Going into rehab can be scary. Not only will you need to leave substances behind, but you’ll also be away from family, and you will need to participate in therapy and have to be vulnerable in front of people you don’t know. It doesn’t take a lot to figure out that it’s not going to be easy. However, that should not stop you from seeking help at Alamo Behavioral Health. The truth is that your fear of rehab is mostly a fear of the unknown. Once you know what to expect from substance abuse treatment in Texas, you will feel much better about your decision to get help because you will be prepared for all that’s coming – the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Starting substance abuse treatment in Texas

If you have decided to start treatment for addiction, then you’ve already recognized that you have a problem you need help with. And here’s the good news – that’s the hardest step. Now you just have to figure out the practicalities of finding a treatment facility and starting rehab. Depending on your condition and the availability of treatment for it in your area, this can take as little as a few hours or as long as a couple of weeks.

Finding the right rehab

The first thing you need to do when you decide to seek treatment is to find a reputable rehab facility that suits your needs. It’s very important to make a good choice at this stage. The right treatment at the right facility will make all the difference to your long-term sobriety; the wrong approach, on the other hand, can cause irreparable harm by making you feel even worse and putting you off professional treatment altogether. So make sure that the medical detox center in San Antonio you have chosen:

• offers effective and evidence-based treatment for the type of addiction you suffer from
• adopts an individual approach to addiction treatment, ensuring that you get exactly the care you need and not a one-size-fits-all-solution
• employs licensed professionals to administer treatment, whether it be medication or therapy
• aims for long-term recovery with comprehensive programs and post-treatment support
• offers a variety of treatment options that can be tailored to your needs at various points in recovery

To find rehab facilities in your area, you don’t really need much more than Google. Once you’ve located the nearest treatment centers, you just need to take a look at their website and reviews to get an impression of what kind of care they offer. If you’re unsure, give them a call for a more personal first impression.

The evaluation process

A quality addiction rehab will evaluate your condition before recommending the right treatment. This is done to ensure that they can provide the kind of care you need and that you receive that care. During this process, you will be examined by a medical worker (typically a nurse, sometimes a doctor) and assessed by a mental health professional. The medical examination is a basic check-up as well as a discussion of your and your family’s medical history. The mental health assessment is essentially a short, introductory therapy session where a therapist or counselor; you’ll probably be asked about your thoughts and feelings as well as potential other diagnoses that would indicate you need dual diagnosis treatment TX. Some facilities even offer remote evaluations over the phone or online.

Preparing for rehab

Once you’ve found the right rehab and decided on the type of treatment you’ll undergo, you’ll need to prepare for the program. For most people, the first step is usually telling loved ones. Obviously, your friends and family should know about when you’re starting rehab and what type of treatment you’ll be doing. In case you intend to participate in family therapy, now is also a good time to mention this to the people who’ll be invited to those sessions. Depending on your family dynamics, this step can be mentally and emotionally difficult. But you have to keep in mind that the people who love you will continue to love you and support you through recovery.

If you are checking into a residential rehab in San Antonio, you’ll need to let your work or school know about your absence as well. Since addiction is a medical condition, most places of employment and education will allow prolonged absences for treatment. You’ll also need to pack for rehab. You should ask the facility you’ll be staying at for a list of things you’ll need. Typically this includes a couple of changes of clothes, everyday jewelry and toiletries, your wallet, valuable personal items, and important information about the nearest contact persons. If you are only going to be attending outpatient treatment, this is when you’ll want to take out your calendar and start planning when and how to fit therapy sessions into your schedule in case you have other obligations.

What does substance abuse treatment in Texas entail?

You probably already have some idea of what addiction treatment looks like. If you’ve tried rehab, you may even have personal experience with it. Otherwise, you’ve surely seen some form of addiction therapy portrayed in movies and TV shows. But second-hand information and fictional representations are not always the most reliable sources of information. The reality is that rehab is a lot less bleak yet a lot more complicated than you might expect. Depending on the program you attend, your treatment may entail:

• a stay at a treatment facility – If you opt for an inpatient program, you will be expected to live at the facility. The facility will provide lodging, food, necessities, and amenities. You may also have organized social events. All of this contributes to your recovery.
• medication-assisted treatment (MAT) – In severe cases of addiction, especially to opioids and alcohol, you may benefit from taking medication that suppresses cravings and combats the worst side effects of detox. Such medication assisted treatment TX facilities offer can be very helpful.
• group therapy for addiction – Perhaps the most well-known form of treatment for addiction, group therapy is a staple of any rehab. A few times a week, you will meet with a group of your peers to discuss addiction-related topics under the guidance of a mental health professional.
• individual therapy for addiction – In addition to group therapy, individual psychotherapy for addiction is provided in the majority of treatment programs. This is the opportunity for you to discuss your issues, such as past trauma, in-depth with a therapist one-on-one.
• addiction aftercare – For long-term recovery, you need long-term support. The best facilities provide addiction aftercare programs in TX. This may entail sober living homes, 12-step programs, continued therapy, peer support, etc.

A typical day in the life of someone receiving substance abuse treatment in Texas

Even knowing what substance abuse treatment entails, you may struggle to imagine what living through that treatment will be like. Luckily, your days in rehab will typically follow a pattern. There’ll be variance, of course. But as long as you know what a typical day looks like, you’ll be ready for most of what rehab will throw at you.

Inpatient rehab

During residential treatment, you’ll be staying at the rehab facility. So you’ll have to wake up fairly early to stick to the schedule set by the program. Your morning will start with a hearty and healthy breakfast. This is also when you can participate in morning activities like yoga, meditation, exercise, or prayer. If the treatment facility doesn’t offer such activities, you will likely have some free time. Then, you’ll have a short morning therapy session usually in a group setting. If you are on any medication, this is usually when you will receive it.

After a break for lunch, you’ll have your daily psychotherapy session. This session can be group or individual therapy and sometimes even a specialized session. Special sessions include family therapy, marriage counseling, art therapy, animal therapy, and other types of therapy that are not on the regular schedule. Once you’ve completed your daily session, you’ll typically have a couple of hours of free time. This is when you can relax, talk to your peers, and enjoy amenities like ping pong, the pool, or the yard. Dinner will be served at the same time every day, and after that, there’ll be another short group session. You’re encouraged to go to sleep at a reasonable hour, but you are free to spend some time on your own before that.

Outpatient rehab

If you are only attending outpatient treatment, your day will depend on your obligations. Therapy sessions will typically be in the afternoon or evening. This gives you plenty of time to attend school or go to work if you need to. However, it is still recommended that you develop a routine you can follow. This includes healthy sleeping habits like going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day. You should also set aside some time every day for self-care. Reading, meditation, and journaling – these are all good habits to get into. It is also important to get some physical activity every day. If you don’t quite have the time to hit the gym, walking or biking to therapy instead of driving can be a good alternative.

Completing substance abuse treatment in Texas – what comes next?

While you’re in substance abuse treatment in Texas, you have little choice other than staying sober. You won’t have access to illicit substances, but you will have a routine and supervision. This is basically the perfect set-up to leave the addiction. But once you’ve completed the treatment, staying sober becomes primarily your responsibility. And that can be scary. The trick is to use what you’ve learned in rehab. Create your own controlled environment by getting rid of all the substances in your home. Avoid temptation when you can by steering clear of people and events that might trigger you. Maintain the routines you developed – healthy sleep habits, self-care, and even therapy.

Finally, when you find yourself struggling – ask for help. There is no shame in relying on your support system or professionals who can lead your substance abuse treatment in Texas.