Rehab is like summer camp, right?

Just returned from substance abuse rehabilitation a few weeks ago, it was a trip. I was sober for about 2 weeks before I went and a little unsure about going, but the family wanted it and I felt I should go.

I'm not gonna name the place I went, but the pictures online and their website (above examples) make it look like a restful resort... I will relax and focus on getting clean. Felt like i wanted it to be a bit more gritty, this seemed a bit to upscale for me. But what do I know, I've never been to rehab before.

I was dwelling on leaving and my brother kept saying, "Don't worry, it will be like summer camp." Man was he wrong! I got my wish, gritty was a fucking understatement! It was like going to prison. Now, I'm no hard core dude who's out busting the law and been in jail a bunch of times, but no pussy either. I'm your basic middle aged laid back and shoot the shit, mind your own business kind of drinker.

Man, this was the full experience! First, a 24 hour detox lockdown with strip search, along with various people slamming booze and shooting up on their way in, a lot of falling over, laying on the floor and projectile vomiting. Most people in this condition stayed longer than 24 hours obviously. For me, after 24 hours I was sent to the Men's north campus. My phone, wallet, all my snacks from the dollar store, even my wash cloth was taken and kept by the staff. No store for a week, no phone calls for 8 days and a room with no TV, but two room mates with beds on either side of mine both snoring all night. I didn't sleep for a week. Of about 94 guys, pretty much everyone there had been in prison, living on the streets, or going to a sober living home after rehab. Also, you had to watch all your stuff so it would not get stolen...

OK, after writing this I do kinda sound like a pussy, I felt like a homesick little kid! But have to say it's an experience I won't forget. I did learn a lot about myself and my triggers, had my first intro into AA, got to meet a lot of really cool and genuine people, and came further into understanding my sobriety.

I was only there 2 weeks. Would I do it again? No, I would opt for the intensive out patient rehab if I unfortunately relapsed again, that's just me. But I was told by a few people I met there that this is one of the better Rehabs compared to some of the other ones they had been to. And, personally experienced how this program has helped out a whole lot of people become and stay sober. So there is good!