rehab experiences
Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SE and then South some more
Posts: 2,648
Hey zuma!! I spent 10 months at one and it was pretty ok. It has it's pro's and con's, however I went there with a goal in mind, TO GET BETTER!!! The things that annoyed me were mostly the other clients. The counseling staff.....well we had our moments too, however everything I went through there had a purpose behind it.
Please, please, please feel free to PM me with direct questions if you like. I would be happy to answer any of your questions.
Want to add though, the reason why it was so long was that this residential center helped you from beginning to end. So once I had gone through all of the steps of learning about recovery and my addiction I also had to deal with some personal issues which is were the counseling came into play. Then they help you find a new place to live and they even had a career counselor there that helps with job placement.
So why I was there so long was because this place I went to was so awesome that they helped you through the whole process. I love that place!!! That treatment center gave me a second chance at a better life.
Please, please, please feel free to PM me with direct questions if you like. I would be happy to answer any of your questions.
Want to add though, the reason why it was so long was that this residential center helped you from beginning to end. So once I had gone through all of the steps of learning about recovery and my addiction I also had to deal with some personal issues which is were the counseling came into play. Then they help you find a new place to live and they even had a career counselor there that helps with job placement.
So why I was there so long was because this place I went to was so awesome that they helped you through the whole process. I love that place!!! That treatment center gave me a second chance at a better life.
Awaiting Email Confirmation
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,942
I went to rehab scared, lonely, terrified, ready & eager to die, filled with depression & anxiety.
It was the most interesting experience of my entire life.
The most notable realization?
I was not complex, unique, different, or special... I just needed help.
I'm still not any of those things, and I still need help.
Thanks for being here for me.
It was the most interesting experience of my entire life.
The most notable realization?
I was not complex, unique, different, or special... I just needed help.
I'm still not any of those things, and I still need help.
Thanks for being here for me.
Not all better, getting better
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: The Beautiful Inner Banks of NC
Posts: 1,702
As has been mentioned, the most important thing about rehab is the mind set you go into it with. You have to be ready to "recover". You have to be willing to follow suggestions, even if they don't necessarily make sense at the time, or are not what you "feel like doing."
I have been to two inpatient rehabs. The first was a pretty "traditional" rehab. It was probablly above average as far as the facialities. We had an on staff addiction specialist MD who helped with meds. The campus was large with wooded trails, a small lake and ample exercise facialities. The program was fairly traditional. We had group sessions and classes throughout the day, with some time mixed in for recreation. We attended outside 12-step meetings in the evenings. Everyone had a roommate and was responsible for keeping their personal space clean. We were pretty closely monitored at the beginning, but slowly gained more privledges and responsibility as we moved through the program. Contact with the "outside world" was fairly limited as they wanted us to be able to concentrate on our recovery without distractions. It was a 28 day program.
The other program I attended took a more "holistic" approach to recovery. While still 12-step based, it also incorperated elements of "eastern" philosophy such as meditation, acqupuncture, steams & sauna's, herbal suplements, massage, and martial arts. Exercise and diet were also strongly emphasized. Addiction was treated as a "whole body" issue, rather than just a mental thing. The living arangements were much less structured, as we were allowed have cell phones, computers and choose how to spend our free time. The theory being that we would have to be able to do all of this once our 28 day stay was completed, so we should learn how to do it in a semi-supervised environment.
I learned a great deal from both experiences, however neither was the "magic bullet" I was looking for. That brings me back to my original point. You are still the one who has to do the work. All they can do is help you if you want the help. They can teach you skills and give you support, but if you have to choose to utilize what you learn. I feel the best thing rehab gives you is a chance to "get away" from the life you are living and work on you. You have to look at this time as a precious gift, because there are very few opportunities in life where you can just take a month or more break to concentrate solely on yourself. If you approach it like this, you will have a much greater chance of sucess. Good luck. Take care.
I have been to two inpatient rehabs. The first was a pretty "traditional" rehab. It was probablly above average as far as the facialities. We had an on staff addiction specialist MD who helped with meds. The campus was large with wooded trails, a small lake and ample exercise facialities. The program was fairly traditional. We had group sessions and classes throughout the day, with some time mixed in for recreation. We attended outside 12-step meetings in the evenings. Everyone had a roommate and was responsible for keeping their personal space clean. We were pretty closely monitored at the beginning, but slowly gained more privledges and responsibility as we moved through the program. Contact with the "outside world" was fairly limited as they wanted us to be able to concentrate on our recovery without distractions. It was a 28 day program.
The other program I attended took a more "holistic" approach to recovery. While still 12-step based, it also incorperated elements of "eastern" philosophy such as meditation, acqupuncture, steams & sauna's, herbal suplements, massage, and martial arts. Exercise and diet were also strongly emphasized. Addiction was treated as a "whole body" issue, rather than just a mental thing. The living arangements were much less structured, as we were allowed have cell phones, computers and choose how to spend our free time. The theory being that we would have to be able to do all of this once our 28 day stay was completed, so we should learn how to do it in a semi-supervised environment.
I learned a great deal from both experiences, however neither was the "magic bullet" I was looking for. That brings me back to my original point. You are still the one who has to do the work. All they can do is help you if you want the help. They can teach you skills and give you support, but if you have to choose to utilize what you learn. I feel the best thing rehab gives you is a chance to "get away" from the life you are living and work on you. You have to look at this time as a precious gift, because there are very few opportunities in life where you can just take a month or more break to concentrate solely on yourself. If you approach it like this, you will have a much greater chance of sucess. Good luck. Take care.
Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 1,539
Originally Posted by tyler 
as has been mentioned, the most important thing about rehab is the mind set you go into it with. You have to be ready to "recover". You have to be willing to follow suggestions, even if they don't necessarily make sense at the time, or are not what you "feel like doing."
i have been to two inpatient rehabs. The first was a pretty "traditional" rehab. It was probably above average as far as the facilities. We had an on staff addiction specialist md who helped with meds. The campus was large with wooded trails, a small lake and ample exercise facilities. The program was fairly traditional. We had group sessions and classes throughout the day, with some time mixed in for recreation. We attended outside 12-step meetings in the evenings. Everyone had a roommate and was responsible for keeping their personal space clean. We were pretty closely monitored at the beginning, but slowly gained more privileges and responsibility as we moved through the program. Contact with the "outside world" was fairly limited as they wanted us to be able to concentrate on our recovery without distractions. It was a 28 day program.
The other program i attended took a more "holistic" approach to recovery. While still 12-step based, it also incorporated elements of "eastern" philosophy such as meditation, acupuncture, steams & sauna's, herbal supplements, massage, and martial arts. Exercise and diet were also strongly emphasized. Addiction was treated as a "whole body" issue, rather than just a mental thing. The living arrangements were much less structured, as we were allowed have cell phones, computers and choose how to spend our free time. The theory being that we would have to be able to do all of this once our 28 day stay was completed, so we should learn how to do it in a semi-supervised environment.
I learned a great deal from both experiences, however neither was the "magic bullet" i was looking for. That brings me back to my original point. you are still the one who has to do the work. All they can do is help you if you want the help. They can teach you skills and give you support, but you have to choose to utilize what you learn. i feel the best thing rehab gives you is a chance to "get away" from the life you are living and work on you. you have to look at this time as a precious gift, because there are very few opportunities in life where you can just take a month or more break to concentrate solely on yourself. if you approach it like this, you will have a much greater chance of success. Good luck. Take care.
i have been to two inpatient rehabs. The first was a pretty "traditional" rehab. It was probably above average as far as the facilities. We had an on staff addiction specialist md who helped with meds. The campus was large with wooded trails, a small lake and ample exercise facilities. The program was fairly traditional. We had group sessions and classes throughout the day, with some time mixed in for recreation. We attended outside 12-step meetings in the evenings. Everyone had a roommate and was responsible for keeping their personal space clean. We were pretty closely monitored at the beginning, but slowly gained more privileges and responsibility as we moved through the program. Contact with the "outside world" was fairly limited as they wanted us to be able to concentrate on our recovery without distractions. It was a 28 day program.
The other program i attended took a more "holistic" approach to recovery. While still 12-step based, it also incorporated elements of "eastern" philosophy such as meditation, acupuncture, steams & sauna's, herbal supplements, massage, and martial arts. Exercise and diet were also strongly emphasized. Addiction was treated as a "whole body" issue, rather than just a mental thing. The living arrangements were much less structured, as we were allowed have cell phones, computers and choose how to spend our free time. The theory being that we would have to be able to do all of this once our 28 day stay was completed, so we should learn how to do it in a semi-supervised environment.
I learned a great deal from both experiences, however neither was the "magic bullet" i was looking for. That brings me back to my original point. you are still the one who has to do the work. All they can do is help you if you want the help. They can teach you skills and give you support, but you have to choose to utilize what you learn. i feel the best thing rehab gives you is a chance to "get away" from the life you are living and work on you. you have to look at this time as a precious gift, because there are very few opportunities in life where you can just take a month or more break to concentrate solely on yourself. if you approach it like this, you will have a much greater chance of success. Good luck. Take care.
thanks tyler, well said!
Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,947
I went to rehab because I had to, to keep my job.
I knew I was in trouble with pills and alcohol, but to say that I was willing would be to utter only a half truth. I did understand that I was done with pills and alcohol and had an open mind and took the program very seriously. I was there for 2 months.
It was a very intense, no frills treatment center, sort of like a boot camp... I guess I learned how to get through my days clean and sober, which helped me a lot when I got home.
The only recovery program that really resonates with me is AA. I don't have another rehab stay in me... I want to recover, be happy joyous and free... I am optimistic that I will find it, some of the promises have come true... It all started at rehab.
Mark
I knew I was in trouble with pills and alcohol, but to say that I was willing would be to utter only a half truth. I did understand that I was done with pills and alcohol and had an open mind and took the program very seriously. I was there for 2 months.
It was a very intense, no frills treatment center, sort of like a boot camp... I guess I learned how to get through my days clean and sober, which helped me a lot when I got home.
The only recovery program that really resonates with me is AA. I don't have another rehab stay in me... I want to recover, be happy joyous and free... I am optimistic that I will find it, some of the promises have come true... It all started at rehab.
Mark
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 4,682
I went to a 12 step rehab which was focussed around AA and the steps as a program of recovery. I see now how much help this was to me, i was one of these guys who went to a couple of AA meetings, didn't understand a thing and was too 'proud' to make a phone call even though i was given numbers.
So choose a 12 step rehab would be my advice, make sure they go through all 12 steps and don't leave you on step 4...then get out hit meetings, get a sponsor and work the steps again.
I was actually quite pracitcal with my choice of rehab, there were loads of other programs available in rehab but no aftercare support that could possibly match AA...i did post a couple of months ago that i wish i had just gone to AA in the first place but that's just BS wishing and hindsight is great...i needed the rehab,,,it was only 4 weeks by the way, if you can get longer so much the better!
So choose a 12 step rehab would be my advice, make sure they go through all 12 steps and don't leave you on step 4...then get out hit meetings, get a sponsor and work the steps again.
I was actually quite pracitcal with my choice of rehab, there were loads of other programs available in rehab but no aftercare support that could possibly match AA...i did post a couple of months ago that i wish i had just gone to AA in the first place but that's just BS wishing and hindsight is great...i needed the rehab,,,it was only 4 weeks by the way, if you can get longer so much the better!
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