Going to Rehab: What You Can Expect When You’re Getting Clean

Published on: 29 March 2019 Last Updated on: 29 November 2021
what happens in rehab

Do you want to know what happens in rehab?  You’re ready to admit that you’re completely powerless over your addiction to drugs or alcohol.

You know that you need help — and that a rehab facility is likely your best shot.

But what happens in rehab, exactly? what happens in rehab is a question in the minds of many.

Is it all just 12-step programs and little else? Will you be able to succeed in this environment? Most of all, how will rehab treatment help you to maintain your sobriety once you get out?

These are all absolutely normal questions, and they show a true commitment to getting better.

In this post, we’ll tell you exactly what to expect from drug or alcohol rehab.

Read on to get empowered and informed.

The First Step: Detox:

Detox

Detox rehab is one of the most frightening — and difficult — parts of your overall recovery process.

In fact, this fear of withdrawal is why so many people go so long without getting the help they desperately need.

However, if you enter into a professional facility, you’ll get the level of care you need to detox safely. You may even be given medication to help you manage the symptoms of withdrawal.

Most importantly, you’ll be supervised, so if something does go wrong, you’ll get help and relief right away. Be aware that you may experience nausea, stomach pain, mood swings, insomnia or exhaustion, and many other withdrawal side effects.

Curious to learn more about the overall detox process?

Visit the Recovery Resource Center for more information.

Treating the Emotional Wounds:

Emotional Wounds

Of course, understanding the underlying causes of addiction — and removing psychological blocks you’ve likely had for years — is a huge part of your recovery process.

You’ll likely engage in many different types of therapy.

These can range from things like classic cognitive behavioral therapy to things like horseback riding and art therapy. You’ll soon learn which ones work the best for you.

You may even receive a dual diagnosis that helps you to understand your addiction. This means that, in addition to dealing with substance abuse, you also have an underlying mental health condition.

Knowing this and getting the right treatment is a huge part of helping you to move forward.

Rebuilding Your Physical Strength:

What happens in rehab isn’t always exactly what you see on television and in the movies.

Yes, you’ll journal, have breakthroughs and breakdowns, and even go for a few walks along a beach.

But you’ll also get a little sweaty.

Often, you’re not in the best physical shape when you first enter rehab.

You’ve been neglecting and abusing your body for a long time. You may be severely over or underweight. You might have problems with nutrition, tired, or simply weak.

Physical exercise is a big part of the recovery process.

You’ll do things like yoga, pilates, and perhaps even running to gain your strength back.

Meeting With Other Addicts:

Group therapy is another enormous part of the rehabilitation process.

Connecting with other people who also struggle with addiction and are now committed to recovery is incredibly helpful. Together, you’ll all rehash the reasons behind your addiction.

You’ll support each other and hold one another accountable. You’ll share coping mechanisms and strategies. Sometimes, you’ll simply listen.

Group therapy also teaches you how to talk about your addiction to other people, and helps to reduce the stigma and anxiety surrounding these types of discussions.

Connecting With Family Members:

A huge part of many rehab treatments is meeting with your family members for the first time after you’ve gotten sober.

Often, a therapist will be there to facilitate a meeting between all of you. You’ll usually have the chance to address past wrongdoings, apologize, and talk about the level of support you may need from them in the next phase of your life.

Keep in mind that programs like Al-Anon are incredibly helpful for family members and loved ones of addicts. Just as you’ve undergone intense therapy while in rehab, your family may also have been doing the same thing.

Considering Sober Living and Next Steps:

Once you’ve completed your rehab treatment, you’ll then begin to think about your next steps.

Many people are incredibly frightened of this phase. After all, rehab is a safe and comfortable environment. It’s almost entirely free from triggers and reminders of your past addiction, like the bar you used to do drugs at.

Re-entering the real world, for many addicts, comes with a real risk of relapse.

If this is something you’re worried about, you may want to learn about your sober living facility options. This is a facility that has a set curfew every night, assigns people responsibilities like cooking and cleaning, and still has a bit of a rehab-like environment.

You’ll be able to work and visit with friends and family throughout the day but then return to a safe space at night.

What Happens in Rehab Will Help You Heal:

Above all, remember that it’s perfectly normal to feel anxious about what happens in rehab.

In some cases, you may not even remember what it was really like to be sober. Yes, you’ll be vulnerable, and you’ll confront some difficult things about your past.

But you’ll grow stronger and appreciate life more as a result. Above all, know this: you are always worth it, and you deserve a happy, sober existence.

Are you interested in learning more about what to expect out of treatment? Need to know the best way to encourage a friend or family member to get help?

Keep checking back with us for more advice on recovery and wellness as a whole.

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We’re What We Eat: How Eating Habits Affect Our Well-Being

Eating is not just about dumping fuel into the tank so we can drive another twenty blocks. Multiple psychological and sociocultural factors also dictate how, why, when, and what we eat. Varying eating habits around the world can have a significant effect on our well-being. This post aims to shine a light on some of these habits to examine them more closely. Habit One: Is Breakfast The Most Important Meal Of The Day? Cereal manufacturers are keen on the idea that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Is it true? According to researchers Tanya Zilberter and Eugene Yuri Zilberter, recommendations for breakfast eating behavior remain categorical but at the same time scientifically unsound health guidelines. If we look at the science and ignore cereal marketing, there are many benefits to eating at the start of your day. The following scientific information is extracted from the materials provided by the National Library of Medicine: Breakfast eaters tend to get more nutrients over the course of the day. They are also more likely to intake a wider range of nutrients. Breakfast has been associated with improved weight control and health indicators of cardiometabolic risk. This applies to adults and children. Studies have related breakfast eating to improvements in attention and better cognitive function, regardless of age. Remember that breakfast means different things around the world. Eating a pain au raisin in Paris is not the same as eating bratwurst in Berlin. The nutritional value of a full English breakfast is not the same as a continental. Attempting to run the first few hours on an empty tank is generally not as healthy as providing your body with some fuel. What’s important, however, is to start the day with food and supplement your nutritional intake during the day. According to the researchers whose statement has opened this section, skipping breakfast is not necessarily a big deal. People need to consider the below points: how long they’ve been without food (if two people eat at midnight and one eats breakfast at 5 am and the other at 10 am, the different fast lengths will impact their bodies differently), and whether they make up the “lost” nutrients with their eating habits during the day. However you do breakfast, take a holistic approach to diet. Consider what you eat over 24 hours. Habit Two: What Are The Consequences Of Eating Before Bed? Just as skipping breakfast is seriously frowned upon, eating late at night is typically considered a bad habit. Science suggests that eating late at night correlates with higher incidences of medical claims. While Tanya Zilberter and Eugene Yuri Zilberter found that research on skipping breakfast and studies on eating late often fail to consider how long the participants fasted, they did find solid evidence regarding the potential risks of eating late, including the following eating behavior pathologies: Elevated insulin and glucose levels, characteristic of metabolic syndrome; Distortions of body image and mood disorders; Implications on circadian rhythm. Harvard agrees. Late-night eating is bad for health. A recent Harvard study found evidence that eating late may increase hunger, which can increase the risk of obesity. If you suspect you’re about to see yourself in a statistic, you might be right. About forty percent of the US adult population is obese. More study is required on the role late eating plays in calorie intake, calories burned, and molecular changes in fat tissue. Until that verdict comes in, it looks like avoiding late-night meals may reduce incidents of cancer, diabetes, and other conditions. Habit Three: Is It Okay To Let Kids Eat In Front Of The TV? Eating in front of the television can lead to a lack of attention, which in turn can lead to missing cues regarding fullness. This habitual overeating could then cause obesity. And there’s another interesting angle to consider regarding television, what we eat, and how we feed our children. A fact-filled study into television viewing and unhealthy eating made the research-backed observation that television and food advertising influence children’s food preferences. Studies have demonstrated that child TV watchers are more likely to prefer unhealthy food in early adulthood than kids that didn’t watch television. To help kids stay healthy and become adults who make healthy choices, monitor kids’ TV intake and defend them from unhealthy, unsolicited dietary influences on screen. These tips may help you form your kid’s eating habits: Kids’ food preferences develop by age three and tend to remain stable throughout childhood. Repeated exposure increases the chance that your kids will start liking a new food. Information that a new food tastes good will increase their willingness to try it. Kids are less interested in hearing how nutritious things are. The availability of food in the home will affect food consumption. Your food access controls will influence consumption and food preferences. If your diet is healthy, your kids will be more likely to eat healthily. As kids reach middle school age and adolescence, external influences – including peers and the media – are likely to have a detrimental effect on their food choices. Conclusion We are what we eat. You knew that. Still, it’s worth delving into research to back it up. It’s easy to forget. Many of us have busy lives and take eating for granted, treating our bodies as if they weren’t some of the most sophisticated machinery on the planet. While this post provides helpful information that may confirm your healthy eating habits or inspire you to eat differently, a health professional can help you put the best into your body to get the best out of your life. Put your health in safe hands by visiting The American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics or Leadar websites to find a professional nutritionist who can help you, your loved one, or your team improve your health and performance. Your eating habits have a massive effect on your well-being. Change how you eat to change your energy levels, your mood, your potential for health risks, and your life. Read Also: How Can A Cardiologist Save Your Life? Easy Breakfast Ideas For Type 2 Diabetes 5 Types Of Cancer Prominent In Women

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Misconceptions About Medication Assisted Treatment Programs

Common Misconceptions About Medication Assisted Treatment Programs

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, you may have heard about medication assisted treatment programs as a potential tool for recovery. However, many misconceptions and myths surrounding these programs can prevent people from seeking the help they need. Moreover, this blog post will address some of the most common misconceptions about medication-assisted treatment programs and provide evidence-based information to help set the record straight. What Are Medication Assisted Treatment Programs? First, let's define what we mean by "medication-assisted treatment program." Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a holistic addiction treatment. It uses medications, counseling, and behavioral therapies to help people with substance use disorders (SUDs) achieve and maintain recovery. The medications used in MAT are approved by the FDA. These medications are safe and effective for treating substance use disorders. Some medications commonly used in MAT include methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. MAT is a proven, effective medication assisted treatment for addiction. However, many people don't have access to quality care. Confidant Health is changing that. Confidant provides expert help for medication assisted treatment through our confidential and discreet app. Now, let's address some of the common misconceptions about MAT programs. Before searching for medication assisted treatment near me, it will be better to see which are the best nearby locations from your place. Misconception 1: Medication-Assisted Treatment Programs Are Just Substituting One Addiction For Another One of the most persistent misconceptions about medication-assisted treatment programs is that they substitute one addiction. The idea is that medications like methadone and buprenorphine replace one drug with another, and people who use them are not "sober." FACT: This is a misunderstanding of how medication-assisted treatment programs work. The medications used in medication assisted treatment are carefully prescribed and monitored by trained healthcare professionals. They help manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings, which can be powerful triggers for relapse. Additionally, the medications used in MAT are designed to be long-acting. This means they do not produce the same "high" that people experience when using drugs like heroin or prescription opioids. This makes it less likely that people will misuse the medications or become addicted to them. Research has consistently shown that medication-assisted treatment programs effectively reduce drug use and improve outcomes for people in recovery. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) notes that MAT "can help sustain recovery." Misconception 2: Medication-Assisted Treatment Programs Are Not Effective Another common misconception about medication-assisted treatment programs is that they are not effective. Some people believe that medications are just a "band-aid" solution that does not address the underlying issues contributing to addiction. FACT: Studies have shown that medication-assisted treatment programs can significantly improve outcomes for people with opioid use disorders. For example, a 2018 study published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine found that people who received medication assisted treatments were more likely to remain on the treatment and achieve abstinence from opioids than those who did not receive any treatment and medication. Moreover, opioid use disorder medication is often used with counseling and behavioral therapies, which can help people address the underlying issues that contribute to addiction. Medication-assisted treatment programs can help people achieve and maintain recovery by providing a more holistic approach to treatment. Misconception 3: Medication-Assisted Treatment Programs Are Just A Way For Drug Companies To Make Money Another common misconception about medication-assisted treatment programs is that they are just a way for drug companies to make money. Some people believe that the medications used in medication assisted treatment are overpriced and that the programs are being promoted by pharmaceutical companies solely for profit. FACT: This is not an accurate portrayal of medication-assisted treatment programs like the 15-minute4me test. While it is true that pharmaceutical companies manufacture the medications used in MAT, they are not exclusively used for addiction treatment. Many medications used in MAT also have other medical uses. Furthermore, the cost of medication-assisted treatment programs can be offset because they are often less expensive than other types of addiction treatment. For example, inpatient rehab programs can be costly, whereas medication-assisted treatment can be provided on an outpatient basis, which can be more affordable. Misconception 4: Medication-Assisted Treatment Programs Are Just A Way To Get High Legally Some people believe that medication assisted treatment programs are just a way to get high legally. They may think that the medications used in MAT produce a similar euphoric effect as illegal drugs and that people are just using them to continue their addiction in a more socially acceptable way. FACT: As we mentioned earlier, the medications used in MAT are designed to be long-acting and do not produce the same "high" as drugs like heroin or prescription opioids. While it's true that some people may misuse their medications or use them in ways that are not prescribed, this is not the norm. Additionally, healthcare professionals will closely monitor people participating in medication-assisted treatment programs. They can detect any misuse or diversion of medications. If someone misuses their medications, they may be tapered off or removed from the program. Dispelling Misconceptions About Medication-Assisted Treatment Programs: Why They Are a Valuable Tool for Substance Abuse Recovery Medication assisted treatment programs are a valuable option for addressing substance abuse. It can help people achieve and maintain recovery from this debilitating condition. Unfortunately, there are misconceptions and stigmas surrounding these programs. These misbeliefs can prevent individuals from seeking the appropriate help they need. However, we can help break down these barriers by understanding the facts about MAT programs. We’ll be able to ensure that everyone who needs help for substance abuse can access the right care. Remember, medication-assisted treatment programs are an evidence-based approach to addiction treatment. It is a science-backed treatment option that can help improve outcomes and save many lives. Medication-assisted treatment programs are valuable for addressing substance abuse. And helping people achieve and maintain recovery. Unfortunately, many misconceptions and myths surrounding these programs can prevent people from seeking the help they need. Bottomline By understanding the facts about medication assisted treatment programs, we can help break down these barriers and ensure that everyone who needs help for substance abuse can access the care they need. Remember, medication-assisted treatment programs are an evidence-based approach to addiction treatment that can help improve outcomes and save lives. Additionals: Overcome Addiction in California 4 Tips To Find An Effective Drug Therapy 3 Key Steps Of Addiction Treatment To Help You Get Sober

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X-Rays

Are X-Rays Dangerous?

Typically, as a patient who needs an X-ray, you don’t have much say in the matter. It’s a necessary tool to diagnose things like broken bones or other internal issues. And refusing to allow the X-ray could have serious consequences for the state of your care. But it’s still good to know what potential risks you are facing in any procedure. What is an X-ray? An X-ray is an imaging procedure that uses electromagnetic energy to produce light rays to produce images visible to the naked eye. Basically, an X-ray allows hard matter like bone tissue to show up white in an image. And it shows softer matter like skin in shades of black or gray. This is why it is an effective tool for checking for broken bones. But this emission of energy is called radiation, and it does come with some potential risks. What are the risks of X-rays? Any medical procedure or medication is not without some type of risk, and X-rays are no exception. The potential harm from X-rays comes from the exposure to radiation. And, according to the US Food and Drug Administration, the main risk is the increased possibility of cancer. However, the risk is thought to be very small with normal exposure. In other words, receiving routine X-rays from a procedure will probably never result in any harmful side effects. But the risks, of course, could increase with continued exposure. What procedures expose you to radiation? X-rays may be used for various conditions besides just broken bones. Doctors also use them to check for things like breast tumors, blocked blood vessels, lung conditions, arthritis and infections. Dentists use them to check for tooth decay and misalignments. Several other types of procedures produce X-ray images. Radiography, for example, uses the smallest amount of radiation and is common for bones. A Computed tomography, or CT scan, produces a 3D image that can be taken in sections. CT scans are common for brain injuries or suspected tumors. And fluoroscopy is used to get real-time images of internal workings. It’s most commonly used to view heart functions. What precautions can you take to limit exposure? Because the risk of side effects for X-rays is so minimal, most patients do not require additional protection. But in some cases, a technician may place some sort of protection over certain areas. This is usually only necessary when a patient has already had cancer or has been identified as someone at risk. For example, an X-ray technician might place a lead thyroid shield over a patient’s neck to keep from exposing a thyroid to radiation. This might be done if the patient has or had thyroid cancer. Or they might place a lead apron over areas such as the ovaries or gonads if they will be conducting numerous X-rays on them. The real risk of radiation exposure is to the personnel continually performing the procedures. X-ray technicians usually perform a number of X-rays every day and are exposed to the rays for many hours. This is why they wear protective gear. Specially designed lead aprons and lead glasses are examples of some of the gear they might use on a daily basis. The X-ray rooms may also be designed with at least one wall containing lead that a technician may stand behind when he or she activates the machine. All in all, the benefits associated with X-rays far outweighs any potential risk. After all, a physician may be able to save your life by detecting a tumor. And the risk of a tumor being fatal is much greater than the risk of an adverse radiation effect.

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