Is Traveling for Rehab A Good Idea?
Once you’ve decided to seek treatment for your drug or alcohol addiction, you’ll need to decide on which rehab center you’ll attend. There are treatment centers all across the country and there’s likely to be one relatively close to your home. However, not all treatment centers are the same. They treat different addictions, provide different types of therapies, and offer different environments. Since each person struggling with addiction has specific needs and preferences, it’s sometimes best to go to an out-of-state rehab facility.
Also, the fact that many people access rehab through their insurance providers plays a role. Insurance plans often include a wide range of centers. While some in-network facilities may be local, others may be in another state. While moving across the country may be daunting when you’re embarking on your sobriety journey, it can be the best choice for some people. There are both pros and cons to traveling for rehab and we’ll discuss both in this article. This will help you or your loved one to make the best decision.
Benefits of Going to An Out-of-State Rehab
To recover from addiction, you need to attend a rehab facility that provides the type of care you need regardless of where it is located. Here are some of the reasons why traveling for rehab may be a good idea.
Distance Can Be Helpful
The very act of going somewhere else for treatment can put you in the mindset of starting anew. Think of it as a literal journey towards recovery. In addition, physically putting distance between yourself and your triggers can reduce the desire to use drugs or alcohol again. Traveling for rehab can also strengthen your commitment to your treatment plan. When you are far away from the people, places, and situations that contributed to your drug or alcohol use, it may be easier to maintain your sobriety.
You’re More Likely to Complete Treatment
Since entering rehab is usually a voluntary exercise, you can also leave whenever you want. Most people who go to rehab get the urge to leave before their course of treatment is over. This is partly because the rehabilitation process forces you to deal with your emotions. Not only do people with substance abuse disorders and alcoholism bury their emotions but many are dealing with untreated mental health disorders.
Drugs and alcohol often numb these emotions but when the individual gets sober, these emotions rise to the surface. To achieve long-term sobriety, you need to find healthy ways to deal with those feelings as well as past traumas and pain. While this may not always feel good, it’s worth it in the long run.
If you go to a local treatment facility, you may call a friend or relative to pick you up when those emotions are staring you in the face. If your rehab center is close to the people with whom you drank or used drugs, you’ll also be more likely to leave the facility prematurely. However, traveling for rehab makes it more difficult to just walk out the door when treatment gets difficult.
It’s Less Likely That People Will Recognize You
Some people know they need help but they worry that their social or professional lives would be ruined if people knew they were getting treatment for addiction. Out-of-state rehab can be helpful for such individuals. While entering rehab is nothing to be ashamed about, it’s understandable that you may want to keep this aspect of your life private. Traveling to a different state for rehab will reduce the likelihood that someone will recognize you while you’re in treatment. You’ll be able to focus on your recovery without worrying about your reputation.
Traveling for Rehab Gives Your Family Space to Heal
Substance use disorders don’t only affect the individual who uses drugs or alcohol. Drug addiction and alcoholism affect the entire family. If drugs took over your life, you probably weren’t able to give of your best to your parents, spouse, or children. Young children tend to feel ignored by parents who struggle with addiction and parents often feel guilty or ashamed. Spouses are often victims of verbal, emotional, or physical abuse and they may experience financial difficulties as a result of their loved one’s drug use. A little distance can be helpful for the entire family since everyone will have space to heal.
You Can Access Better Care
Not all rehab centers offer the same level of care even when they are licensed and accredited. Everyone experiences addiction in a different way and a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work. The best rehab facility for you may not be the one closest to your home. If you need to look into out-of-state rehab centers to get the type of care you need, you should do so. Some states, like California, are renowned for being home to high-quality rehab centers. When you’re weighing the pros and cons of rehab centers in various locations, you need to consider several things including insurance coverage, detox procedures, typical clientele, and the average length of stay.
The Weather Can Be More Favorable
You may be wondering what the weather has to do with addiction recovery. However, research shows that there’s a correlation between colder weather and drug and alcohol use. If you’re from a place that experiences extremely cold temperatures, you may find it easier to remain sober in a warmer climate. Simply being out in the sun and experiencing nature can assist you in your recovery journey since it boosts mood and reduces stress. Coupled with professional addiction treatment, the change in location could be just what you need.
Disadvantages of Traveling for Rehab
Entering an out-of-state rehab center isn’t the solution for every individual dealing with addiction. Some people can’t bear the thought of being away from family and friends who would support them on their recovery journey. When you opt for a facility that’s far from home:
- Loved ones may find it difficult to visit or help you during the early stages of treatment
- Aftercare may prove to be difficult when you leave in-patient rehab
- You may not be able to develop a local support system since the people you’ll meet in rehab won’t be near when you return home
- Living in some states such as California can be more expensive than your home state
- You may feel uncomfortable about living in a completely new place especially if you’ve never moved before
Advantages of Attending a Local Rehab Facility
Many people find it more helpful to seek treatment locally. Rehab can be expensive so cost is often a deciding factor in where to go. Some people simply don’t have the money to drive or fly to another state or stay in a hotel before they enter rehab.
Entering a local rehab facility is also an attractive option for people who want to be close to their loved ones both during and after treatment. When you go to rehab in your home city or state, your family can be actively involved in your treatment. It’s often a good idea to have your family attend some family therapy sessions with you and this can be difficult if you’re far away from home.
Another advantage of going to a local rehab facility is that it will be easier for the treatment professionals to devise your aftercare program. This is because they will be familiar with all the resources that are available in the area. While it’s not impossible for an out-of-state facility to coordinate aftercare in your hometown, it is likely to be more difficult.
Staying local can also help some individuals to manage their triggers. While being close to certain people and situations can be a disadvantage to some people, others benefit from the opportunity to confront their temptations. This can be helpful since you’ll likely have to deal with those people and places after treatment. Talking to an addiction treatment professional can help you to decide which option is best for you.
Disadvantages of Attending a Local Rehab
While local rehab has clear advantages, it’s also easy to see why traveling for rehab is appealing. Some people who have substance use disorders lack supportive family and friends. Their peers are individuals who support their drug use or people who also have substance use disorders.
Staying near such people would be detrimental to their efforts towards getting clean. When you think about what your peers are doing while you’re in rehab, you may be tempted to leave and join them. It’s not uncommon for people struggling with an addiction to forget all the harm their drug use has caused when the cravings kick in or they encounter a trigger. That’s why remaining in the same town or state can be problematic for some people struggling with addiction.
Isn’t Traveling for Rehab Taking the Easy Way Out?
It may seem like traveling for rehab is really running from your problems or responsibilities. However, you may need space at the beginning of your journey towards sobriety. Getting away and starting anew may be just what you need. You’ll be able to do the required work and access the necessary services without distraction. While you’ll likely need to return home after your treatment program, you’ll do so equipped with new skills to help you maintain your sobriety.
This is very different from skipping town when you’re struggling without lining up professional help in your destination. Running from your problems never works and simply changing your location won’t make your substance abuse problems go away. Even attending rehab in a different state won’t suddenly cure your addiction. However, it will set you up for long-term recovery. If an addiction treatment professional recommends that you or your loved one enter an out-of-state rehab facility, you shouldn’t reject the idea without giving it some thought.
Paying for Out-of-State Rehab
Many people shun out-of-state rehab because they think it will be expensive or they assume their insurance company won’t cover it. However, most facilities accept private insurance and some insurance policies may cover the full cost of rehab. Talk to both your insurance company and the rehab center to see what’s possible. At Circle of Hope, we can quickly verify your insurance coverage if you contact us with the details.
How to Find the Best Rehab Program for Your Needs
Deciding where to go for rehab is about more than just location. You need to choose the program which is most likely to be effective for you. If the ideal facility is in another state, you should give serious consideration to traveling for rehab. An investment in rehab is an investment in your health and wellbeing so you want to get the best treatment you can afford. There are several questions you need to ask before you choose a rehab facility whether you decided to stay local or travel. These include;
- Is the facility run by licensed and experienced professionals?
- Does it offer treatment options for your specific demographic?
- Can you receive treatment for other mental health problems you’re facing?
- Is the treatment covered by your insurance provider? If not, are the payment options favorable for you?
- Is there a list of previous clients whom you can speak to about their experiences?
- Does the facility offer ongoing support after you leave the treatment program?
Get Professional Treatment at One of the Leading Rehab Places in California
If you’re open to traveling to California, Circle of Hope Treatment may be right for you. We’re a luxury addiction treatment center located in Reseda, Los Angeles. We take an evidence-based, patient-centered approach to addiction treatment and our goal is to help you achieve long-term recovery.
We treat each client as an individual and we allow them to work at their own pace. Our treatment programs include:
- Drug detox
- Residential drug treatment
- Intensive outpatient rehab
- Substance abuse counseling
- Dual diagnosis treatment
Circle of Hope offers a variety of treatment options including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, individual and group counseling, and intensive therapy. We have a 3:1 client to counselor ratio which ensures that each person gets the attention they deserve. Contact us today to find out if this is the right treatment facility for you or your loved one.
