Getting treatment can be difficult if you are in college and have a mental health or addiction disorder. There are many things to consider when seeking help for a mental health or addiction disorder. You may wonder how it will affect your schoolwork. What treatment programs will help you manage your needs and attend school? You might wonder if you should drop out of school temporarily or permanently. Knowing the answers to these questions will help you make the best decision for yourself and your future.
Addressing the Issue
If you are struggling with a mental health or addiction disorder, then you will want to address the issue as quickly as possible. Don’t wait until things get bad to seek professional help.
The right treatment will help you create a healthy environment for yourself and others. It also helps you be upfront about your situation with everyone involved. Reaching out to friends, family, and peers can create a support network to ensure that your well-being comes first. Therefore, when you need more support, you will have the resources to help with challenges navigating school and treatment.
How Long Will Treatment Last?
The length of your treatment program can vary based on the severity of your mental health or addiction disorder. For example, if you have an alcohol problem and struggle with depression simultaneously, it may take a more involved treatment to address these co-occurring disorders.
Consider choosing a treatment center that offers transitional living options so that once treatment is complete, there will be somewhere safe for you to live while you adjust back into society.
Having a Conversation With Professors
If you have a mental illness or addiction disorder and are concerned about how your treatment may affect your academic performance, it might be helpful to talk with your professors. Let them know that you are going through treatment. Of course, you only need to tell them what you’re comfortable telling them. Sometimes, letting your professor know can allow for more flexibility with deadlines and attendance. They may also be able to provide guidance for campus resources, such as group meetings for students managing addiction and mental health disorders.
Setting Goals
Creating goals is a great approach to keeping you structured, motivated, and accountable. Some things to remember when setting goals include:
- Set goals that are realistic
- Smaller achievable goals help you realize the larger goals
- Set goals that help lend structure
- Share your goals with a trusted friend or family member to stay accountable and motivated
Manage Your Schedule
You should also avoid scheduling classes on days where you have appointments that cannot be moved, such as group or individual therapy sessions or medical check-ups. If you can’t get your professors to change the time of your classes, consider looking for another class scheduled during a time that works for you. You might also want to ask if there are any accommodations available so that you can keep pace or catch up on missed work.
Taking Time Off
Taking a semester off from your studies may allow you time to get back on track with medication and therapy so that when it comes time for college, your symptoms won’t be as severe as they were before taking this break. Taking an extra year after high school could allow you more time to figure out what options would work best for you. Sometimes, having such serious issues makes it difficult for someone who isn’t suffering from these same problems to understand what needs to be done. You can use this time to:
- Consult a professional
- Find an appropriate diagnosis and treatment
- Educate those around you about what you are experiencing
Recovery Is Possible
It’s important to remember that recovery is possible even while attending college or university. The first step on the road to recovery is accepting that you have a problem and reaching out for support. It’s also important to have a plan. Such plans might include anything from joining an addiction treatment program to changing your diet and exercising. Having a backup plan will also help you stay motivated when temptations arise during stressful times in your life. For example, while studying for exams or working multiple jobs.
Regardless of how challenging life may become, it’s critical that you remain flexible with yourself and others around you so as not to lose sight of what matters most. What matters most is maintaining your health throughout this process. Your honesty about where things stand today will help you find a treatment plan that is right for you.
In order to ensure you have a successful college experience, it is important to stay organized and know your limits. This requires working toward your goals one day at a time. At Excel Treatment Center, we understand that there are always steps you can take when things get tough. We can help guide you through the process, helping you develop tools to navigate treatment and recovery and help you determine if your school has resources available for students managing a mental health or addiction disorder. We will also help you establish a healthy support network of friends, family, and peers that will keep you motivated and accountable. If you or a loved one needs help, don’t wait; reach out for help today. To learn more about our evidence-based programs, please contact Excel Treatment Center today by calling us at (833) 883-9235.
