Why Can’t I Use My Cell Phone in Rehab?

When you go to rehab, you are there to get better not to have distractions derail your recovery. Your life has become unmanageable and you cannot function in many ways due to your addiction. For security reasons, many rehabs ask that you leave any valueables (like laptops and cell phones) at home and if you do happen to bring them they will be locked up in a safe. The truth of the matter is that when you’re addicted to something you will most likely do anything possible to get to your drug of choice and that includes lying, stealing and cheating  your way to it.

Not having access to your cell phone helps you to stay away (emotionally, physically and mentally) from the people, places and things that helped fuel your drug addiction.

Now, this is not to say that you will never be able to use a phone or communicate with your family and loved ones while in rehab because that is simply not true. You will be able to do that.

You should not be afraid of letting go of your cell phone for a few weeks in order to free yourself from the constant need to be connected to everyone and everything at all times. You need to give yourself a chance to fully detox and then recover; that is the whole reason why you will be in rehab.

If you are getting ready to enter or are entering drug and alcohol rehab you will receive a list of things you can and cannot bring. If you have any questions regarding any of those items just ask about it. You have the right to know why certain things are not allowed. Just keep in mind that if a treatment facility doesn’t allow something it’s most likely for your safety and the safety of others.

Getting to the heart of the matter…

The time that you spend in rehab should be spent on recovery and nothing else. Rehabs specifically design their programs so that your whole day is mapped, planned and accounted for in the most productive and helpful ways for your recovery. You can’t use your cell phone in rehab because you will be busy with detox, individual and group therapy, exercise, acupuncture, relapse prevention groups, and much more. Staff does not want you or any of their clients to be distracted by your phone. You came to rehab to save your life not continue on the way you were living before. So rehabs don’t let you use your cell phone in order to limit distractions, disruptions, and tardiness for activities due to phone calls and text messages. Most rehabs will have a designated phone that you can use but it will have restrictions. These restrictions are usually time related, for instance there will a dedicated, limited time during which you can contact family members. Remember you are in rehab to focus on yourself.

Removing yourself from the people who helped fuel your addiction…

Another reason you can’t use your cell phone in rehab is because of the drug connections on it. There is a concern with most rehabs that you or other patients could and can use cell phones to call old drug dealers to try and get drugs into the rehab. Even if you have the best intentions and don’t want to use, having your phone may trigger you and make you want to call your old drug dealer to bring you something. This is a very important reason why you can’t use your phone in rehab. If for some reason you did have your cell phone and called an old friend or dealer to bring you drugs then you are not only endangering yourself but other clients as well. Not allowing you to use your phone in drug and alcohol rehab eliminates this high risk situation all together.

After a certain point in your stay most rehabs will begin allowing you to use your cell phone under supervision but this all varies based on the facility. When you call to speak to an admissions counselor they will tell you what to bring and when, if at all you can use certain thing such as cell phones.

Remember that you’re going to rehab to get better. You’re not going to be on vacation. This is serious work and you’ll need to be ready to focus on yourself 100% so that you can get your life back.

You deserve that!

If you or your loved one is in need of treatment for alcohol or drug addiction please give us a call at 800-951-6135.