It can be devastating for a family who hears of a loved one leaving treatment before it’s complete. When a person is leaving treatment early, they make a mistake that can cost them their future. That’s a hard statement to make, especially for those who want to remain sober. Yet, it takes time and a lot of work to make sure that sobriety is possible. At Pines Recovery Life Detox, we’re here to help you over the long term.
Why Is Leaving Treatment a Bad Thing?
Perhaps you went through detox. You did the hard work of breaking your dependence. You’re thinking that leaving treatment early isn’t a big deal. You have a plan, and you think you can do it. The problem is that leaving rehab early means you haven’t learned the skills and strategies to remain healthy. It also means your brain hasn’t healed enough from your addiction. If you are leaving treatment early, you risk:
- Relapse in a short time frame
- Overdosing (it takes far less to make this happen now)
- Intense stress as you try to manage the world on your own
- Limitations on your abilities to heal physically and emotionally
- Further complicated relationships


Leaving Treatment Early Can Happen for Many Reasons
There are a variety of reasons why someone may decide to leave treatment. For example, you may have entered into treatment under the wrong terms, and you feel as though you’ve been forced to do so by family or even the legal system. It wasn’t your choice to be there.
You may be dealing with overall symptoms of addiction that are so impactful and withdrawal that is painful. You may not be able to break through that on your own. You may also be thinking about leaving treatment if you hate being away from your family and friends. You may be alone and scared. Some people do not do well when they do not have the care they need.
Others are battling mental health concerns. You may be depressed or anxious. If you are not receiving care for the mental health disorder you have and your substance use disorder, you may be facing complications.
Finally, some people end up leaving treatment because their expectations were too high. They expected it to be fast and easy or thought they would get to normal life faster. They may not have had realistic expectations from the start about what to expect in therapy.
What to Do When Leaving Treatment Was the Wrong Decision
If you are struggling with your decision to leave treatment early, you need to decide to change. Now that you know what to expect try to create a plan that can help you thrive. For example, at Pines Recovery Life Detox, we offer various treatment options to help you, including outpatient care. That may minimize some of the risks of leaving early. You may also benefit from medication-assisted therapy, which can reduce a lot of your withdrawal symptoms, making them easier for you to manage.
What’s most important is to get the help you need now. That means considering programs like these that can help you:

Choose the Type of Treatment You Need at Pines Recovery Life Detox
Leaving treatment is never the right thing to do unless there is another plan in place. If leaving treatment early is something you’ve done, and you’re ready to find the help that better fits your needs, reach out to Pines Recovery Life Detox. We’re here to help you every step of the way. Call us at 800.263.3869, or contact us online.