Addiction treatment is challenging, to say the least. The recovery journey is filled with many ups and downs that take courage, strength, and willpower to overcome. Choosing to go to rehab is a step in the right direction. However, some people think that rehab centers will put up with whatever they want. Drug and alcohol addicts are rule-breakers and rebels by definition. They often struggle to adjust to the structure most rehab centers have in place. Thus, they’re often surprised when they realize a rehab center can kick them out.
Understanding the Rules of Rehab
No two rehab centers are alike. Even if they offer the same substance abuse treatments, each rehabilitation facility has its own set of rules. Depending on the rehab center, they might also have flexibility regarding what to do when you start breaking the rules.
Here are some common rules that most treatment centers implement to help people stay on their track to substance abuse recovery:
- No cell phones or computers
- No romantic relationships in rehab
- Attendance to all individual and group therapy sessions
- Total abstinence from drugs and alcohol, sometimes they’ll have unscheduled drug testing sessions
- Restrictions on where you can go
While these rules seem irrational at first, they help to remove distractions, additional pressures, or triggers that can interfere with your recovery. Even if you’re attending an outpatient treatment program, they will have a set of rules and restrictions you have to follow.
Can a Rehab Center Kick You Out?
While a treatment facility’s role is to help you, and they understand relapses are a normal part of recovery, they won’t put up with your rebellion. In a nutshell, yes, you can get kicked out of rehab. The absolute focus still has to be on behavior modification and recovery.
When someone relapses while in rehab or breaks the rule, they won’t necessarily be kicked out immediately. The therapists and staff members will most likely look at the situation and analyze what drove someone to do something that could hurt their recovery journey. They might try to stage a small intervention, bringing in family members and friends to remind the person in rehab of the reasons why they chose to get help in the first place.
Unfortunately, there are times when dismissing a patient is the only remaining option. In this case, the family members will be informed of the rehab center’s decision about dismissing their loved one.
What Happens Next
If you or a loved one gets kicked out of rehab, consider it a significant wake-up call. When this happens, it might be because you’re not ready to take this seriously. Perhaps you can start with a different treatment program before you enlist in a residential treatment program.
Addiction to alcohol or drugs is a complex and ever-changing disease. It could be that you didn’t choose the right rehab program for your needs. At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, we work tirelessly to ensure your recovery path is the right one for you. Besides, we don’t shy away from rerouting or trying different approaches that will help you succeed. By offering a comprehensive treatment plan with flexibility, we can be ready to pivot if your journey presents some setbacks. Our goal is to help you beat your drug addiction.
