Convincing Your Loved One To Travel Out Of State To Rehab

Last Updated on August 8, 2018

Choosing to enter a rehabilitation center can be one of the best decisions you and your loved one can make. When faced with overcoming your loved one’s drug or alcohol addiction, a person may need help, support, or direction from a friend or family member. Selecting the proper treatment facility is an important decision, and there are many options and styles of treatment. In certain situations, choosing an out-of-state rehab may be the best decision.

Reasons Why An Out Of State Rehab Can Be Good For Some People

The Location Can Foster Renewal

Sometimes a person uses drugs or alcohol as a means to escape the monotony or boredom of their life or to alleviate depression. Even though they are entering rehab to address their drug addiction, the chance to travel to a new place can be an opportunity for a break.

The change of location can provide inspiration by showing them that there is a world full of new and diverse possibilities, beyond the limits that addiction has imposed on their life. It can illustrate to them how different their life can be if they remain constant within their recovery.

Physical Distance Can Equal Mental Distance

Having the physical distance that an out-of-state rehab allows gives a person the mental distance that can encourage them to disassociate from their old lifestyle, habits, peers, and way of life. The act of leaving, traveling, and arriving in a different geographical location can be very cleansing. This separation may provide them with mental and emotional closure that allows them to let go of harmful thoughts and emotions associated with their drug or alcohol use and prior lifestyle.

This is not to say that a person should completely shut themselves down mentally or emotionally during treatment. In fact, this is a time of reflection, introspection, and mindfulness. The mental and emotional distance is in regards to the harmful mindsets or thoughts triggered by their peers, activities, or environment of drug use.

What makes the difference is that in an out-of-state rehab, these people and situations are being supplanted by newer and healthier ones. The addiction treatment specialists here support and educate you on how to best manage your thoughts and emotions in a productive manner that incites positive change.

Decreased Distractions

When a person is struggling with an addiction, they are caught in the constant battle between triggers and cravings. Certain locations, people, or events may remind them of their drug use and initiate a craving and relapse.

If a person remains in their hometown or their home state, they may feel close enough to these things to feel temptation that overwhelms their desire for recovery. Being in another state takes away this familiar accessibility and replaces it with people that are supportive in their quest towards sobriety.

Increased Sense Of Privacy

A program in the person’s hometown or state may feel too close for comfort. They may fear that people will know that they are in rehab or visit them at times they’re not up for it. Some people need to be able to step completely away from their life and feel anonymous, having the chance to rediscover and rebuild themselves and to be able to focus on their rehabilitation.

As much as the support of family and friends is important, sometimes it can be too overwhelming for a person that is trying to get clean. First, their friends and family might be part of the problem, which may have partially fueled their substance abuse.

Secondly, a person might spend too much time occupying their thoughts with worry about their family members or the impact their absence has on them. If they’re in another state it can make it easier to separate themselves from these things and focus solely on their rehabilitation.

Harder To Leave Treatment

Treatment is voluntary and at any point, a person may choose to leave. Benefit of being out of state makes it more difficult for a person to leave, due to the distance and finances associated with leaving, meaning they will be more likely to stay put and receive the care they need.

Things To Remember When Supporting A Loved One As They Consider Rehab

Be Mindful Of Putting Their Best Interests First

Having a loved one fall prey to a drug or alcohol addiction can be a very frightening and heart-breaking experience. It can bring about emotions that you are unfamiliar with or unprepared to handle. As much as you want them to seek help and get over their addiction, the thought of them leaving you might be very intimidating.

It is important in this situation that you remind yourself to think about their well being first, as this will help alleviate your fear and worry. Even though it might be easier to have them close, you must remind yourself that you have to encourage and support them in making the decision that is best for them.

This is a chance to lead by example. Even though you are overwhelmed and likely frightened, there are certain things you can do to help initiate and foster an attitude of hope and perseverance that will give them the momentum they need to feel positive about their chances of recovery.

Educate Yourself

The first step towards helping a person is understanding their problem. Take the time to educate yourself about their addiction. Even though their addiction may directly affect your life, it doesn’t mean that the way it impacts you teaches you how it affects them. Education is also crucial when looking for out-of-state rehabs, as it will be harder for you to visit these rehabs in person.

Make It Personal

Every person is unique and the circumstances that surround a person’s addiction also vary. Due to this, there are a wide variety of inpatient rehab programs. Not every program is right for every person and the options will vary depending on the state. For example, does your loved one have any special interests or lifestyle preferences?

Perhaps they’re vegetarian or live a more holistic life? Finding a center that caters to these lifestyle choices in your state may be difficult. Take the time to research the options and see what program might be the best fit for your loved one.

Not only will this take some of the stress of having to wade through all the options off your loved one, but it will exhibit to them that you care and value them as a person. When a person falls deeper into an addiction, they can forget who alienated from people and themselves.

Staying personal fights this problem by showing them you recognize their individuality. Also, they might be more apt to choose rehabilitation if it is a program tailored to their lifestyle. Looking at out-of-state options gives you a greater diversity of choices.

Be Confident For Them

There is a good chance that their substance abuse has impacted your finances or day-to-day routines, but you’re worried that rehab in another state will further disrupt your routine. Keep in mind that this time gives you a chance to regain balance. Even though you might find this intimidating, you need to do your best to reassure the person that you are confident of taking care of things in their absence.

Entering rehab in another state and leaving your life behind can be daunting. It can be important for your loved one to hear you say that it’s okay for them to go and leave these things behind. It might be tempting to become impatient, but it is important you offer them the words of affirmation and support that they need.

Discover What The Best Option Is For Your Loved One

If you feel daunted by all the options for treatment, we can help. At RehabCenter.net, we employ trained and empathic professionals that can assist you in finding the right options so that you can support your friend or family member in making the right decision to get the help they need. Contact us today to take that first step.