For many of us, our pets are our world. They aren’t just a companion; they also help us feel better when we’re not feeling our best.

That’s why it can be really tough to have to leave your pet behind if you need addiction treatment for drug or alcohol addiction. But with pet-friendly rehab, that’s not a problem. This is why it could be the best option for your substance abuse recovery plan.

In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about this form of care to decide whether it’s right for you. Keep reading to learn more.

What is pet-friendly rehab in California?

A pet-friendly drug rehab center is a substance abuse treatment facility that allows you to bring your pet with you while receiving the care you need to heal. Instead of having to leave your dog or cat at home while seeking treatment for mental health disorders or drug addiction, they’ll be able to come with you.

As you start looking into rehabs in Orange County, pet-friendly options are worth considering if you have an animal. They provide a number of benefits, which we’ve covered in the next section.

What are the benefits of pet-friendly drug rehab centers?

Most people with pets would bring those animals with them to rehab if given the option. But it’s not always immediately clear just how beneficial it can be to do this.

With that in mind, here are three key benefits of pet-friendly inpatient drug rehab.

Reduce your anxiety about treatment

Pursuing residential treatment for a substance abuse problem can be a really scary thing. You have to uproot your life, move into a treatment center, and remain there with minimal contact with the outside world for a month or longer.

This can create a sense of anxiety within people who need treatment, which may prevent them from seeking out the support they need. And that anxiety becomes even more pronounced when you have to worry about abandoning your animal and how they’re going to feel about all of this.

Being able to bring your pet with you reduces a major source of anxiety about treatment. It may be just what you need to feel comfortable enough to pursue the residential rehab you need to heal.

Feel more comfortable with your pet by your side

Having your pet with you during rehab will also help you feel much more comfortable while receiving treatment. It can be challenging to deal with the emotions behind your addiction and the cravings and withdrawals that arise during the early stages of the recovery process.

With your pet by your side, you’ll always have a source of companionship and love to lean on when you need it most. Having access to this kind of support could make it easier for you to get through the treatment process.

Save money

You may even save some money by choosing pet-friendly rehab centers in Orange County. If you had to leave your animal at home, you might have to pay for various types of care, including doggy daycare, pet walkers, and pet sitters.

When you’re able to bring your pet with you to rehab, you can continue taking care of them without having to pay anyone else to do it for you.

What kinds of pet-friendly care are available?

It’s worth mentioning here that there’s more than one type of pet-friendly care available. Here’s a quick look at the different styles of pet-friendly treatment that you can take advantage of while you heal.

Pet-friendly drug rehab

Pet-friendly drug rehab is what we’ve been talking about up until now. It’s when you move into a rehab center, and your pet comes with you.

Pet-friendly sober living

Pet-friendly sober living comes after rehab. You’ll move into a halfway house with your animal so that you can transition back into a normal lifestyle without ever having to leave your pet behind.

Animal-assisted therapy

You can also pursue animal-assisted therapy through treatment centers like Zoe. This style of care involves working with animals to improve self-confidence, treat mental health disorders, and heal.

Pet-friendly rehab FAQs

Still have questions about how pet-friendly treatment programs work? We’ve answered the most frequently asked of them below.

Is treatment in pet-friendly rehab the same as regular rehab?

The treatment that you receive in pet-friendly rehab will largely be the same as it would be in a regular rehab program. For example, you’ll still work with a therapist, participate in group healing sessions, and enjoy the various options for holistic healing offered by Zoe.

The only big difference is that your animal will be living in the facility with you while you’re receiving all of this care. You may even be able to bring them along when you participate in group outdoor activities.

How does pet-friendly inpatient drug rehab work? Where will my animal stay?

At Zoe, your animal will remain in your private room whenever you need to go receive treatment. This is like their own studio apartment, where they’ll have enough space to stretch out and be comfortable while taking a nap and waiting for you to return.

You’ll be able to bring your dog with you sometimes. But there are other times when it’ll be best for your healing journey if they stay behind. Regardless, your pet will be comfortable throughout the duration of your stay with us.

Is pet-friendly rehab more expensive?

No, pet-friendly rehab isn’t inherently more expensive than other styles of rehab. Your cost of care will be impacted more by the kind of treatment you need and how long it lasts than whether or not you decide to bring a pet along.

In fact, you might even save money since you won’t have to pay for a pet sitter, or dog walker or put your animal up in a pet boarding house while you receive the care you need.

Will I get as much out of rehab if I bring my pet along?

Some people worry that their treatment will somehow be diminished if they bring their pets along with them. But most people end up experiencing the opposite. They end up getting more out of treatment by having their animals with them.

This is because animals are a true source of comfort that can make the tough parts of rehab easier for you to get through. You also won’t be distracted by having to worry about them at home throughout your treatment plan. This can help you remain focused on your healing and get more out of the program.

Do pet-friendly rehab centers heal a mental health disorder faster?

Recovering from a substance abuse problem or mental health disorder is a different process for everyone. There’s no evidence proving that pet-friendly rehab centers heal these issues faster than non-pet-friendly options.

Instead, it’s better to think about the benefits of pet-friendly rehab centers in terms of comfort. They may not heal you faster, but they will help you feel more comfortable throughout your care plan. This can help you get more out of the treatment process – regardless of how long it ultimately takes you to complete care.

Are there any drawbacks to pet-friendly treatment?

There are many good reasons to pursue pet-friendly care if you have an animal. But it’s also worth considering a potential drawback to keep in mind before committing to this style of treatment.

When you choose pet-friendly care, it means that your animal will be with you throughout the entire treatment process. That can help you feel more comfortable. But it will also give you something outside of your treatment that you need to focus on during it.

For example, you’ll have to be mindful about taking your dog out for walks and making sure that you spend enough time with them. Those kinds of things can be folded into your treatment plan, but they may also prevent you from attacking the healing process in the same way that you would without an animal by your side.

The vast majority of people end up being extremely happy with their decision to pursue pet-friendly care. But it is worth noting that this style of treatment doesn’t allow you to focus 100% on your treatment plan like some other options do.

Getting started with pet-friendly rehab is easier when you contact Zoe Behavioral Health

Are you interested in getting started with a pet-friendly rehab program? If so, Zoe Behavioral Health can help. We offer personalized pet-friendly rehab options that can help you beat your addiction with your pet by your side.

The first step is reaching out to one of our addiction specialists. They can walk you through your options for this style of treatment and verify that we accept your insurance. Then they can make a personalized recommendation for care based on your unique situation.

So why wait? It could be the perfect treatment option for your recovery journey in Orange County. Get in touch with us today to learn more.

Zoe Recovery Provides many animal-friendly options:

  • pet-friendly rehabs in Orange County
  • dog-friendly rehab
  • cat-friendly rehab