When you begin a rehab program in an inpatient treatment facility, you will likely find that there are a number of rules in place. These rules are set up for two primary reasons: to protect patient privacy and to prevent relapses within the facility. Essentially, you should expect the rules to affect what you can bring into the treatment center and the contact you have with individuals outside of the facility.
As you begin treatment, you’ll go through an intake procedure that will evaluate your condition and tell you what to expect in treatment. This means you’ll be fully informed about the rules before you’re able to mingle with the other recovering addicts in the facility. This ensures everyone will know what behaviors are prohibited and what is expected of each individual.
Clean Living is the Number One Rule
The primary rule is just what you might expect. You must live clean in the facility, which is why many treatment facility residents go through a medicated detox first. In addition to being sober or clean upon their initial intake, recovering addicts are also prohibited from bringing any drugs into the facility. If you suffer from a medical condition, your needs will be evaluated by the facility caregivers and they will administer any medication you may need.
For the same reasons, your contact with others outside of the treatment center will also be restricted. Initially, you will probably be prohibited from receiving any visitors at all. After your initial weeks of treatment, your spouse, children, or parents may be able to visit you during regular visiting hours. Beyond that, you may not be able to receive visitors from friends, colleagues, or others with whom you maintain casual relationships. The purpose of these rules is to protect you against triggers that may complicate your recovery and to ensure no one is attempting to pass substances to you.
Help Us to Protect Your Privacy
It’s best not to bring any electronic devices to your intake since these devices will not be allowed in the treatment center. If you do bring them with you, the intake staff will probably confiscate the devices and hold them for you until your release. The reason treatment facilities have such strict rules against cell phones, tablets, and laptops are that they’re all equipped with cameras, video recorders, and voice recorders. People in rehab are very concerned about their privacy, and worrying about their images or voices being shared publicly on social media can affect their recovery.
This is also why facility staff members are prohibited from sharing your information with family members. Federal laws prohibit the staff from revealing anything about your recovery process to people outside the facility, including your own family members. Revealing personal information to those outside of the facility can cost your caregivers their jobs and their licenses to practice. It will be up to you to tell them anything you want them to know when you do see them again.
Keeping Peer Support Productive
You will likely share your living quarters with a roommate. Even if you’re new to living with someone else, it’s important to respect your roommate’s privacy and belongings. Violating your roommate’s trust can affect their ability to trust you and others in the facility. Since a large part of each person’s successful recovery hinges on peer support, this can derail your roommate’s progress. Additionally, it will strain the relationship between the two of you, making it difficult for you to continue sharing your living quarters.
You may also find that there are rules prohibiting romance in rehab. These rules also apply to couples who are hoping to participate in the same rehab program together.
If you and your partner are interested in getting addiction treatment simultaneously, you should expect to be admitted into separate treatment programs. Romantic relationships can make rehab more complicated and can stir up domestic conflicts that can affect your recovery. When you do experience relationship problems, your disputes may also affect the other recovering addicts. Addiction treatment caregivers prefer that you form new friendships in rehab, but ask that you resist the urge to develop anything more. This is the time to focus on your recovery, and pursuing a romance can inhibit your progress.
While these rules are typical of most treatment facilities, each rehab center is a little different. To fully understand our treatment process, you can call our counselors at your convenience. We’re available 24 hours a day at 302-842-2390 to answer your questions and help you get started with your recovery.
