committing a violent crime, or being in possession of a controlled substance. In that case, the question, “Do I need help with addiction” becomes superfluous. This is especially true if they are already on parole or probation.

Family Members Have Asked Them to Stop

A person’s closest relatives may be asking them to stop using and get help because it’s easier to see changes occurring in their lives due to drug addiction from the outside. It is essential to pay attention because, in the long run, one lives to regret not having listened. “They wanted me to go to rehab, but I wouldn’t.”

Self-Mutilation or Other Harm While Under the Influence

Certain drugs can exacerbate existing mental conditions, like anxiety and depression. People with major psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia or bipolar or with a family history of suicide who may be abusing drugs need to find out how to go to rehab as soon as possible. Likewise, if a person has had suicidal thoughts, harmed themselves while under the influence or undergoing withdrawal, or harmed someone else, they need urgent help.

Lying About Drug or Alcohol Use

“I’m not talking to them anymore because they said I had to go to rehab.” Maybe it isn’t other people’s business, but people don’t lie unless they are ashamed of something. Former addicts are relieved to find that when they accept that they need help kicking the habit, the walls finally come down, and they are free.

Feelings of Helplessness Over Inability to Stop

Addiction can be exhausting. A person will spend practically all of their time on their substance of choice – counting down the hours left until 5 pm to leave work and get drunk. A few minutes or hours of bliss, and then the inevitable hangover, withdrawal, and it’s 7 am again, time to get ready for work. A functioning addict has a job and works pretty hard. They often perform pretty well, going above and beyond, because they’re dependent on the salary to buy drugs. They aren’t likely to look for help with addiction in this situation. It’s a slippery slope, though, and things can change in a matter of seconds. To get a bonus, one might take on extra tasks at work, resort to drinking at the workplace to get them done, and then get caught and fired.

The person is in Their Teens or Early 20s

There’s a reason why addiction professionals call for greater awareness of drug abuse among young people and for all those high school campaigns, which we found so annoying growing up. The older one gets, the harder it is to kick the habit. This is because addiction always gets more severe with time and causes mental and physical health problems, which then have to be treated and the addiction. When a person is young, and drug abuse or addiction is their only problem, it is easier to get help, and the outcome is always better.

Teens can be considered as the most vulnerable group to fall into some kind of addiction. According to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey report from 2009 to 2019 published by CDC, some statistics related to teens and substance abuse include the following:

14%
high school students

Approximately 14% of high school students used illicit drugs.

1.6%
high school students

1.6% of high school students tried IV drugs.

1 in 7
high school students

Nearly 1 in 7 students reported the misuse of prescription opioids, with 1 in 14 students reporting to abuse them in the past 30 days. 

How To Get Someone Into Rehab?

No matter what a person addicted to drugs says, no one wants to be an addict. Deep down, every addict wants to get and stay clean. People frequently realize the damage being done to themselves and others and want to stop but can’t cope with the guilt, cravings, and depression that are part and parcel of substance abuse.

Sometimes addicts feel that the only way to function normally or feel normal is under the influence. They may ask themselves, “do I need rehab?” They will tell their loved ones they intend to get help or anything else their loved ones might want to hear in a desperate attempt to keep taking their substance of choice.

Still, others will flat out refuse to get help or even talk about addiction. Getting as much information as possible about rehab questions can help one decide to check yourself into rehab. An alternative way of getting someone into rehab is via a court order if the person has been charged with a drug-related crime. There is a reason why people go to rehab.

Family members of a drug addict will find pursuing him or her via statutory measures to be a quick route to court-appointed rehab, especially if a judge thinks the person might discover rehab helpful.

Of course, this requires some daring moves on the part of the addict’s family, such as reporting them to the authorities for taking or selling illicit substances and then dealing with their anger and resentment. But this can only be done if they are satisfied with the answers to their rehab questions.

But Can I Beat Addiction Alone?

This is also a common rehab FAQ. It can be difficult, and even dangerous, to try to overcome addiction without medical help. However, recovering alone is possible if addiction is not severe, with physical addiction being a big part of severity.

The individuals will need to undergo medically assisted detox at a hospital or other medical facility, with doctors supervising them as the drugs are flushed out of their system.

Withdrawal can be dangerous in certain situations – people have suffered seizures, strokes, or heart attacks as their bodies try to adjust without the drugs. However, even milder addiction can be hard to escape from. With a psychological addiction, one is trapped by feelings of guilt and anxiety as well as relentless cravings. These aspects create enormous pressure that can drive an addict back into substance abuse while quitting.

“I don’t want to go to rehab because detox is expensive. I’ll go after getting sober.” This is one of the most common excuses to put rehab off, and we can’t say it isn’t legitimate to some extent. Detox can cost up to 2000 dollars a day. There’s a reason it’s so expensive – drug detox is medically assisted in ensuring safety. Detox gets drugs out of the system and replaces them with healthy alternatives.

Alcohol and drugs like benzodiazepines can cause deadly withdrawal symptoms if they are stopped without medical supervision. There is a reason why do people go for rehab because the facilities offered there cannot be given at home.

Some milder withdrawal symptoms, such as shakiness or anxiety, can be bothersome. More serious ones include suicidal thoughts, seizures, and heart failure. This is why getting help from trained professionals who know how to detox safely is a better option than trying to stop alone. During medical detox, the staff will check vital stats, monitor the heart rate, and make sure nothing goes wrong.

This Supervision Is Crucial When It Comes to Heavy Users of Certain Drugs, Such As:

“I Want to Go to Rehab, but I’m Afraid” – What To Do?

Again, this is a common rehab question that many addicts have in mind. In a society, there are often stigmas associated with addiction, and seeking help for recovery can become a problem for those struggling with addiction. Most people consider people struggling with substance abuse as untrustworthy, unworthy of love, and not someone they should socialize with. Some people think them weak-minded people who cannot control their impulses; hence steering clear of them is the way to go. However, this kind of attitude hinders those struggling with addiction from getting the rehab help they need. Once they have answered the question “do I need rehab” in the affirmative, they feel afraid to even try to seek help as they think the society and people around them will start judging them. This creates a sense of shame, blame, hopelessness, and reluctance to seek treatment.

To overcome this stigma and fear, addicts need to rise above these society-imposed stigmas and take control of their lives. They need to practice self-awareness and educate themselves so that they don’t feel discriminated against in any part of their identity. Through education and empowerment, they can bring about positive changes in their lives. They should look at options for positively expressing themselves and being in positive people’s company. They can also join a support group and be surrounded by people struggling like themselves. All these things will help them overcome their fear and seek rehabilitative treatment.

Can I Just Go to AA or NA Meetings?

For people who are not very far along in addiction and substance abuse, just attending AA or NA meetings can help them overcome their addiction and live a sober and drug-free life. However, substance abuse and addiction have usually progressed to that level where just attending these meetings is not enough for most individuals. There is a reason why do people go to rehab. They may need to go through medical detox, live in a structured and supporting environment, and receive behavioral and clinic therapeutic treatment. All these treatment approaches can only be given in an outpatient or inpatient facility.

Man traveling for rehab With Suitcase.

“I’ve Decided I Need Rehab. Where Do I Go?”

The first question that an addict asks himself is: “Do I need rehab?”. After that, people who’ve decided to get help are worried about the cost of rehab or spending time away from family and friends, or even the stigma surrounding rehab, which is in part perpetuated by popular culture. As a medical disorder, addiction requires professional treatment at a rehab facility. The decision to go to rehab is a perfect one because rehabs help people in many ways, increasing their odds of a successful long-term recovery dramatically.

What to Expect in Drug Rehab?

Many of the critical factors involved in choosing a facility and type of treatment are not specifically connected to the treatment methodology itself. Factors like price, flexibility, distance to the center, support network, and aftercare planning are very significant – they can make the difference between recovery and failure. However, the issue of what to expect from rehab and all the related rehab questions is no less crucial. There are specific questions to ask a rehab facility so you can decide before checking yourself into rehab.

Rehab Facilities Are Designed to Create Welcoming, Comfortable Environments and Provide the Following Services, Among Others:

  • Proven therapy modalities and effective support group meetings
  • Ongoing counseling
  • Safe drug or alcohol detoxification
  • Tips on preventing a relapse
  • Long-term wellness programs

What Does the Typical Day in the Rehab Look Like?

One of the questions to ask a rehab facility is a typical day in the center. Although each rehab center may have its own schedule of what happens on a typical day, all of them usually follow a well-structured and standard framework of therapies. Therefore, no matter what rehab questions one might have regarding the rehab center, one can get an idea by looking at a typical day of the center.

Residential Treatment Is Structured and Organized, and a Typical Day May Look Like the One Described Below:

Mornings

Usually, patients in a residential facility are required to get up early. The morning in rehab begins with some sort of relaxing activity, such as yoga or meditation, to help clear the mind and prepare the individual for the day’s activities. After breakfast, a therapist or counselor will lead a group therapy session involving lectures and discussions of the main elements of addiction, the motivation to get sober, and the treatment process.

Midday

In the midday, patients undergo intensive therapy, involving group therapy again, individual therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, or family therapy. Some facilities offer art and equine therapy as well.

Afternoons

During the afternoons, patients may be given a few hours of free time to indulge in healthy activities such as sports, swimming, praying, meditation, or reading.

Evenings

The evenings are usually reserved for a group session, e.g., 12-step groups, where all patients are given a safe, respectful, and anonymous environment where they can share their feelings and fears with their peers. After group sessions, it is dinner time, after which lights are turned off for bedtime. This bedtime at a reasonable hour and then waking up early in the morning inculcates healthy habits in the individuals which are helpful for life long.

What Are The Types of Therapy?

Why do people go to rehab? Because of the treatment and therapies offered at the facility. Therapies are an integral part of any rehab facility, and one should ask about the therapies provided among the other questions to ask a rehab facility.

Some of the Most Common and Successful Therapies Include the Following:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy has been found particularly useful in treating addiction because of its focus on behavior. A CBT counselor will point out unhealthy and inadequate responses to sadness, stress, and other unavoidable aspects of life. These responses and forms of behavior are typical of most drug addicts. Changing how they respond to stress – finding an alternative to drugs as a source of calmness and hope – is crucial for attaining long-term recovery. CBT analyzes reactions in certain situations and teaches patients to respond in more suitable and healthier ways.

Group Therapy

Group therapy provides a way for former addicts to encourage one another in challenging stages of the recovery process by connecting and sharing personal stories, be they stories of triumphs or failures. This promotes honesty and helps eradicate denial. Listening to stories is helpful for everyone in the group because the similarities between those who deny and those who admit to being addicted start to become evident. Talks about life after rehab can be particularly beneficial.

Specialized Therapies

Some rehab centers offer specialized therapies to clients who may be struggling with anger issues or unable to handle situations in a controlled manner. These therapies may include anger management, stress management, coping techniques, couple counseling, etc.

Family Therapy

Family therapy includes including family members during therapy sessions as family support is an integral part of long-term treatment and sobriety. During family therapy, various family issues are resolved, and feelings are addressed, motivating the patient to continue on the road to recovery and achieve sobriety.

Equine Therapy

Equine therapy is a form of treatment where horses and other equine animals are used in various patient activities. Such therapies have been proven successful in enhancing physical and emotional healing. During this therapeutic activity, patients engage in activities such as grooming, feeding, and walking a house, all under the mental health professional’s supervision.

Art and Music Therapy

Art and Music Therapy involves various forms of arts and music that enable the patients to express themselves creatively and positively. This helps them control their emotions, promotes wellness, manage stress, improve communication, and aid physical rehabilitation.

How To Get Ready for Rehab?

The answer to this rehab FAQ, i.e., getting ready for rehab, is a key stage of the recovery process. If the individual decides on an inpatient facility, they must fulfill all work-related and financial obligations before they go. In addition, according to SAMHSA, an addict’s loved ones often have a more significant wish to achieve a healthy family system and structure than the addict himself since it affects the whole family. Thus, it helps the patient to stick with treatment through periods of doubt and disillusionment with recovery.

It is essential to spend a lot of time with loved ones before leaving to reduce anxiety and depression. Parents who travel for rehab are advised to ask the treatment center if it provides child care services or allows their child or children to stay with them in rehab. Before entering rehab, some people struggle with intense anxiety. They find things like going for walks or DIY helpful in emotionally and mentally preparing for rehab.

What Things To Take To Rehab?

This is among the questions to ask a rehab facility before checking yourself into rehab. The list of essentials isn’t long at all and must be observed because the last thing one wants in rehab is to realize they forgot something they can’t do without. This includes medication currently being taken and the respective prescriptions, ID documents, insurance cards, the critical contact information of physicians and loved ones, and a source of money in case unplanned expenses come up (debit or credit card).

Planning For Rehab: How to Deal with Job and Family?

Once a person commits to getting help, there’s a whole new series of challenges to face, such as having to put work engagements or family obligations on hold. People are frequently hesitant to mention their upcoming treatment to their employer, but an employer who is appreciative of their work will want them to go to rehab because they have an interest in their staff being happy and healthy. The sooner a recovering addict lets their employer know about going to rehab, the better. The Family and Medical Leave Act grants up to 3 months of medical leave, so people don’t lose their jobs because they decided to seek help with addiction.

Recovering addicts who have children, elderly relatives, or pets to take care of need to ask someone to look after them or find temporary care options. If there are bills to be paid while they’re away, they should register for automatic payments or leave someone they trust some money to make sure the bills will get paid. There’s nothing worse than coming back from rehab after getting help for addiction, full of hope for the future, only to face an immediate challenge in the form of overdue bills. Being saddled with financial stress is a poor way to start.

People who plan on entering rehab need to make sure the courts are aware of this, whether via an attorney or through their own correspondence. Even if there has been an oral agreement to confirm the rehab stay, it’s always best to have something in writing.

The Bare Necessities

When one decides to go to rehab, they are often tempted to take everything that reminds them of home or another place they find pleasant and comforting. By taking only the things, they will really need, however, rehab center patients will ensure they comply with the facility’s requirements to the items allowed. In addition, by bringing only the essentials, a patient will also limit any outside distractions that can compromise their addiction help.

Woman counting money for rehab.

How Much Does Addiction Recovery Cost?

This is also a common query among rehab questions. Therapy centers, rehab facilities, and third-party services providers offer evaluations. In some cases, the evaluations are free. Sometimes, however, they can cost hundreds of dollars. If the individual goes to a facility, the evaluation is often free. However, the treatment itself is rarely free. To get an idea of how expensive addiction recovery is, a comparison of different addiction treatment options may be helpful. The total cost of treatment depends on the type of facility one chooses or needs to attend. Inpatient treatment is more expensive because the patient lives on the facility’s premises, and food and accommodation costs factor into the overall price. Additionally, these facilities provide 24/7 medical supervision, which doesn’t come cheap. Insurance may cover all or some of the costs for detox (can be as much as $700 a day) depending on one’s specific needs.

Normally, out-of-pocket costs for a detox program can range from $250 to $650 for Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP). These programs provide peer support, host recovery groups, and medical detox treatments. With PHP, patients visit a treatment facility four times a week on average for five hours at a time and then come home to their families. This option reduces costs a great deal compared to a residential program because the patient doesn’t need to pay room and board. Neither are other living expenses an issue. Normally, PHPs cost clients $400 a day on average and last several weeks.

Will Insurance Cover My Treatment?

Not everyone can afford rehab treatment; hence, most people have a common rehab FAQ. However, out-of-pocket isn’t the only option when it comes to paying for rehab. It is possible to recover with Medicaid, Medicare, and Obamacare. Both Medicare and Medicaid offer plans with low or no co-pays incorporating a wide array of substance abuse and addiction treatments, including rehab.

What is Medicaid?

Medicaid provides insurance coverage for individuals and families who can’t afford private insurance. Pregnant women, people over 65 and under 19, parents, and individuals earning an income of a certain level qualify for this program. It is possible to apply based on limited income alone depending on the state – some states offer more expanded Medicaid coverage than others.

What is Medicare?

Medicare is a public program offering insurance coverage to disabled persons or persons over 65. It is helpful in cases where a person’s medical expenses are much higher than average. It is also possible to apply for Medicaid and/or Medicare if the private insurance coverage doesn’t pay for rehab or other forms of addiction treatment. The person must prove financial need and inability to pay their current insurance premiums.

Both Medicaid and Medicare are a network of approved professional practices – neither of them is a health care provider on their own. They have different plans covering various treatment options. In most states, people who receive coverage from Medicaid do not have to pay for addiction treatment services additionally. There is an out-of-pocket limit that applies to persons receiving Medicaid coverage in the states that do require co-payments.

Medicaid Covers a Number of Addiction Treatment Methods, Including the Following:

  • Long-term residential treatment / inpatient rehab
  • Interventions
  • Individual and group behavioral therapy
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Family behavior therapy
  • Other therapy methods

Medicaid also covers medication administered to treat withdrawal symptoms and help individuals in recovery stay sober, such as naltrexone and methadone to treat opioid use disorders and disulfiram to treat alcohol addiction disorder.

Under the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), health insurance providers have to cover addiction treatment and recovery. Individuals get financial aid to recover from alcohol or drug addiction when they sign up for health insurance. Obamacare prohibits insurance providers from denying a person coverage because of a pre-existing disorder, comorbid condition, age, or other factors, offers low-income families discounts and subsidies and covers mental health and substance use disorder treatment, including counseling, behavioral health treatment, and psychotherapy, as well as prescription drugs.

Does My Insurance Cover Addiction Treatment? Read More About Your Health Insurance Options:

What Other Options Are There to Apply to Rehab?

Apart from Medicare And Medicaid, there are some state-financed health insurances that may cover some parts of addiction treatment. Then there is the option of private insurance, which some rehab centers accept. For those low-income individuals who do not have any insurance, there are still some ways to get help for addiction treatment. There are some programs that offer financing options that the client can pay off later. If no type of insurance or financing option is available, patients have the opportunity to opt for free rehab. They have limited funding and long waiting lists, but they still prove to be a good option for low-income individuals who do not have any other financing option.

How Long Do People Stay in Rehab?

When recovering addicts choose to get long-term treatment, they will spend at least 120 days in an inpatient facility. These programs offer a structured, intensive therapeutic approach as their professional staff is aware that discontinuing the use of a given substance isn’t enough to overcome an addiction. People suffering from addiction disorder find this focused, professional and evidence-based treatment very helpful. As a relatively long form of treatment, it helps heal dependence and makes it easier for the recovering person to stay sober and clean.

Individuals who sign up for such treatment will have to live in the facility throughout the duration of treatment, so they’ll need to prepare accordingly, which includes securing their jobs during this period of time.

Should One Choose Inpatient or Outpatient Rehab Program?

Studies have shown that people who spend up to 12 months in a recovery program demonstrate better outcomes in terms of being able to stay sober. Long-term treatment centers make it possible to focus on behavior and causes of the addiction, not only its effects. Another advantage of long-term rehab facilities is the fact that they give more time to learn sober living behavior. A long-term addiction treatment plan is often divided into several stages, beginning with medically-assisted detox, going on to therapy, and ending with setting up an aftercare plan. Some long-term rehab centers also offer outpatient services, which are a better idea if the person isn’t able or doesn’t want to stop working or going to college and would prefer to live at home while getting treatment. Detox continues over a period of several days and is followed by 90 to 120 days of intensive therapy aimed at understanding and potentially eliminating the causes of addiction.

Outpatient rehab programs work well for individuals with shorter-term or mild addictions and individuals without a comorbid health disorder (dual diagnosis).

Treatment sessions can take place at various times throughout the week. Generally, outpatient rehab facilities provide short-term drug rehabilitation treatment – a month on average. The greater level of flexibility makes it possible for recovering addicts to continue with their everyday lives. They only need to check into treatment regularly for counseling and possibly to receive medication. There is also the option of continuing with outpatient therapy after completing a residential drug treatment program. Outpatient programs come in a variety of forms and varying levels of intensity. The focus of their diverse services is on education, counseling, and establishing a support network. They are a good choice for those looking for a flexible program to fit into their schedules but are firmly committed to achieving sobriety regardless.

Given the fact that out of 234 million adult visits to the emergency room between 2016 and 2017, 2.88 million were related to drug abuse, the need for such programs is undeniable.

Is it Possible to Get Drug Rehab Services Online?

Yes, there are certain rehab facilities that offer online drug rehabilitation services. The patient just needs an internet connection and a device with a camera such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Within the safety and comfort of their homes, they can participate in online sessions with therapists through video conferencing and other virtual platforms.

How Effective Is Drug Rehab?

Why do people go to rehab? Does rehab guarantee a successful outcome? This is a common rehab FAQ and the most difficult one to answer. The issue of effectiveness is highly dependent on the individual and the kind of support that he/she receives from their family, friends, and support groups. Studies have shown that peer support groups translate into better and successful outcomes in addiction treatment.

Research has shown that drug rehabilitation programs help addicts in turning their lives around where they can lead a fulfilling, sober, and drug-free life. During rehabilitation, they are taught various life skills through which they are able to control their emotions better and become productive members of society. Thus finding a good rehab program and checking yourself into rehab can be considered an investment that can save hundreds of thousands and, in some cases, make the difference between life and death. There is no price on saving a loved one’s life. All these reasons give one answer to the question of why do people go to rehab.

How To Regain My Loved One’s Trust After Rehab?

Acknowledging one’s own addiction problem and getting professional treatment and help in this regard is a brave and bold step that must be lauded. However, many patients face distrust from their loved ones who just feel that they will fall back into old habits of addiction and should not be trusted. But attending and completing rehab should be considered proof that the patient is willing to change their life for the better.

To Gain a Loved One’s Trust Again, One Must Make It Easy for Them Through Their Own Actions and Behaviors. These May Include:

  • Honesty and openness are the pillars of gaining trust, so be honest in expressing feelings.
  • Always speak the truth even if it may lead one into trouble.
  • Create structured routines for one’s daily life and stick to them.
  • Eat healthy to promote one’s well-being and stick to the goals of sobriety.

By doing all these above-mentioned steps, one can gain back the trust of loved ones as it will show them that the patient has now become severe in taking care of their mind, body, and soul. The person should also participate in aftercare programs to prevent relapse in the future. These aftercare options include weekly 12-step meetings, attending AA and NA meetings, regular sessions with peers, sober living arrangements, and other support groups.

What to Tell When Calling a Drug Rehab Helpline?

If one is calling a drug rehab helpline, there is a list of things that one should note down so that they can tell the consultant all the relevant information. The more relevant information one provides to the admissions consultant, the better he would be able to guide about treatment and recovery options. These include the following:

  • Information about the length and severity of the addiction or substance abuse.
  • List of all substances being abused
  • The mode of usage of substances, e.g., through oral route or through IV
  • Information about whether the addict has any medical condition
  • Information about whether the addict is suffering from any co-occurring mental health condition
  • Whether the addict is pregnant or not
  • Any special preferences for drug rehab, e.g., a women-only or men-only facility
  • Whether the addict has insurance and if not, then what would be his financing options

Should One Opt For Drug Rehab?

To answer this rehab FAQ in the simplest of words: Definitely! Drug and substance abuse can not only destroy individuals but complete families. It puts a financial burden on not only the addict and his loved ones but also a psychological burden.

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Published on: November 2nd, 2016

Updated on: March 27th, 2024

About Author

Nena Messina, Ph.D.

Nena Messina is a specialist in drug-related domestic violence. She devoted her life to the study of the connection between crime, mental health, and substance abuse. Apart from her work as management at addiction center, Nena regularly takes part in the educational program as a lecturer.

Medically Reviewed by

Michael Espelin APRN

8 years of nursing experience in wide variety of behavioral and addition settings that include adult inpatient and outpatient mental health services with substance use disorders, and geriatric long-term care and hospice care.  He has a particular interest in psychopharmacology, nutritional psychiatry, and alternative treatment options involving particular vitamins, dietary supplements, and administering auricular acupuncture.

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