Published: 1/7/2022
One study has shown that 89 percent of people who complete a rehabilitation treatment program for alcohol are sober for a month after the program. Success rates of people staying sober for up to six months after treatment all stay around seventy percent, and even higher.
Getting help for an addiction leads to addicts wanting to get better on their own, so success rates are higher while relapse potential decreases. The right resources can make a difference between life and death in addicts. Going to an addiction recovery center offers professional and individualized advice and resources for people to increase their chances of staying sober.
They gain access to means that help them improve their coping mechanisms and get to the root of their addictions. Keep reading for a guide on addiction signs and how rehabilitation can help.
Addiction is known as a chronic medical disease that is treatable. A number of complex interactions are involved in the process of creating an addict, including brain chemicals, genetics, and environmental factors. Behavior can lead to almost involuntary compulsive actions that result in negative, consequential outcomes.
Addiction appears in many forms, manifesting as alcohol, prescription drug, and street drug addictions. Those who become addicts have a hard time quitting substance use by themselves. They often are misunderstood by those around them, withdrawing into isolation.
There are many signs of active addiction to look out for in yourself and your loved ones. Symptoms can also vary depending on what substances are being abused, the age and weight of a person, and how deep into the addiction they are in.
One sign of addiction to look at is an increased tolerance to the drug. If you need increasingly more of a substance to feel the same effects as you used to, you're likely overusing the substance. Many addicts also have an intense desire to quit their substance use but are unable to do so on their own.
Addicts spend a considerable amount of their time obtaining and using drugs. They also spend much of their time recovering from the debilitating withdrawal effects of substances. Cravings occur as well in situations where you normally or previously would do drugs.
The desire to use drugs as a coping mechanism whenever something inconvenient happens is also very common. Drug addicts become so equipped to use drugs that it begins to affect their personal and professional lives. Work, school, and home life can all be negatively impacted by drug use.
Social interactions may become hostile or negative as a consequence as well. Interpersonal relationships often become damaged from the way a user responds to drug use. Addicts find it difficult to quit even despite these negative repercussions in their personal lives.
Another obvious sign of addiction is the physical and mental toll it takes on you. Depending on the drug, severe illnesses can occur from abusing substances, such as migraines, nausea, and vomiting. Mental health issues that ensue range from depression to insomnia to anxiety.
The many side effects of drug usage vary depending on what drug you take. Some effects occur only during drug use, while others persist for a long time afterward. Short-term side effects include the following.
While these are only some of the short-term side effects, they're a good way to look out for someone on drugs. There are also more long-term effects which include the following.
Every individual's response to a drug's side effects is going to be different. Some people may be good at hiding their drug usage, while others are obvious about it. While these symptoms don't always indicate a drug problem, it's better to be on the lookout than let a problem turn into an overdose.
Some people may be led to have hallucinations, seizures, euphoric feelings, and tremors. Drugs have a way of having similar symptoms in users, but individualized experiences for each person.
Many addiction recovery centers look different depending on what their primary focus is. However, addiction recovery options usually revolve around some type of program that requires you to detox beforehand while focusing on your sobriety during recovery. Some centers pride themselves on giving personalized treatment to get to the root causes behind your trauma.
At an addiction recovery center, you can expect to receive treatment catered toward keeping you sober long term. At a place that focuses on holistic healing, you'll receive the resources necessary to heal your mind, body, and spirit.
Progress House specifically believes in a spiritual awakening being necessary in order to make the proper changes in your life.
Many rehabilitation centers also incorporate the twelve-step system into your recovery plan. A recovery center, while having you go through the twelve steps, will also provide many of the following.
Many rehab facilities have your best interest at heart. They want to provide you with the tangible resources to set your life up for success post drug use. They also aim to get to the root of your underlying issues that have led you to use drugs in the first place.
Without getting to the root of the problem and gaining a new perspective on life, staying sober is very difficult. Even if you enter rehabilitation not wanting to change, the goal is to provide you with enough resources to show you how great sober living can be.
There are many phases to the rehabilitation process. The first one includes going through detox. Sometimes detoxing is dangerous, depending on the substances you'll stop using.
People may need medical assistance to facilitate them during the detoxing process. Even without medical assistance, it's often good to be monitored during the detox process to oversee withdrawal symptoms.
After detoxing, you need to decide, if you haven't already, which type of rehabilitation you'll be going through. There are inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospitalization treatments.
Inpatient treatment centers focus on you getting better outside of the context of your daily life. For people who easily relapse or have toxic home environments, this is a good option. Staff personnel is typically available 24/7 to monitor you and offer support whenever you need it.
Outpatient treatment programs may occur after a patient has gone through inpatient recovery or for those with outside obligations. This can be a good solution for those with short-lived addictions or who have children or elderly parents that need taking care of. It is not optimal for severe, long-term addiction issues and people with dual diagnoses.
Partial hospitalization can sound confusing, but it's a type of outpatient treatment program that occurs in the hospital or the setting of an inpatient treatment program. This can be a great solution for adolescents experiencing addiction issues. It also allows medical staff to monitor patients during the detox phase but who do not need around-the-clock care.
Many processes occur during rehabilitation programs. There are often different types of therapy required, such as individualized, group, and family therapy sessions. The rehabilitation process focuses primarily on the twelve-step system in collaboration with therapy sessions.
Therapy with family members you've wronged and hurt, with others going through similar issues, and by yourself, allows you to heal and learn about the events and behaviors that led to your addiction. Underlying issues may be addressed as you uncover your behavioral reactions and emotional traumas. After you uncover what triggers you, you develop the skills necessary to combat relapse behavior.
This type of revelation usually occurs during reflection or individualized therapy. You get the chance to unpack your trauma while self-analyzing yourself. With the help of a trained therapist, you then develop better skills to manage your time and spend on improving wellness rather than degrading yourself through drug use.
Group therapy is a huge focus at any addiction recovery center. The idea is to be around similar people in similar situations. This helps you feel less isolated and lonely while being able to connect with people who understand what you've gone through.
It can be difficult to relate to family or friends who do not understand addiction. Through group therapy, you gain access to this advantageous opportunity.
Family therapy is beneficial for those who have hurt their interpersonal relationships throughout active addiction.
While family therapy isn't often required, it is a great resource to take advantage of. It can help mend severely wounded relationships while giving both you and your family a chance to share what's on your minds.
Finding the right treatment center can go a long way in your progress in getting clean. For example, you might want to find a place that offers employment services. The Progress House provides these services to work with employers to match you with a job for your skillsets.
Nobody wants to go into rehabilitation and worry about how they're going to make money. In fact, working can help take your mind off the pressure of using drugs. With the proper planning, you can receive services to map out your career.
Some centers provide training in soft skills, resume building, and benefits counseling. Working with a system that allows this can help you get a reliable job that could have been hard to find without the resources.
Having access to medical care is also a necessity. In a facility that provides it, you can get check-ups, blood tests, and care for short or long-term illnesses.
Some people may require medication to help them recover from addiction. This is especially true for people who have a dual diagnosis and need medication for mental illness.
Skills training provides addicts with the tools necessary to take on daily tasks. Some drug users get overwhelmed with day-to-day activities. Having professional, work, and personal skills offers valuable wisdom to properly manage your life outside of rehab.
Coaches and sponsors are also at your expense in recovery. This allows you to get sound advice from someone who has been sober a long time. They provide encouragement and empowerment throughout the process so that you're more likely to stay sober.
After going through the formal rehabilitation process, recovery and aftercare come next. The rehabilitation process can take anywhere from a few weeks, to months, to years. So, it may be a slow process.
Once an addict, unfortunately, always an addict. You'll be spending the rest of your life in aftercare. It's important not to rush through rehabilitation so that you have the means to maintain sobriety for the rest of your life.
Aftercare is usually a personal experience for each addict. Depending on if you have a dual diagnosis, it could involve mental health checks, outpatient therapy, and attending twelve-step meetings after rehab.
It's important to go out there and find an addiction recovery center. One should cater to your individual needs and set you up for success to live your life beyond addiction. The process can be intimidating, but know that at a rehabilitation center, you're getting the best care possible.
To sign up for The Progress House, fill out the application in this link to start your journey to recovery today.
