Entering rehab is a significant decision for those suffering from substance abuse. In many ways, you’re pausing your life to get clean. That’s why many choose to do an outpatient treatment close to home, as it offers a level of flexibility and privacy that can be enticing.
If you’re doing an outpatient program close to home, you don’t have to tell your work or friends about your addiction problems, and that comfortability can help many make the first step in getting clean. However, that flexibility can be a two-edged sword, and in some cases, an inpatient program away from home can be beneficial in your treatment.
In this article, we will examine the pros and cons of rehabbing away from home, so when you search for a rehab near me, you can feel informed about your decision.
Pros
Much Fewer Distractions
This is the most commonly cited benefit of rehabbing away from home. The distance shields you from everyday distractions you’ve experienced for most of your time as an addict. These distractions aren’t all negative. They can be family, daily chores, and everyday routines that take your focus away from your recovery.
Far Fewer Temptations
Perhaps the most significant benefit of inpatient treatment is shielding you from temptations and triggers that lead you to partake in harmful substances. It’s more than likely that these dangerous triggers are daily occurrences in your everyday life. For many, the way to recovery is removing themselves from their destruction and examining why they have that effect.
Quitting is Harder
Rehabbing is a complex and intensely personal experience. It’s no shame to say that many wanted to walk away after some hard nights. The thought of going back to discuss past trauma or wrongdoings you committed under the throes of addiction can convince many to abandon their rehab treatment halfway through. If you’re rehabbing away from home, sometimes hundreds of miles away, that easy escape isn’t always an option. This might sound like a negative to many, but it’s essential to evaluate your capacity to handle emotional confrontation and evaluation. If you are the type of person who walks away from a fight, a rehab far away from home may force you to deal with your problems.
Cons
Rearranging your life
The harsh reality is that you’ll have to make arrangements with work, family, friends, and other commitments to go to inpatient rehab. Many find this extremely uncomfortable having to explain their substance abuse issues, so much so that it can turn them off rehab altogether. Additionally, it can be financially costly if your job isn’t supportive.
Time away from family can be stressful.
In the pro section, we mentioned time away from family could be just what a person needs to start their path to sobriety as the daily distractions could take time away from their treatment. However, every patient is different, and no treatment plan is the same. Maybe, the support system your family provides is exactly what you need to get clean. In that, a long-distance Inpatient rehab treatment may do more harm than good. That’s why it’s important to discuss these things with your loved ones and medical professionals before committing to a rehab program.
Choosing the Right Program Depends on You
You should now have a better understanding of the benefits and downsides of rehabbing away from home. It is important to remember that addiction is almost always tied to mental health, meaning the rehab process is an intensely personal experience. So, deciding what works for you is going to take self-examination, by yourself, with your support system, and with a mental health professional. Hopefully, this will help you get started down a healthier path.