Making the decision to get sober doesn’t come easy. Many times, it’s because you’ve hit rock bottom or it’s become a life or death situation. You might have to swallow your pride and admit something that you didn’t want to believe was real.

Now that you’ve decided to attend treatment at a rehab center in Jacksonville Florida, you want to be sure you’re setting yourself up for success.

Choosing the Right Rehab for Success

Once you’ve made the decision to go to rehab for your substance use disorder, you need to find the right rehab for you and your situation. You don’t want to go to just any detox/rehab. Though many facilities follow similar protocols for core treatments, there are a lot of other factors that can influence your success.

  • Will getting away from your current environment be best for your recovery? You might want to search for residential facilities that are further from home or even in a different state. Temptation and triggers are the primary reasons for relapse.
  • Make sure the location is reputable and has good reviews. It’s easy enough to look up locations on the internet to see their accreditations and read customer testimonials. A word of caution: remember that not everyone will be happy with something 100% of the time. Be wary of a rehab touting strictly 5-star reviews as sometimes that can mean the negative reviews are being filtered out. You want to see great reviews, but you want them to be realistic too.
  • Read up on what the rehab facility offers in terms of treatments and therapy services. Some facilities provide detox and medication management while others don’t, and if you’re dealing with opioid or alcohol addiction, in particular, these may be critical services for your situation. Others may offer additional support, such as aftercare services which can be highly beneficial for helping you sustain long-term sobriety.
  • Make sure their views and beliefs align with yours. For example, if your spirituality is very important to you, you might consider a religion-based rehab facility.
  • Call and speak to an admissions team member to get a feel for the place. If possible, schedule a visit. Are they interested in YOU as a person or simply your addiction?

Setting Yourself Up for Success in Early Recovery

Undeniably, life after rehab can be challenging. About two out of every three individuals will relapse within the first few months of beginning treatment.

Although relapse is very common, it is imperative to be aware of the severity and how relapse can be even more deadly than the addiction itself. When you finish rehab, you’ll want to make sure you have a plan to set yourself up for success and long-term sobriety!

Create a Relapse Prevention Plan. Ensuring you are aware of your triggers and having a plan to handle them is the first step. Relaxation and stress management techniques can be instrumental in keeping you grounded. Choose several support persons who you can reach out to in times of need, and make sure you have their contact info readily available.

Continue with Aftercare Services. Participating in aftercare services such as peer support groups, 12-step programs, and individual therapy significantly increases your chances of long-term sobriety.

Form a Support Network. This can be any number of individuals whom you can turn to for guidance and support. Your network can include friends, family, a sponsor, members of a peer support group, or a professional counselor or therapist.

Spring Clean Your Environment. When we “spring clean,” we are thoroughly cleaning out and getting things in order. To avoid triggers and temptations, you should spring clean your home, your workspace, and even your friends and acquaintances. Remove things and people from your life that are bad influences. Refresh your home and workspaces, so you have a positive and uplifting atmosphere.

Establish a Structured Schedule. It can be essential and beneficial to have a structured schedule once you complete your treatment and reintegrate into your everyday routine. Schedules keep you focused, on-task, and help avoid too much free time that can result in relapse.

Set SMART Goals. Goal-setting is a powerful tool to help you stay on course and keep you motivated. Initially developed for use in the workplace, S.M.A.R.T. goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. This technique provides an easy and straightforward blueprint to set better goals for any situation.

Prioritize Yourself. Your mental and physical health is of utmost importance. Get enough sleep, eat well, exercise and meditate. Self-care is vital for a successful recovery.

SOURCES:

  • Sinha R. New findings on biological factors predicting addiction relapse vulnerability. (2013, June 6.) (2021, July 27.)
  • Bard College. Setting Goals. (2021, July 27.)