Understanding Drug and Alcohol Rehab Rules

While drug and alcohol rehab centres are safe spaces with no judgment towards your past actions, it doesn’t mean that you can just do anything you like during your stay

There are rules to keep you, your fellow patients, and the staff members working with you safe. You need to respect these rules to get the most out of your stay at our drug and alcohol rehab centre and to be able to embrace your treatments fully. But what exactly are the rules that you need to follow?

First of all, every drug and alcohol rehab centre has its rules, and some are stricter than others. It is important that you are fully aware of the rules of whatever rehab centre you end up in. You can even ask questions at the initial conversation with our admissions team to ensure you are fully aware of what is expected of you.

The rules often are:

No Sex During Your Stay

This may sound like a stupid rule, as what happens between consenting adults in privacy should be no one else’s business except your own. However, you must understand that rehab centres will always have a method to their so-called madness. During your recovery journey, you will be vulnerable to anything that can provide you with a dopamine rush, just like what you were addicted to.

Sex often results in the release of pleasure chemicals in your brain, which can help you avoid and numb your emotions. Rehab needs you to embrace your feelings, and by having sex, you risk replacing one addiction with another.

You are recommended not to form a new sexual or romantic relationship for up to a year after you leave the alcohol and drug rehab centre to ensure you are safe and that this does not lead to you needing rehab again.

No Phones

Some drug and alcohol rehab centres have a more relaxed stance on this than others. Some allow you to contact your family and continue internet access. Others, however, believe complete disconnection from the outside world will give you the best possible opportunity to embrace your treatments. This can be for one of two reasons.

The first is that when you talk to your friends or family members, you may use them as an emotional crutch. This isn’t always a bad thing, but during your stay at rehab, you need to be able to open up to the centre staff and therapists. Additionally, being able to rely on yourself is essential to long-term recovery.

You may be less inclined to do this if you have someone you are already talking to, even if they don’t have the training to know how to help you. The second reason is that if you are living with a drug or alcohol addiction, there is a good chance that your friends are also dealing with their own addictions. It is important that you distance yourself from anyone that may hamper your progress toward long-term recovery.

Don’t Use Drugs or Alcohol

You are in rehab to get healthy and to learn how to avoid relapsing so you can progress forward with a fulfilling and healthy life.

While relapsing is common with addiction recovery outside of a controlled and safe environment, bringing drugs or alcohol into the rehab centre can potentially harm other patients’ progress along with your own. You are also in danger if you are dishonest about what you have taken to your medical team. During a drug and alcohol detox, withdrawal symptoms may be worse than what initially expected, and our medical staff need to be prepared for this.

Most rehabs will be doing random drug tests during your stay, so it is important that you remember that you can’t hide from any members of staff finding out you have been taking drugs and/or alcohol. You are at the drug and alcohol rehab centre to get your needed help. Don’t throw away your chance.

 

What Happens When You Break Rules?

When you break the rules, there will likely be consequences for your actions. These consequences can range from a warning to being asked to leave the drug and alcohol rehab centre. It all depends on your actions and the seriousness and attitude surrounding the incident.

So, first of all, you won’t necessarily be kicked out of rehab because you relapsed. Addiction recovery is a long and difficult journey. For many people relapsing is a part of this journey. So long as after you relapse, you are sincere about your desire to change and achieve long-term recovery. You will be able to stay. However, if you don’t want to be there getting treatment for your addiction, you may be asked to leave.

But the consequences surrounding breaking the rules boil down to your own attitude and if you want to better yourself after the incident.

Many struggling people will try to sabotage themselves as a form of self-harm and return to their substance abuse. The rehab centre staff know this and how to identify the difference between a cry for help and a disregard for the help you are being given.

Certain things, however, are more likely to result in you being kicked out of rehab than others. These include:

  • Violence toward other patients
  • Violence toward staff members
  • Harassment of patients
  • Theft of drugs from the rehab

 

The Benefits of Rehab Boundaries

Clear boundaries from a private drug and alcohol rehab centre you’re staying at can help you prepare to return to everyday life after your treatments. Addiction recovery is a lifestyle change. It requires you to accept a new way of life and the boundaries that come with it. Accepting rules as early on as the start of your rehab experience, the easier it is to do the same later on.

 

Relapse is Part of Recovery

Addiction recovery isn’t a straightforward path with clear progress. It is a long journey with obstacles and backtracking, but it still has an end goal. Relapsing is a part of the recovery journey, and it is important that you don’t lose hope just because you have stumbled. Relapsing is not the end of your journey. It is just a little hiccup.

The staff at the drug and alcohol rehab centre understand this too. You will be welcomed back to your treatments no matter how often you relapse. The last attempt, you may just not have been emotionally ready for the change yet. With aftercare services in place, we will also give you contacts and weekly meetings to ensure you have the right support network around you in case you do relapse.

You just need to embrace the recovery journey and be willing to call us at 0800 012 6088 to ask any questions you may have.