Benefits of Going to Rehab –
While movies like Requiem for a Dream and Trainspotting can show some of the more insidious physical aspects of drug withdrawal, few pieces of art or media have fully explored the mental benefits of getting clean. While addiction undoubtedly results in physical changes in the brain, they also manifest in the mental state of the addicted.
Moreover, any addiction has a gender-specific impact and, therefore, requires a proper treatment. For example, female rehab centers (Addiction Resource has a guide) apply treatment approaches different from the ones in the male rehabs. Statistically, women may have more drug cravings as well as are more vulnerable to relapse. Also, the sex hormones make the effects (physical and mental) of some drugs more severe. These facts undoubtedly confirm that men and women are unique in their addictions as rehab for pregnant women or rehab for women with children differ from the men rehab facilities meeting the specific needs of their patients.
At the same time, things like drug-seeking behavior, a lack of interest in activities that previously interested them, or a habit of dismissing loved ones in favor of getting high, are all common mental side effects of addiction. People in the throes of addiction are seldom satisfied with their lives, and more often than not, are trying to treat some underlying mental duress.
What can rehab do for your state of mind? Well, I’ll tell you about the benefits of going to rehab:
The Return of Relaxation
When someone is hopelessly addicted, their only concern is getting high and staying high. The problem is that enough is never enough with people who are sufficiently dependent. There’s truly no point at which the addict can entirely sit back and relax, as they know they will eventually need more drugs.
After rehab, the need to continually find drugs to keep the addiction going is gone, and the person can fully decompress and allow their mind to empty.
Treating Underlying Issues
Some people turn to drinking because it’s what their parents did, and they seek out the bottle subconsciously because it’s what they saw as a child. Another, perhaps someone chooses to do drugs to avoid dealing with a traumatic event from their past. Regardless of the case, drugs will never truly fill the void the addict is trying to fill with these substances.
Completing a full rehabilitation program successfully will more often than not treat, or at least expose underlying mental health issues that are driving someone to drugs or alcohol. This can be a very eye-opening experience for some and can lead them down the road to becoming a more complete and well-rounded human being.
Instill Positive Habits
Inpatient programs where the patient lives at the rehab centre full-time involves the centre carefully structuring the life of the patient for the duration of the stay. This means waking up early at the same time every day, eating meals at the same time every day, accomplishing meaningful goals each day, and of course getting to sleep at the same time each day. These things may seem minor on their own, but when they are all added together, they form a healthy routine conducive to success and happiness.
Learn About Addiction
Some people sort of stumble into addiction because they had a lack of understanding about the biological aspects of becoming addicted to a substance. Qualified addiction therapists will help someone understand how the body reacts to the introduction of an addictive chemical, and how they can best keep their body safe from becoming addicted again after they’ve completed their program. Some people don’t even understand just how tied their physical addiction and mental state are.
Conclusion
Going to rehab will help anyone addicted to drugs both physically and mentally. The benefits will continue for long after discharging the patient, and will mean the difference between relapse and recovery in the end.