Rehab Center Location – Close by or Far Away?

There are pros and cons for rehab center locations that are near your home.

There can be a lot of debate about whether it is better to seek a drug rehab center that is close to home or find one that is a substantial distance away. For every facility that claims it should be the former, you can find one that promotes the latter. In reality, they’re both right in that there are benefits to each situation.

Finding a treatment program close to home allows for more family interaction and is more easily accessible. Not only can you tour the facility and meet some of the staff before deciding to go, but it also allows for more visitation from supportive loved ones. There are often family days on weekends and even family counseling sessions that are used at rehab centers, so the additional participation from those closest to the person can definitely be beneficial.

The downsides to a local program can include easier ability for the addict to leave, as most rehab centers are voluntary and if someone wants to walk out then they ususally can. Trying to overcome addiction isn’t an easy task and many people feel like giving up or getting high again at some point during that process. A location where they can have someone who is still using drugs come and meet them can be dangerous.

A rehabilitation program far away helps reduce that possibility substantially, however it cannot completely eliminate it. Additional positive attributes to leaving the area for addiction treatment include being in an isolated and therapeutic enviornment that is free of other distractions in order to be able to focus on recovery. Opening up your search to other parts of the state or country also helps expand your options for types of programs. An example could be that where you live might only have a select number of programs that all offer similar treatments and settings, so being able to drive a few hours or hop on a plane gives you much more flexibility for finding the right program.

Of course the downsides to a facility not near you include that it makes it much more difficult for family members to participate in the recovery process during treatment. They are typically limited to telephone or electronic communications only rather than being there in person, and at the very least the visits are less frequent and more expensive. It is also harder to judge whether or not the program is what it represents itself to be when you’re trying to make such a major decision based on phone calls, videos and websites. These things may help provide insight, but they can never represent fully what it is like to actually be there.

If it all possible, it is a good idea to try and not rule one or the other out. Be open to the idea of either staying close to home or going far away. When investigating rehab centers this gives you more freedom and control to hopefully find the right fit for your situation. Addiction treatment can be a big investment, not just of time and money but also mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Learn to trust your instincts in this search, and when the right rehab center is found, it is well worth it.