Telephone phobia . . . is that a real thing? According to Psychology Today the fear of making phone calls and talking on the phone is in fact a real phobia. It may sound silly to some, but a lot of people (attn.: millennials) experience mild to intense anxiety when making a phone call. That anxiety is most likely heightened when the phone call is directed to a detox program.
Confronting addiction can be scary and overwhelming for both the addict and loved ones. You may not fully understand the disease or you may be a detox veteran. Either way, if you feel uneasy about reaching out to an alcohol or drug detox program, you’re not alone. It’s important to remember that making the decision to reach out is the right thing to do. And we’re here to make the process easier and help you feel more comfortable.
Tips:
1. Relax
Making the decision to find a detox program is scary. We completely understand. But it’s also a great thing. You’re making the decision to get yourself (or a loved one) help. Understand that at alcohol and drug detox program facilities like New Start, talking to people suffering from addiction is what we do. So try to relax and stay calm so that we can get you the help you need.
2. Be honest
Addicts are used to lying and manipulating to get to their drug. It’s not their fault; it’s just the way addiction works. But now, the best thing you can do to when talking to a drug detox program is to be honest about your struggle. Detox facilities will ask questions about your drug of choice, the amount you use, and if you have any withdrawal symptoms. Try your best to honestly answer the questions. Honesty will help us help you.
3. Understand your insurance
A lot of inpatient drug detox programs work with insurance policies. However, most of them will likely have some sort of limitations. For example, New Start is happy to work with your insurance, but we currently do not work with MediCal. It will save you time and frustration if you know and understand what type of insurance you have prior to calling a detox facility. That way, you’ll know what to tell the facility if they ask if you have insurance. But don’t be discouraged if you don’t have insurance or if you think a detox program won’t work with your insurance. Most programs will have a discounted out-of-pocket price.
4. Think about what you want out of a detox facility
All detox programs have the same goal: detoxing clients of their current drug(s) of choice. However, the way each one goes about that can vary extensively. New Start, for example, is a smaller detox facility that is completely focused on each person as an individual. From Tempur-Pedic beds and a private chef to 24/7 on-site staff and daily groups and meetings, it’s our goal to guide clients through the detox period with individualized support and comfort. These are some of the things you should think about when you’re looking for a detox facility. Knowing your options and thinking about your wants and needs will guide you to ask the questions that are important to you.
5. Research different types of drug detox programs beforehand
Of course, you can always call a facility like New Start and let them guide you in the right direction. But it also might help to do a little research about what kinds of detox programs are out there. That way you’ll have a better understanding of what you might need and what you’re comfortable with. You can read about finding the right drug detox program for you here.
6. Don’t worry if you don’t know
It’s okay if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for. It’s also okay if you’re still unsure about entering an alcohol or drug detox program. Sometimes it helps just to talk to someone who knows and understands what addiction and recovery is like. Most detox facilities are happy to listen and guide you in the right direction.
Calling a detox program won’t cure you of telephone phobia, but it will guide in the right direction to get help for addiction. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 855-737-7363 if you or a loved one is struggling with addiction. We also have a live chat if you feel more comfortable chatting online. Just remember that simply reaching out is a huge step in the right direction and can even save someone’s life.