So, you’ve decided to break the habit and start your journey to the long-term transformation of your life without substance abuse. How to prepare for rehab mentally? This is a major life decision; without proper mental preparation, it can be harder to successfully go through this change. Do not be afraid to feel nervous and anxious. Overwhelming feelings of insecurity and discomfort are normal in this situation. To make the whole process of life-transforming treatment easier and more manageable you have to be prepared.
Physical detoxification from substances is only the first part of any rehab therapy. More importantly, it is important to reshape your mindset and embrace a new way of life. That is why this article focuses on the practical steps about how to prepare mentally and what to do before your rehab program.
What is a Rehab Process?
Rehabilitation from drug abuse is a structured treatment program that helps people overcome the physical and psychological aspects of addictions. A typical rehab program includes physical detox, regular mental therapy sessions, and learning how to cope with harmful habits daily. The use of different methods for psychological rehab was scientifically proven many times in numerous research studies.
If you become a participant in any professional rehabilitation program, prepare for the regular sessions with expert psychologists where you have to stay open-minded to achieve progress. Professional rehab specialists will help to understand the reasons for your self-destructive behavior and addiction triggers. This approach helps to develop personal mental strategies for keeping you sober as long as possible.
Preparing for rehab mentally increases the chances of a successful recovery. Do not be scared to engage in the self-healing process and face emotional challenges. Use the professional help of rehab centers to beat the addiction.
How to Prepare for Rehab Mentally – Common Strategies
If you want to get ready to go rehab, you should follow certain scientifically proven strategies for proper mental preparation.
Accept the Need for Change
This is the first and, probably, the hardest step on your path to recovery. Addiction tends to capture every single aspect of your lifestyle. And the acknowledgment of its horrible impact on your life is the most important turning point. Only full acceptance can pave the way for your true recovery from physical and mental addiction.
Also, it is the most sincere approach if you intend to rebuild your relationship with friends and family who were affected by your addiction. Focusing on your motivation to change is the priority when you do the baby steps on your recovery path.
Set Realistic Goals and Expectations
Motivation is great but you need to understand that the change won’t come over a day or even a month. Recovery is not a quick magic solution that will fix all the problems in your life. Setting realistic goals will keep you grounded so you can better focus on progress instead of dreaming. These goals should be small but noticeable. Set milestones for the first day, week, month, or half a year of your rehab program. And do celebrate when you achieve these goals one after another. However, do not let setbacks and challenges avert you from your milestones.
Develop a Positive Mindset
To achieve all these milestones one and only motivation is not enough. The positive mindset, however, can help to change the negative perspective when you are pushing yourself through the rehab’s challenges. Focus on the benefits and your milestones instead of overthinking about negative emotions during the treatment cycles.
Imagine that every day of a rehab program is Thanksgiving Day when you are grateful for something special and good happening with your health and lifestyle. Strive for a brighter future with your positive attitude – even multiple researches prove this phenomenon is working.
Build Commitment to Boost Motivation
To stay on track during the rehab challenges you are to be committed to your milestones through motivation. Remind yourself why you are doing this during your lowest points. Think about the life that you want to have after finishing the therapy.
Preparing for Rehab – Practical Steps
Choosing the right rehab center with professional therapists is the most important thing to do. Research each facility carefully before picking the place. Look into their treatment programs, success rates, real user reviews, and the experience/qualification/degrees of local specialists. The more you will know about this location and staff, the less anxious you will feel.
Try to handle any financial, legal, family-related, and working responsibilities before going to rehab. Pay the bills, hire a pet sitter, send emails to your employer and co-workers, and talk to all your friends and family members. Some people take care of your well-being even if you are not fully aware of their presence in your life. As for employment, the rehab treatment is covered as a medical leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
What to Take to Rehab – Use the Checklist
- Comfortable clothes that fit the rehab’s dress code, pajamas, workout clothes, a sweater or jacket;
- Shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, alcohol-free hygiene products and other necessary toiletries;
- ID and insurance cards;
- Prescribed medication in the original packaging and medical documents about the necessity of taking them;
- Personal items like photos, books, and journals;
Important notice! Most rehab facilities prohibit the use of electronics (including gadgets), alcohol-based products, or anything that may interfere with the rehab center’s rules.
And at last, but not least, do not forget to say farewell to those people whom you love the most. Assure them that you will try to return as soon as you feel healthier and more confident. Let them know how much you love and appreciate their support. Value those people who are ready to support you at your lowest.
How to Prepare for Rehab Emotionally?
Following the checklist when gathering your rehab bag is much easier than preparing for this life-changing process emotionally.
Most people who join the rehab therapy program for the first time usually experience anxiety and fear. And it is the most natural thing to feel. Even if you know each stage of the program you don’t know how your body and mind will cope with it and whether will you be able to succeed. That’s why it might be worth talking with a therapist, family member, or trusted friend about these fears and doubts before going to rehab.
Guilt and shame are other common feelings the addicts may experience when going to rehab, especially if it is not the first time. But you should try to accept these feelings to prevent them from weighing you down. Focus on the idea that you came to a rehab center to heal. There is no place for shame when you are going through the healing process. Try not to beat yourself too hard.
Emotional preparation is also necessary to overcome severe withdrawal symptoms. Read more about the physical conditions and feelings you may have. Usually, the most common withdrawal symptoms from the mental side will include restlessness, mood swings, and irritability. You need to understand that all these symptoms are temporary. Accept them as a part of healing.
Do not be too hard on yourself! Self-compassion is something that you should allow yourself to feel. But it can be difficult to forgive yourself and overcome the fear of failure and moments of doubt. Staying addicted may even seem a more comfortable way of living than changing your lifestyle completely. That is when self-compassion can help to understand that you deserve better than being an addict your whole life.
Gather the Support Group for Mental Preparation
A strong support group of close friends, family members, and professional therapists for most people is the only way to cope with the challenges during the first months of rehab therapy. Building such a group before going to a rehab clinic can be an important investment in successful detoxification and rehabilitation.
All of us need people who encourage and help to stay on track through difficulties. It is important to surround oneself with positive influences who do not abuse illegal substances or are involved in criminal activity.
If you feel alone in your struggle with addiction, then consider joining support groups or online communities. Such groups consist of people who have successfully beaten the addiction and can help others to take the first steps before and during rehabilitation. And, most importantly, they won’t let you feel alone on your way to a healthier lifestyle.
Also, starting therapy or counseling before the addiction treatment at a rehab center can be a good decision. An experienced therapist can help to process feelings or emotions and guide you through any pre-rehab anxiety. Additionally, therapy sessions can help to uncover emotional triggers.
Learn More about Coping Mechanisms and Stress Management before Rehab
Most therapists at professional rehab centers will tell you that learning coping mechanisms and stress management techniques are the key elements of healthy treatment for severe addictions. The thing is that addiction also belongs to unhealthy coping mechanisms used as a response to negative experiences or feelings. That is why learning healthier coping mechanisms can help to handle these negative factors better instead of killing your body and body with illegal substances.
Some of the great coping mechanisms and stress management techniques you may learn:
- Meditation and mindfulness. Simple breathing techniques and yoga exercises can help to calm your mind, reduce anxiety, and prepare your body for physical withdrawal symptoms;
- Self-reflection and writing in a journal. Writing down your thoughts may seem weird or even funny. But it is a quite therapeutic way to process emotions, especially for lonely or introverted people;
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Behind the complex CBT term is a simple idea that a person with addictions needs to recognize and change negative thought patterns. Learning how to replace these harmful thoughts with positive ideas and plans is what every rehab patient tries to implement since the first day of therapy;
In addition to coping mechanisms, it can be really good for a rehab patient to find healthy hobbies and interests. Such habits can help to build a post-addiction life full of interesting occupations and habits. Painting, yoga, exercising, gardening, fishing, playing music, or video games with friends – all these activities can actually help to overcome the negative aspects of addiction.
Plan Your Post-Rehab Life Routine
Someday you will complete the addiction treatment. Congratulations! However, do not forget that the journey to sobriety won’t be over with the end of your rehab program. In fact, rehabilitation is just the beginning of a life-long journey that helps to build a positive mindset, and healthier habits and solve mental issues that are standing in your way. To keep following this healthy path without the assistance of therapists and rehab specialists you should focus on your life after beating the first challenges.
Your worst enemy at this stage will be the risk of relapse. Most rehab programs teach how to cope with the individual triggers that could lead to relapse. All the relapse-causing triggers can be divided into:
- Emotional triggers – loneliness or stress;
- Environmental triggers – places or locations related to the substance use;
- Situational – stressful events or routine hardships;
To overcome these triggers you need to reflect on the results of your past experiences in similar situations. Also, you can try making a relapse prevention plan that will help to reduce cravings and avoid setbacks. To fulfill this plan a strong support network of personal therapists, spiritual rehab groups, and trusted family/friends can help. AA and NA groups use the practice of sponsorships where all the participants help one another to avoid relapsing.
Conclusion
It is impossible to begin a rehab journey without proper mental preparation and support. People who are undergoing such serious mental and physical changes need to be more accepting of change and learn how to set realistic goals. Building a positive mindset is the first step to the personal’s success on this bumpy road to full recovery from substance dependencies. Stay focused on the idea that the right mindset and support can do miracles when you overcome the hardest challenges for a long-lasting transformation for the better.
