When you have a disease like diabetes or cancer, it’s not hard to tell that something is seriously wrong — and it’s not hard to ask for help. Addiction, however, is a chronic brain illness that includes denial as one of its symptoms, which means that it can be hard to recognize the signs of trouble until it’s almost too late. How do you know when you need rehab? The fact that you are asking yourself about it is a good start. The reality is, people who do not have a problem with drugs or alcohol just don’t think about it that much. If even a small part of you is considering getting help for your drinking or drug use, here’s what you need to know.
What Is Rock Bottom?
Even people with a very limited understanding of addiction recovery have heard of the concept of “rock bottom” — that mythical moment when you hit a personal low that’s so painful, you decide to change your life. Rock bottom looks different for everyone, but it could be something like a DUI, an ultimatum from a spouse, or a hospital trip.
However, it could be something much less dire, too. For some people in recovery, “rock bottom” was simply waking up one day and deciding to try another way of life. Your rock bottom might be the simple fact that you’re sick and tired of feeling sick and tired.
It’s important to understand that you don’t have to wait to get help. You are truly the only one who decides what your turning point will be. That means that you are the only one who can prevent your future suffering by stopping before you experience consequences even more severe than you already have.
Signs It’s Time To Quit Drinking Or Using Drugs
How do you know when your drinking or drug use is really a problem? Ask yourself some of the following questions:
- Have you ever vowed to stop drinking or using for a period of time, but were not able to last as long as you’d planned?
- Do you get irritated with people when they talk about your drinking or using?
- Has your drinking or using caused issues in your relationships?
- Has your drinking or using gotten you into trouble at work?
- Do you ever worry that there won’t be enough alcohol or drugs for you at a gathering?
- Do you have blackouts from drinking or using?
- Do you ever wonder that your life could be better if you stopped drinking or using? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it probably could be.
What Is Rehab?
“Rehab” is a catch-all term for addiction treatment services, but there are actually many different kinds of treatment that can help you quit drinking or using. The best choice for you depends on the severity of your use, your drug of choice, and your lifestyle and goals for the future.
Typically, residential addiction treatment is the best option for people who have a severe substance use disorder. In residential addiction treatment, you check yourself into a facility where you will live for a number of weeks, receiving 24/7 treatment and support. Generally, people who have been abusing alcohol or drugs for a while will require some form of detox prior to residential treatment. Some residential treatment facilities offer detox right on site, but in some cases you may go to a different facility for detox first before checking in to residential.
People whose addiction is not as severe may opt for outpatient services to address their drinking or drug use. Intensive outpatient programs or partial hospitalization programs allow you to live and work according to your normal schedule while attending treatment several hours per day — either during the day or in some cases in the evening. In outpatient treatment, you receive the same type of services as in residential, but you don’t get the same kind of round-the-clock care.
What Happens In Rehab?
Reputable addiction treatment facilities understand that every individual is unique, and customize their treatment plans accordingly. A typical treatment plan will include a mix of therapies meant to heal you from the inside out. You may experience everything from traditional talk therapy with a counselor to innovative treatments like EMDR (eye movement desensitization response), which uses lights or visual cues to reprogram your brain at a subconscious level. Experiential activities like sports can help you learn to enjoy life again without drugs and alcohol.
How To Get Help For Addiction
If you’re still not sure whether rehab is the right choice for you, the easiest thing to do is to ask. Call Sunflower to talk to our caring admissions team about your life and your goals. They’ve been in your shoes, so they can help you make the choice that’s best for you. More importantly, they’ll help you plant the seeds for hope in a new life — a life without drugs and alcohol.