Local vs Out of State Rehab: Which is Best for You?

If you or a loved one needs treatment for an addiction there are many questions to ask. Often one of the first is, local or out-of-state?

If you’d like to talk to someone about this, call Honey Lake Clinic right now at (844) 837-6577.

Choosing whether to stay in state or go out of state for treatment is a difficult decision for those seeking treatment. There are several factors to consider in making this choice, each of which can positively or negatively impact your recovery.

Often times, seeking treatment out-of-state can be the best option as it removes you from the environment, people, places and things which have contributed to or influenced your addiction. Instead, you find yourself in a new environment, surrounded by people, places and things which assist in your recovery.

Here are some examples of how seeking treatment out-of-state can be helpful:

(1) Increased privacy and confidentiality. You control who knows about your treatment.
Getting treatment is often a sensitive process. Seeking alcohol or drug rehabilitation is a very personal matter. Getting away often means keeping your recovery as quiet as possible. Privacy means one less thing for you to worry about, allowing you to concentrate on the work at hand.

(2) New environment, new people, places and things.
Almost everything that affects the behaviors related to addiction are located close to home. Getting away from the environment which contributes to your struggles—dealers, triggers, failures, stimuli—makes it more difficult to be drawn back into the life you are trying to escape. Detox is hard. Very hard. Having obstacles to your recovery so close in proximity doesn’t help. When you seek treatment out-of-state, those familiar surroundings are replaced with a thorough-going supportive environment, promoting your rehabilitation.

(3) Distance: A Deterrent to Giving Up
Entering into a rehabilitation facility is voluntary unless it is court mandated. If you want to leave, you can check yourself out and walk out the door. It is much easier to leave treatment if you’re enrolled at a local facility. A friend could provide quick transportation and before you know it, you’re back in the exact same toxic environment as before. If you’re out-of-state, it will take a lot more effort and planning to leave the program before completion. It’s one more factor that may encourage you to maintain your commitment to becoming sober.

(4) Limiting Distractions and Gaining Focus
To treat addiction, you need to focus solely on your recovery. Having family around you may be nice, but you can easily be distracted by what’s happening in their lives. Physically leaving all distractions for a time is a helpful step in your process.

Addiction doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Your substance abuse is a symptom of underlying issues. Removing yourself from reminders and allowing yourself to focus on the issues that brought you to treatment, is a key step in recovery.

(5) A Neutral Environment
In a neutral environment, you come in unknown. The people here don’t know you. They have no pre-formed judgments. They admire you for reaching out for help, and they are ready to walk this journey with you. You have a chance to begin with a blank slate. It can be a fresh start in a loving and understanding environment. You can connect or reconnect with God. You can rediscover yourself.

Potential Drawbacks of Treatment Close to Home

Seeking treatment close to home may seem advantageous—convenience for family, close to jobs and responsibilities, costs are likely less, and so on—but the environment, people, places and things mentioned earlier are much more likely to complicate your recovery than help it. Treatment close to home means a higher likelihood:

• Of more people finding out about your treatment
• Of your giving up, checking out, and walking away
• Of distractions, interference and obstacles in the path of your recovery

You likely have many other questions. We can help!

What type of treatments are offered? What are the facility’s and caregivers’ credentials? What are the success rates? How long is the program? How much does it cost? Will my insurance plan cover treatment? What amenities are offered? What should I expect where relapse is concerned? Will I have ongoing support when I return home? Is there a faith component in this program?

Sorting this out can be overwhelming. At Honey Lake Clinic, we understand what you’re going through and we are here to help. Please call us at (888) 837-6577.

Don’t wait another moment—

“The biggest mistake families make when it comes to getting their loved one into residential alcohol rehab is not acting soon enough.” 

–Dr. Karl Benzio, Co-Founder and Chancellor, Honey Lake Clinic and Director of Excellence in Christian Psychiatry, Honey Lake Clinic