Should I Travel For Rehab?

Making the decision to get help for your addiction is the first and most important step in your journey towards recovery. However, deciding whether you should travel or stay local for addiction treatment is also a very important component that depends on a variety of individual factors. There are several unique treatment centers across the country, specifically designed to meet the individual needs of individuals through their living environment, variety of therapies, types of addictions treated, amenities, and more. When deciding on whether or not you should travel for rehab, patients should weigh the pros and cons of each decision in order to cultivate the most conducive option for addiction treatment.

The location of drug and alcohol rehab is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing to stay local or travel for treatment. For some people, leaving behind the toxic environment and relationships back home is the best way to cultivate healing. However, for others, staying close to home and the comfort of friends and family is a necessity for their recovery process. Deciding whether you should travel for rehab is a personal decision, and be sure you find a treatment center that fits your individual needs. 

Benefits of Traveling For Rehab

There are many benefits to traveling for rehab. Most obviously, a new geographical environment often cultivates the time and space needed to begin the addiction recovery healing process. Traveling to a new city or state for addiction treatment also creates a sense of embarking on this new journey and the beginning of new life with a fresh start. The excitement of traveling for rehab might even help you feel more inspired and excited about your commitment to recovery. 

Another vital benefit of traveling for rehab is removing yourself from triggers. Individuals struggling with substance abuse are trapped in a cycle of poor behaviors driven by the disease of addiction. Traveling to attend a substance abuse treatment program will remove you from old people, places, things, and temptations. This often includes toxic home environments, emotional triggers, friends addicted to drugs and alcohol, and work stressors. Creating physical distance between these triggers can reinforce your commitment to sobriety and help cultivate a solid foundation for recovery. 

While it is true that you can restart your life, thoughts, and change your patterns of behavior from anywhere in the world, this is a much more difficult process when you are consistently exposed to the same environment in which you abused drugs and alcohol. For most people, putting distance between these triggering situations reduces the desire to use again. Traveling for rehab can introduce you to many unique treatment methods as well as encourage you to establish new mental and physical boundaries – separate from your old way of life. Studies have shown that traveling and attending a quality rehab can actually increase your chance of maintaining long-term sobriety. 

Lastly, traveling for rehab also provides anonymity and reduces the anxiety of an individual being recognized while in treatment. A major barrier for individuals seeking recovery is the fear of the professional and social impact of attending addiction treatment. Leaving your hometown to attend rehab can protect your reputation and the fear of being judged or potentially facing professional consequences. 

Disadvantages of Traveling for Rehab

Just as there are many benefits when considering traveling for rehab, it is also important to acknowledge and educate yourself on the potential cons. One of the most prevalent disadvantages of traveling for rehab is the separation from supportive family and friends. This disadvantage of leaving your hometown to attend a substance abuse treatment program can deter many individuals from traveling. 

Here are a few more disadvantages to traveling for rehab:

• Traveling hours away or to a different state can make it difficult, or impossible, for loved ones to have an active role during the treatment process. 
• Creating an aftercare plan can be extremely difficult if you are returning to your hometown, as your clinical treatment team is located in another city.
• When attending rehab, you will be encouraged to establish sober support and connect with other people in recovery. Traveling for rehab may make it more challenging to create these relationships once you return home and are no longer surrounding by the support you connected with during treatment.
• Traveling for rehab can be more costly and financially taxing.

Traveling to PAX Memphis for Rehab

Traveling for rehab may be the kickstart for your journey to recovery. However, deciding where you should attend addiction treatment is far more than simply choosing the most appropriate location. When choosing an addiction rehab program, your choice should be based on the effectiveness of the program and choose a facility that best suits your individual needs. PAX Memphis Recovery Center is a drug and alcohol treatment center located in Memphis, TN. Whether you are local to the area or traveling from out of state, we provide quality care to all of our patients. Our team of clinicians is leading experts in addiction management and dedicated to providing you the tools you need to overcome your drug and alcohol addiction. Our compassionate staff recognizes how important it is to provide each patient with their own individualized treatment plan. If you or your loved one is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, call us today!