Finally getting away from addiction and entering rehab is a hard decision to make. Once you have made it however, you’ll find that it’s a safe place for you to work through your addiction, being surrounded by medically competent and helpful people. Rehab is more than merely detoxing. A good rehab facility will teach you a variety of new life skills that can aid you in regaining your footing and life and society. What kind of life skills can you expect to learn in rehab?
Life Skills
Not everything you learn in rehab will be brand new. Counselors will work with you to help you master a wide range of life skills, and in some instances it may be a refresher course for you. That’s not important. What’s important is that you are open to learning some critical skills that will help you on your journey to sobriety. Some life skills you can expect to learn are:
Coping Mechanisms
We all have some stress. It is likely that your way of coping with life’s stresses was through drugs or alcohol. Being in rehab will teach you how to deal with your stress in a healthy and constructive way.
Independent Living Skills
A common characteristics among individuals addicted to drugs or alcohol is that they have lost the ability to take care of themselves. In rehab, you will learn many independent living skills, such as:
- Maintaining a daily schedule
- Eating a healthy diet
- Taking care of personal hygiene
- Becoming financially independent
Controlling Your Emotions
A lot of people self medicate due to emotional issues. This is how they end up becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol. You know by now that self medicating is a mistake, and it doesn’t solve any emotional problems. It’s only a temporary fix. In rehab, you will learn how to manage your emotions without drugs and be emotionally stable.
Social Interactions
Individuals who are addicted to drugs find it difficult to interact with sober people. This is due to feeling guilt or misunderstood or just fearful. Being in rehab will teach you to interact with others in a positive and constructive way.
The Importance of Life Skills
You might think that mastering these life skills is a waste of your time. However, they are important because they will help you leave rehab as a new person, and ease your transition back to your life. For example, with stronger coping mechanisms you will avoid turning to drugs and alcohol to feel normal or happy, turning instead to healthier methods like meditation or exercise or even just talking to a friend. Having these skills will enable you to live independently and tackle the day to day realities of your life, including being strong enough to cut ties with the people and situations that may have contributed to your addiction. Ultimately, rehab will give you a jump start on learning and mastering these crucial life skills.
Cypress Lakes Lodge incorporates a mind, body and spirit approach to recovery, crafting the balance of life enriching treatment, wellness, and healthy relationships that are sustainable. Call us to get started: 877-938-1577