The harsh truth is that rehab is not a magical solution to help someone overcome an addiction. In some cases, going to rehab might not do much to address the root causes of the addiction, or help a person build healthier coping mechanisms to remain sober.
Addiction recovery is a complex issue that can differ greatly from person to person. In this article, we will discuss 5 of the most common reasons why rehab fails, and what you can do instead:
1. Not Admitting You Have a Problem
Rehab, therapy, and other recovery treatments will almost always fail if the person dealing with the addiction is ultimately not ready to admit they have a problem in the first place.
They may successfully get through the medical detox part of the treatment, but people who deny their problem often don’t respond well to addiction therapy. Thus, they are likely to continue to use drugs or alcohol when the treatment is over.
It’s very important to bring yourself to the point where you admit you have a problem, that drugs and alcohol are affecting your day-to-day life, and that they are leading you down a path of self-destruction.
2. Unwilling Participation
Rehab usually fails if the person is admitted against their will. As with not recognizing you have a problem when you are forced to seek rehab you may sabotage your own treatment simply because you do not want to be there.
In this case, it’s important again to consider the negative consequences that your addiction has on you and your family.
3. The Program Doesn’t Address Your Specific Needs
Addiction treatment is tricky, but the general consensus is that successful treatment must address the individual needs of the patient. Sometimes, rehab fails because the program itself does not achieve this.
In these cases, it’s best to seek a program designed to address your individual needs, where the staff (doctors, therapists, etc.) go to better lengths at assessing your unique situation and create a personalized treatment plan.
4. The Program Is Too Short
Addiction recovery is often a life-long effort. Rehab itself can take a long time, but financial and social constraints may prevent a person from fully committing to more long-term treatment.
As a result, rehab can fail simply because you are not exposed to it long enough. The solution here would be to try to commit as much as possible to an in-patient facility and continue with outpatient care after discharge.
5. Lack of Support from Friends and Family
Friends and family can play a huge role in a person’s addiction recovery. Unfortunately, without proper support, rehab can fail because the patient can feel the burden of isolation.
Creating a stronger system, either within the facility (other patients) or outside (12-step groups) can help curb this isolation if friends and family cannot provide it. View our website, https://rehabhelper.co.za/rehab-clinics-johannesburg/ for more information on how to seek help for mental health problems.
