It can take years before a person decides to get help for a drug or alcohol addiction. But even if a person does decide to get help, they may not want to continue on the path of recovery for long for whatever reason. Maybe you’ve experienced this in your own life; a loved one finally accepts help but ends up leaving drug rehab early. Unfortunately, this isn’t an uncommon experience. And for loved ones and family of those leaving treatment early, it can be hard to understand. Furthermore, it can be challenging to know what the next step should be.

In this article, we discuss how leaving drug rehab early affects the people struggling with addiction. Plus, why people choose to leave rehab early. Finally, we help to prepare loved ones for this scenario if it is to arise in the future.

When People Leave Rehab in the First Two Days

Typically, when people leave rehab in the first one or two days, it’s because they feel conflicted about the decision they’ve made to get help. Maybe they just realize that they’re going to be separated from their family, loved ones, and significant other for an extended period of time. And upon realizing this, believe they can’t make it without these people or person’s support. Or, another reason people may leave treatment this early is that they only decided to go to appease someone else. So, they go along for the ride only to back out as soon as possible.

To prevent this from happening, make sure that your loved one going into treatment understands what is involved. And what the process of treatment will look like. A person needs to commit to treatment before they enroll. Furthermore, only a person who wants treatment will be successful during their time in treatment. So, if you’re loved one isn’t ready, they’re not ready.

Leaving Treatment 3-14 Days After Arrival

This is the most common time for individuals to leave addiction treatment early. Always, the first stage of treatment is detox. Basically, it’s when a person’s drug of choice naturally exits the system when they stop using. However, while detox is essential to treatment, it’s challenging due to inevitable withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms vary from patient to patient depending on an individual’s drug of choice. But, they can include extreme cravings, nausea, seizures, and muscle pain. So, when people leave treatment from 3-14 days in, it’s usually because they feel the need to use in order to gain control of withdrawal symptoms.

To combat this, make sure that you or a loved one contemplating treatment understands that detox is characterized by withdrawal symptoms. And, that they research what to expect during this time in treatment so they’re not overwhelmed during this initial phase. Furthermore, it may be best to search for a treatment facility that offers a medical approach to detox which includes utilizing medications to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

Leaving Drug or Alcohol Treatment After the First Two Weeks

There may be many reasons why individuals leave treatment after the first two weeks are complete. But, regardless of any reasoning, individuals who leave treatment after the first two weeks are still susceptible to overdose and overdose-related death. This is because once the body detoxes, tolerance is drastically reduced. So, when individuals who have detoxed use a drug they were previously dependent upon after detoxing, the body is no longer used to the drug. And, is at an increased risk for overdose. Unfortunately, most overdose-related deaths happen to individuals who have detoxed and relapsed.

To reduce the chance of leaving drug rehab early after the first two weeks, understand the dangers of relapse. And know that relapsing after treatment is extremely dangerous, even though recovery after a relapse is still possible.

Have you Left Treatment Early?

If you have left treatment early, know that your recovery efforts don’t have to die in vain. There is still hope for a successful recovery. While it’s dangerous to relapse after treatment for the risk of overdose-related death, it’s also dangerous to never get help with treatment ever again. Many people who relapse end up obtaining a lasting recovery on their second or even third time in treatment. So, don’t give up!

If you’re looking for an alcohol detox or rehab facility in Northern California that has your individual needs in mind and can help to keep you accountable during treatment, consider Wellness Retreat Recovery Center. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help!