9 Reasons to Go to Rehab Now, Not Later
Going to rehab is a huge step and often one that people put off for as long as possible. The simple step of going often means admitting that you have a problem and one you can’t fix yourself, which doesn’t line up with how many people see themselves or want those around them to see them. Combined with social ideas of stigma and guilt and shame surrounding addiction, and many people simply don’t want to go. This can lead to months or even years or permanent excuses surrounding not going to rehab, all of which can seem intensely valid in the now.
Whether your reasons not to go surround work, money, family, friends, or life events, here are 9 reasons to go to rehab now, not later.
Your Insurance Will Pay
Money is one of the most common reasons people use to put off rehab. Whether you’ve just paid for something else, have a big bill coming up, or don’t necessarily have the funds to pay for rehab upfront, it can be intimidating. That is fair. Rehab often involves intensive medical care which can cost hundreds or even thousands per day. Most people can’t afford it out of pocket. That’s okay. That Affordable Care Act mandates that substance abuse and care for substance abuse are human rights. Your insurance provider has to offer at least some coverage for treatment. While coverage will vary and support for different rehabilitation centers will vary, you can get treatment and your insurance will help.
Your Family and Friends Need You
While substance abuse is harmful to the user, it also harms everyone around you. Substance abuse causes individuals to withdraw into themselves, focusing on drugs or alcohol, and rarely on the people around them. In many cases, substance abusers actively harm those around them by being manipulative, emotionally abusive, or even physically so. Substance abuse causes emotional harm because users are no longer the same person they were, which is often incredibly painful to those around them. Staying on drugs and alcohol means that you will continue causing harm to friends and family, even if by allowing them to continue to see you in pain.
The Law Protects You If You Go to Rehab
While there are numerous laws in place to protect individuals seeking rehab (including the ACA), there are very few laws in place to protect you if you’re caught abusing substances. Seeking out rehab means that your job, career, licenses, and home are safe. If you wait until you’re caught drinking and driving, using an illicit substance, or even using at work, this won’t be the case.
In fact, the Family and Medical Leave Act stipulates that your workplace has to offer up to 12 weeks of unpaid medical leave, and you won’t have to tell them why you’re taking it. This allows you to go to rehab without quitting your job and without having to risk being fired.
Waiting Causes More Damage
The longer you wait, the more harm your drug use will do to your mind and body. Longer exposure to drugs and alcohol means that you’ll become more addicted, will make rasher decisions, and will continue to cause the same problems that make you want to go to rehab now. This also applies to friends and family, who will continue to watch you suffer and who will continue to be hurt by you. The longer you wait, the harder things become to fix or to rebuild into something new.
You’ll Keep Finding More Excuses
Everyone knows the alcoholic’s excuse of “I’ll quit tomorrow” and it’s a stereotype because it’s true. Many people like to think they can quit now, or they can go to rehab now but are putting it off for another time because of seemingly valid reasons. The problem is that they will always come up with those reasons, creating a string of excuses that validate continued addiction. While these reasons can be very valid, there are almost always workarounds and you can always get help, even if it’s through outpatient treatment.
You’ll Save Money Over Going Later
Most people think of addiction treatment as expensive, but addiction is more so. People with drug and alcohol problems spend most of their money on substances, often accrue up large amounts of debt, and run increasing risks of legal problems, losing mortgages, and losing investments. Loss applies to damaged property, lost income and revenue, money spent on drugs and alcohol, and on lost homes and vehicles, as money intended for payments goes to drugs and alcohol instead. Bottom line, getting treatment now really will save you money.
Recovery Centers Offer Childcare
Many people refuse to seek out treatment because they have to take care of family, but many rehabilitation centers now offer childcare. While less than 10% of rehab centers offer on-location daycare centers for children, this number is growing. You can also choose to seek outpatient care, where you can continue seeing and caring for children and family members while getting treatment.
Recovery Takes Time
Recovery is an ongoing process that will take years. You may relapse several times. You may have to go back to rehab. Most importantly, you will have to spend several years of your life getting over drug and alcohol addiction. The sooner you start, the sooner you will make it through and get back to solely your life, without drugs or alcohol. Putting it off only means you’ll have to wait even longer.
You Owe it to Yourself
Your friends, family, and loved ones should be motivation to get you into recovery, but you also owe it to yourself. As long as you’re addicted to drugs or alcohol, you won’t be able to put time, attention, or love into anything but that addiction. This means that your dreams, aspirations, career, and goals will be on hold. Even your love life, time with friends and family, and time with children will be on hold, as you will be focused on drugs or alcohol and not on them. Going to rehab means getting your life back, so you can be the person you want to be.
Rehab can be daunting, but it is worth it. Today’s treatment involves recognizing underlying causes behind addiction, treating behavioral problems as well as physical addiction, and working to create holistic treatment for the individual, rather than simply treating addiction. Rehab will help you to learn the skills and tools to recover, to fight cravings, and to live a happy life without drugs or alcohol, and there is no good reason why you shouldn’t go now, not later.
If you or a person you know has some other substance abuse problem, it’s important to seek help. Talking with an addiction professional to discuss your options and determine if you need addiction treatment is an important first step. Please contact Beginnings Treatment Centers today for an honest talk with one of our experienced and professional team. We can answer any questions you may have with no cost or obligation.
