Why a Local Drug Rehab May Not Be Your Perfect Choice

When it comes to finding a treatment center that's best for you, you may be overwhelmed by the number of choices you have.

There are hundreds of drug rehab centers across the country, and each facility has its unique specialties and programs. While you will find positives and negatives for any decision, you ultimately have endless facilities to choose from. Luckily, there are a few questions you can ask yourself to help narrow down your search, including:

• What treatment centers specialize in my diagnosed condition?

• What treatment centers offer several different types of therapy programs?

• Do I want inpatient or outpatient treatment?

• Which facilities are covered by my insurance?

Another important question to consider is whether or not you want to travel for drug rehab. There are incredible benefits associated with traveling to new cities or states for alcohol and drug treatment. Those who are willing to travel have increased access to a variety of facilities, which encourages you to be even more selective when choosing a facility and program that will fit your needs. 

Before you start narrowing down your potential drug rehab options, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of receiving treatment at a local facility compared to traveling out of the city or state for treatment. Once you step beyond your comfort zone, you may find the perfect out-of-state treatment center you otherwise would have never known existed. 

Recognizing the Downsides of Going to A Local Treatment Center

Although local rehab centers may allow you to keep responsibilities outside of treatment at high priority in your life, local facilities are not for everyone. Despite a local facility being convenient, settling for a local treatment center may eventually cause you to become unmotivated or disengaged during therapy or treatment in general.

This is because you chose the facility based on its location, not based on its specialties, program options, or unique therapeutic approaches. Over time, you may lose focus and quit your program because you get caught up in your other responsibilities. 

Another reason why receiving treatment from a local facility may not be the best option is that, during the hours you are not in treatment, you will likely be exposed to your drug triggers. If your usual social network is comprised of fellow drug users, you may not feel motivated or supported during your recovery journey.

Similarly, if you are attending treatment to seek refuge from an abusive relationship or situation while you recover, a local facility may not be the safest option. 

On the other hand, local treatment centers may be a more cost-effective choice than attending an out of region rehab center. Local centers may also be able to provide invaluable community resources to help you get back on your feet with housing, employment, and more.

However, it is essential to recognize the value of selecting a rehab facility that effectively teaches you to cope with triggers and motivates you to achieve and maintain lifelong sobriety. 

Advantages of Traveling for Alcohol or Drug Rehab

There are important advantages associated with traveling for alcohol and drug treatment. First, traveling for rehab helps you put your recovery in perspective. You are quite literally taking a journey toward recovery and allowing yourself to create a fresh start for your life. When you travel, you are actively distancing yourself from your substance use triggers. 

Another benefit of traveling for rehab is that you are less likely to walk away or quit rehab, even if you start to struggle with motivation. Being far away from home can reduce temptations to leave treatment, knowing that there isn't anywhere to go since you'd have to fly home and potentially fall back into the cycle of addiction.

In the same way, traveling also allows you to fully commit to prioritizing your treatment and recovery journey. 

Traveling for rehab will also give you an extensive range of treatment possibilities to choose from as you narrow down your options. For example, if you are passionate about holistic healing and health, you may be more likely to find a facility that offers holistic treatment approaches if you commit to looking outside your usual radius. 

Another advantage of traveling for treatment is that you will likely experience higher-quality care during treatment. Some rehabs have specialized programs for dual diagnosis: the presence of a substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health disorder at the same time. These conditions must be treated simultaneously through programs that specialize in dual-diagnosis treatment. There are also treatment centers that offer trauma-informed care, which is essential if your SUD is a result of past trauma. These facilities are professionally equipped to handle the individualized, unique needs of trauma survivors. 

All in all, looking beyond local treatment services can allow you to access higher quality care, help you find specialized treatment approaches, reduce the temptation to walk away from rehab, and allow you to view your recovery from a fresh perspective. 

A Local Rehab May Have Benefits, But It’s Not Always The Best Choice

Although there are benefits to choosing a local rehab facility, it may not be the best choice. Expanding your treatment options can help you find higher-quality care and specialized treatment programs, allowing you to stay motivated during your recovery.

The Edge Treatment Center is located in Santa Ana, CA. We offer individualized drug treatment plans, dual diagnosis, and intimate aftercare programs. We believe that drug treatment is more than just securing sobriety. It's about learning to manage behavioral triggers, treating underlying trauma and mental health conditions, and fostering lifelong connections.

To learn more about our treatment facility, contact us today.