There are countless reasons why people avoid going into rehab. Faced with recovery, we can become fixated on asking ourselves any number of questions, like, “Will rehab change who I am?” “How much will rehab cost?” and “How long does rehab last?” However, the primary question that we must ask ourselves in this situation is “What might happen if I don’t go to rehab?” The answer to this question is often enough to get us to act in our best interest and get the help that we desperately need. Now, the answers to the other questions will come in time, but the key is to take the first step and ask for help.
How Long Does Rehab Last?
There is no clear-cut answer to the question, “How long does rehab last?” Yes, there are definitive programs that can generally last 30, 60, or 90 days, but that might not be exactly what is right for the individual at the time. This is why connecting to a recovery center that has a personalized intake process is so important. It is this intake that can determine the amount of “projected” time for a successful rehab.
However, one should go into the rehab process with flexibility. Often, people will enter a 30-day program only to find that they have a lot more work to do, and 60 or 90 days may be better. Many people also find that joining a sober living community is an important part of their recovery process. So, does this technically extend the rehab timeline? It depends on how you look at rehab and what you consider rehab to be.
What Exactly Is Rehab?
Now, many people throw around the term “rehab” without having an exact definition of what it is and what it entails. According to the peer-reviewed journal Clinical Rehabilitation, “The evidence shows that rehabilitation may benefit any person with a long-lasting disability, arising from any cause, may do so at any stage of the illness, at any age, and may be delivered in any setting. Effective rehabilitation depends on an expert multidisciplinary team, working within the biopsychosocial model of illness and working collaboratively towards agreed goals. The effective general interventions include exercise, practice of tasks, education of and self-management by the patient, and psychosocial support.”
Now, it is also important to make a distinction between “rehab” and “recovery.” Going to rehab is part of the recovery process, but it is not recovery itself. Recovery is a lifelong journey that we take after we are determined to make a change and address mental illness and/or step away from drugs and/or alcohol.
Also, one should note that rehab may not be just a “one-and-done” proposition. Many people end up going to multiple rehabs throughout their recovery journey. Yes, this may be due to a relapse or something negative that happens, but it can also be because someone feels that they are missing something and wants to reconnect to their recovery path. This is actually a very healthy move that shows both willingness and essential action.
Who Needs Rehab?
It is important to note that no one is immune to addiction or mental illness. Yes, there are some predisposing factors like genetics and environment, but anyone can be susceptible to these issues. This is because addiction is a disease, and like a disease, it has nothing to do with moral failings or “choice.” It is now believed that addiction has more in common with other chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes than it does with a choice.
Now, that means that rehab is also not exclusive to anyone. Everyone who wants it has the right to recover, and thus the right to go to rehab. Yet, millions of people do not get the help that they so desperately require. This can be for a number of reasons, but one of the biggest is denial. That is why family and close friends become so integral in the recovery process. They can see what the individual struggling may not. Of course, they need to know the signs and symptoms to look out for.
The Signs and Symptoms of Addiction and/or Mental Illness
Now, of course, addiction and mental illness are too broad a spectrum to be able to create one definitive symptoms list. The signs and symptoms very much depend on the individual and situational circumstances. However, there are some universal signs and symptoms that one can look out for. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:
- Excessive feelings of dread, anxiety, and depression
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Not being able to stop drinking or using once started
- Often appearing exhausted for no particular reason
- Exhibiting mood swings and aggressive behavior
- Struggles with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough
- Negative changes in appetite
- Struggling to concentrate or remember things
- Otherwise unexplained physical ailments, such as gastrointestinal problems and headaches
- Feelings of self-harm and/or harming others
- Having suicidal ideations
As you can see, these are not symptoms to be ignored. They may even be deadly. This is why, if any, many, or all of these symptoms are present, it is important to seek professional help right away. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences.
How Do I Get to Rehab?
Getting to rehab does not need to be complicated. The biggest key lies within ourselves, and that is the willingness to take the next step and do what is best for ourselves. Sometimes, if we are the ones struggling with addiction, we cannot see what the next best move is. This is when an intervention can be crucial.
An intervention can help get an individual who does not think they are ready to the rehab that may ultimately save their lives. This is done when a professional interventionist connects with close family and friends and helps them to set boundaries that are going to help an individual understand that they need help. These may be boundaries such as no longer allowing a loved one to stay at home if they are using and drinking, not allowing them to be around their children if they don’t stop using, and cutting off funds that may be used to support their habit.
For the family, these boundaries may feel difficult to implement, but it is important to understand that they are lifesaving propositions. They may also help give a loved one the motivation that they need to accept help and go to rehab.
What Do I Need for Rehab?
The good news is that there is often very little that one needs for rehab. Often, an interventionist will pack what an individual needs so that they can go to rehab as soon as they say “yes.”
Generally, less is more when it comes to packing for rehab. This is because focusing on getting better is the most important priority. That is why many people separate from their devices and technology while they are in rehab. However, it should be noted that this is on an individualized basis. Many people who come to Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™ are high-functioning individuals who require certain tools to ensure that their businesses and various ventures run smoothly. We have the ability to account for this.
How Long Does Rehab Last? The Different Stages of Rehab
Now, the stages of rehab really depend on what type of rehab an individual engages in. This often has to do with how severe their addiction or mental illness is. For example, many people begin their rehab process with a safe and secure detox. This ensures that one is physically, emotionally, and mentally well enough to engage with the next stage of recovery. Also, this includes focusing on proper hydration and nutrients by utilizing pharmaceutical-grade supplements.
After a detox, the next stage of rehab may vary. It may include a residential stay, or it could involve an intensive outpatient program (IOP). Both of these are great options and simply depend on how connected one needs to be with the outside world. After either residential care or an IOP, many people choose to stay in a sober living facility as they get their footing and transition fully back into everyday life.
Also, a big part of rehab for many people is connecting with a recovery community like 12-Step recovery. This is ideal because it can help one avoid a potential relapse. The primary text of 12-Step recovery (also known as the Big Book) states, “Practical experience shows that nothing will so much ensure immunity from drinking [and using] as intensive work with other [people in recovery]. It works when other activities fail…. You can help when no one else can.” Also, this is what healing at the cellular level is all about.
What Does It Mean to Heal at the Cellular Level?
Healing at the cellular level should be the core goal of any rehab. That is because rehab is about more than just surface-level “fixing.” It is about making lasting changes and living a healthier life in the long term. So, what exactly is healing at the cellular level?
Healing at the cellular level is all about healing the whole mind-body. This means healing on multiple levels, including physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels.
Faith and spirituality have become more and more representative in recovery in recent years. According to the Journal of Religion and Health, “Hundreds of evidence-based studies demonstrate the positive impact of faith on health and well-being [and] nowhere is this positive impact more evident than in the recovery of people who are suffering from substance abuse. We should emphasize that the benefits of faith to health can be seen in a variety of religious contexts, including monotheistic and nontheistic faiths and beliefs.” This must be taken into account when utilizing a multi-angled approach.
The Importance of a Multi-Angled Approach
Now, the multi-angled approach to recovery need not be complicated, and it does not have any one set structure. It should not be set, because it should focus on the individual rather than broad “one-note” recovery plans.
The multi-angled approach simply has to do with utilizing as many effective means, methods, and modalities as possible for recovery. This means using more than one method at a time. One important note is that these plans should begin with a foundation of evidence-based therapy. This may be a psychotherapy like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
Then there should be therapies that are utilized as supplements. This may be experiential therapies like surf therapy and horticulture therapy, as well as holistic healing methods like yoga therapy and mindfulness meditation. Any plan should also focus on physical exercise and nutrition for a well-balanced recovery.
A Focus on Nutrition
Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™, we believe in the maxim, “Food is medicine.” That is why all of our recovery plans focus on nutrition, and why we have professional nutritionists and dieticians on staff to help and answer any questions or concerns that may come up. It is also important to note that nutrition is as much about what stays out of the body as what goes in.
This is a focus on nutrients versus anti-nutrients. According to The Journal for Nurse Practitioners (JPN), “In order for food to be therapeutic, it must be nutrient-dense, measured in part by the nutrients and anti-nutrients contained in consumed foods. Nutrients are plant and animal sources providing macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fat), micronutrients (vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, antioxidants, probiotics), and fiber…. Anti-Nutrients are food products that have no biological necessity.”
However, we don’t solely focus on nutrition when it comes to food. We also focus on flavor and satiation. That is why we employ world-class chefs who cater all of our meals on an individualized basis, using local and organic foods. After all, rehab is not punishment; it is a gateway to a better life.
A Focus on Nature
Now, a big component of experiential therapy is connecting with nature, and there is perhaps no better place to connect with nature than on the Hamakua Coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. Mere minutes away from our luxury 30-acre property sit some of the most amazing waterfalls, unbelievable outlooks, and lush landscapes to explore. However, this does not just stop on land. Beyond our beautiful beaches, sits the Pacific Ocean and some of the best surfing in the world. This is where you can engage and rejuvenate with world-class surf therapy.
Surf therapy offers many benefits, both during and after the rehab process. According to the peer-reviewed journal Frontiers in Psychology, “One environmental context that has received less attention is water-based physical activity, with researchers suggesting that swimming and other water-based activities (e.g., kayaking, surfing) may provide superior benefits for the promotion of human well-being due to greater affordances. These activities have heightened the psychological benefits associated with exercise and nature among US war veterans. Further, there is increasing evidence suggesting that participation in action and adventure sports, such as surfing, is meaningful and life-enhancing.”
Another ideal experiential therapy is horticulture therapy. When one works with the Earth, they can also work on themselves in a more meaningful way. According to Frontiers in Psychology, “Horticultural therapy has been increasingly embraced as a non-pharmacological stress reduction treatment due to its flexibility and being free of side effects. [It] encourages people to spend time in nature, which has been shown to have stress-relieving and attention-restoring effects, based on the Stress Recovery Theory (SRT) and the Attention Restoration Theory (ART). In recent decades, researchers and health practitioners have placed greater focus on the possible stress-reduction benefits of horticultural therapy and activities.”
Healing at the Cellular Level With Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™
Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™, we offer more than a one-and-done recovery. We offer an opportunity to recover at the cellular level in the long term. This is why all of our rehab plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future.
If you are even thinking about rehab, it might be a sign that it is time to take the next step. Sick and tired of being sick and tired? Then the time to recover is now. You can do this! We can help.
Many people think of rehab as some type of “sentence.” This is simply untrue. Even if mandated, anyone can leave rehab at any time (though for those mandated, there may be consequences). Rehab is generally 30, 60, or 90 days, but it is important to understand that, when used effectively, this time can lead to lifelong recovery. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this alone. For more information about rehab timelines, please reach out to Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™ today at (808) 775-0200.
