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IamNotmyBody , 17 Feb 2011

Rehabilitation Retreat?!

I have been dealing with obsessive skin picking, mostly on my face, since at least the age of 14. I have tried individual therapy, group therapy, and hypnosis with no results. At times, I have resorted to pleading with my boyfriend to stay over at my place for a week solid, just because I pick less if someone is with me. If it were possible to go to a two week or three week retreat, focusing on curing dermatillomania, trichotillomania, and nail biting, would you go? How much would you pay for such an option? $1000 per week? What kind of activities would you suggest/expect? I'm thinking daily group therapy sessions, having a system of actively preventing people from picking, and extra just-for-fun activities. This would be a dream come true for me, unfortunately any search for rehab seems to focus on drugs/alcohol. I'd be interested in possibly founding a retreat center if there was enough demand. Any ideas, suggestions, questions? Thank you for any help! Keep up the faith that this too will pass :)
6 Answers
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MsBlueSky
February 20, 2011
Wow, it's really interesting that you posted this now. I just told my councelor that I want to check myself into a rehab program (he said he had never had a patient that was willing to go to rehab, haha). I'm at my wit's end with skin picking, and I don't feel like I have many more options. I need to be in an environment where I'm held accountable for picking so that I can teach myself that it is okay to let a spot go without having to pick it for it to heal. My brain knows that, but my mind wont accept it. I found a place in Mississippi that is for self-injurers and will be covered mostly by my insurance, so I'd only have to pay $800 for a 90-day program, which is a relatively low price for the weight of the situation. And even though it's not specifically for skin pickers, it is for self-injury which shares common symptoms and associated feeling with that of dermatillomania. Try searching for a place like this near where you live. I found that there are actually several great places like it across the country. I think it would be amazing if there was a place like that specifically for compulsive skin pickers, though. I would love to one day contribute to something like that.
IamNotmyBody
February 21, 2011
Thanks so much for this reply! I never thought to look for self-injury retreats (somewhat crazy, but I guess mutilation is a harder word to deal with than just addiction) $800 dollars is almost my monthly rent lol, can I live in that rehab center? I'm so proud of you for finding and committing yourself to get help. I'm absolutely going to try and find a similar center in NJ. What's the name of the center you found, if you don't mind sharing? I think it would be great for other readers to learn about such places. Thanks again!
MsBlueSky
February 24, 2011
I don't know what made me look up self-injury treatments, but I'm glad I did. I'm really hoping I get to go to the retreat. The place I'm looking at is called Pine Grove and is in Mississippi. There is a program called S.A.F.E. Alternatives that looked promising, but when I emailed them, they said that they are temporarily not accepting new patients at the moment. Plus, it's farther away than Pine Grove for me. But I think it's a place worth looking into. Try searching for "self-injury treatment centers" or "self-injury inpatient" I think an inpatient setting would be better than an event that lasts a couple of weeks because it would give the person time to adjust and learn new, healthier habits. I think we crazy pickers need a 90-day TLC fest to get over our self-destructing habits :] And, since experts suggest a minimum of 90 days for addiction recovery, if your insurance will cover most or all of it, there's your living and food expenses for 3 months. For me, I have to tell myself that though I won't be able to make extra money this summer if I go, I certainly won't be spending it, so it's not that much of a loss. If you have any questions or just wanna chat, feel free to message me. Take care! BlueSky
Zoe89
February 24, 2011
I find if I am surrounded by people i dont know well and there is no privacy to pick i cant bring myself to do it in front of people.. I would LOVE to go to rehab. That sounds like heaven.
nomorepickingplease
February 25, 2011
I was thinking about this the other day too! But I'd be worried about coming out of the retreat and just starting all over again! Would be amazing to be in an environment where you physically couldn't pick and with other people who understood.
hottsoup123
February 25, 2011
I would DEFINITELY go. But I can't afford that high of a cost.

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