Facing Your Fears in Rehab

Fear is one of the most common barriers to professional addiction treatment. The fear may be specific or general, acknowledged or not. Fear can be an overwhelming emotion before, during, and after rehab. Here is a look at the fears those seeking treatment sometimes face, and some strategies to help you deal with them while you are in Washington State rehab.

Common Fears in Rehab

The fear you may face when considering treatment is usually connected to a fear of losing what is most important to you. It can often paralyze you when you are in the throes of addiction, rendering you unable to seek help or take steps to get healthy. There are a wide variety of things you may be afraid of losing if you admit that you need help.

• Family and friends—You may believe that if you admit to suffering from addiction and engaging in substance abuse that your family and friends will abandon you, disappointed and angry. This is almost never the case. Family and friends form a trusted support network around those suffering from addiction and wanting to get help. Without that support network, the chances of maintaining long-term recovery drop significantly. Have faith that your support network will be there for you when you seek treatment.
• Assets—You may be afraid that by entering a treatment facility you could lose property, assets, or wealth. While it is true that these are possibilities, treatment centers will often work with you to develop a recovery plan that includes maintaining those aspects of your life while you get healthy. In addition, it is important to understand that while wealth, houses, and cars can all be bought in the future, you must be around for that future to take place. Seeking professional help and pursuing recovery ensures that you will be around to enjoy those material possessions for years to come.
• Job—Job loss can be a terrifying prospect when looking for treatment. You may also be frightened about your reputation among colleagues and supervisors. Employees who suffer from drug or alcohol addiction are usually unaware of their rights when it comes to seeking treatment for their disease. In all likelihood, your job is protected while you attend treatment by legislation like the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is critical that you do thorough research and know your rights surrounding employment when seeking professional addiction treatment.
• Identity—If you have been suffering from addiction for a long time, you may be afraid of losing your sense of identity if you pursue recovery. You may feel that you are defined by your substance abuse. Part of a successful recovery is reconnecting with your true self, rediscovering your core values and learning once again how to express your personality. You will discover aspects of yourself that you thought you had lost to addiction or did not know existed within yourself in the first place. This journey of self-discovery is an incredibly important part of recovery and will help sustain it for long-term health.

How to Overcome Your Fears

Facing your fears and working through them is an essential step to long-term recovery. There are a variety of ways that professional treatment aims to help you acknowledge and overcome your fears, including cognitive behavioral therapy. CBT is widely recognized as one of the most effective therapies to help patients learn healthy ways to confront and overcome fears during treatment. CBT is based on the belief that the individual has the power to make positive changes in his or her life by actively working to modify destructive thoughts and behaviors.

Participating in CBT will teach you new skills and methods of managing your fears effectively, such as:

• Journaling
• Exercise
• Playing sports
• Listening to music
• Practicing yoga/meditation
• Group and family therapy sessions

If you are afraid to pursue recovery in Washington State, you are not alone. At Recovery Village Ridgefield, our experienced addiction experts understand what you are going through and are ready to assist you. For a confidential consultation to discuss your needs, contact us today.