[kiwipie]

Hi, I'm 19 years old and am probably going to have to go to rehab within the next couple of weeks. I know that different facilities do things differently, but I just wanted to hear some stories from people who have lived there. I am talking about the ones where you stay and live for a month or two.

Any stories or advice is appreciated. Thanks!

[Moogieotter]

Hi,

I was in young adult rehab in a private "28 day" program many moons ago. I liked it. It's not super easy esp if you are coming off hard drugs and or alcohol, but the main thing is you get routine. Here are the main items that help:

1. Clean safe stable environment.
2. Routine - up at the same time, bed at the same time. a schedule with expectations. This is a concept most people in active addition need in early recovery, but it's very different from the addict lifestyle.
3. Regular consistent nutritious meals. This helps the brain and really the soul start to heal.
4. Exercise. It's not like you are running marathons or pumping iron, but there's 30 mins a day usually of moderate stretching and exercise, sometimes in the form of sports - ie shooting baskets or volleyball. Also helps w endorphins and counters withdrawals.
5. Group Therapy. You and the other patients will have a group therapy session probably once a day. It's good to develop relationships and hear common challenges in other addicts your age.
6. Psychiatric care. If you have Psych issues beyond addition, a Pdoc will treat you and you will get your medication in the right dose at the right time every day - part of the positive routine. It's a good stable place to try different treatments and they can be more aggressive since you are under constant care.
7. One on One Therapy - might be part of it.
8. 12-Step Programs. Most places have a daily AA, NA, or CA 12 step meeting that they take you to. Many people really need this to get clean and sober.
9. Education about addiction. Sometimes there are brief lectures to educate you on the science of addiction to help you understand better what you are going through.

I made some great friends there, and while in the end I continued to struggle with addiction after initial success, it's a good experience.

Try to embrace it. If you are cynical and skeptical, which the addict in you will try to be, or have a "this does not apply to me" attitude, it will be a huge waste of time.

Active Addiction will kill you and it really sucks. Good Luck and let me know if I can help.

Thanks,

moogs