How do I stick with treatment?
Sometimes, you might find that you are having a hard time making it to your sessions with the rehabilitation professional, or doing the homework they assign you. You are not alone. Below, we outline some challenges you may face in trying to stick with your treatment, and suggestions for overcoming them.
Cost
The issue of cost of treatment is outlined in the “How am I going to pay for these services?” section of Chapter 4. If anything changes for you financially that would get in the way of attending appointments, discuss it with your rehabilitation professional to explore possible solutions. If the cost of transportation is a barrier, you can look into whether your disability benefits would cover the costs, or if any local support groups can help to offset the costs. Making plans to run errands before/after your appointment can help you get more value from the cost of your trip.
Accessibility of Treatment
If it is hard to get to your treatment sessions, it is more likely that you will start skipping them. You will want to consider location before you choose a rehabilitation professional – to make sure you can get to and from his or her clinic regularly. If you live in a remote area, you could talk with the rehabilitation professional to see if some meetings can be done over the phone or the internet. Finally, you should speak to your rehabilitation professional and try to work out strategies together, such as fewer in-office visits, but more email check-ins.
Lack of Support
Support can come from a number of places; friends, family, or staff/volunteers at AIDS service organizations and other community organizations are just some places to find support. Support you get from these people and places can take many forms; financial help, favours, someone to talk to, etc. If you find that you do not have the support you need to handle your daily tasks and your rehabilitation work, please discuss it with your rehabilitation professional. They may be able to suggest community groups that can provide what you need, or ways to discuss your issues with your friends and family.