If you are wondering whether or not you’re ready for rehab, you are likely much closer to sobriety and recovery than you may think. Oftentimes, people will contemplate going to rehab for months or years before they are finally ready to engage in treatment. Personal doubts, insecurities, and feelings of overwhelm can all be common barriers to treatment entry and engagement. However, many people may also outright deny their need for treatment, which can be especially challenging if an individual’s substance abuse is clearly problematic.
To be ready for rehab, you must take an honest assessment of your alcohol and drug use and recognize how it is affecting your life. From there, you can visualize the life you’d like to create for yourself in sobriety. Although rehab and recovery do not come without their challenges, you deserve a life controlled by you. Professional treatment is often necessary to break any holds that substance abuse may have on your life.
At Athens Area Commencement Center, we believe that everyone has the power within them to effectively establish and sustain sobriety from substance use disorder (SUD) and addiction. One of the ways we can help you recognize whether or not you are ready for rehab is by preparing you for what to expect when you participate in one of our individualized treatment programs. Additionally, it is essential to understand that recovery is a lifelong journey. While rehab begins this journey, you must identify ways to stay committed and engaged in the healing process long after rehab. Fortunately, we can help you do just that.
Identifying Your Need for Rehabilitation
Coming to terms with a substance abuse problem is no easy feat. Many people may remain in denial about the consequences of their alcohol and drug use because they are comparing their use or problems to those of others. Unfortunately, comparison will only make the process of identifying your need for rehabilitation more complicated. It is important to address your substance use independently to understand if you are truly ready for rehab.
Addressing common warning signs and symptoms of addiction can be an important step in identifying your need for treatment and recovery. As the National Insitute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains, “One important sign of addiction is that a person continues to use drugs even though it’s harming their life: physical health, performance at school or work, or relationships.” More specifically, warning signs that may indicate your need for professional treatment include:
- A decline in personal hygiene and appearance
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Drops in attendance in important responsibilities, such as work or school
- Emotional regulation difficulties when under the influence or when sober
- Experiencing increased interpersonal conflict as a result of your substance use
- Using alcohol and other drugs to self-medicate
- Enduring physical and/or psychological withdrawal symptoms when not using
This is not an exhaustive list; however, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms as a result of your substance use, it may be time to pursue professional treatment. Nevertheless, as this realization can be overwhelming, leaning into professional treatment as soon as possible will provide you with the guidance and support you need to effectively heal.
Get Ready for Rehab By Overcoming Barriers to Healing
As stated in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, those who use alcohol and other drugs “are the most direct source of information about the barriers that impede linkage with treatment, although their views have not always been considered.” One study of the general population found that those who abuse substances reported the following factors as main barriers to treatment entry and engagement:
- Lack of confidence in the effectiveness of treatment
- Stigmatization of needing professional support
- General denial of a substance abuse problem
- The belief that an individual can solve their own problem with alcohol and other drugs
Do you identify with any of these barriers? If so, it can be helpful to address them by dispelling misconceptions about the treatment process.
Dispelling Misconceptions About Treatment
First and foremost, if you are doubting the effectiveness of treatment programs, you may not be familiar with what the treatment process entails. Contrary to popular misconception, treatment is more than just talking through problems with a therapist. Rather, it involves intimate engagement in a variety of therapeutic modalities in both individual and group therapy settings. Therapists will utilize a wide range of approaches to help you overcome intrusive or otherwise problematic patterns of thought and behavior that inform your substance abuse.
Every treatment center approaches sobriety and recovery differently, which is why it can be helpful to research different treatment centers and their philosophies. Many treatment facilities, like Athens Area Commencement Center, focus on individualized care, ensuring that your unique needs and recovery goals are addressed in rehab.
Further, addiction is a disease, and you should not feel ashamed or embarrassed about needing professional help. Letting go of the belief that you can overcome your substance use on your own will help you commit to the healing journey as well as thrive in lifelong recovery.
Ready For Rehab? Call Athens Area Commencement Center
Whether you feel ready for rehab or still have questions, do not hesitate to call us at the Athens Area Commencement Center today. We can help you better understand what to expect when you participate in one of our treatment programs.
Remember, no one can convince you to participate in treatment. Being ready for rehab is a challenging realization, yet the decision to enter rehab is a life-changing decision that you must make for yourself. We are here to ensure that such a decision will be the best one you will ever make.
Knowing whether or not you are ready for rehab can be an overwhelming realization; however, it does not have to be. Merely contemplating your need for professional treatment is an extremely important step for lifelong healing and sobriety. At Athens Area Commencement Center, we can help you better understand your need for rehab by talking with you about how your substance abuse is affecting your life. Addressing these consequences of your alcohol and drug use can foster motivation for your commitment to sobriety and recovery. To learn more about our treatment programs and therapeutic options available for treatment, call us today at (706) 546-7355. You deserve a happy and healthy life, free from the grips of substance abuse.