7 Surprising Advantages of Entering Rehab

You probably already know that inpatient rehab allows residents an opportunity to overcome addiction and achieve sobriety. While that’s certainly an important outcome of entering rehab, the advantages don’t stop there.

Read on to learn 7 surprising advantages of inpatient rehab at Hawaii Island Recovery (HIR).

Addiction isn’t just in a user’s head—there is a real physical dependency that develops when someone has been abusing substances an extended period of time. The initial period of quitting a drug and overcoming that physical dependency is known as detox. Once a body learns to rely on a substance, the detox process can be dangerous or even fatal if not monitored by health professionals.

If you or a loved one has ever tried to quit an addictive substance cold turkey, you know that this can be painful, difficult, or even impossible. The staff and therapists at HIR understand this, and residents receive medical support as they are slowly weaned off of addictive substances. This provides a safer, more comfortable, and more successful detox than an addict would be able to manage on his own.

Perhaps you’ve seen depictions of rehab on TV or in a movie. Was the addict shaking on a cot in a cold, dark room? Were the residents sitting in a circle of plastic chairs, awkwardly engaged in a conversation about feelings? These common depictions aren’t at all what you or your loved one will experience at a rehab facility like HIR.

Instead, our residents benefit from proven therapies and enjoy life-changing experiences. Engaging activities, such as Ocean-based Treatment, play a large role in residents’ roads to recovery. HIR alumni cherish memories made hiking, swimming, whale watching, and more.

When participating in an outpatient program while living at home, it can be difficult for drug and alcohol addicts to break off relationships with friends and acquaintances who have encouraged or played a part in their substance abuse. In order to achieve long-term sobriety, it’s important that addicts build a new network of friends and therapists who can support them throughout their life-long journey.

At HIR, we consider every resident part of our family or, as we like to call it here in Hawaii, Ohana,” Program Director Eliza Wille explains, “When we make a commitment to a client, we see that through. We want their lives to become the success that they envision. Through phone calls and ongoing messages, we’re here for clients for the long haul. That’s our commitment.”

Addictions don’t develop in a vacuum. For many addicts, there are unhealthy relationships or painful childhood experiences that contribute to abusive behavior. Rehab is an opportunity to not only heal from the addiction itself but to also dig deeper into those underlying influences.

EMDR is one powerful therapy technique that has been proven to help drug and alcohol addicts heal from childhood traumas to achieve both physical and emotional health. Many residents experience restored relationships with themselves and those they love as they learn to identify unhealthy belief systems and process painful memories.

You may already be aware of the dangers of a fatal overdose, but the harmful effects on one’s health go far beyond overdose. Substance abuse wreaks havoc on every part of an addict’s health—physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational. In rehab, residents have an opportunity to address each of those areas and pursue holistic health.

At HIR, we strive to heal body, mind, and spirit with a variety of holistic health services, including acupuncture, massage, yoga, and mindfulness. Our chef is also committed to providing delicious and nutritious meals
to support resident’s full recovery. This holistic focus promotes long-term health and sobriety that extend beyond the completion of our program.

For many people, substance abuse begins when they turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with another condition, such as depression or anxiety. Dual diagnosis addresses those underlying psychological or emotional illnesses and teaches addicts to replace their preferred substance with healthier coping mechanisms.

Even if they aren’t battling a co-existing condition, addicts need healthy coping mechanisms to achieve long-term success after rehab. Proven therapies such as CBT teach residents to recognize and replace unhealthy beliefs and the behaviors they shape. This is critical in preparing residents to cope with life and recovery without compromising their health or sobriety.

Perhaps you’re worried that inpatient rehab will be too expensive—especially a rehab center on the beautiful island of Hawaii. Many addicts and their families are surprised to find that HIR accepts insurance, making our premiere residential substance abuse facility accessible to a wide range of people.

If you’re worried about you or a loved one losing a job while in recovery, there’s more good news. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) classifies inpatient rehab as medical leave and provides job protection for up to 12 weeks of absence. This law allows those dependent on drugs and alcohol to attain health and freedom without risking their income and future.