Can You Drive Your Own Car To Inpatient Drug Rehab?

When traveling to an inpatient rehabilitation center for substance abuse, most people get rides from loved ones, ridesharing companies, or public transportation. However, you might want to drive your own car. 

While driving your own car might sound convenient, it’s not always allowed. In addition, even if you can bring your own car, you might have to follow certain rules.

Can You Drive Your Own Car To Inpatient Drug Rehab?

It depends on the treatment center. 

Before driving your own car to rehab, talk to a specialist at your rehab facility. They will explain the facility’s policies on motor vehicle use. 

You should also ask about their general policies on packing for rehab. Most facilities prohibit a number of items, including electronic devices, sharp objects, and unsealed prescription medications. 

Bring ID Either Way

Whether or not the center lets you drive your own car, you should bring your driver’s license as a valid form of identification. Other valid forms of ID include U.S. passports, state-issued ID cards, and military-issued ID cards.

Consider If It’s Safe To Drive

Even if your rehab center lets you drive your car, consider whether you are capable of safe driving. When heading to rehab, you might experience fear, sadness, and other intense emotions that make it difficult to focus. 

Moreover, if your addiction is severe, you might be tempted to use drugs while driving. This behavior puts you and others at serious risk of injury and death. 

Due to the risk of impaired driving, most centers that let you drive your own car make you hand over your keys once you arrive. You will get them back once you complete treatment. This rule helps reduce impaired driving accidents.

The Risks Of Impaired Driving

Impaired driving occurs when you drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. The most common type of impaired driving is alcohol-impaired driving. Each day, about 37 people in the United States die in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes. 

In 2020, alcohol-related deaths accounted for 30% of all traffic-related deaths in the U.S.

Alcohol increases your risk of fatal car crash by causing physical and mental impairments. These impairments include:

• poor judgment
• trouble concentrating
• slowed reaction time
• loss of coordination

Other drugs can have similar effects on drivers, including marijuana, heroin, and prescription opioids. 

Other Ways To Get To Rehab

If your rehab center won’t let you drive your car, or if you don’t trust yourself to drive safely, you have other options, including rides from loved ones, rehab transportation services, ridesharing companies, and public transportation.

Rides From Loved Ones

When recovering from substance use disorder or any other medical condition, you need emotional support. 

That’s one reason why many people ask family members, friends, or caregivers to drive them to rehab. These individuals can encourage and comfort you as you get ready for your life in treatment. 

In addition, getting a ride from a loved one is usually the cheapest transportation option (though you may need to pay for gas).

However, some people don’t have supportive loved ones. In that case, you should avoid this option, as it might make your emotional state even worse. 

Rehab Transportation Services

Some rehab centers offer transportation services. Generally, these services involve calm, quiet vehicles with drivers trained to treat you with compassion and patience. In most cases, the driver will both pick you up for rehab and drop you off at home afterward.

This service may cost you extra. However, if your insurance covers your rehab stay, it may also cover the facility’s transportation services.

Many facilities only offer transportation services on certain days or at certain times of day. Also, they might not be able to pick you up if you live too far from the treatment center. 

Ridesharing Companies

Some people get to rehab using taxis or ridesharing apps like Uber and Lyft. While ridesharing is convenient, it can get very expensive if you live too far from the treatment center. Luckily, some ridesharing companies offer free or discounted services for people traveling to rehab. 

Public Transportation

Like ridesharing, public transportation might cost a lot if you don’t live near your rehab facility. 

Some people also find this option overstimulating, especially if the bus or train is crowded. Large crowds and loud noises might worsen any anxiety you feel about seeking treatment. However, if you have no other options, public transportation is a reliable way to get to rehab.

To learn more about addiction treatment programs, please reach out to Ohio Recovery Center. Our board-certified healthcare providers offer medical detox, mental health counseling, and other evidence-based treatments to help you or your loved one thrive.