Rehab or not?

Im on day 3 of detox. Would kill for something but know it will get better. My question is this. I have been here before. A few times, but Im losing everything. Friends, family and Hubby had enough.dont blame him. So I am realy done with it all but true I saw in the past that the mental addiction is very strong. Also Bi Polar and had a few suicide attemps. Been in rehab for depression and that helped but never wanted to admit my addiction till last week. Will I benefit from drug rehab or is it just a way to get the mind off the drugs for a few weeks? Does anyone know the success rate?

[mellie4]

I had a friend that had some mental health issues (mostly depression) along with addiction (pills and alcohol.)  They tried on their own several times but always relapsed.  They finally went to a detox/rehab that dealt with dual diagnosis.  And that detox/rehab set them up with a really good aftercare program.  Personally, I think with your history of the suicide attempts, the bipolar, and the addiction, an inpatient program would be really beneficial for you.  Good luck.  It's great you're on day 3 and it's great you're thinking this out and thinking about what's he best way for you to handle it.

[avisg]

nep,
as you have said you have tried many times and relapsed.As well as having a dual diagnosis .
I think the best choice by far would be rehab .Just make sure that they are aware
of both the bipolor and the addiction . Also make sure they set you up with addiction recoverycare and mental health aftercare.If you can do it I would so do it .. good luck tell us what happens.

[natashalo8]

I just want to start by saying that you took a very big step when admitting you had a problem. That takes a lot of courage. Now I will share my story with you. I was hooked on pain pills for 2 years (mostly Lortabs but sometimes whatever I could get my hands on). I never wanted to admit I had a problem b/c #1 they were prescribed to me and #2 I felt like I could manage my intake. Well, I was WRONG. I tried so many times to quit on my own and I did not have the willpower to do it. I decided to seek treatment immediately.  I didn't enter detox or inpatient----I detoxed myself with the help of my parents. After I was over the detox stage I went into Intensive Outpatient Therapy or IOP. I attended sessions 3 times a night which included book work, talking and learning about the 12 steps and how to apply them to your life, and I learned how to live clean while still carrying on my everyday life. The most difficult part for me was the mental aspect. For so long I told myself I needed them to function and it took a few months of NA meetings as well as therapy to finally realize I can and do live drug free. It hasn't been an easy road and although I'm 7 and 1/2 months clean, I'm starting to deal with many other issues like depression,anxiety, among other things. But I want to say the one thing I learned in treatment is that I could not do it alone. Talking with other addicts and sharing our stories have bonded us. And it's nice to know that if I ever feel the urge to use I can always pick up the phone and dial my sponsor.
It is in my opinion, and its only my opinion, that the best way to get clean and stay clean is to seek treatment where you can become familiar with the 12 steps and how to work them in your life. As the saying goes," It works if you work it."
Good luck. Please keep in touch and let us know how it goes. I know detox is hell but you can make it!

[nephesh]

Thank you guys sooo much for all the positive advise. Day 5 of detox and the worst day so far. Booked a flight and goin into rehab tomorrow. They say 4 weeks is short but it sounds very long to me at this stage. Good thing also that youre atvising on the 12 step program as they are doin it at this clinic. Family not too happy that im goin - and that while hubby is gonna be on leave at the same time-but not planning to visit so im pretty scared of the min contact and the timing is probably not too great but I need to do this NOW and for MYSELF else I will be here again very soon. Thanks for the positive words and wil keep you posted when I come back.

[natashalo8]

good luck! I know you can do this! While I went into a outpatient program 3 nights a week for 3 months, my fiance went into a long term care facility and he was gone for 6 months. It was very rough for me not getting to see or talk to him when I wanted and I thought I'd never make it through without him but I did. And I'm telling you, once you learn the steps and start working them, it'll make a drastic change in your life. And remember to take it one day at a time....Just say, "For today I will not use. Just for today." When you start telling yourself this everyday, you will soon realize how you don't need drugs. Hang in there! You got this!

[nephesh]

Back from rehab.entering the real world and mixing with the earthlings a bit of a shocker but this time around I will try to do it right. So this was the longest and at the same time shortest 4 weeks of my life. I do feel like a peace that I never knew has entered me. And as one of the steps says-that a power greater than myself can restore me back to sanity- yes-so this is where working the steps are coming in and I will say that just for today I will not use. Good luck to everyone out there that is taking on this journey and to those who still question: this is the best thing I have done for myself.

[atthebeach]

well welcome back. i am so glad you are feeling soooo much better.\congratulations on your clean time.
that was very brave of you to admit to yourself you have an addiction. that was a huge step and then you were very proactive and made another brave and courageous decision to enter inpatient rehab.
big hugs and congratulations on a  job well done.
i hope and pray you are setting in place your support groups and your counseling. this support will help you continue on the road called recovery.
time will continue to be your healer. please be patient with your family. let your life and your continued sobriety be your voice.
please stay close and let us continue to encourage you.
hugs and continued blessings
debbie

[Punkinhead75]

Welcome back and congratulations!!  Glad to hear you are doing well.  Like atthebeach said I hope you've got some support groups lined up.  I've been sober almost five yrs now and still continue to go to mtgs.  I still have a sponsor and do some sponsoring too.  Staying active and connected with other ppl in recovery has been a life saver.  I too am an alkie, drug addict and have to deal with some depression and OCD issues.  Just letting you know you aren't alone and that a Good life is possible.  Keep up the Good work.!!!

[nephesh]

Thanks for all the support. Havnt got a sponsor yet. Am attending meetings, reading the literature and looking for a sponsor. It still feels very overwhelming but then-so did my addiction-even more. True that seeking help and going to Rehab was the best thing I ever did for myself. This forum is also very good support and encouraging. Stay cool!

[rnangel]

Congratulations for completing rehab and coming home with an amazing attitude. I just posted my personal experience about my long denial about my cocaine addiction. I was in rehab for 8 weeks..over 3000 miles away from my family over the Christmas holiday. Talk about lonely. Anyhow I have come to realize that a relapse is constantly lurking. The minute you entertain the idea of using or miss a meeting. So keep up the good work. Find a sponsor and work the steps. If you wanna catch my post it was in the Substance Abuse: Addiction Community and was in response to Jennifer 7717, 'Is it possible to quit using painkillers at home?'

[Ashley_tiny85]

Please, GO TO REHAB! But only if you have an understanding of how to apply yourself. Yeah, so the success rates are really low. Hell I been seven times. How much clean time do I have? a Day. Why go?
If I could, when I was on probation and all those times I'd get caught, they always said, at least six weeks I should go. At least. I managed to talk  my way out so I never did more than 10 is and I knew itd'be work but I didn't realize how to shut out the rest of the so that I could really focus on inproving myself. It seemed impossible to not keep wanting to watch tv or look at a cell phone. three years being out. I know should have taken the reccomendations seriously because right now. I would give anything to be in a treatment facility right now. I have never gotten  past six months. I have realized in so many ways how I could of used that time to work on what I need to improve on. Now I don't have the opportunity. I am longing for that security

[tommyCodone]

I never bought into rehab facilities of any sort, unless you can afford a "rapid detox" dr.! The sad fact is, as addicts, our brains chemistry has really changed, and not just the dopamine, endorphins, and the "reset" our brains do when we are w/d'ing and the paws....I mean I just saw this program that shows how addicts of dopamine agonists develop something called "hypofrontality" that causes irrational decision making. That is, our brains fail us when it comes time to remember WHY NOT to do more drugs...and basically keeps the reasoning and memory of WHY we like the drugs-fresh and extremely strong. We should all HATE Percs or Viks, or OC's! And many of us do...but the use of them has physically damaged our brains, and pathways, and blah blah-and sadly, it can be permanent in some, so they say. But, I believe we all have the ability to do whatever we want to when it comes down to free will, and of what we choose for ourselves. Im struggling and went 4 weeks, took "just one" last wed., and this week wed. and friday! By the time I swallow a 30, the regret and shame has already ruined whatever "high" I'll probably never achieve again. But I wont fall back, I just smoke some pot when I need a break, and thats going to be it.

[davida150]

Several people have mentioned so far that the success rates of programs are pretty low.  As someone who has been in recovery and worked in the addiction treatment field, I would say that whether you are looking for rehab, sober living, or intensive outpatient, the most important thing is to find a program that suits YOUR needs.

Some people have success in 12-step programs and others do not.  In my experience, I found help in the 12-step meetings for support, but beyond that, the SMART Recovery approach (Self Management and Recovery Training) was more helpful for me in achieving long-term recovery.  

Fortunately there is a growing community of non-12-step addiction treatment and drug rehab professionals and there are some excellent programs out there, 12-step and non-12-step alike.

[Ann2497]

I would love to hear from nephesh and see how she is doing.

[phsycodog]

Great Addtitude!!! You are doing this for you, thous that care about you will come to realize this when wthe see how huch better you look and feel after you beet this.

[phsycodog]

I went through a 3 day detox which I didn't think was no big deal; I have been sober for 44 days and counting whit no plans on going to rehab.

Everyone needs to make their own descision though, I can't make it for you. I will admit that everyday is a battle to maintain my sobriety.

[avisg]

phsycodog,
are you getting any after care ?