Can anyone tell me their rehab experiences? Hi, I've recently been reffered to an addiction unit where they've given me a few different options of help but I've decided to opt for a week of detox with then additional 13 weeks rehab. I'm a 21 year old female and I do really want this help but Obvs very nervous! I've never been away from home for so long and I'm worried I'll be the youngest one and people will judge me for being so young (I had a similar experience at AA last year, one woman made it very clear she didn't think I had a problem due to my age)! I'm on a waiting list now but because I have a family holiday booked for august I won't be going in until after then. I just wondered how people found it doing the same or similar? I know it's gonna be hard work but I'm just so nervous! I'm booked to go look around the place next week and taking my mum for support but what if everyone is like 50 year old men and then just me?! Like I have no problem with 50 year old men ... In theory we'll all be going through the same thing but I tend to worry about how people feel/think about me!! Any advice would be much appreciated too :) Thanks x |
I spent about 20 weeks in rehab. The first week was frightening, uncomfortable and humiliating. Each week got a little better after that. By the 10th week, it was comfortable, easy and secure. Bordom became my biggest problem after that. If they hadn't booted me out, I probably would have stayed there for the rest of my life. One thing rehab did not do for me. That was get thoughts of drinking out of my head. For that, I had to have a spiritual solution. :abcj: |
Wow. The first think that jumps out at me is that you are delaying your treatment until after August. That's a long wait. My experience with rehab as a "like 50 year plus female", most of the other people were between 18-23. Most were forced into rehab because of parents or a court order. No one gave a glance at age. You are all in for the same thing. We all learned from each other. Just go in and give it everything you have. Do the homework, go to the meetings and classes, pay attention. And above all, be the model patient. It will get you far. |
I did Intensive outpatient rehab for about a month and it was a mix of all ages. I was nervous like you being in my early twenties and a female. You really see that addiction does not discriminate and everyone is in the same boat. It was a great place to get clean and gain support so that I could put my life back together. There were mixed groups and then there would be all female group sessions, usually alternating throughout the day. You'll probably feel a little more comfortable after actually seeing what it's like. Also you really learn a lot about yourself and how strong you really can be. My advice aligns with Raider above^ in that you just give it all you got! it's a gift to be given a second chance when you're that young. I thought people would judge me too but I found that everyone understood that I took this seriously. Best of luck, keep an open mind, and don't over think it. Everyone's usually there to work on themselves. |
My rehab stay was not by choice but was forced by family intervention and a court order that got me in the door of recovery. Im trying to think about my stay that happened 23 yrs ago, and even tho it was a many one days sober a time ago, it seemed like yesterday that my life would change for the better. A heathy, honest, grateful better. When I was in rehab I was about 30 yrs old, with 2 little ones at home and in a 8 yr marriage. Everyone at home had carried on with help from family members while I was locketed inside a secure, alcohol free inviroment. Today, I can look back and see how I was so into self, so self centered, always worried about me, how I looked, making sure I looked better than I felt. In fact that was exactly what I did all my life around others, when I drank, which I never gave a reason or raised red flags when actually alcohol was bringing me down. What im saying is, I hide my illness, sickness quite well. Anyway... Today, as I reflect back, I sat amongst many others in rehab that were just as sick as I. Many were there against their will and other for whatever reason got them there. I didn't realize that at that time because the world revolved around me. Many of those patiants were coming in at all different stages of their addiction. Some were in for detox. Some were a few days without substance others a week and so on. It is really hard to communicate with others even tho we were all sick and there to learn about our addictions and learn how to live without it when we would be released. Our minds, bodies and souls were all on different plans so to speak. Everyone had problems in life in which substances were used to escape those problems. Many were on prescribed meds that were administered early in the morning along with vital signs taken. For me, I thought I was better than many because I didn't have to take any kind of meds while I was there. Im pretty sure I was in denial about lots of stuff going on in my life and until I came to terms with my addiction to alcohol then I wasn't gonna get better. Anyway.....I went thru 28 days with ups and downs in my emotions, angry, resentful, unhappy, sad etc. ...I know I tried to be kind and nice to others but if something didn't go my way, then I copped a huge resentment and stayed in my room crying or just wanting to punch others out. Not that I would, but when you are learning how to get all those toxins out of your system, life seems so unfair. People seem so rude, crude and unacceptable. In rehab I got enough information fed to my brain about recovery and my addiction to take with me when I left. It was after that the true test would come when the willingness to do or go to any lengths to remain sober with all those useful helpful recovery tools passed on to me would be put to good use. I did do what I was suppose to do because the ultimatum for drinking again would be to lose my family and marriage. I would be kicked out of my home for sure. And that scared the heck out of me. So, with determination and i'll show you that im not staying sober for you, I would and will remain sober for me, myself and I. That selfish thinking has kept me sober for the last 23 yrs with raising 2 talented loving little adults and end my 25 yr marriage. With Faith, my recovery foundation to live upon, I am forever grateful for those first 28 days in rehab to begin my journey to continue living an honest, healthy, happy remarried life today. Take the opportunity to listen, learn, absorb and then apply to your new life in recovery for many yrs. to come. This is your journey. Go for you. Do it for urself and be yourself. :) |
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