Author: slipper
Posted: Wed Feb 01, 2012 12:03 am
| tearj3rker wrote: |
| There are benefits and drawbacks to an inpatient detox / rehab facility for coming off long term opioid replacement therapy.
The main drawback for me would be the fact you’ll be sharing the facility with patients who are fresh out of addiction. While you’ve likely had 3+ years away from using, these people will often literally be fresh off the street. For a lot of them, drugs is all they can talk and think about, as it’s all their lives have been for X number of years. Whereas you’ll have made a bit of a life for yourself. For SOME people coming off ORT, this could bring about a regression. It’s the same for people who’ve been clean off all drugs who go in rehab for a "refresher". Most of the time they’d end up keeping themselves company, because they didn’t want to be brought down in all the drug talk and drama. Especially given most of the other people will relapse in the weeks post-rehab, if you get close with any of them, it can be hard to see people fall over. To sum it up, a lot of the people in there won’t be as ready as you are to get clean. You’ll basically have gone from working/studying, socialising, being independent and having a semi-normal life… to spending 28+ days talking about drugs and recovery 24/7. If this is what you think you need, go for it. Also most rehab facilities are 12-step based, so if you’re not a 12-stepper already, be prepared to shift your whole psyche into that way of thinking, which isn’t for everyone. There are benefits though with the group sessions etc. You will be taught techniques to beat cravings and stay clean while in a safe environment. But actually using them in the face of temptation is a different ballgame. Just remember that you have achieved a lot and grown a lot in these 3 years. Some hardline counsellors sometimes think otherwise, being so abstinence focused, and see ORT as little different to using. It is seriously worth researching and finding out from people who’ve been in the facilities their thoughts. Because in my experience they do vary a lot. And some of their approaches, at least for me, may not have been healthy. |
I went to GRAPEVINE VALLEY HOPE IN DALLAS, TEXAS (GRAPEVINE, TEXAS) right next to Dallas for 32 days.
They had the spiritual, and a lot of good stuff, but it was a 12 step program with AA meetings every night and they would give me nothing to help my anxiety and withdrawal except clonodine. I begged for something, but they refused.
The alcoholics got librium when they felt nervous…all they had to do was ask for it, but us druggies got nada…
I was never able to understand that? I felt so bad it was hard to get out of bed and go to the classes. Then I got labeled for not wanting to participate…etc…If they had just given me something for my nerves …like the librium the alcoholics got it would have been a good place to go, but I cannot recommend it to anyone because of the cold turkey withdrawal.
Judy
