You may be wondering whether you can keep your laptop or phone while undergoing rehabilitation. It is common for patients to ask these questions, especially if they are going into alcohol and drug treatment programs, and it’s pretty understandable. See more about treatments for addiction on this page.
Not being near a smartphone or a computer can be emotionally distressing at this age and day. Several years ago, many news reports called this a phenomenon of digital anxiety. Individuals become anxious when they lose connectivity to the news and social events because they have to monitor political news and future threats.
Whether you want to bring a mobile, computer, or tablet, these will feel that you are getting connected to the outside world even if you are undergoing rehabilitation. However, when it comes to these programs, they may prove themselves to be a distraction. So, can you keep your computer while you are in rehab? The probable answer that you may get is a NO.
Why is this?
The Bolts and Nuts of a Rehabilitation Center
It should be clear to many people that alcohol and drug treatments are designed to address life-threatening and specific issues. Namely, they focus on how the patients will quit taking substances that damage their cognitive abilities, way of thinking, relationships, family, and careers. This is when they should think more about interacting with society responsibly and productively, and those things will be in the programs.
In some situations, these people do not just experience an alcohol or drug intoxication but also some of the following:
-Studies show that there is a strong link between substance use disorders and childhood traumatization for many people. Alcohol dependence may also lead to post-traumatic stress disorders that have not been addressed.
-According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, data shows that there is a high rate of anxiety disorders like panic attacks, GAD, and PTSD. Read more about GAD in this link: https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad. Abusing substances are prevalent among people who have psychotic illnesses, ADHD, depression, antisocial personality disorders, and more.
-According to the American Psychiatric Association, those who often drink alcohol and use drugs will have a distorted behavior and way of thinking. These chemicals will change the functions and structures of the brain, and this is where people show abnormal movements, changes in personality, intense cravings, and other behaviors. There are also images of the brain that show that areas like behavioral control, memory, learning, decision making, and judgments may be affected.
These are just some of the few issues that are wrapped up in alcohol and drug abuse. An effective program can treat them, and the changes should be long-term. Unfortunately, studies show that a brain that has undergone these hormonal imbalances will take time to recover. These can lead them to the inability to exert control, have behavioral consequences, and impulse to retake the drugs, which essentially defines addiction.
In other words, these underlying issues are often tied to addiction. When a person starts to do drugs, they will make some powerful changes in the brain that will continue and make them crave as time goes by. The more a person gives in to their cravings, the unhappier they will be. This will make them more depressed and frustrated in life. Before they know it, an already vicious cycle has formed.
However, with the help of proper intervention and therapy, many people become more active in their treatments and participation. This is especially important to achieve excellent outcomes, and the severely affected people will get the most benefit by giving them a way out.
Which brings us to the question of many people like, “can I bring my laptop to the rehab?”
About the Active Participation
You may want to ask yourself this question. Whether you have or not have an alcohol problem, how often do you find yourself to be distracted because of the phone? If the answer is more than you could count, it might not be a good thing.
Various studies have found out that using regular computers in rehabs is pretty problematic. This is the same reason why rehabs prohibit the use of electronic devices. They can become a distraction, a deterrent towards your progress, and you might find something on the internet contrary to the program you’re taking.
The traditional programs for inpatients may last up to 30 days. This will not be a lot of time to deal with years of substance abuse and the other issues that have contributed to the addiction. As a result, the medical staff, therapists, counselors, and doctors will need your undivided attention, get you to give as much information as you would want, and be present during group sessions to see more improvements from you. They will try to limit your distractions, and some will not allow them in the first place.
This does not mean that you have to be isolated, or concessions cannot be made. In some instances, you may find an inpatient rehab that allows cell phones because they would want you to communicate with families and continue working. They are not punitive with their rules, and in some circumstances, the staff will even allow you to access your emails, bills, and messages as long as you have completed the 30-day program. Others can get messages from family members involving urgent matters, so exceptions can definitely be made.
You will also find a lot of facilities with community-based computer access. The websites that you can browse on are limited. With a little staff oversight, you can go to some platforms and websites as long as they will not trigger you into doing drugs or drinking alcohol once again. Those who have responsibilities at school, legal obligations, and tax bills may be exempted.
Others will allow you to bring your laptop, and they will store it in a secure locker for you. This way, you will have no problems completing your inpatient program and taking care of your personal responsibilities at the same time. You will be able to bring an electronic device, but it can only be accessed at a limited time under certain conditions. You must focus on your treatment and therapy to overcome your problems.
