Recognizing the need for rehab, or professional intervention, is a key step in the recovery process. This means you (or your loved one) have recognized the negative implications that drug abuse has had on your life – and you feel ready to make a change. Of course, deciding to commit to a drug rehab program is not always easy. In fact, it can be intimidating, scary, and full of unknowns.

If you or a loved one is struggling with drug addiction and contemplating rehab, it is important to gather all of the facts before enrolling in a program. What can you expect from a drug rehab program, and how will it fit into (or affect) your life? These answers are critical in making the best and most informed decision. 

As a preeminent drug treatment program, Turnbridge gets many inquiries from clients and their families who are just starting the recovery process. Below, we cover some of their most common questions about drug rehab – starting with the basics.

What is Rehab, and What is it Not?

Rehab is short for “rehabilitation,” which is the process of restoring one’s health through treatment or therapy. Rehab can help a person overcome struggles with mental or physical health. As it relates to substance addiction, the term “rehab” is used to describe the structured, intensive treatment programs that help people overcome a drug or alcohol use disorder. The goal of rehab is to help these users break out of the addiction cycle, giving them the tools they need to rebuild a healthy, drug-free life.

While rehab is a very common way to refer to drug treatment, the programs at Turnbridge involve so much more than your traditional drug rehab. Here, we do not aim to “restore” clients to a previous state of being. Rather, we help clients emerge, or go forward, to become the best possible person they can be. Why? Because the person who became addicted to drugs, or who was derailed by a mental health disorder, was never that individual’s best self. Returning to their previous state of being should not be the goal. Finding good health, positivity, acceptance, and self-love is the goal of our rehab programs.

Why is Drug Rehab Important?

Professional drug rehab is important because it gives you the space, the time, and the support you need to safely recover from substance addiction. It provides you a drug-free environment where you can take steps to cope with all the factors contributing to your mental health and substance use issues. 

Substance addiction, also called a substance use disorder, is a chronic, relapsing disease. It changes the way the brain functions and impacts a person’s ability to make good decisions, learn and remember, and exhibit self-control. For these reasons, addiction also makes quitting drugs on your own very difficult, even for those who feel ready. The physical changes that have happened in the brain – combined with unpleasant withdrawal symptoms – can inhibit your ability to control drug cravings and use. Like any chronic illness, substance addiction can benefit from professional therapy and support.

What Can You Expect in Rehab?

The idea of rehab can be intimidating, for those battling a substance problem and also for their loved ones. How can you know what to expect? Will you be happy, comfortable, and successful in a rehab program? In reality, that’s what drug treatment centers are designed to do. They are there to ensure you are healthy, comfortable, and successful in your recovery journey. The staff and community that encompass a rehab program are there to help you reach a place of happiness, self-worth, and sobriety.

Despite what you may think, drug rehab is not always a bland, hospitalized setting. Its sole purpose is not simply to wean you off drugs. Rather, drug treatment programs are designed to inspire your recovery and give you the resources needed to reach sobriety and self-love. This means you can expect:

• A safe, serene, substance-free setting where you can focus on your healing. At Turnbridge, the residences reflect the beauty we see in our clients.
• Access to fitness centers, nature, yoga sessions, music rooms, art studios, libraries, and other spaces that may serve as an outlet for those in recovery.
• Healthy and holistic activities to participate in, either by yourself or with others.
• A vibrant community of peers, of your age and gender, in recovery.
• Healthy and nutritious meals prepared for you and, sometimes, prepared by you.
• Both one-on-one and group therapy sessions, where you can start to uncover the root of your substance abuse problems.
• Involvement from family members who support your recovery journey.

This is just the beginning of the positive aspects of a rehab program. Click here to learn more about what happens – and what to expect – in drug rehab. 

When Should a Person Go to Rehab?

Many people feel as though they need to “hit rock bottom” before checking into a rehab program. They may wait until the worst possible circumstance comes along, such as an overdose, to really make a change. Additionally, some people believe rehab is only meant for those addicted to hard drugs, like heroin and methamphetamine – not for marijuana smokers or those addicted to ADHD medication. These are both myths, and these myths lead people to believe their drug problem isn’t “bad enough” to get help for it.

The truth of the matter is, drug rehab is meant for anyone struggling with a drug problem. If you have a toxic relationship with drugs, they have affected your life negatively, and you are struggling to quit drugs completely, you can benefit from a drug rehab program. 

When should you go to rehab, exactly? This is a deeply personal decision. However, know that it is never too early to start your recovery journey. However, it can be too late. Substance addiction can progress, causing detrimental mental and physical consequences on your health, such as a fatal overdose.

There are some common signs that indicate it is time for a rehab program. You can find those here.

Types of Drug Rehab Programs

If you have started researching rehab facilities, you may have found that there are different types of treatment programs out there. The right rehab program for you will depend on your individual needs. 

For example, do you have a safe, drug-free home in which you can recover, where you will be held accountable and supported in your journey? Or, do you need a place where you can live while you are in early recovery, when you are most at risk for relapse? A place where you will be away from outside pressures and temptations, and supported by others in the recovery community? This is often the distinguishing question when deciding between outpatient and inpatient/residential rehab centers.

In addition to the different types of drug rehab, there are also different therapies offered for those recovering from substance addiction. For example, common types of drug rehab therapies include:

• Individual counseling
• Group therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• 12-step facilitation therapy
• Motivational enhancement therapy
• Multi-dimensional family therapy
• Trauma-informed therapy
• Dual diagnosis treatment

You or your loved one’s circumstances will help guide which treatment approach is best. No matter what rehab program you choose, be sure they are willing to customize a treatment plan for you. For example, if you are struggling with mental health issues like depression or anxiety, this should be taken into account. If you have experienced abuse and trauma from a significant other, you may benefit from a trauma-informed, gender-specific rehab program. You can learn more about the types of substance abuse treatment here.

How Long is Drug Rehab?

Depending on the rehab program you choose, combined with your individual needs and severity of addiction, your length of treatment will vary. However, the National Institute on Drug Abuse recommends at least three months in a rehab program. Longer stretches of treatment are associated with better treatment outcomes. This is because addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease—and therefore takes time to overcome. At Turnbridge, we’ve found that 95 percent of clients are most likely to stay abstinent from drugs and alcohol with 270+ days in treatment.

How to Find the Right Rehab

As noted above, drug rehab is not one-size-fits-all. Every person has different needs in life, and in their treatment program. Above all else, it is important to find a rehab facility that can tailor a treatment plan to your individual needs. Before approaching treatment, they will take into consideration your:

• Age and gender
• Mental health
• Physical health
• History of trauma and abuse
• Drug of choice
• Prior attempts at sobriety
• Potential legal problems
• Family relationships and home-life
• Academic standing and goals

In addition to finding this level of individualization in your rehab program, it is important to find a program that is fully equipped to handle your individual needs. For example, not all rehab programs are specialized in dual diagnosis (i.e. co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders). Dual diagnosis treatment centers are staffed with clinicians who have experience treating both mental health and substance abuse disorders simultaneously, to give clients the best possible treatment outcomes.

Of course, there are other factors to consider, and questions to ask, when choosing a rehab facility. Take a look at this article for considerations when researching drug rehab centers.

How Can I Get More Information?

If you would like more answers to your questions about drug rehab or are interested in hearing more about Turnbridge’s drug treatment programs in Connecticut, please do not hesitate to reach out. Turnbridge is a recognized rehab facility with programs for young men, young women, and teens battling substance use disorders as well as mental health disorders. 

We are here for you. Call 877-581-1793 to learn more.