Being scared to go to rehab is a usual scenario in the life of a person with substance use disorder. More often than not, there is a strong doubt preventing an individual from seeking professional help. From social stigma to judgment from family and friends, there are a lot of factors that make going for treatment in rehab a difficult choice. However, with enough support, hope, positivity, and trust, you can convince yourself or a loved one to overcome being afraid to go to rehab and change towards recovery, with a vision of productive life ahead.
We often ask a lot of things once we realize that we want to stop our addiction or drug dependence such as:
How do I start my recovery?
Do I check myself into rehab?
How do I open up my problem to my family and friends?
Although we tend to ask the questions of “how”, the “whys”, or the reasons why we want to change are often clear. May it be a family to fix, a career to keep, or a simple motivation to improve life. You can use these to help yourself or your loved one who is scared to enter rehab and afraid of getting treatment.
5 Common Fears About Going to Rehab
You or your loved ones are not alone in the feelings of fear and hesitation. In order to address this, self-awareness and knowing the triggers of the anxiety about treatment is a good start. However, keep in mind that fears still vary between people, as everyone has a different situation, context, and experience. The following are the five usual manifestations of being scared to enter rehab:
Fear of Withdrawal
The most common aspect that people fear is the discomforting experience of substance withdrawal. This is the time when your body will react and crave the substance used because of its absence. It can manifest in behavioral changes and physical symptoms. However, professional treatment services provide licensed drug counselors and doctors that will guide you in the detox and withdrawal process.
Fear of Failure
The fear of failure is prominent among people who usually did not succeed on their first attempt at recovery or sober living. Being afraid of another relapse can actually discourage someone from trying again because time and energy were invested. However, it is always worth trying again, but this time, with a proper and personalized treatment plan that focuses on long-term recovery.
Fear of Success
Sometimes, people become used to the behaviors associated with substance use disorder. As odd as it sounds, these people are afraid of succeeding in rehab and facing big life changes. There is this fear about the future and new starts, particularly in terms of relationships and career. However, recovery is never too late for anyone.
Worrying about Time
People who have many responsibilities in their hands often worry about losing time during treatment. They include business owners, organization leaders, and even parents who provide for their family. Although time is critical for them, it must be remembered that there are other treatment options, which cater to them as well, such as outpatient treatment.
Worrying about Money
This is probably one of the greatest concerns faced by Americans suffering from substance abuse. It is a common notion that professional health services are expensive. Although this may be true for some rehabs, service-oriented rehab centers offer discounted inpatient treatments. In addition, health insurances often include substance abuse disorders in their coverage nowadays.
There are plenty of reasons that cause fears when one thinks of going or even returning to rehab. While some are nervous about possible uncomfortable symptoms, others are afraid to welcome change in their lives. We can agree that the journey towards recovery may be difficult and restless as well. However, there are more reasons for you to be afraid of NOT going to rehab, such as health complications, than thoughts that prevent you from seeking help.
What causes the fears about rehabs?
Most of the time, we think that what causes our fear of rehab are the direct worries that affect our lives or our loved ones’. However, the fears that we usually manifest come from reasons beyond ourselves. These may include:
— Social stigma – We are afraid that our family and friends will judge us when they learn that we have drug problems. People will think that we have less capacity and skills, compared to sober individuals.
— Perceptions on rehabs – Before even contacting rehabs, we already assume that professional help is expensive. We also imagine at the back of our heads that rehab facilities have harsh conditions.
— Norms in the community – The public feels negative towards people suffering from drug addiction. As an example, only a few companies offer work opportunities to people who have recovered from substance abuse. We ask ‘what kind of life awaits me after this?”.
Although these are the causes of the usual fears that we have, we believe that everyone deserves another shot for a productive life. Regardless of what other people might think, you and your loved ones are worthy of this. Advocating for inclusive wellness, changing the views of society starts with proper education, and treating addiction recovery as normal.
5 Ways to Support Your Loved One Who’s Scared to Go to Rehab
It’s important to support your loved ones who need professional help for their addiction. Here are some ways to support your loved one, especially when he or she is scared:
— Show empathy. Demonstrating empathy starts with treating your loved ones with compassion, regardless of their behaviors. Make the person feel that you are there for him or her before, during, and after addiction recovery.
— Build trust. Express to your loved one that you believe in their capacity to change. Their confidence in themselves can start from your trust.
— Make them feel less lonely. Spend time with the person. This can be done in simple activities, such as eating together or playing sports.
— Encourage responsibility. Although they are suffering from drug dependence, it does not mean they do not understand responsibilities. Simple responsibilities at home, such as household chores, can already increase their willingness to seek help for themselves.
— Consult with professional help on their behalf. Once they agree to go to rehab, you can talk to the professionals on their behalf. Ask about treatments in dealing with addiction properly.
There are a lot of other ways to support your loved ones. What matters is the initiative and effort you are willing to do for them.
Overcoming Fear of Rehab with the Right Treatment in Arizona
Overcoming the fear is the first step towards recovery for ourselves, and the people who matter to us. We must realize that further problems can occur when we leave our addiction untreated. From violent tendencies to health complications, succumbing to fear will simply make things worse. Going back to your own reason to recover, or getting inspiration from people you love can help in overcoming your fear of rehab.
In Arizona, there are detox and treatment centers, which specialize in providing a venue and program for getting off addiction. They can help by providing medical experts and counselors that will even assist you in the post-treatment life. More often than not, the best rehab in Arizona is the one that designs personalized treatment for your specific situation. Clearly, recovery is just a step beyond your fears.
At Buena Vista Health and Recovery Centers, we provide personalized treatment for drug addiction in Tucson, AZ. Our programs do not focus solely on treatment, but also on overcoming doubts and readjusting into the community. We believe that everyone deserves another chance at a productive life.
If you or someone you know is scared to go to rehab, get in touch with us today. Give us a call at (800) 922-0095 or visit our detox center for substance abuse in Arizona at 5151 E Pima St, Tucson, AZ 85712.
