Recovery can happen close to home or far away. However, there are unique benefits to seeking rehabilitation outside of your hometown. At Pax House Recovery, we have clients from all over the country. Because our treatment center is situated in beautiful Pasadena, California, it is a magnet for people who want to work on their recoveries while residing in sunshine and warmth.
If you are considering starting a drug or alcohol treatment program outside of your hometown, there are many unique benefits to think about. Let’s discuss them in more detail.
Benefits of Traveling for Treatment
Get old temptations out of the picture
One of the main advantages of leaving your hometown for treatment is that you get to remove yourself from old temptations. We hear many clients say that it’s hard to focus on recovery when their favorite bar is a 10-minute drive or they run into old friends all of the time. If your treatment center is far away, so are the temptations, and this can make it easier to stay on track with your goals.
In addition to having old temptations out of the way, you also limit yourself to toxic people. If your significant other isn’t happy about your decision to quit using drugs and alcohol, they may try to influence you to leave rehab. And, leaving isn’t that hard to do when you know the area and where to go. If you’re in a different region or state, this is unfamiliar territory. Your desire to leave will be much less.
Achieve a fresh perspective in a new environment
Imagine what it felt like to go on your first vacation. The new sights probably made you feel refreshed and hopeful. The same thing can happen when you travel for Pasadena drug treatment. You are greeted by a new environment that appeals to your liking. When people come to Pasadena, they love the towering palm trees, the San Gabriel Mountains in the distance and the close proximity to downtown Los Angeles.
There is a reason why a new environment makes us feel better. Novel sights, sounds and experiences increase dopamine in the brain, improving positive feelings. Novelty is also associated with learning, which can make you more open to exploring new coping mechanisms and ways to relieve stress.
Have an increased sense of privacy
If you leave home for a while to start your alcohol recovery in Pasadena, it’s likely that some people will notice. They might even ask questions. But, you should never be ashamed of admitting your problem and getting help for it. This is an admirable and courageous thing to do. Still, it’s understandable that many people want to keep these things under the wraps, especially when they are most vulnerable.
When you seek treatment away from your hometown, you get more privacy. There is no audience watching, and you don’t have to worry about running into any of the staff at a later time. You can detach yourself from your home environment and focus solely on your recovery. For some people, this detachment is what they need to feel free.
As you can see, there are many benefits to traveling for addiction treatment services. This choice reinforces your commitment to getting clean and sober. However, there are some drawbacks to be aware of. Let’s explore them further.
Disadvantages of Traveling for Treatment
Less involvement from family
If you have a strong support network, it’s likely that you want them to be as involved as possible in your recovery. If you seek treatment nearby, your family can visit you in person and even take part in family therapy. If you are hundreds of miles away, you probably won’t see your family until you complete rehab in Pasadena California.
If you know that your family is what keeps you going, you may be better off choosing a nearby treatment center. This way, you can keep connected to your loved ones. However, even if you are far away from your family, you can stay in touch by phone or email. Plus, some treatment centers offer family therapy using tools like Skype.
More difficult to create an aftercare plan
In some cases, it can be more difficult to write an aftercare plan if you live out of state. The people who create these plans are familiar with the local area and can usually suggest things to do, places to visit and support groups to join. They may also have suggestions for people who can help polish resumes and find jobs.
Though it’s more difficult to have these same connections in other states, you do have the internet to help. You can easily search for recovery services in your area and be connected to child care, job placement assistance and more. When you attend your support groups, which can be found online at sites like AA.org or NA.org, you can ask for recommendations, too.
People you meet aren’t from your hometown
If you meet people you really like in treatment, you can’t take them with you. This means that when you return home, your support network may be smaller than if you had sought rehab in your hometown. That said, people come from all over, so it’s possible that the people you meet in a local treatment center are from out of town anyway.
Also, when you attend your support groups, you will automatically meet people that you can add to your support network. With the internet, there are many online groups and forums that allow you to stay connected to positive people. While you may leave some good friends behind after treatment, you can reach out to them on social media and share in each other’s journeys.
Should You Travel for Rehab?
In the end, the only person who can decide if drug and alcohol recovery in Pasadena is the right fit is YOU. There are pros and cons with every decision, so think about what option will allow you to focus solely on your recovery. Even if you have to leave friends, family and your job, a couple of months in recovery is much better than a lifetime of substance abuse.
Pax House Recovery is located in sunny Pasadena, CA. Whether you are from California and looking for treatment near Los Angeles, or you are from out of state, we have individualized treatment programs to support your goals. Contact us today to start your journey to sobriety.
