Overcoming Common Treatment Problems
By Tiffney Yeager
Drug Rehab:
If you or a loved one is considering drug rehab,
you may find that many day to day problems complicate
your choice. Below are some concerns that come up regularly when a prospective patient is entering
rehab and suggestions for how one might resolve these problems.
1) Caring For Pets
One fairly common obstacle for prospective patients who want
treatment
is “What do I do with my pet?”
A very limited number of drug rehab programs allow pets, but often there are size restrictions and
other limitations. If you cannot take your pet to treatment, consider a treatment program that has
pet boarding nearby. Often a drug rehab center can provide you with a telephone number for a local
pet boarding facility. If the drug rehab center allows you to leave the facility, you may be able
to visit your pet regularly throughout your treatment stay. Many drug rehab facilities do not allow
pets (for reasons including, but not limited to safety, cleanliness, noise, allergies, and licensing
requirements). If you cannot bring your pet and if no boarding facilities are available near the
drug rehab facility, talk to friends and family. If you have pets that cannot be easily moved, such
as a fish tank or large reptile, you may find a friend, neighbor, or family member who will visit
your home regularly to care for your pet. In cases where your pet can go to the home of another, it
may be easier to have your pet cared for in the comfort of someone else’s home. Make sure you provide
written instructions for caring for your pet, as well as enough food and other pet items to ensure that
your pet can be cared for until you return home. You should provide enough food and other accessories
to last for at least one week longer than you anticipate being gone as some people find that they are
not ready to leave treatment as early as they originally expected to be.
2) Paying Bills
When possible, it is best to pay bills before
leaving for treatment.
This includes rent, utilities, and other routine monthly payments. At many drug rehab facilities, it is difficult to access a
computer to pay bills online and you may find that you are busy enough that you don’t want the hassle
of finding time to take care of bills. If you share your household with a spouse, significant other,
friend or family, they may be able to help. If you find that you will not be able to make a payment
for any reason, contact the person or business and talk with them about alternate arrangements. No
one wants to return home after drug rehab to find that their utilities have been turned off or their
vehicle has been repossessed.
3) What Will People Think?
Probably one of the most common fears that individuals have before they enter treatment is “What
will everyone think when they find out I’m an addict?” There is a lot of social pressure to appear
like you have everything together, even when you do not. Always remember, though, that by the time
you realize you need drug rehab, most of the people close to you will already know there is a problem.
Oftentimes, people will be more supportive than you expect and they will respect your decision to
take care of yourself. As in any situation, there may be those who look down on you for your addiction.
However, remember that many famous and successful people have come out about being addicts and alcoholics.
People have become more accepting of addiction than they were even 10 years ago and seeking help for
your problems is just as likely to result in support as ridicule. You may even find that by sharing
your story, you may help a friend or
family member take the first step and address their own addiction.
Need Expert Advice?
Reference Our Clinician Library, Articles,
And Videos By Clicking Here