3 Things You Should Know About Rehabs and Their Cell Phone Policies

If you’ve committed to going to rehab and it’s nearly time, you may be feeling uncomfortable or anxious over their cell phone policy. This is normal especially as many of us are used to being on our phones the majority of the time. We have been conditioned to depend on our cell phones and the thought of being separated can bring up all kinds of uncomfortable feelings.

Many rehab centers now allow clients to bring in their cell phones, but each center may have different rules or approaches. Here are the 3 important things to know.

1. Restriction

Some rehab centers will greatly restrict your access to your cell phone. This means that there isn’t a complete ban but that you will have access perhaps once a week or. They may also ensure this access is fully supervised. This is done to prevent any contact with individuals who are a bad influence on your recoveries such as certain friends or dealers. This supervised time can be used to take pictures or catch up with friends or family. Other places will cut off any contact with the external world. and so the phone may only be used for things like taking photos.

This restriction exists to prevent influences that could interrupt the rehab process. It is vital to make the most of this time by focusing on healing, introspection, and reflection. Coming across reminders of your old life can trigger unhelpful and unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors. Of course, there isn’t always a one-size-fits-all approach and some places may increase access with time and progress. Other facilities may place a complete ban on any electronic devices.

Some people can’t afford to attend rehab without having a link to the outside world. Especially when they have a business to run or need to do other work-related activities from their devices. This means that there can be some flexibility around this depending on the situation.

2. Confidentiality

A big part of the process and the promise of rehabs to their clients is confidentiality. Cell phones can risk this being broken, as people can easily leak out pictures, videos, and information. These can very easily be done on a device without anyone’s permission or knowledge. If you want more information on certain rehabs and their specific policies, do your due research. If there is cell phone usage, many may restrict any use of the camera to prevent confidentiality from being broken.

Depending on the facility, if you are caught doing things that could affect other’s privacy, you may have to face your phone being taken away. This could seem juvenile, but rehabs have a promise and a duty of care to their clients which they can’t afford to ruin.

3. Focus

Having a link to the outside world can ruin your focus on healing. This is one of the main reasons a rehab facility may ban cell phone usage. A rehab program often means the client places all their energy and attention on learning, healing, and transformation. It is difficult to do this if you are distracted by things that are happening on the outside. Even if you only use social media apps and have no contact or don’t take any pictures or videos, this in itself can be hugely distracting.

Using social media can affect your brain in a negative way, which means that your healing will also be affected. It is very easy to come across triggers on social media without warning which could send you into a spiral. Some centers will limit all external contact for the first week or two. This helps to bring all your focus to yourself. After this, they may ease up a little, especially as many need to see and speak to familiar faces. Every person’s journey is different and unique and they need various restrictions and freedoms to heal. That’s why you will be able to discuss with your primary care doctor your needs and wants.

Even if something does feel difficult, this does not mean that it is the wrong thing for you. Often we must go through pain to truly learn what we need to know. This pain allows us to see ourselves for ourselves and in that, we can find healing. Don’t be too disheartened if you find that your cell phone usage is restricted or cut off completely. Instead see the benefits that it can bring, which is healing and transformation. Make sure you do your due diligence and research any facilities as each rehab center will have its policies in place.