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It is a sad reality, but some people who go to rehab will later return to alcohol or drugs upon returning home. Many of these individuals will go on to later find lasting sobriety, often by returning to a different rehab later on. Things can go wrong in rehab, but this does not mean the decision to choose this type of treatment was wrong. Here are just six reason why things might not go as planned in a rehab programme.
1. Choosing the Wrong Type of Rehab Programme
If you do some research on the available treatment options for addiction, you are sure to notice that there are many different approaches. The reason so many paths exist in recovery is that there is no one form of treatment that works for everyone. This could mean that, if you choose a rehab that offers the wrong type of programme, it could lessen your chances of recovery. For example, some facilities focus on psychiatric treatments, but this does not work for everyone. If rehab did not work for you, it could be because you went to a facility that was not offering the right resources you needed.
2. Failure to Treat a Dual Diagnosis
If you are dealing with a mental health problem, such as anxiety disorder, alongside your addiction then it may mean that regular rehab is not the best option for you. The problem is that many people do not realise that they have a dual diagnosis; for example, it is easy to blame the symptoms of depression on alcohol abuse. If a mental health problem is ignored then it can prevent one from getting the most out of a rehab programme, which is a common reason why some individuals relapse upon returning home. Dual diagnosis treatment (where the two conditions are treated at the same time) would be a much better option in this case.
3. Going to Rehab for the Wrong Reason
Some people enter rehab with a list of demands as if they are attending peace negotiations. If your only reason for getting sober is that you want to get your ex back, this motivation might not be enough to keep you sober long term. If your ex takes you back for example, then this means your motivation for staying sober becomes less as you have already achieved your goal. If your ex does not take you back then you are likely to be disappointed, which can become an excuse for relapse. The only good reason for going to rehab is you wanting a better life.
4. Anger Outbursts in Rehab
Early sobriety can be an incredibly emotional time, so if you have been caught up in addiction you might not have good tools for dealing with your emotions. This means you are at risk of being overwhelmed by negative emotions such as anger. When you are caught up in intense anger, it can eliminate your ability to think rationally. This means you are more likely to act impulsively. There are many examples of individuals storming out of rehab in a fit of anger only to end up drinking or using drugs within hours of their departure. You will learn tools for dealing with anger in rehab, but you have to be willing to use them.
5. Lack of Resources at a Rehab
Some rehabs are under-resourced, and there can be an unfavourably high client-to-therapist ratio. This can mean that you do not have access to enough of the resources that you need to build a strong sobriety and you do not get to spend enough time with a therapist. One of the benefits of choosing a private rehab is that the client-to-therapist ratio is usually much more favourable and the recovery resources are plentiful.
6. Ambivalence in Rehab
Breaking free of addiction requires your commitment levels to be at 100 per cent. If your reasons for getting sober are vague, or you are hoping to be able to drink or use drugs again in the future, your commitment level may not be high enough to get the most out of rehab. Why would you put lots of effort into something if you do not really want it with all of your heart? Ambivalence weakens your chance of recovery, so it is important that you fully commit to this new way of living.