Can I Bring My Pet to Addiction Treatment?

Our pets represent a constant source of unconditional love, support and devotion. Whenever anything else is going bad in our lives, as it so often tends to during active substance abuse, we can rely on our pets to provide at least some sense of stability, affection and reinforcement that there’s still good in the world. In return, they require little more than some stability, love and control of their own.

The problem is that you’re in no position to actively take care of an animal, or anything else, while your life is being dominated by alcohol and drug abuse. Fortunately, there are ways to bring your pet to treatment as you work toward recovery. Recovery Unplugged offers pet-friendly addiction treatment options for those who can’t or don’t want to leave their companion animals at home as they overcome their substance use disorder.

What Kind of Pet Can I Take to Rehab?

Drug and alcohol treatment centers that allow pets generally permit dogs, cats and other select companion animals, as long as they’re well behaved and their owners are able to clean up after them, feed them and continue to provide adequate care. Recovery Unplugged allows pets in our residential treatment programs to help our clients maintain a sense of control and familiarity during what is an admittedly difficult transitional period.

Our pet-friendly drug rehab centers in Florida and Texas provide safe, supportive and nurturing environments for both you and your companion animal. Contact our admissions staff to discuss your specific situation and what kind of pet you or your loved one would like to bring to our treatment facilities.

Benefits of Bringing Your Pet to Treatment

One of the common reasons why many people say they can’t enter treatment for addiction is because they have nobody to take care of their pets. Being able to integrate them into your treatment experience eliminates the need to find someone to take care of them additional benefits include:

• Accountability – Having your pet in treatment gives you a continued sense of purpose and responsibility. It keeps you in a routine when everything else in your life is still on relatively shaky ground.
• Familiarity – As necessary as it is, treatment can be scary and confusing, at least during the first few days. Having your pet in treatment allows you to maintain some connection to your home without having to stay entangled in the people, places and things that can lead to and sustain addiction.
• Overall Health – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights multiple physical and psychological health benefits of pet ownership, including Decreased blood pressure decreased cholesterol levels, decreased triglyceride levels, decreased feelings of loneliness, increased opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities, increased opportunities for socialization.

Don’t wait until it’s too late to get help for your alcohol or drug abuse. Your pet doesn’t care what you’ve done; only what you’re capable of. Get the help you need now so you can get back to enjoying a rewarding and fulfilling life with your companion animal and the people you love. Contact Recovery Unplugged today to learn more about our pet-friendly addiction treatment options.