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Alcohol Rehab for Adults
For many people
who are trying to quit drinking, the idea of
going for a 28 day stay at a rehab facility is
not always warmly embraced. If you haven’t had
any previous personal experience with a
treatment facility, the idea of admitting
yourself can feel overwhelming. It is normal to
be nervous from not knowing what to expect.
If you honestly
want to stop your addiction and try a new way of
life then treatment is the beginning. A lot can
happen over the month that you stay in the
facility. You will make new and sometimes
lifelong friendships. You will feel a new sense
of purpose as you learn more about yourself and
your addiction. You will learn how to help
yourself and what to do to protect yourself
against a possible future relapse.
Every person’s
path through rehab is different but overall,
most people experience common feelings and
emotions. Here is a sneak peek into what you
might experience during your stay.
The first week
everything will be new but you will quickly
become accustomed to class schedules, breaks and
eating schedules, exercise schedules and the
overall routine of the facility. You will be
detoxing this week so you can expect your
feelings and emotions to go up and down. As your
healing, you’ll get to know the friendly staff
and other clients. In just the first couple of
days you’ll feel right at home.
The second week
will be an awakening week for you. You’ll start
feel better, look better and your appetite will
start to come back. This will be the week that
you really start to smile and laugh, maybe more
so than you’ve done in months or years. You may
feel a sudden sense of peace and well being.
The third week
will be your energy week. You’ll have more
energy than you remember having in recent
memory. You may be exercising or walking more.
You may begin to feel a sense of openness and
oneness with those around you. An overwhelming
feeling of belonging may set in. You will feel
ready to go back out into the world and take it
head on. In fact, you may be antsy to get back
home thinking you’ve got it all under control.
Easy does it. One week left.
The fourth week
will be your review week. You’ll probably think
over the last three weeks and it may seem like a
lifetime has passed. In a sense, it has. You
will realize that you are now on a new path. You
will feel ready to head back out into the world.
You’ll know exactly what and who to avoid, what
to do in tricky situations and where to go for
support. You may feel some anxiety realizing
that you will actually be going home soon but
you will be armed with facts about yourself and
your disease. You will be prepared to begin a
new, sober life. At the end of the week you will
be ready to go home.
Some people think
that being admitted to a treatment center is
something to be ashamed of or looked down upon.
In all actuality, it takes courage and
willingness to accept help and change ones life.
The disease of alcoholism and drug addiction can
never be fully understood by those who don’t
suffer from it. It’s much easier to continue a
familiar path than to begin a new one. If the
old ways don’t work any longer then this is your
chance to start anew. You deserve it.
By: Patrick McLemore
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