A decision to enter treatment for substance abuse or addiction signals a major turning point in your life, and you understandably want to get started as soon as possible. Timing is critical, but don’t rush to enroll in the first drug rehab in Georgia that catches your attention. Treatment is a major commitment of time and money, so you must do everything possible to ensure the experience is positive and effective.
If you’re looking at residential drug rehab centers in Georgia, don’t discount the possibility of traveling to a neighboring state like Florida. A treatment center in your area may be more convenient, and may also offer high-quality treatment, but that’s no guarantee that a local Georgia addiction center will be best for your particular recovery needs.
Treatment in Florida: A Fresh Start and a New Point of View
Substance abuse treatment isn’t easy, especially in the beginning, and unless you’re legally mandated to spend a specific length of time in treatment, you can walk away any time you choose. If you decide to enroll at a drug rehab in Georgia, the temptation to fall back into old habits may be too difficult to resist.
On the other hand, you’re more likely to stay engaged in treatment if you break connections and put a safe distance between you and the people and places that threaten your recovery —at least until you’re feeling more confident and secure in recovery. The urge to bend towards social pressures and unhealthy connections can be powerful, but once you’ve invested some time into addiction treatment, and the drugs and/or alcohol have left your system, you’ll be more clear headed.
Traveling to a treatment center in Florida provides a fresh start in a completely new environment, while still maintaining a relatively close proximity to the comforts of familiarity. Comprehensive drug rehab centers like 1st Step will ensure you have an aftercare or relapse prevention plan in place before you go home. Chances are, you’ll be happy that you were able to achieve some space.
Space Can Help Preserve Personal Ties
Even the most loving and supportive relationships can bend and break under the pressure of addiction. If you’ve struggled with long-term addiction, you and your family are probably exhausted by chaos, anger, and disappointment. Your relationships may be hanging by a slender thread.
Mending broken relationships takes time and commitment, and there are no guarantees that everything will magically be better once you complete treatment. However, getting away gives everybody time to heal and sort things out.
It isn’t necessary to sever connections with your family. You’ll be able to stay in contact via phone or email, if this is what you choose, and some form of family therapy can become part of your addiction treatment program. Family therapy may be in the form of casual family weekends or organized therapy sessions that will help you and your family establish healthy boundaries, rebuild trust, and break destructive patterns.
The Importance of Privacy and Confidentiality
Dealing with the stress of a rumor mill or office gossip isn’t something you’ll want to deal with during your stay in treatment. If you enter into treatment at one of the many residential drug rehab centers in Georgia, there’s always a chance that you’ll bump into somebody you know. This is a common occurrence even in large, urban areas, and it isn’t easy to maintain a high level of privacy if you’re too close to home.
Many Florida drug treatment centers offer programs specifically geared to working professionals. Keep in mind that you don’t need to tell your friends and coworkers you’re traveling for substance abuse treatment. They don’t need to know where you’re going or how long you’ll be gone unless you choose to tell them.
Florida Offers A Wide Variety of Treatment Center Options
South Florida is famous for its beautiful weather and scenic beaches, but it’s also home to more than 600 of the nation’s top-rated addiction treatment providers. With a little research, you’re bound to find a rehab that fulfills your needs. For instance, instead of choosing an inpatient drug rehab center in Georgia, you may thrive in a rehab that offers the following options:
Dual diagnosis treatment
Specialized dual diagnosis treatment is essential if you need help with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or other mental health issues along with substance abuse. In the past, it was customary to treat mental illness and addiction separately, which often required more than one treatment provider. Research over the last few decades has proven that co-occurring disorders should be treated at the same time.
Medical detox
You may need medical attention if your substance abuse is severe, or if you’ve been addicted for a long time. With medical detox, a medical team will monitor you around the clock, and you may receive medications that will help you get through the hardest stages of withdrawal.
Medication-assisted treatment
Also known as MAT, medication-assisted treatment combines standard addiction treatment with medications that work by blocking the effects of drugs or alcohol, or by curbing severe cravings or other withdrawal symptoms.
Varied length of stay options
Standard treatment of about a month may not be long enough to address your substance abuse or addiction. Since Florida has such a wide variety of treatment centers you’re bound to find one that offers a program for the length of time you need, and if necessary, will adjust.
Complementary (alternative) treatments
Florida treatment centers offer many alternative therapies that many people find helpful. For example, you may benefit from yoga, mindfulness meditation, biofeedback, art therapy, equine therapy, or exercise and nutrition education.
Treatment for specific addictions
Many Florida treatment centers treat a variety of addictions, and this works well for most people. However, some centers focus on a specific addictions, such as opioids, crystal meth, cocaine, benzos, or alcohol.
Got Questions? Call 1st Step Today
Located in Pompano Beach, Florida, 1st Step Behavioral Health is dedicated to providing quality care, and our staff is always available to answer your questions and concerns. Our substance abuse programs are based on tried and true, research-based treatment methods that give you the best chance of long-term recovery. If you’re looking for help for you or a loved one, feel free to give us a call at (855) 425-4846 or contact us online for more information.