Preparing yourself for time in rehab
Most addicts get to a point where they don’t like themselves or they are tired of others not liking them. The welcome mat has been taken away and family and friends steer clear. Friends and family of the addicts are sick of the lies and just can’t handle seeing their loved one destroying him or herself. The cost is enormous from an emotional level and the reality is that drugs and alcohol (abuse) will cost you financially as well.
You have now admitted to yourself and to those close to you that you are an addict and want to change your life.
These are the first steps to change, but the journey is not an easy one even after the “intention is set”. We are discussing mental health and addiction is often intricately tied into mental health. The roots are deep and digging up those roots and all those shoots is a massive task.
The next big shock comes when looking for help. Where do you go and who do you ask?
The first place to seek help for addiction and mental health in Australia is with your GP. A healthy relationship with your GP will make the process of finding assistance that much easier. In Australia there are several services we can tap into such as a mental health plan. Every year, 10 sessions with a health care professional in mental health is funded. Your GP can guide you on this and how to make application.
However, if you believe you are past the point of a mental health plan or you have already done a mental health plan with your doctor it could be that residential rehab might be your next step.
Public Health Rehab in Australia
The public health system in Australia is under strain. Accessing rehab under the public health system is a waiting game as the system doesn’t have the resources available to fund enough places in rehab for those needing it.
Rehab clinics in Melbourne for example, in the private sector have limited places which are eagerly sought and are not funded by the Government, but the public system is a far greater wait. Private Rehab can work out quite expensive and the success of the program revolves around many variables – including the addicts’ willpower, and active participation, as the journey is hard, especially AFTER you leave rehab.
What Is Detox?
Before you enter rehab, you will be required to be sober or detoxed. It is important to check with the rehab centre to make sure they can manage your situation. Some rehab centres have the facilities and infrastructure in place to do the detox.
Before you start rehab you will be required to do a detox. Detox can be really unpleasant with a range of symptoms from escalated anxiety, fear, to feeling like you are losing grip of the world. Detox is best left to the professionals, such as the clinic or doctors to ensure you have the correct medications and it is done in a safe environment. Sleeping through as you detox is far more pleasant than having tremors, shakes, seeing weird things and just losing your mind.
To say an alcohol detox requires supervision is not over exaggerating the situation as it can lead to death if not done properly.
Substance abuse is growing in Australia and there is absolutely no discrimination who it hits or takes hostage. As our mental health, increased stress and detachment from society slips so too do we turn to addiction/s or misuse of substances to fill a void or just dull our feelings. Alcohol is readily available, relatively cheap and not illegal in Australia. Drugs on the other hand, without a prescription are illegal, but this has not curbed their usage in this country.
Detox in isolation isn’t treatment, but rather the first step on the ladder to getting your body ready to start training. You are about to train for the marathon of your life.
How to find a rehab centre
Most of us will turn to the internet to find a suitable rehab centre. Melbourne has some excellent rehab facilities and a simple search will have them on Google’s front page.
The cost of rehab also varies considerably, so please do your homework to ensure the program is the right one for you.
Inpatient rehab is very effective and offers the addict a real chance at success. However, the time in inpatient rehab needs to be carefully measured against the type of addiction and also the time the person has been abusing.
The rehab centre will discuss the time they feel you need in rehab where inpatient rehab is usually anywhere between 30 days as a minimum and 90 days. It is not a given that the rehab facility will enrol you into their program and they screen every applicant for the program to ensure he or she is a good fit for the program.
How to fund rehab when you don’t have any money
Now this can be tough. Most of your money has disappeared because of your addiction and no-one will lend you the money for rehab – including family.
Access money from your super
The Australian Government allows us to access money from our super under a scheme known as compassionate grounds for release of super. The rules around the release of super under this scheme are strict and protocol for the release of the funds from your super account are assessed by the ATO. Once the applicant proves to the Australian Taxation Office there are grounds for the release of super to fund medical treatment for chronic / acute mental health the money can be accessed.
This can be a great help when looking at private rehab and wondering how you can pay for the treatment.
Get help for mental health and addiction
When you need help – speak up and ask. Australia is a country that takes care of its people – the system is not perfect, but we do have a system in place which does work.
For more information on accessing your super contact
Kathie Baker
