I didn’t have a big plan when I went to rehab. I really went because I didn’t have any other choices. My relationships were on the rocks, my job was in danger, and I didn’t like the person I was becoming. It seemed impossible for me to quit drugs on my own. So I went to a residential treatment program, not expecting much. I just wanted to stay clean for a while.
It Wasn’t Just About Stopping
For the first few days, I thought the goal was easy: don’t use. But getting better turned out to be a lot harder. Not using drugs was only part of it. It was about figuring out why I kept going back to them. I had to deal with feelings I had been running away from for years. When the numbness wore off, all the shame, sadness, and rage came rushing in.
That’s when I learned that being clean isn’t enough to be successful. It’s being able to feel again and not letting those feelings get to you.
Therapy That Finally Made Sense to Me
I had been to counseling before, but rehab was different. For the first time, I felt like someone was really listening to me, not trying to fix me but just trying to understand. CBT helped me sort out the loops in my head. Motivational During the interview, I could be honest about my doubts without being judged. There were days when I wanted to change. Some days I did, and some days I didn’t. But at least I was there.
I also tried treatment with medication. At first, I wasn’t sure about it, but it helped me get through the worst of the withdrawal symptoms so I could focus on getting better instead of just getting through them.
It was harder to leave than to stay
Walking out the door was the scariest part, not being in treatment. I had a schedule in rehab. I had help. It felt like starting over outside. That’s where aftercare was really important. It made all the difference to have people to talk to, a plan, and know I wasn’t alone.
I wish more people would talk about how messy that time was. You don’t leave rehab “fixed.” You leave ready to keep going.
It Wasn’t Only the Drugs
I used to think that drugs were my only problem. It turns out they were what I used to get through everything else. Trauma I never faced. Anxiety that I couldn’t handle. Things I thought about myself that were really mean.
The deeper work, like therapy, thinking about things, and even writing in a journal and going for walks alone without music, helped me deal with the things I had buried. And little by little, the weight began to lift.
How My Recovery Looks Now
I am not perfect. I still have days that aren’t good. I still want things sometimes. But now I know what to do with them. I talk to a person. I take a walk. I take a breath.
And most importantly, I remind myself that the goal was never to be perfect. It was making a life I didn’t want to leave anymore.
Image by Gustavo Fring from Pexels
The editorial staff of Medical News Bulletin had no role in the preparation of this post. The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the advertiser and do not reflect those of Medical News Bulletin. Medical News Bulletin does not accept liability for any loss or damages caused by the use of any products or services, nor do we endorse any products, services, or links in our Sponsored Articles.
