With so many things to do before you enter addiction treatment; the pressure can be stressful enough to trigger an increase in your using – and could possibly delay your entry.Â
Below you’ll find a checklist that will help you prepare to go into residential treatment for addiction, and, make sure you have peace of mind as you start this new chapter in your life.
Tasks to Take Care of before You Enter Addiction Treatment
Tell your family/partner
If you have a planned entry into addiction rehab it’s important you tell your family what’s happening so they’re able to support you both whilst you are in treatment – and when you get out. If your family will be involved in childcare arrangements or will look after your home whilst you are in treatment, it’s a good idea to try and give them as much advance notice as possible.
Tell your children
If you have children that you will be separated from when you go into addiction treatment, deciding what and how to tell them can be complicated. You want to tell them enough to feel informed, but, not as to feel overwhelmed.
Depending on the age of your children, it’s possible your children are already aware that there is a problem. If you’re not sure of the most age-appropriate way to speak with your children, discuss this with the support team at the addiction treatment facility you will be going to, as they should be able to advise you. It’s also worth finding out how much contact you will be able to have with your children whilst you’re in addiction treatment, as some centres advise against contact with friends and family.
Excuse yourself from work
Whether you’re employed or run your own business, explaining your absence can be one of the trickiest things to sort out before you enter into addiction treatment – especially as it can be undecided how long you will be in treatment for.
Depending on your individual situation you may wish to be honest with your management team or staff, or, look into whether there is the possibility to take extended or unpaid leave.
Decide how household bills will be paid
Even if you’re not at home there will still be bills that need to be paid whilst you’re in treatment and often this is one of the last things people think about before they go into addiction rehab.
Think about how long you are likely to be away and make provisions for a friend or family member to take care of household bills whilst you are away. Make sure you don’t forget to give them all passwords and paying-in details.
Get rid of all paraphernalia from your home
Go through your home and remove all drugs and drink related paraphernalia before you go into addiction treatment. The last thing you need is to come home after three months in treatment – and find a secret stash of booze hidden in the back of the wardrobe. If you’re not going to be ‘using’ anymore, get rid of it before you leave.
Get a new mobile phone number
Sometimes a full blown relapse that destroys all the hard work you have done in treatment can be as simple as a phone call made or received! Go through your phone and make an honest assessment of what people you will be keeping in your life when you get out of addiction treatment, then transfer their numbers to a new sim card or address book. Delete any friends/associates who could threaten your recovery when you are back at home.
Whilst these steps seem like common-sense, when you are preparing to enter into addiction rehab emotions and stress tend be running at a high level and many things get overlooked. This simple checklist will help you address some of the key things that will help make your entry into addiction treatment as smooth as possible.
Feel free to contact the staff at The Cabin if you have any questions.
