If you are grappling with an addiction to prescription medications, alcohol, or illicit narcotics, today’s guide outlines the many different reasons people go to rehab for.
Addiction – described clinically as substance use disorder – is a chronic and relapsing brain condition. Central to addiction is the compulsive use of substances regardless of negative outcomes. If you feel that the negative outcomes triggered by your substance use are becoming problematic, you will first need to recognize and admit the existence of the problem.
According to data from NSDUH 2020 (SAMHSA’s latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health), 40.3 million U.S. adults meet the criteria of drug addiction or alcoholism in 2020. A further 6.5 million reported addictions to both illicit drugs and alcohol in the same year.
Among these, just 2.4 million people engaged with drug rehab and 2 million attended alcohol rehab.
There are many barriers preventing people from seeking the professional addiction treatment they need, including:
- Perceived cost of treatment.
- Stigma of addiction and rehab.
- Refusal to admit the existence of an addiction.
- Feeling that they have not yet experienced hitting rock bottom.
- Busy personal and professional lives.
While fewer than one in ten of those who require addiction treatment engage with inpatient or outpatient rehab, there are many reasons to go to rehab.
10 Reasons to Go to Rehab
1. You can detox from alcohol or drugs as safely and comfortably as possible
2. Rehab provides structure and support when substance use is no longer a choice
3. You will have chance to reconnect with yourself, to reflect, and to rebuild your self-esteem
4. Probe the causes of your addiction and learn how to fight back in your ongoing recovery
5. You can choose a program with an intensity to suit your circumstances and the severity of your addiction
6. Addiction can be treated like a physical injury by engaging with evidence-based treatment at rehab
7. You will have the chance to connect with peers in similar situations and to build a sober support system
8. Rehab can help you to start repairing relationships affected by your substance abuse
9. At rehab, you will learn how to build a healthier and more productive lifestyle
10. Those with dual diagnosis treatment can treat both conditions simultaneously at rehab
1) You can detox from alcohol or drugs as safely and comfortably as possible
If you abruptly stop using alcohol, prescription medications, or illicit drugs at home with no medical supervision, this can be dangerous and possibly even life-threatening.
One of the many reasons people go to rehab is that it provides you with the opportunity to withdraw from addictive substances safely and comfortably. A treatment team can administer FDA-approved medications to reduce the intensity of cravings and withdrawal symptoms during a medical detox. You will also have access to continuous emotional and clinical care, minimizing the chance of complications or relapse during detoxification.
Detox will be the first of a chain of events in your ongoing recovery journey. Detoxing at a licensed medical detox center or inpatient treatment center allows you to build the strongest foundation for ongoing treatment with the least possible discomfort.
After a week or so, you will be ready to transition directly into an inpatient treatment program or to start attending outpatient treatment sessions. Detox will address the physical aspect of dependence, but ongoing therapy is required to deal with the psychological component of drug addiction or alcoholism.
2) Rehab provides structure and support when substance use is no longer a choice
According to NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse), addictions are characterized by compulsive substance use.
Many people begin using alcohol or drugs recreationally and by making a conscious choice to do so. The sustained abuse of any addictive substance, though, leads to the development of tolerance. When this occurs, you require more of the substance or more frequent doses to achieve the same initial effects. Attempting to compensate for tolerance in this way will speed up the onset of dependence. If you become physically dependent on an addictive substance, its absence triggers the presentation of withdrawal symptoms. Addiction often but not always follows.
If you feel that you can no longer control your substance use but you feel unable to stop these abusive patterns of consumption, going to rehab will provide you with a structured and supportive pathway to addiction recovery.
3) You will have chance to reconnect with yourself, to reflect, and to rebuild your self-esteem
Addiction can be remarkably time-consuming, and you may find that rehab gives you the welcome opportunity to reconnect with yourself.
Working closely with qualified counselors and therapists, you’ll identify your strengths and equip yourself with positive life skills and healthy coping mechanisms that should prove invaluable in your ongoing recovery. You will also discover how to set and track meaningful goals based on your personal values.
Additionally, going to rehab should boost your self-esteem as you become more able to focus on the progress you are making and to set about achieving your goals, rather than spending time thinking negatively about yourself or dwelling on your mistakes.
4) Probe the causes of your addiction and learn how to fight back in your ongoing recovery
Individual counseling sessions and psychotherapy sessions at inpatient or outpatient rehab will give you the chance to explore the underlying causes of your addiction. This may not always be apparent, but a therapist will help you to discover why you became addicted, as well as guiding you in your ongoing recovery.
The more you understand about what drives you to use substances and what triggers you to behave destructively, the more effectively you can manage your recovery after rehab.
5) You can choose a program with an intensity to suit your circumstances and the severity of your addiction
There is no need to wait until something disastrous happens before you decide to go to rehab.
Addiction is a chronic and progressive disease. Untreated, it will get worse over time. The sooner you engage with treatment, the less complicated the intervention will be, which is yet another of the many reasons to go to rehab.
Those with severe addictions, co-occurring mental health disorders, or unstable home environments may benefit from residential rehab, also known as inpatient rehab.
There are many more affordable and less restrictive forms of rehab, though. Research shows that many mild and moderate substance use disorders respond just as positively to intensive outpatient treatment.
For those unwilling or unable to attend outpatient rehab, most of the best addiction treatment centers now also offer remote rehab via video conferencing. Regardless of the severity or mildness of your addiction, you can find a treatment program to suit.
6) Addiction can be treated like a physical injury by engaging with evidence-based treatment at rehab
If you had a life-threatening physical health condition, you would not hesitate to seek medical treatment.
Addiction is a recognized and chronic brain condition that responds favorably to treatment, so adopt the same approach to recovery as you would with a physical condition.
If you have health insurance, you may find that your policy covers at least part of the cost of rehab, so take responsibility for your mental health and reach out for the treatment you need.
7) You will have the chance to connect with peers in similar situations and to build a sober support system
Most people who become addicted to alcohol or drugs spend lots of time around others who use substances. In many cases, this occurs to the exclusion of existing friends.
One of the best reasons to go to rehab is the opportunity it provides to connect with peers undergoing their recovery journeys and also looking to create a sober support system.
At rehab, you will be surrounded by others with the desire and the commitment to making positive lifestyle changes and maintaining their sobriety. You will also be removed from your normal environment that could be filled with distractions and triggers for substance use.
Most of the best rehabs offer alumni programs so that you can remain in contact with those you met during your time in rehab.
8) Rehab can help you to start repairing relationships affected by your substance abuse
If you have been abusing substances long-term, it is probable that the consequences of your addiction have damaged your closest relationships.
Going to rehab will show your family members that you are committed to making positive changes. You will also find that family therapy at rehab allows you and your loved ones to start healing relationships unraveled by addiction with the help of an experienced and neutral intermediary.
9) At rehab, you will learn how to build a healthier and more productive lifestyle
Going to rehab will show you an alternative way of life to that of chronic substance abuse.
Through counseling and therapy sessions, you will learn how to become more present rather than needing to continuously worry about your next drink or your next dose of drugs.
As well as engaging with evidence-based treatments, you can connect with many different holistic therapies at rehab, including:
- Mindfulness
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Tai chi
- Exercise programs
You may find that these relaxation techniques and practices help you to create a more positive and rewarding lifestyle in your ongoing recovery. These practices are also effective for reducing and managing cravings for addictive substances.
10) Those with dual diagnosis can treat both conditions simultaneously at rehab
According to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), 17 million U.S. adults reported a dual diagnosis of an addiction and a mental health disorder in 2020. Another one of the many reasons to go to rehab is to treat a dual diagnosis.
Dual diagnosis, also known as co-occurring disorder, is best treated with coordinated treatment. Both conditions feed into each other and going to rehab allows you to address these issues simultaneously.
Go To Rehab at Renaissance Recovery
When you’re ready to commit to recovery from addiction, you don’t necessarily need to pack your backs and head to residential rehab. At Renaissance Recovery, we specialize in treating addictions to alcohol, prescription medications, or illicit drugs in an outpatient setting at our California and Florida rehab locations.
Depending on the severity of your addiction and any co-occurring mental health disorders, choose from the following programs:
- OP: outpatient program
- IOP: intensive outpatient program
- PHPs: partial hospitalization program
- Virtual IOP: remote rehab
- Dual diagnosis treatment program: (for co-occurring addictions and mental health disorders)
All Renaissance Recovery treatment programs draw from a combination of evidence-based interventions and holistic treatments, such as:
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Individual counseling
- Group counseling
- Psychotherapy (talk therapy)
- Family therapy
- Holistic therapies (experiential adventure therapy)
Once you complete your treatment program at Renaissance, you can either transition directly into sober living or move to a less intensive level of care. Your treatment team will equip you with an aftercare plan including relapse prevention strategies and access to the Renaissance Recovery Center alumni program.
Take the first steps toward ongoing recovery by calling our Florida and California rehab admissions line today at 866.330.9449.
