There is no question that going to rehab can be a positive, life-changing experience, but unfortunately, it doesn’t work for everyone. For one reason or another, people either don’t complete the program, or they relapse soon after completing the program. What makes someone more likely to relapse, or give up on rehab all together? Can someone be more “ready” for living a sober life than someone else? Absolutely. Here are five instances in which treatment might fail you, or rather, you might fail it.
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You Don’t Think That You Have A Problem
While there are many different reasons that someone decides to go to rehab, admitting that you have a problem is the first step for a reason. It is common for many to go into rehab not entirely convinced they are an alcoholic or addict. Nevertheless, if you never come to the conclusion that you in fact have an addiction and are powerless over it, the chances of relapse increase. Ask yourself this: is your drug or alcohol use impeding you from doing things in your life? Are you preventing your own success by continuing to use? If the answer is yes, then you should seek help. If drugs or alcohol limit you in any way, then there is a problem.
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You’re Going To Rehab For Someone Other Than Yourself.
You may think that just getting sober is enough, but it’s not. Unless you truly want to get sober and live that way, it’s just not going to happen. For example, if you decide to get clean because your significant other wants you to, what happens if you and that person break up? You may complete rehab, and you may stay sober for a while, but if YOU are not the reason you got sober, once that reason is gone, the likelihood of relapse increases significantly. Rather than making it someone else’s decision, ask yourself why this person wants you to get clean. Is your use of drugs or alcohol affecting your relationship in a negative way? Do you miss dates or fail to meet your obligations? If so, then you should ask yourself if maybe your loved one is right about the need to seek help.
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You Won’t Put In The Work.
Rehab is not a magic pill. You can’t just show up and expect it to magically solve all of your problems. You need to be willing to go to therapy, and meetings and participate. Although agreeing to go to rehab and understanding that you need help is a big step, it is merely the beginning. Recovery is a life-long process of acceptance, willingness, and hard work. Think of it this way: Meetings, working the steps, and helping others is an alcoholic/addict’s medicine. What happens if you stop taking your medicine? You get sick all over again…and sometimes worse than when you began.
Now is the time to take control of your life and work towards its betterment. Think about how things will change for the better once drugs and alcohol are out of your life. Think about your goals for the future, and how much more attainable they will be once you are sober. Use this as motivation to participate and learn as much as you can from your time in rehab.
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You Continue To Surround Yourself With Others Who Still Use.
Being around people who still use drugs or alcohol is a recipe for disaster. They may not offer you anything at first, but just having it in your presence is more temptation than anyone in recovery should have to handle. And, as the saying goes, “If you hang out in a barber shop long enough, you will get a haircut.”
It’s like swearing off sugar but having your favorite sweet treat constantly within reach. Sooner or later, most people would cave. Yes, getting sober means readjusting some things in your life, including who you spend most of your time with, but it’s a change for the better. It can seem daunting at first but think about the quality of life that you want to have. You will form new relationships in your new life, and maybe even inspire some former friends to take the same steps and work on living clean and sober.
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You Aren’t Willing To Maintain Your Sobriety.
Sobriety isn’t something that’s done for a month and then, bam! You’re healed! Again, sobriety takes work. It’s a way of life. Imagine losing 100 pounds and then thinking you can go back to your old ways and not have to worry about it. What would happen? More than likely, you’d gain back that 100 and then some. Recovery is a journey, not a one stop shop. More often than not, you will hear those who have found sobriety say, “I got sober because I had to, but I stay sober because I want to.” Eventually, it stops feeling like a job, and you realize it has become a way of life. Remember, recovery is a complete lifestyle and personality change.
Yes, the sad truth is that sometimes people relapse even after going through rehabilitation. Nevertheless, if you’ve thought at all about going, chances are you need to, so please go. Don’t let anything change your mind once you’ve decided to get help. You may want to wait until you feel like you’re truly “ready”, but putting it off puts you in danger of never getting the help that you need. Even if you find yourself identifying with one or more items on this list, it is not a guarantee that rehab won’t work for you. They are simply things you need to keep in the back of your mind during your journey, in order to decrease your chances of relapse.
Contact Clearbrook Today
If you or someone you love is currently struggling with drug addiction or alcoholism, please know that help is available. With 45 years of experience, Clearbrook Treatment Centers has had the opportunity to witness the miracle of recovery for thousands of individuals. Please contact our Admissions Specialists today and get on the road to recovery. You are only one decision away from the rest of your life.
