Can I Bring My Dog to Rehab?

How To Find A Pet Friendly Rehab Facility

For those with a substance use disorder, wanting to get help for their addiction may not be enough to participate in an inpatient rehab program. Inpatient programs can last anywhere from 30 days to 60 days to 90 days and even more depending on the severity of the addiction. Taking an extended period of time away from home and life’s obligations can be difficult for many reasons including work, childcare, and for some, it may even be a pet they are responsible for.

Pets can be a big part of our lives and we can even consider them part of our family. Leaving them behind may not be an option for many and can also cause stress and worry while at rehab wondering if they are ok. While most drug and alcohol treatment centers do not allow dogs, there are places that are pet-friendly and allow you to bring your dog with you. So there is a possibility for you to bring your dog with you to rehab which can actually benefit your recovery treatments.

Being able to bring your dog along with you not only removes the stress of finding adequate care for them, but it can also be beneficial for your recovery as well. Pets in general can have a great positive impact on our mental health, and because addiction is a mental health disorder, they can contribute to the success of your treatment program.

A quick online search can provide a long list of facilities that are pet-friendly. But it is important to do your research on the facility if it provides the types of treatments and programs that fit your unique needs. You can also call and ask an admissions counselor directly about their pet policy if you find a rehab program you are interested in. With more facilities offering accommodations for pets, you may be surprised to learn that you can bring your dog to rehab.

Even if the facility is pet-friendly, it is still important to give them a call and ask about their policies about bringing your dog. Some may have size or breed limitations. They may also have different rules whether they are kept in a separate kennel area or have pet-friendly suites, which may be more expensive than a shared room with other patients.

Benefits of Having Your Dog During Addiction Treatment

The biggest benefit of having your dog with you during addiction treatment is it takes away one obstacle of being able to get inpatient care for your addiction. Not worrying about finding a boarding facility or asking a loved one to look after them can be one less reason why you are not getting help.

Having your dog with you in rehab can give you peace of mind they are well taken care of. Leaving them behind can give you guilt that they may feel abandoned or sad without you. You may also feel very sad being away from them for an extended period of time.

Another big advantage is the numerous health benefits a pet can give, mostly to your mental health. Studies show that dogs can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, which can be present during recovery. Having your dog by your side during rehab can make the experience less stressful and lonely for you, helping to increase your chances of successfully completing a drug and alcohol program.

How Your Dog Can Help Your Recovery

Addiction recovery programs are constantly finding new and better ways to give you the best chance of completing a program and staying sober long term. They have noticed how much a dog can help your recovery, both in the short term and long term. Some of the ways a dog can help your recovery include:

Stress Reduction

Just being around a dog can promote relaxation. Petting and playing with dogs can increase serotonin and oxytocin levels, which help ease stress, anxiety, and depression. Long-term drug or alcohol abuse can alter the way your brain regulates biochemicals and hormones, causing an increase in anxiety and depression. One aspect of recovery is helping your body relearn how to regulate these biochemicals to ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Your dog can help speed up this process and be very beneficial during the detox and throughout the rest of your addiction recovery program.

Improved Attitude

Your dog can also help improve your attitude and overall mental health, as well as others nearby. They can bring a lot of joy, pleasure, and happiness which leads to a more positive mindset and hope for your recovery.

They can also give you a sense of responsibility since their own welfare relies on you. Because your dog relies on your own wellbeing, it can be a great motivation to get better and stick to sobriety as well. Their unconditional love can improve your self-worth, which is something many in recovery struggle with. A dog can improve your self-worth also by reassuring you that you can take care of another creature and yourself.

Habit Building

One of the main tools rehabilitation programs try to teach is habit building. Recovery is not only about breaking old, harmful patterns, but also about building new, positive behaviors. Having a routine can improve mental health as well as prevent boredom. A dog can help build a routine and prevent boredom and loneliness. Dogs need to be fed, cleaned, exercised, and taken on regular bathroom breaks on a daily basis. Taking care of another living being can be a bit time-consuming, which is good for those in recovery to prevent idle time. They are also great company and fun to play with.

Connecting With Others

When starting a recovery program, people can feel ashamed, withdrawn, uncertain, and focused inward. They may also need to stay away from old friends and acquaintances who may be a bad influence on their recovery. This can lead to isolation and a loss of human connections. But a dog can help you build new relationships and connections by easing social anxiety and promoting social interactions. A lot of people will want to pet them or just make it easy to strike up a conversation with you because you have your dog with you.

Increased Physical Activity

Exercise is also a big part of recovery. For the general population, regular exercise is important to keep healthy but is even more important for those in recovery. It can have a great impact on your mental health and also help build all those brain chemicals back up quicker. Building an exercise routine can be hard for anyone, but a dog will force you to get and move. Dogs need exercise, which means you will be exercising along with them. They also need consistency, which means it will make exercise a daily routine for you instead of a once-in-a-while activity. Regular exercise can speed up your recovery as well as reduce stress, and improve sleep and self-confidence.

Bringing Your Dog To Rehab at Resurgence Behavioral Health

Now that you are aware of how your dog can improve your drug or alcohol recovery program, you may have decided that you want to bring them along with you. There are still other aspects to consider whether bringing your dog with you is the right choice, for example, the facility may have policies on breed and size that are acceptable. You also are solely responsible for your pet and its behavior. You will need to take care of feeding and exercising them, as well as cleaning up after them and making sure they do not disturb other residents. Pet-friendly rehab may also be more expensive because the facility may require you to have a private suite instead of a shared one.

Finding a pet-friendly rehab that has a recovery program that meets your needs may give you a limited list of rehabs that are right for you. Resurgence Behavioral Health is not only a dog-friendly rehab but our comprehensive addiction treatment programs are tailored to meet every patient’s needs. We offer a medically assisted detox program, inpatient and outpatient rehab program, as well as continued care to help you with long-term recovery. One of our addiction specialists will always be happy to help you figure out which program is best for you and how you can bring your dog with you. We can also help verify your insurance benefits and how your insurance can pay for pet-friendly rehab or can offer a payment plan if needed.

If you or someone you love is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction and would like more information about pet-friendly rehab, please give us a call today. We will be happy to assist you in any way possible or get you started on the road to recovery.

Josh Chandler
After growing up in Chicago and North Carolina, Josh chose to get help with substance use disorder and mental health in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than five years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for four years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. Josh remains passionate about the field because he understands that one phone call can alter the course of a person's life.

Research | Editorial