Sometimes, it comes to a point where vices stop being a healthy release, and start being something that holds one back from the happy life we all want. These vices can take the form of drinking, drug usage, gambling, or just about anything else that releases dopamine in the brain.
Once everything comes to a head, and it seems like your life is breaking down, you should look for outside help to get everything back on track. Going to a rehab center is one of the most common choices for those who want to clear their heads and get back into a healthy frame of mind. While any nearby rehab can help the addict to recover, sometimes, it can be worth it to look for a center that’s outside of the general area in which you live to get the help you need. The pros and cons of either option are what’s planned to be expanded on in this article. Hopefully, it will help shed some light as to which would work best for you.
Staying Local for Rehab
If money is an issue for you, you’ll definitely save some serious cash by staying in your local area. You won’t have to worry about travel and where you’ll stay while you wait to be admitted, which will save you hundreds in gas and hotel fees. Also, you’ll be close to your support network of friends and family should you choose local, which is very important for many people. Most rehabs offer visitation hours, so if you need familiar faces to remind you why you’re getting better in the first place, going to a local alcohol rehab center in Seattle, Washington will help you stay grounded.
There are some issues with local rehab, though. You might feel compelled to exit the program earlier than intended if it’s easy for you to leave and return home, which can increase your chances of relapse as you didn’t entirely work on the program before leaving. On top of it all, your local options for rehab centers might not be as effective or comprehensive as the ones that might be just a few towns over. Lastly, the ability to stay connected to your previous social circle that enables your addictive behavior could be your downfall. The compulsion to go back into your own ways might be strong if you know your habits are just a short drive away.
Leaving Town for Rehab
Choosing to change your surroundings entirely can be extremely beneficial for those stuck in negative lifestyle patterns. By choosing to leave your hometown, you’re able to completely shift yourself into a frame of mind where your recovery is all you’re focused on. Also, if you leave the town, you’ll be able to keep the fact that you entered rehab a secret if privacy is a concern for you. The chances of you running into someone you know and having your circle of friends or colleagues find out is practically nil if you skip town.
The downside of leaving town to go to rehab is that you won’t be able to get any follow-up care from that center as you’ll have returned to your place of residence. Also, if you’ve become close to the people in your rehab and would like to use them as a support network, it can be difficult if you’re separated by hundreds of miles, as opposed to having them close to you.
Conclusion
In short, staying local for your rehab needs is excellent if you would prefer to keep tabs on your life in town, and just need a little bit of help getting things back on track. If you want to completely remove yourself from your current negative routine and change your thought patterns, leaving the town entirely to go to rehab might be a better choice. You need to decide what you can handle financially and socially before choosing either option. Whatever your choice, admitting you need help and working to get it is the first step to get better.