Can My Family Visit Me During Rehab in Massachusetts?
More than 100 million family members are adversely affected by their family member’s addiction, yet most family members are extremely supportive of addicted loved ones who seek treatment. At the same time, family involvement in the treatment process helps improve treatment entry rates, completion rates, and treatment outcomes.[1] Despite the fact that it is well known that families are greatly impacted by addiction, many treatment programs focus primarily on the individual who is personally affected by addiction.
Here at Woburn Wellness Addiction Treatment, we value the relationship you have with your family members. We also acknowledge the importance of a family-focused treatment program. Both of these reasons are why we encourage family visits during rehab.
Are Family Visits Allowed During Rehab in Massachusetts?
Are Family Visits Allowed During Rehab in Massachusetts?Addiction and mental health professionals realize how important family involvement is in the recovery process. As a result, they encourage meetings, visits, and therapy sessions that involve friends, family, and loved ones.
Most addiction treatment centers in Massachusetts do allow family members to visit their loved ones during rehab. Whether you are concerned about not seeing your spouse or child for several weeks or you are used to the warm embrace of your mom, you will have the right to family visits during rehab – so long as the family member is healthy, supportive of your recovery, and pre-approved by your primary therapist.
Rules Regarding Drug Rehab Visitation
As with any aspect of treatment, rehab centers in Massachusetts have strict rules and procedures that must be followed if you want a family member to visit you. First and foremost, most rehab centers require you to spend the first week in a “blackout” period where you are unable to use the phone or speak with anyone outside of the facility. This blackout period is intended to help you adjust to the rehab facility and settle in successfully. However, after the blackout period, you will have access to a monitored phone as well as written letters. If there is a friend or family member who you would like to visit, you may contact them and invite them to the rehab facility.
If your loved one is able to visit you, they will need to obtain approval from your substance abuse counselor. Your counselor should be familiar with your family dynamics as well as the people who are close to you, so he or she can determine whether or not the visit is a good idea. If approved for the visit, you and your loved one will pick a day and time for them to come to the rehab facility.
Depending on the circumstances, your family visits during rehab may consist of a brief, private meeting, a supervised meeting, a brief outing away from the rehab facility, or a structured therapy session. In most cases, therapists like to take advantage of the time their patients have with their loved ones, so they may try their best to call a family therapy session to work through any issues you and your loved one may have.
When Are Family Visits a Bad Idea?
Unfortunately, not all family members are healthy, and others you may have a toxic relationship with. For example, it’s not a good idea to receive a visit from someone who is currently using drugs or alcohol, because doing so can be triggering and painful. A family visit may also be a bad idea if your loved one is not supportive of your recovery. If your loved one expects you to leave rehab and be able to drink or return to old behaviors, they may not be a positive influence to visit you. Instead, these types of visits should be reserved for a family therapy session that is led by a licensed therapist or mental health professional.
Before you are allowed to have a visitor while staying at a drug rehab in Massachusetts, you will have to get approval from your counselor. If your counselor believes the visit is not supportive of your recovery, he or she may deny the visit until any underlying issues are resolved.
What Role Does the Family Play in The Recovery Process?
Family visits during rehab are not only meant to help you feel safe and supported – but they are also intended to help you heal from addiction. People who have a supportive family unit during rehab often have better treatment outcomes. In fact, studies show that family-focused treatment programs improve patients’ attitudes about drug use, promote healthy coping skills, and help increase the knowledge of the consequences of drug use.[2] The more your family is able to visit you during the treatment process, the more you will feel loved, supported, and cared for, helping support your recovery.
Find a Family-Focused Rehab Center in Massachusetts Today
If you struggle with addiction, you know just how significantly your substance abuse affects the people you love. You also know how good it can feel to know that your family has your back. Here at Woburn Wellness Addiction Treatment, our family-focused approach integrates individualized addiction treatment programs with a family systems model to promote whole-person healing. Our family visitation program encourages patients to stay in contact with their loved ones and involve them in the recovery process.
To learn more about our addiction treatment programs or to start rehab in Massachusetts, pick up the phone and call us today.
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