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preparing for rehab

How to Prepare for Entering Rehab

When you enter an inpatient rehabilitation facility, you may one day look back on that day as an auspicious occasion that marked the first day of the rest of your life as a happy, successful, productive individual. Once you’ve selected the right inpatient rehab center for you, you’ve cleared an important hurdle. But in the days leading up to your admission into the program, there are a number of things you should do to get ready for your stay. Planning to complete these ahead of time can help ease some of your anxiety.

Tell Important Family Members About Your Upcoming Stay

Depending on your personal situation, your family members may or may not know you are planning to enter an inpatient alcohol and drug detox program. If you live with your family members — whether they are your parents, spouse and children or others — they are likely aware of your plans and may have even had a hand in helping you make them. But if you live alone, the situation may be different.

Certainly you are not obligated to tell anyone that you are entering a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program. But in some cases, it can be helpful. Consider which of your family members might be pleased to hear this news and even offer you support and other help. However, if you are committed to entering a program and you think a family member might try to dissuade you, you may want to let them find out from someone else after you have left.

Inform Your Employer That You Will Need a Leave of Absence

Sometimes a major life event can be what spurs someone to enter rehab, and occasionally this can be a job loss that resulted from addiction. It can be much easier to enter rehab when you’re between jobs, since you won’t have to ask anyone’s permission to leave, and you won’t have to worry about whether your work will get done while you’re gone.

Some of our clients come to our inpatient rehab facility here in Alpine, Utah, because their employers mandated it as a condition of employment. In these cases, your employer is not only aware of your impending stay, but fully on board with the idea.

When you suffer with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, you may be hesitant to tell your employer that you must leave work to enter rehab, but the truth is, by the time the addiction gets to this point, most people already know more than you think. Rest assured, however, that you are under no obligation to tell your employer that you are going to rehab. The Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act both protect your right to take time off from work to enter rehab without specifying why — and without suffering any retaliation from your company such as termination. The FMLA provides for up to 12 weeks off for a wide range of reasons, including to attend rehab. While small businesses that employ fewer than 50 workers are not bound by the FMLA, the ADA still protects all who seek help for addiction from any adverse repercussions — addictions are considered disabilities.

Arrange for Someone to Take Over Your Obligations and Responsibilities

Clients in rehab can have a wide range of obligations they need to cover while they are gone, whether it’s 30, 60 or 90 days. That’s why it can be helpful to make family members and friends who might be willing to step up aware of your situation.

At the very least, you may need someone to keep an eye on your home, going inside every few days or so to make sure everything is OK. Try to take care of all practical tasks before you leave, such as eating or disposing of all perishable foods, taking the trash out, filling out a hold mail request with the post office online, ensuring all windows are closed and locked, etc. Ask someone to water your plants for you if you have any. Arrange ahead of time for pet care if you have pets. Family and friends may be able to come in and feed and clean up after cats or other pets like fish, birds and rodents, but if you have a dog, try to find someone willing to take it in while you’re gone to avoid the expense and stress of boarding.

Complete Last-Minute Tasks

If you can arrange autopay for your bills or you can pay them ahead of time, you won’t have to worry about late fees.

Get a list from the rehab facility you are entering that tells you what to pack. This is important because there are a number of things that are generally not allowed in rehab facilities such as electronics, candles/incense, weapons, expensive jewelry, aerosols and medications for which you don’t have a prescription. Additionally, you want to make sure you have whatever is allowed that will make your stay more comfortable and enjoyable.

The night before you are scheduled to leave, make sure you have packed everything you need and arranged for a reliable ride to the center.

Mentally Preparing for Entering Rehab

While there are many practical tasks associated with preparing to enter a drug and alcohol rehab facility, you should also do your best to prepare mentally for your upcoming stay. It is natural for you to be nervous — getting sober is a big step. You may be worried about a number of things, but try to focus on your goal: detoxing from drugs and alcohol and learning how to live the kind of life you deserve. If you have a therapist or a close confidante, turn to them with any last-minute fears or reservations. They can help remind you why you made the decision to enter rehab, and how it will be a positive step in your life.

For more information about how to prepare for entering rehab, or to learn more about Alpine Recovery Lodge and the admissions process, contact us today.