Real Talk: The Realities of Substance Abuse Recovery
Anyone struggling with addiction is on a dangerous downward spiral. Regardless of the reasons for the initial substance abuse, the individual comes to rely on the substance to get through each day. This means the brain builds up a tolerance to the substance, requiring more to achieve that same feeling of euphoria. This cycle continues until the addicted person has increased the dosage size of the substance to a point at which an overdose is inevitable. Don’t wait till it’s too late. The time to step in and find help for recovering addicts is now!
Addiction Rehab Offers a Way Out
Unlike trying to quit smoking, addicts that try to quit using by themselves are rarely successful. The cravings associated with different types of addiction are often too strong to resist without help and the withdrawal symptoms can present real risks to one’s health. Even when addicts are able to quit without help, their rate of relapse is significantly higher and it may not be long before they start using again.
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The next phase of treatment is recovery, which involves learning coping skills. Recovering drug addicts often participate in one on one therapy and group sessions to discuss their triggers. They learn new and healthier ways for coping with stress and other triggers, while also supporting one another. This type of rehab program offers the best chances for long term sobriety for recovering addicts, but it’s not easy.
The Truth About Addiction Treatment
While there is plenty of information available online regarding the daily routine in a rehab treatment facility, few articles really address the realities of addiction recovery. It’s a very difficult and challenging situation, which can feel demeaning for recovering addicts. It starts with the confiscation of most of the personal items you bring along. This orientation also provides you with materials you’ll use throughout your stay, such as the AA Big Book for alcoholics.
Your days will be very structured with only a few hours of free time each evening. This is necessary to fit in all of the addiction therapy and treatment you require, but also to limit the time you have to dwell on your addiction. When recovering addicts are kept occupied, they have less of an opportunity to dwell on cravings.
There is also a high level of supervision throughout treatment for recovering addicts. Partly, this is done to ensure recovering addicts aren’t finding ways to obtain illicit drugs or alcohol. The supervision also helps identify the medical emergencies that may occur as a result of withdrawal symptoms. For instance, the long-term use of some drugs can damage the heart, raising the risk of heart failure. While the supervision is provided for the benefit of the recovering addict, it can also feel unnerving.
Even though the initial experience can be somewhat frightening as you begin rehab, it won’t take long before you begin experiencing the benefits of treatment. Primarily, recovering addicts find social support extremely helpful. Since the peers you meet in rehab are all struggling with similar problems, it’s easier to open up and share your thoughts with them.
You’ll find that the other recovering addicts have had similar experiences and are capable of understanding your feelings.
While addiction treatment isn’t easy, it’s often the only way to heal and improve your life. In spite of the challenges, you’ll meet other recovering addicts who will offer you the support you need. You’ll also learn new methods for facing fear, frustration, and stress, so you’ll be less likely to turn to drugs and alcohol. By the time you return home, you’ll be sober and ready to start a new chapter in your life.
If someone you know needs help with substance abuse, please find help for them as quickly as possible. Recovering addicts need all the support they can get, so be sure to hang in there and be a good friend to them during the process.