What About My Rehab Family?

Find Support in a Rehab Family

It is easy to go into rehab with the mindset that you are not interested in making friends; however, it is somewhat inevitable that you will leave the treatment feeling a close connection to your “rehab family”.

Specifically, you will be sharing a living space with people for weeks, attending treatment groups together, and fighting addictions in common.

It is only natural that you will feel part of a rehab family after this time together.

Rehab families can be incredible support systems once you leave treatment.

You can support each other as you maintain sobriety outside of rehab.

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What is a Rehab Family?

 
When describing a rehab family, consider all of the people who attend rehab with you.

Connections after rehab are important if you want to maintain sobriety.

Creating lifelong connections with people who are in rehab with you can give you a strong support system, even if you do not feel you have one from your own family.

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Pros and Cons of a Rehab Family

Pros

• Makes your stay more enjoyable.
• Adds enjoyment to communal periods such as eating or doing laundry.
• Allows you to confide in someone.
• Gives a sense of belonging and shared experiences/
• Can turn into a rehab support system after treatment. 

Cons

• Takes your focus away from recovery.
• Might make you take treatment less seriously.
• Might lead you to rely on others for support rather than yourself.
• Might feel burdened with other people’s emotions and sadness.

How to Create a Rehab Family The Right Way

 
In rehab, you can create a rehab family the right way if you set boundaries. You can avoid following other people’s bad decisions. Make sure you are aware of what other people are doing and avoid allowing them to bring you down.
You need to remember your main focus is trying to get sober. Although friends can be made at any time, your time in rehab is dedicated to achieving sobriety and working on yourself. Avoid any new romantic relationships while in recovery, and try to wait at least one year from rehab before committing to anyone in a romantic way. 

How Rehab Affects Your Real Family

 
While you are in treatment you might be so caught up with your new life and your new rehab family, that you don’t think about your real family at home. Try to remember that your addiction does not only affect you, but it also affects your family.
Addiction is hard for everyone in a family. There are a few ways that your family may be affected by your addiction and subsequent decision to enter rehab, including feeling: 

Loss Of Your Relationship

One obvious sign of substance abuse is the separation of oneself from family and friends. The physical separation of rehab is difficult for families as well. Your family members may feel like they are losing you as their partner, best friend, parent, or child. 

Emotional Distress

When you are suffering from an addiction, your loved ones may blame themselves or they simply carry additional stress. This may be angry with you for lying, being evasive or dishonest. Remember that their feelings are valid. 

Forced to be a Caretaker

Your family may feel as though they have to take on the role of a caregiver to you as you feed your addiction. This can be a huge burden. Sometimes, the person who takes on the caregiver role may neglect their own needs and focus entirely on you. This is not healthy or helpful and often leads to resentment.  

Different Forms of Treatment

Inpatient Rehab

You can either write a journal or write yourself a letter to read once you get out of rehab. Write about the goals you want to accomplish after rehab, or just write whatever comes to mind. If you decide to keep a journal, ask your rehab facility if you can bring it with you to the program. Many people find it helpful to and continue writing throughout treatment. 

Outpatient Rehab

Instead of moving into an inpatient rehab facility, outpatient rehab gives you the opportunity to go into rehab without completely leaving home. Outpatient rehab offers all of the same programs as inpatient facilities, including detox and counseling in both group and individual settings.
Outpatient rehab may be the best option for you if you have a less severe substance use problem. These programs are also known to cost less and are often covered by insurance. Expect to visit your outpatient program anywhere from three to five days per week, for several hours per session. It remains a substantial commitment. 

Behavioral Therapy

The purpose of behavioral therapy is to modify your attitude related to drug use and understand underlying issues that led to substance abuse. It should also help you to learn healthy life skills and continue medication-assisted treatment.
There are two common forms of behavioral therapies used in rehab: cognitive behavioral therapy, known as CBT, and motivational incentives, also known as contingency management.

• CBT focuses on recognizing the reasons for your addiction. It also helps you to understand how to avoid triggers that could send you into relapse.
• Contingency management uses positive reinforcement, such as small cash prizes and other rewards, to encourage sobriety.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

When medication is prescribed to help with substance use disorders, it is known as “medication-assisted treatment” or MAT. Although it might seem strange to treat an addiction with another medication, remember this is done under careful medical supervision. When combined with behavioral therapies, MAT is proven to be extremely successful.
Medication-assisted treatment helps reduce cravings for drugs that you are addicted to and also helps you manage withdrawal symptoms. MAT is mainly used for the treatment of opioid use disorders, but prescription medications are sometimes used for alcohol use disorders as well.

Mental Health and Treatment: Dual Diagnosis

 
Over half of all people suffering from a substance use disorder also suffer from a mental illness. This is known as a “dual diagnosis” or co-occurring disorders. When suffering from a dual diagnosis, you need a program that is able to help you with both of your disorders. If you do not tackle all your issues at the same time, your sobriety will be at risk.

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Preparing For Treatment

 
Finding a rehab family can be incredible, but make sure you are prepared for treatment and ready to focus.

Contact Resurgence Behavioral Health to learn about all of the programs we offer.

We are ready to work with you to help you get started today.

We also offer free insurance verification for treatment to help you understand what works with your budget and what your insurance will cover.

Call us today to get on the path to sobriety.