Can You Have Your Phone in Rehab? This Florida Facility Says Yes
Why You Cannot Have Your Phone in Rehab
One of the most searched questions about rehab facilities that come up over and over is “Can you have your phone in rehab?” This is for good reason. For most people nowadays, our phones are our lifelines to the world. We use our phones not only to make calls but to remain connected to everybody in our lives. It is our main source of entertainment, and most of us spend on average 3 hours and 15 minutes on our phones daily, with one in five Americans spending over 4.5 hours a day scrolling. Phones are a part of our culture, especially for the younger millennials and generation Z who grew up with smartphones.
Going to rehab can be a stressful and uncertain time, so it would make sense that a person would want to spend their time documenting rehab, talking to friends and family, and using the internet to take their mind off of things when they feel lonely or upset.
Some reasons you may not be allowed to have access to your personal phone as well as laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices in rehab include:
- Drug and alcohol addiction treatment require your full attention, and a cell phone can be a distraction. Having a phone in your possession will cause you to wonder what others are doing, which may make it more difficult to absorb and retain the information you need to stay sober
- Social media and phone use give you access to drug dealers and other temptations
- Being exposed to the constant stream of gossip, bad news, and things you are missing out on while in treatment may stress you out and hinder your progression
- You will see drug and alcohol use online, causing difficult cravings and obsessions to grow and linger, whereas if you are not exposed to these temptations during the most difficult few days of detox and rehab, you may be able to move your mind away from these types of thoughts
- It is important to uphold the privacy of other people in rehab, which may be compromised if you are taking photos or videos or chatting with somebody in a public area
What About Calling Home During Treatment?
Most rehab centers will allow you to use a phone after rehab treatment, with supervision, to contact your loved ones. You are not a prisoner in rehab, and support from the right people during this vulnerable time can make all the difference in many people’s treatment outcomes. Some centers offer a landline connection in a public space where you can make personal calls in the evenings or at certain times of the day when phone calls are allowed.
Does Outpatient Treatment Allow You to Use Your Phone?
When you are in outpatient treatment, you will likely regain the use of your personal smartphone. Each treatment center is different, but because you are gradually returning to living a normal life as a sober individual in these programs, you will need your phone not only for social connection and entertainment but also for navigation, bill payments, bus schedules, work, and school. Intensive outpatient programs will help you transition back to normal life with full support, so even if you are tempted online, you have therapists and counselors to help you through it. You also have the option to delete certain apps or contacts if they are particularly troublesome for you.
Other Important Rules of Addiction Treatment
Some of the other most important rules in addiction treatment are:
- Zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol on site and abstinence are required from you throughout the treatment
- You should not share photos or other information about others in the program
- Mandatory attendance and active participation at all treatment sessions, sticking to your schedule
- Patients may not form relationships with one another, keeping the focus on individual recovery
- Patients in residential programs may not leave the premises without special permission
- No visitors without permission, and no visitors outside of visitation hours
- No violence or aggressive behaviors
Treatment Options Available at WhiteSands
Treatment Options Available at WhiteSandsWhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab is a luxury rehab treatment facility that offers comprehensive, integrated programming for detox and rehab that includes the full continuum of care, including:
- Detox – with 24-hour supervision, comfortable and safe accommodations, delicious healthy food, prescription medications, and care from doctors, therapists, nurses, and holistic practitioners, you can purge the toxins from your body and regain your strength in our medical detox program
- Inpatient rehab – you will move into our luxury rehab center for 30 to 90 days, with behavioral therapy, medical care, counseling, dual diagnosis treatments, addiction education, group therapy and process groups, and other tailored treatments provided in a structured daily schedule during the day. In the evenings you become our guest, with access to amenities like a pool, snack bar, boxing gym and trainers, and our holistic spa. Smoking is allowed in designated areas, and we are a pet-friendly facility so you won’t need to leave your beloved furry friend at home. Inpatient rehab is the most intensive form of rehab we offer at WhiteSands.
- Partial Hospitalization Program – this s an intensive day/night program that lasts for an average of 10 to 20 days, helping you transition between inpatient care and the intensive outpatient program, with full days of treatment that include therapy, groups, medical care, and access to all amenities including the pool, the spa, and the gym. You will come for treatment 5 to 6 days a week and get to know your outpatient team
- Intensive Outpatient Program – This is a customizable, flexible outpatient program, lasting for 30 to 90 days, with three hours of group therapy three evenings or nights per week, with psychiatric care, medical care, and life skills guide checking in to ensure everything is on track. You will have all the support you need including therapy and medical care, as you return to normal life, like your job, your family, and other responsibilities
- Aftercare – you will never be left alone in your recovery with WhiteSands. We will connect you with our thriving and active alumni group and connections to sober living homes, peer groups, 12-step groups, and other sober support that will last you a lifetime. You can also return to our facility if you find you need stronger support than you have at home, and we will gladly speak to you about readmittance.
With WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab, the answer to “Can you have your phone in rehab?” is yes. We believe that staying connected with your support system at home can make all the difference in your overall well-being and your recovery, so we allow cell phone use between the hours of 6:30 PM and 10:30 PM in your private room to protect other patients’ confidentiality.
We believe that sheltering you from the outside world while you are in treatment may be counter-productive, as it will feel like more of a shock when you return home with everything suddenly at your fingertips when you’re not used to it. Our therapists and counselors can help you through difficult situations you find yourself in, like running into family issues while on the phone, being tempted or triggered by something you’ve seen online, or being stressed out by news you’ve seen on social media, and they can help you find healthy ways to deal with these issues.
If you are ready to seek addiction treatment and want a friendly and caring, comfortable place to start your journey to a sober lifestyle, please contact the team at WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab today. We are standing by and are happy to help you with insurance verification or to answer any questions you may have.
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.