Recovering from methamphetamine addiction usually consists of entering rehab facilities that guarantee a safe and supportive environment. However, not all facilities deliver on their promises. Worse, they even cause the aggravation of their patient’s condition so much that they are in a better state when they first enter.
This article showcases some horrible experiences of former patients of meth rehab centres and offers practical advice on choosing a facility. We aim to help you understand these pitfalls, avoid making uninformed decisions, and find a rehab facility that will lead to true recovery.
Manipulative Facilities
A luxury rehab centre is marketed as a 5-star retreat, promising a serene environment, luxurious facilities, and maximum comfort. The glossy brochures depict picturesque landscapes and relaxing amenities, creating the illusion of a healing haven. The publicity draws in many patients who think they are investing in a high-quality recovery experience.
However, when patients are admitted, they immediately learn that the rehab centre’s marketing is misleading. Not all promised amenities are present, and most services they believed were part of the package, like gym and gourmet meals, are being sold separately. The facility is also crowded to the point of discomfort since, in their understanding, it should have enough space for privacy.
The worst part, however, is yet to come. The patients are paying tens of thousands of dollars, heavily investing in what they thought was a comfortable and effective recovery experience. In return, they get little value. Most of them are bundled in group therapy sessions with minimal individual attention. Staff are also more interested in upselling services like expensive wellness therapies.
Some patients even refer to such a facility as a “beautiful prison,” feeling like they were trapped in a cycle of superficial treatments. The rehab centre promised holistic treatment, which is effective for treating meth addiction. Instead, the centre only performed activities devoid of clinical backing.
To avoid this scenario, we urge you to:
- Be extra careful when looking for rehab centres that offer 5-star retreats. Make sure they’re legit. Check for staff qualification and accreditation. Take time to tour the facility, asking questions about their treatment programs.
- Conduct thorough research. Check for multiple legitimate review platforms and directly engage with former patients, if possible.
Inadequate Support Systems
There are many short-term and long-term risks of using meth; however, addiction is one of the biggest problems. That’s because after developing physical and physiological dependence on ice drugs, the consequence of mishandling withdrawal symptoms can be severe. This is why rehab facilities should be the perfect place to monitor and handle withdrawal symptoms while recovering from meth addiction.
However, in some facilities, the support system is simply lacking. Because the staff members are busy attending to many patients, they are often overwhelmed and unavailable. The absence of supportive staff during the most challenging days of recovery leads to delays in care and exacerbation of symptoms like hallucinations and panic attacks.
Some patients even recounted a particularly harrowing experience of losing touch with reality and frantically pressing the call for help button. However, after waiting for what seemed like an eternity, the nurse arrived and wasn’t even trying to hide the rush and disinterest in their condition. An experience like this just adds to the patient’s sense of abandonment, which converts to long-term psychological issues.
Furthermore, having no support during the vulnerable moments only creates or reinforces a deep-seated distrust in the recovery process. The patients become less receptive to their treatment and hopeless as time goes by. As a result, they usually leave the facility in a worse condition than when they arrived.
An adequate support system is a core element of meth addiction recovery, so we recommend the following:
- Check if the staff turnover rate is low and the facilities have ample communication channels.
- Look for facilities with a lower staff-patient ratio to ensure your loved ones get the attention they deserve.
- Get in touch with the facility and inquire about their staff training and qualifications.
- Check if the rehab centre offers individualised plans.
Poor Aftercare
Finishing treatment at a rehab facility is a big achievement. However, it’s not the end of the battle with meth addiction but the beginning of a commitment to a healthier life. That’s because going back to the old ways is a temptation that always lurks around the corner. One study reported that 37.8% relapsed and used meth within one year after treatment, which underscores the importance of aftercare support.
Unfortunately, some rehab centres see their former patients as low-priority clients after they leave their facilities. They fail to deliver on the promised robust support system designed to help patients transition back into their daily lives. Instead, former patients get a generic list of local support groups they can attend, and none of them is a good fit for their needs. There was an absence of introductions or recommendations, leaving the process of engaging the group completely up to the patients.
The promised ongoing assistance was also unfulfilled. There are no staff follow-ups, post-rehab guidance, or aftercare consultations. They have no one to talk to when the urge arises and no one to help them when a coping mechanism fails. This evokes a profound sense of abandonment in the former patients. They realise that the supportive environment they relied on is gone. Being ill-equipped to handle the challenges, many patients relapse.
The post-rehab period is the longest time you’ll be spending during your recovery from meth addiction. We suggest you do the following:
- Inquire about their aftercare services like follow-up sessions, individual counselling, support groups, etc.
- Check how often they do follow-ups with their graduates.
- Ask about the resources they provide to help patients transition back into their daily lives.
- If possible, speak with former clients to see how their aftercare programs are faring.
Why Choosing HARP Is Different
Entering rehab facilities is one of the most significant steps in treating meth addiction. With their structured environment, professional and medical support, therapeutic programs, and aftercare planning, they form the foundation for recovery. It’s scary to think that some centres don’t commit to their services.
Fortunately, there are still many rehab facilities that can provide everything you need to set you up for a brighter future. Hills & Ranges Private, or HARP, is one of them. Our commitment to your recovery ensures that you don’t face the same issues stated in this article.
We offer a real 5-star recovery experience with world-class rehab facilities in an exclusive and discrete environment surrounded by nature. Our luxurious amenities, such as a fitness centre, gourmet dining, theatre, spa, and more, ensure a comfortable stay. We also offer science-backed treatment programs and holistic recovery methods that allow us to help patients become addiction-free by completing just one program.
Our unparalleled staff-client ratio ensures complete monitoring and round-the-clock support for your loved ones. Our staff is highly qualified and compassionate because they are former rehab patients themselves. Our clients are also entitled to our lifetime aftercare services like follow-up visits and consultations, a versatile app that can monitor their conditions, and many more.
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