Residential treatment centers for drug detox and drug addiction treatment are meant to be a safe place to heal. And they are often also referred to as drug rehab centers for a reason. The word rehab is simply a shorter version of the word rehabilitation. In fact, rehab means to rehabilitate or restore. Participating in a drug rehab program is to restore your psychological well being. It’s an opportunity to move out of an addiction and back to wellness.
Ensuring Structure and Stability Through Rules
Yet, to facilitate your psychological well being, a drug rehab treatment center needs to provide a safe place, and they do that by ensuring structure and stability. In order to create that structure and stability, certain rules are necessary.
Although rules may vary from one drug treatment center to another, there are some basic ones that are common to almost all residential treatment centers:
- Remain clean and sober during your stay.
- Submit to periodic drug tests.
- No romantic involvement.
- Follow community etiquettes, such as remaining quiet in the morning and late evening.
- Follow rules regarding having visitors – for some drug rehab centers this might be not having visitors at all.
In addition to the above, many drug treatment centers prohibit certain material, again for the safety of all its guests. The intent of a sober living home is to provide an environment that supports sobriety and minimizes the risk of relapse. To do this, homes might prohibit pornographic magazines, drug paraphernalia, or even clothing that promotes drug or alcohol use. Of course, stealing, fighting, and sexual activity between guests is also not allowed.
Benefits of Addiction Treatment Centers
The benefit of being in a home with others who are also maintaining their sobriety is similar to that of group therapy. Residents can support one another by relating to them, sharing personal stories, and providing a level of support that family and friends who are not on the same path cannot.
It should be noted that approximately, 60-75% of those who abuse drugs or alcohol also have a mental illness. This is another reason to promote strict adherence to the rules. When the community rules are followed, individuals feel safe and they can find the relaxation they need to heal – whether that’s from an addiction alone or from both addiction and mental illness.
Allows for Treatment Center to Run Smoothly
Furthermore, the stability of a residential addiction treatment center also allows for the staff, therapist, and psychologists to do their work. It supports the treatment center to function smoothly. Typically, treatment, especially for those who also have a mental illness, can include individual and family psychotherapy, medication, support groups, and strong communication among the psychiatrist, psychologist, family members, and social workers. The safety of the drug addiction treatment center facilitates the well being of all residents, as well as supports the professionals who are there to support them.
In some cases, some residential treatment centers might have strict rules and a recovering addict may not feel comfortable with them. It would be best for potential residents to review the rules of the drug treatment center they are considering. In this way, conflicts can be avoided.
However, on the whole, the rules and regulations of a drug addiction treatment center are meant to provide stability and safety, which in turn support the rehabilitation of their residents.