Seeking treatment for a substance use disorder (SUD) can feel overwhelming, especially if it involves traveling to a treatment center outside of town or even across the country. However, there are some encouraging things to know about traveling for addiction treatment.
In fact, it may even be the best overall option for you or a loved one considering treatment in a new environment. Here’s why traveling for addiction treatment is best.
Understanding the Importance of Addiction Treatment
Addiction is a complex, multifaceted brain disease requiring specialized treatment. Addiction affects the individual who uses substances and those around them. It can severely affect a person’s health, relationships, and overall quality of life. Because of this, choosing a suitable treatment facility should be thought out and well-researched.
Benefits of Traveling for Addiction Treatment
The good news is those seeking addiction treatment do not have to limit their options to facilities that are within driving distance. While this option works for some people, others have many reasons to look specifically for treatment facilities that might be in a different state or even a different time zone.
A Different Environment
A significant benefit of traveling for addiction treatment is the change of environment it offers. Staying in one place for an extended period can make us creatures of habit. In the case of addiction, substance use rewires the brain to associate certain people, places, and things with addictive habits and triggers. This can result in a vicious cycle of addiction with no clear pathway toward recovery.
A change of environment can be an excellent way to find that recovery pathway. Traveling to new places with new landscapes can positively affect physical and emotional well-being during treatment. It can also provide a fresh perspective and a break from any old habits and triggers in a normal environment. This is increasingly important for those who suffer from co-occurring disorders. Studies show that mental health disorders can occur along with substance use disorders at the same time.
Increased Privacy
Traveling to a distant location for treatment can offer increased privacy. Receiving addiction treatment locally will be convenient, especially for outpatient treatment plans scheduled around work. However, many people receiving treatment may want to maintain their anonymity during their recovery process. Anonymity can be one of the most important factors that leads someone to take the first step toward treatment. Traveling outside of the local area can help keep the process as confidential as possible.
Access to Specialized Treatments
All treatment facilities may differ in the kinds of services provided. Because of this, local treatment options can look drastically different, depending on where someone lives. By traveling, individuals can access specialized treatments that may not be available in their local area. This could be particularly beneficial for those with unique needs or complex conditions.
Space to Break Away From Triggers
As mentioned, leaving behind the environment where addiction developed allows individuals to break away from the triggers that might provoke a relapse. However, this does not mean people in treatment must sacrifice their community and friendships. In fact, what makes a treatment facility highly reputable is its ability to offer world-class treatment emphasizing community, group interactions, and other effective ways for patients to build lasting friendships and strengthen existing ones.
How to Choose the Right Treatment Destination
Opening yourself to the wide range of nationwide treatment options can feel liberating. However, the vast number of choices can cause overwhelm. To help manage your number of choices, think about what should go into choosing the right treatment destination. Below are some of the most important categories to keep in mind and prioritize:
Research and Planning
Choosing the right treatment destination requires careful research and planning. It’s essential to evaluate the facilities’ quality, the staff’s credentials, and the types of treatments offered. This information should not be hard to find on a treatment center’s website, including coordination assistance for travel and arrival.
Consider Your Needs
When selecting a treatment destination, it’s crucial to consider personal needs and preferences. Treatment plans from reputable treatment facilities should be customized to your personal needs. Still, you may want to consider certain social factors before choosing a specific location, such as climate, cultural offerings, and proximity to loved ones. While the time needed for treatment may look different for each person during recovery, a facility can help you establish expectations for the treatment you receive.
Potential Challenges and How to Overcome Them
While traveling for addiction treatment has many benefits, it is important to be aware of possible challenges. While traveling may not be an option for everyone, meeting and overcoming these challenges can provide the confidence to embrace the benefits of traveling for addiction treatment and begin the detox and recovery journey.
Homesickness or culture shock can make traveling for treatment challenging, especially if someone travels to a treatment facility across the country. Withdrawal symptoms can include anxiety, amplifying feelings of homesickness or isolation.
The good news is a reputable treatment facility will be able to provide you with the emotional and social support you need by offering various programs that help you build relationships with the medical professionals as well as other patients at the treatment facility.
Keeping Recovery as the Final Destination
Choosing to travel for addiction treatment can be a transformative decision. It can be a big emotional and mental hurdle to overcome, but keeping the big picture in perspective is important. Traveling to another location for treatment is simply the means toward the ultimate goal: recovery and well-being.
Breaking away from a familiar place can make all the difference in the world for those who feel there is no hope in their current environment. While traveling for addiction treatment comes with challenges, the benefits often outweigh the potential difficulties. With careful planning and consideration, traveling for addiction treatment can lead to a successful recovery journey.
Sources
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). The Power of Perceptions and Understanding: Changing How We Deliver Treatment and Recovery Services. Retrieved https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/programs_campaigns/02._webcast_2_resources.pdf
National Institute of Health. (2010 June 24). On Habits and Addiction: An Associative Analysis of Compulsive Drug Seeking. Retrieved https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2891067/
National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.). Substance Use and Co-Occurring Mental Disorders. Retrieved https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/substance-use-and-mental-health#:~:text=Health%20Topics%20webpages.-,Finding%20help,your%20ZIP%20code%20to%20435748.
National Institute of Health. (2015 June). Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Programs: Assessing the Evidence. Retrieved https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4152944/
Harvard Health Publishing. (2019 June 2019). Treating opiate addiction, Part I: Detoxification and maintenance. Retrieved https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/treating-opiate-addiction-part-i-detoxification-and-maintenance
Very Well Mind. (2022 July 31). How to Deal With Withdrawal Symptoms. Retrieved https://www.verywellmind.com/how-can-i-feel-better-during-drug-or-alcohol-withdrawal-4160020
