# Ask the gal who has started the process to enter a residential treatment facility **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 6, 2012, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-gal-who-has-started-the-process-to-enter-a-residential-treatment-facility/633824 "2012-09-06T02:43:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2012, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-gal-who-has-started-the-process-to-enter-a-residential-treatment-facility/633824/21 "2012-09-08T00:02:11Z")
> [@belladonna](#): > > Do you have a backup plan in case you are denied admission? > > How much does it cost? I can’t imagine being able to save up enough over four months to live on for the next year or two. Once you’re working, will they take your money? > I’ve been in a similar (but probably much less nice) facility–not by choice–and it was difficult. However, beneath the bullshit there were benefits to be found if you could humble yourself to accept them. To get the new life you really do have to kill the old you, and that bitch can fight. > > Best wishes! The most likely reason for me being denied is that I was unready for their program . I meet all their criteria and then some. I feel I am ready but if they decide otherwise I will continue my life as it is and prepare to go at a later date. I only have to save up travel money, two weeks rent and a bond. I will also have to take in with me enough personal supplies (toothpaste, deodorant, etc.) to last 3 months as I will not be leaving the place in that time. The rest will come out of my pension (75%). Yes my old life need to die. I have been fighting that fight for a while now and I hope that trying something new will work. BTW I should know within a couple of weeks if I am accepted. After I submit my forms a phone interview will be arranged. I would find out not long after that. ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2012, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-gal-who-has-started-the-process-to-enter-a-residential-treatment-facility/633824/22 "2012-09-08T00:05:29Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#): > > Hugs to you as well. (((madrabbitwoman))) > > You mentioned that it is a religious program that involves Bible study and church attendance. How compatible is the program with your personal faith? Faith based rehab programs are somewhat controversial here in the US and there was at least one incident where a believing Christian enrolled in a rehab program run by another Christian denomination with the belief that the denominational difference would be immaterial, and the program turned out to be hours of harassment to renounce his church and align his faith with the beliefs of the sponsoring denomination in the apparent belief by the staff that Accepting Jesus on their (the rehab center’s) terms was what would free him from drugs. They just wouldn’t listen when the guy said that he had already accepted Jesus and wanted help with his drug problem. I am aware of the flavour of Christians they are. I am not terribly worried about what denomination I attend, and I am attending the same as they at the moment (I’m actually going to a couple of different churches - one evangelical and one pentecostal. ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2012, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-gal-who-has-started-the-process-to-enter-a-residential-treatment-facility/633824/23 "2012-09-08T00:08:53Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#): > > What sort of social supports do you have? Spouse, siblings, parents, children, BFFs, or are you pretty much alone? Do they support you going into treatment? I have my parents nearby (not necessarily a healthy relationship), my church family and great neighbours. Also I have mental health services (crappy) and St Lukes (psychosocial rehabilitation - fabulous) ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2012, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-gal-who-has-started-the-process-to-enter-a-residential-treatment-facility/633824/24 "2012-09-08T00:56:19Z")
Are you planning on going there because the other avenues of treatment you’ve pursued haven’t worked? Have you spoken to your doctor about this? What does he/she think? Have you considered or tried ECT? ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2012, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-gal-who-has-started-the-process-to-enter-a-residential-treatment-facility/633824/25 "2012-09-08T02:53:42Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > Are you planning on going there because the other avenues of treatment you’ve pursued haven’t worked? Have you spoken to your doctor about this? What does he/she think? Have you considered or tried ECT? I have tried everything but ECT (though I have been threatened with it). I am not exaggerating when I say I have been on nearly every antipsychotic/antidepressant/mood stabilising drug available My body does not take well to those sorts of drugs and I either get horrible side effects or they just stop working after a while ☹ I will remain on my meds (really huge doses ☹ )while at the facility. I am hoping that if underlying issues are resolved maybe just maybe I wont need to be medicated to within an inch of zombieness. I have so many bloody complicated issues and I fit into no ones nice neat little box ☹ Where I want to go at least promises a holistic approach mind/body/spirit. I have has access to nothing of that type before ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2012, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-gal-who-has-started-the-process-to-enter-a-residential-treatment-facility/633824/26 "2012-09-08T02:55:54Z")
I think it’s a brave thing to do to make this decision. I wish you all the best. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2012, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-gal-who-has-started-the-process-to-enter-a-residential-treatment-facility/633824/27 "2012-09-08T03:34:32Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > I think it’s a brave thing to do to make this decision. I wish you all the best. 🙂 Thanks 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2012, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-gal-who-has-started-the-process-to-enter-a-residential-treatment-facility/633824/28 "2012-09-08T04:04:47Z")
ECT isn’t something to be threatened by, it’s not like it looks in the movies. It’s actually supposed to be an extremely effective treatment, and is used after drug therapy has failed. I’m not trying to proselytize, just educate. There’s a poster around here who created an “ask me” thread about getting ECT, although I don’t remember who that was… maybe it’d be something to consider if your treatment facility approach doesn’t work. I wish you all the best whatever happens, though. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Mama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5ac83/32.png) [@Atomic\_Mama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Mama)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2012, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-gal-who-has-started-the-process-to-enter-a-residential-treatment-facility/633824/29 "2012-09-08T23:46:40Z")
We’ll all be watching you SUCCEED! Best always from someone who has her own issues and problems … still failing now-and-then (i.e. “slips,” relapse), but I keep trying, & IT DOES GET BETTER. (Maybe not easier, though … ☹ ) I HATED the antidepressants. May you be relieved of them as soon as you are able … ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-gal-who-has-started-the-process-to-enter-a-residential-treatment-facility/633824/30 "2012-09-09T23:53:22Z")
You mentioned that you might not be admitted. What could you be denied for? Are there therapy or educational goals that you have to meet before you can be admitted? What’s the purpose of the isolation? You mentioned that you wouldn’t leave for three months and that you would have a restricted amount of phone access. Is this to help keep you focused on recovery? ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-gal-who-has-started-the-process-to-enter-a-residential-treatment-facility/633824/31 "2012-09-10T00:11:23Z")
No questions here either. Just wishing you the best. I’m so sorry about what happened to you. ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-gal-who-has-started-the-process-to-enter-a-residential-treatment-facility/633824/32 "2012-09-10T08:06:20Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#): > > You mentioned that you might not be admitted. What could you be denied for? Are there therapy or educational goals that you have to meet before you can be admitted? > > What’s the purpose of the isolation? You mentioned that you wouldn’t leave for three months and that you would have a restricted amount of phone access. Is this to help keep you focused on recovery? I have to seriously want change and be willing to put in the hard yards to achieve it. The isolation as I understand it is so I can focus on dealing with my recovery and not be worrying about anyone else’s shit. ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-gal-who-has-started-the-process-to-enter-a-residential-treatment-facility/633824/33 "2012-09-11T02:59:39Z")
Well the application is in. They will call me for an interview later in the week. ---
**Author:** ![hamwater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/0ea827/32.png) [@hamwater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hamwater)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-gal-who-has-started-the-process-to-enter-a-residential-treatment-facility/633824/34 "2012-09-11T03:23:05Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > I’m not trying to proselytize, just educate. There’s a poster around here who created an “ask me” thread about getting ECT, although I don’t remember who that was… maybe it’d be something to consider if your treatment facility approach doesn’t work. I wish you all the best whatever happens, though. 🙂 It was **Olives** ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-gal-who-has-started-the-process-to-enter-a-residential-treatment-facility/633824/35 "2012-09-26T23:51:48Z")
So I had the interveiw. It was a lot more in depth than the application form. I had to talk about some really distressing stuff as well as convince them why I should be in their program. I will have an answer on Oct 8. If it goes ahead I will enter the program in February. ---
**Author:** ![gracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8e7dd6/32.png) [@gracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gracer)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2012, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-gal-who-has-started-the-process-to-enter-a-residential-treatment-facility/633824/36 "2012-09-26T23:58:24Z")
It sounds so confusing. Like an application, but it’s hard enough to explain why you’d be awesome for a company. Trying to make a case for why you need it enough but would also be a great candidate…sheesh! Can you tell us some of what you said? How did you (try to) convince them that you should be in their programme? Hope you feel that you managed to say what you wanted to! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2012, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-gal-who-has-started-the-process-to-enter-a-residential-treatment-facility/633824/37 "2012-09-27T00:09:28Z")
Best wishes for you. A somewhat different question: why did you decide to start this thread? ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-gal-who-has-started-the-process-to-enter-a-residential-treatment-facility/633824/38 "2012-09-30T09:52:08Z")
I decided to start this thread because I need to talk about it and hoped it would be interesting. I’m not really making the whole thing public (thanx anonymous internet 😉 ) until I know I have a place ---
**Author:** ![madrabbitwoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@madrabbitwoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madrabbitwoman)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2012, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-gal-who-has-started-the-process-to-enter-a-residential-treatment-facility/633824/39 "2012-09-30T09:58:24Z")
> [@gracer](#): > > It sounds so confusing. Like an application, but it’s hard enough to explain why you’d be awesome for a company. Trying to make a case for why you need it enough but would also be a great candidate…sheesh! > > Can you tell us some of what you said? How did you (try to) convince them that you should be in their programme? > > Hope you feel that you managed to say what you wanted to! 🙂 Well it was a very stressful interview. I had to talk about my history (mental health, drugs/alcohol, self harm, eating disorders, relationships inside and outside my family, physical health, my recent assault short term and long term goals and so on) I think my answer to why I should be allowed in their program was something like : I am determined to succeed in their program and will do whatever it takes. ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2012, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-gal-who-has-started-the-process-to-enter-a-residential-treatment-facility/633824/40 "2012-10-01T12:08:59Z")
> [@madrabbitwoman](#): > > So I had the interveiw. It was a lot more in depth than the application form. I had to talk about some really distressing stuff as well as convince them why I should be in their program. I will have an answer on Oct 8. If it goes ahead I will enter the program in February. Best of luck, and I hope you get the answer you want on the 8th. A somewhat clumsy concern from me though - if they’re convinced you need long term residential treatment,why do they make you wait till February for it? I mean, I know spaces are limited, but it seems if patients need that kind of care, surely there should be more urgency about it, and not leaving them untreated for another 4/5 months? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-gal-who-has-started-the-process-to-enter-a-residential-treatment-facility/633824.md?page=1)