Every journey begins with a single step. For the journey to recovery, that first step is picking up the phone to call a rehab center.

Even that simple decision can be fraught with anxiety. You may wonder who will answer your call. Will they listen to you? Judge you? Understand you? Will this even work for you?

At Hawaiian Island Recovery, we are committed to answering your questions and calming your fears as you prepare to take this first step. That’s why we sat down with Jimmy Kayihura, our Admissions Director, to explain what you can expect when calling HIR.

When is it time to call a rehab center, and who should make the initial call?

It’s never too soon or too late to call a rehab center. Jimmy tells us,

Some have no question that they need help, and others are just investigating.

The initial phone call may come from the addict, a loved one, or even an employer. The addict may or may not be ready to enter rehab after the first call. Jimmy shares,

Having decided to recover—there’s varying degrees of that. They identify that there’s a problem, either that there just has to be more to this living, or that their life has become unmanageable.

Most people make that phone call once they begin to realize that drug or alcohol use is negatively affecting the rest of their life. Jimmy explains,

Their drug or alcohol or whatever it is that they’re struggling with has bled into their life, their work, and what have you, so everyone has a different disposition. But they’re calling because they identify there’s a problem and they’re just taking the first step.

Who will answer my call if I call to a rehab center?

Jimmy is the Intake Specialist at HIR and has over seven years of experience working in residential treatment centers.

Many callers are pleasantly surprised to learn that the person on the other end of the call is speaking from personal experience and victory. He shares,

I’m actually in recovery for myself, and so I offer also another unique perspective in that I know what it looks like from the outside looking in, as well as from the inside looking out. I speak pretty candidly about my experience and oftentimes, that’s really a help to somebody that’s looking to enter into recovery.

In addition to the shared experience in addiction and recovery, some callers may find that they have certain hobbies or interests in common with Jimmy. He enjoys the outdoors, physical fitness, writing songs, and performing music.

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What questions should I ask when I call a drug rehab center?

No questions are off limits, so feel free to ask whatever questions are on your mind.

Jimmy reports that common questions include:

  • What is residential treatment?
  • Who is appropriate for residential treatment?
  • What is the length of stay?
  • Will my insurance cover this?
  • How much does this cost?
  • Do you offer a dual diagnosis to addresses the underlying causes and conditions that drive addiction?
  • Do you provide a medically-supervised detox?

Jimmy is happy to answer all of these questions and more. He reminds potential residents and their loved ones,

The questions are broad, and we’re here to answer all of them.

Will detox hurt?

This is one of the most common fears and anxieties we see among potential residents.

Jimmy shares,

Some folks are terrified of the detox associated to recovering. I can think of  a population that always has a lot of fear and anxiety, and that’s people that are struggling with opiates.

It’s true that detox is a difficult step in the journey to recovery. Jimmy explains,

The process of detox can be very uncomfortable. You feel like you’re going to die, so people have a lot of questions regarding that or a lot of fears associated with that.

In addition to physical discomfort, there are also emotional ties that must be broken. Jimmy says,

It’s a long term relationship that you’ve had with some substance that served you in some way. If you look at it like a romantic relationship, at the beginning, it was walks in the
park, it was visiting with each other, and it worked. But this thing is turning around and is starting to cut you down. So we’re asking you essentially to break up with that relationship, and that can be pretty scary.

While Jimmy acknowledges the challenges of this step, he is also eager to offer hope and encouragement to those who are afraid of detox. He points out,

It’s very important for a person that’s looking at recovery and thinking about the detox associated with recovery to know that we offer a medically-supervised detox to be sure that they have a safe and comfortable transition from active addiction into early recovery.

Is recovery really possible for me?

In addition to answering your questions, Jimmy strives to extend hope to all who call HIR. He explains,

There’s a lot of comfort in knowing you’re not alone. There can be comfort in knowing there have been countless people who have suffered in the same way. And if you can’t find comfort there, you can find comfort in knowing that there are countless people who have found the same way out.

In fact, many of the people who work at HIR are living their own success stories, and that can provide a beacon of hope for residents. Jimmy reminds everyone,

Addiction by its nature is very isolating and the sufferer is usually withdrawn,” but it can be extremely helpful to know “that you’re not alone. Often times the people that are facilitating the vehicle in getting you to where you need to be have been there. They know where you are, and they know the way out.

James Kayihura | Managing Director

Call Rehab Center in Hawaii Today

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, Jimmy is available to answer your questions about detox, recovery, the HIR experience, and more. Please contact us at (866) 491-8009 today.

Get Help Today!

If you or a loved one need help, call Hawaii Island Recovery toll-free right now.

866-390-5070