Pet-Friendly Rehab and Mental Health Facilities in San Diego

Drug and alcohol addiction is tough to fight, and it can be even harder when you consider the responsibilities you are leaving behind. For many people, one major responsibility is pet care. What will happen to their furry friends when they are in recovery?

Pet-friendly rehab provides a solution. These treatment facilities allow people to bring their pets along during recovery. In addition to making recovery more convenient, their pets also provide much-needed emotional support throughout the process.

Read on to learn what's involved.

The Importance of Pets in Recovery

Bringing a pet into recovery with you is about so much more than convenience. Many pets double as emotional support animals, helping their owners through difficult times.

The recovery process is difficult. It unlocks cravings and emotions that can be too much to bear. Many people don't make it through.

With a pet by their side, they are in better shape to handle recovery. Their furry best friend can offer the following benefits:

Stress Relief

Stress often contributes to drug use and can become heightened during the recovery process. People struggle with chemical imbalances as their brains try to adjust to normalcy without the drug in their systems.

Animals are ideal for stress relief. A 1988 study shows that simply petting a furry friend can lower blood pressure. 84% of pet owners say their pets significantly enhance their mental health.

Nonjudgmental Support

A nonjudgmental approach is essential in recovery. Friends and family should avoid judgment, which can breed defensiveness and make their loved one not want to get better.

While humans are likely to be judgmental, animals never are. They provide unconditional love. A 2009 NIH study discusses how they offer empathy and a family-like bond for people in recovery.

Routine and Responsibility

People in recovery need routine and responsibility to lower stress and develop a sense of self-worth. Pets are ideal in this capacity. Their owners must feed, walk, and care for them, creating a structure that can't be avoided.

Social Connection

Isolation can be deadly in a rehab setting. People who are lonely tend to be depressed and use drugs due to low mood and reduced accountability.

Pets reduce isolation and serve as a conduit for human connection by being conversation starters. A study published in the CABI digital library reveals 88% of Canadians in recovery see pets as a key source of support.

Eases Depression and PTSD

Many people self-medicate to relieve symptoms of mental health condtions like depression and PTSD. While the detox process teaches people to manage these symptoms, the immediate effects of drying out can worsen them in the short term.

Animals ease depression and PTSD and help with emotional regulation, making it easier to make it through the recovery journey.

Benefits Physical Health

Drug and alcohol addiction are detrimental to physical health. People who use drugs often suffer from organ damage, digestive issues, muscle loss, and malnutrition.

Pets help people improve their physical health during recovery by requiring them to clean up after the pet, walk it, feed it, etc. This movement helps achieve higher levels of well-being.

What Services Does a Pet-Friendly Rehab Facility Offer?

Pet-friendly rehab programs vary, so it's important to find out what each offers to ensure it provides an environment suitable for you and your pet. Here are some questions you may want to ask when vetting various facilities:

What Kind of Animals Do You Accept?

Some facilities, like Restore Detox, only accept small to medium well-behaved dogs.

Do You Need Paperwork?

A pet-friendly rehab center may require paperwork, such as:

• Vaccination records

• Proof of a recent vet exam

• Proof of ownership

• Spay and neuter documents

• Behavioral information- to ensure the dog is well-behaved

• Service animal paperwork

• Microchip status

What is Required of Me?

A pet-friendly addiction treatment center typically requires the individual to care for their pet and oversee the pet's behavior. They may ask you to sign a liability waiver promising to provide these services.

What are the Accommodations Like?

The facility may provide private or semi-private accommodations suitable for dogs, with outdoor access. In some instances, they may require the individual to get a private room, often at an additional cost.

Animal-Assisted Therapy

Some pet-friendly treatment centers will include dogs in therapy sessions. They may schedule times for walks, feedings, bonding, and bathroom breaks, helping structure your treatment. Mindful walking, outdoor therapy, and time for reflection with animals may also be included.

Animal Care

Certain pet-friendly addiction rehab programs may include animal care. These services are likely to be available at luxury facilities.

Getting Ready for Your Stay

Bringing a pet along may require some extra preparation before your stay. Here are some tips that ensure you are ready.

• Get your Paperwork in Order: Gather any paperwork the clinic may need.

• Pack your Pet Supplies: These may include food, food bowls, carriers, leashes, harnesses, waste bags, pet beds, medications, and comfort items like toys and blankets.

• Plan Your Daily Care: Consider when you will walk your pet, feed them, and take them for bathroom breaks.

• Make a Backup Plan: Decide what will happen to your pet if you require a brief hospitalization or need to transfer to a facility that doesn't accept pets. Ensure you have a friend or know of a vet or local boarding facility that will take them.

Restore Detox Center Offers Pet-Friendly Care

Restore Detox understands the importance of taking a pet into a rehab facility. We offer a pet-friendly atmosphere with private or semi-private accommodations and access to the outdoors. Our team also offers comprehensive care, from detox to aftercare, and a dual diagnosis approach that addresses the underlying causes of addiction for long-term recovery.

Contact us to learn more about how we can help you achieve your sobriety goals.

FAQs

What pets are allowed in pet-friendly rehab in San Diego?

Most facilities welcome dogs under 35 lbs., cats, and emotional support animals if they are well-trained, socialized, house-trained, and non-aggressive. Each animal will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Is a pet right for everyone in recovery?

Not always. A pet-friendly rehab is helpful if you have a well-behaved pet that calms you, and you can realistically care for it during treatment. If you're medically fragile, experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms, or have a pet with behavioral and medical problems, you may be better off putting them in a boarding facility.

What if my pet has separation anxiety or behavioral issues?

Your pet may experience mild behavioral issues as they adjust to their new surroundings, which can be managed with calming strategies. However, if they have a history of aggression, they may be disqualified. Be honest during the screening process- holding back information may be risky to you and others.

Will having my pet there distract me from treatment?

It can if boundaries aren't clear. A good pet-friendly facility will build in time for care so you can focus on therapy and your pet. Staff members should let you know when it's treatment time and when it's pet time, and they will step in if one starts to overlap with the other.

Can I adopt or get a new pet while I'm in treatment?

Generally no. Pet-friendly facilities are designed for existing pets that have already bonded with their owners. Adopting a new pet during recovery can add stress, responsibilities, and unpredictable behavior. It is typically discouraged until you are more stable.