Many warn against the idea of beginning a romantic relationship while in rehab, as it can make it much harder for you to focus on your recovery and more likely for either individual to relapse. However, making friends during rehab can be extremely beneficial and is, in most instances, recommended for those recovering from drug addiction.
Longer Treatment Stays
If you have a friend in rehab who is able to encourage you and make you feel good, it could actually cause you to stay in treatment for a longer period of time. This is important because, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Successful outcomes often depend on a person’s staying in treatment long enough to reap its full benefits.” In fact, many clinicians will actually attempt to create a positive, friendly relationship with patients in order to help them stay in treatment longer.
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Further Participation
It is often easier to participate in something hard if you have a friend by your side. Just knowing that someone you care about is in the program with you and going through the same things you are can make you feel more at ease and more engaged. If you do happen to make one or more friends during rehab, consider asking them if they would like to attend certain classes with you, if you could do exercises together, or participate in another positive activity together. Once you both leave the program, you may even decide to continue participating in drug-free activities like yoga or low-key recovery models like support groups.
Emotional Benefits
Making friends in rehab can help to strengthen your recovery.
There are many emotional benefits involved with making friends during rehab as well. Especially if you are attending an inpatient program, it can be lonely and hard to be away from your friends and family at home. Knowing you have a friend in the program with you can minimize the feelings of isolation you may otherwise be likely to feel and help combat depression. You will also begin to associate your recovery with positive feelings, which will work additionally to keep you in treatment.
Finding Friends in Rehab
Of course, rehab itself is not structured to help you make friends but mainly to help you overcome addiction. Still, many programs utilize the relationships you make in rehab as a way to strengthen your recovery and help you avoid relapse in the future. This is incredibly beneficial, especially if the feelings you have toward the individuals you meet in rehab are genuine.
Make sure to participate in your group therapy sessions and get to know the other patients in treatment with you in order to find those with whom you feel comfortable. If the individual you meet is someone you like and if they are serious about their recovery, it can be incredibly advantageous for both of you to have one another around. It is always important to remember, though, that you have decided to attend rehab in order to make a change to your life and to work toward a safer, better future. If you have more questions about rehab or you would like us to help you find a facility in your area, call 888-646-0635Who Answers? today.
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