How to Overcome an Addiction

Choosing to enter treatment or begin any kind of substance abuse recovery program can be scary, but it is an important step in changing one’s life. The alcohol and drug addiction recovery process can look different for each person and is based on the level of care determined for a person, so treatment is often tailored to the individual.4 Program lengths vary. You may choose a 28- or 30-day, 60-day or 90-day inpatient drug rehab stay or an outpatient rehab program, and you might like to opt for specialized treatment options. Additionally, holistic methods such as mindfulness practices, physical activity, and proper nutrition can contribute positively to the recovery process. Treatment plans are personalized to address both addiction and any co-occurring mental health issues, with a focus on long-term recovery, relapse prevention, and aftercare support.

A strong support system, adherence to an after-care plan, a recovery-friendly environment, and seeking help during stress reduce the risk of relapse. Research shows that when treating addictions to opioids (prescription pain relievers or drugs like heroin or fentanyl), medication should be the first line of treatment, usually combined with some form of behavioral therapy or counseling. Medications are also available to help treat addiction to alcohol and nicotine. At every step of the way, support from friends, peers, and family is useful, but there are also many services and organizations that provide guidance., and many can be accessed through Recovery Community centers. Mindfulness training, a common component of cognitive behavioral therapy, can help people ride out their cravings without acting on them.

You can learn to manage sober house your problems without falling back on your addiction. When you’re confident in your ability to quickly de-stress, facing strong feelings isn’t as intimidating or overwhelming. Whatever treatment approach you choose, having positive influences and a solid support system is essential.

Mental Health

There are several ways people in recovery can avoid relapse, but one of the most well-known is HALT. Additionally, these programs offer essential resources, a nurturing community, and aftercare services that aid in preventing relapses. Remember, overcoming addiction is a lifelong commitment, and maintaining sobriety requires ongoing effort.

recovering from drug addiction

Services

  • Oake has dedicated the 14 years since to helping families avoid the same heartbreak his did.
  • Stopping drug use is just one part of a long and complex recovery process.
  • When people take drugs, the brain is flooded with chemicals that take over the brain’s reward system and cause them to repeat behaviors that feel good but aren’t healthy.
  • Dehydration can make you feel tired, foggy, and unwell, so drinking water regularly is essential.
  • Many people attend support group meetings, volunteer or pursue a spiritual calling, but everyone is different.
  • Shortly after substance use is stopped, people may experience withdrawal, the onset of unpleasant physical and psychological symptoms —from irritability to shakiness to nausea; delirium and seizures in severe cases.

The costs of avoiding treatment far outweigh the costs of rehab. Low-cost or state-sponsored treatment facilities are effective, but they often include few amenities and have long waiting lists. Luxury treatment centers provide high-end accommodations, but the bill for one of these centers is much larger than for a standard facility.

There are some friends who are better left behind—those who are linked to the addictive experience. People in the throes of addiction are not capable of the best form of friendship. Further, those friends can serve as a cue that sets off drug craving and challenges the recovery process. Guilt refers to feels of responsibility or remorse for actions that negatively affect others; shame relates to deeply painful feelings of self-unworthiness, reflecting the belief that one is inherently flawed in some way.

Recovery

  • If you or a loved one is ready to take action and start the drug and alcohol recovery process, you’ve already started the stages of change and may be looking for treatment options.
  • Unlike experimentation, regular use often involves dependence on the drug in attempting to achieve certain results, such as the reduction of anxiety or enhancement of a social event.
  • When participants are judged to be at risk based on this assessment, tailored feedback is provided.
  • Family members often have their own emotional problems that come from coping with their loved one’s addiction.
  • A small group of adolescents relapsed when facing interpersonal difficulties accompanied by negative emotions and social pressures to drink or use.

Over time, reward circuits regain sensitivity to respond to normal pleasures and to motivate pursuit of everyday activities. Areas of executive function regain capacity for impulse control, self-regulation, and decision-making. Gaining the skills to avoid relapse is a necessary part of the recovery process. At least equally necessary is developing in a positive direction out of the addiction. The key is cultivating new goals and taking measures to move towards them. The motivational force of new goals eventually helps rewire the brain so that it has alternatives to the drive for drugs.

What Is the Treatment of Addictive Behaviors?

It’s also vital to recognize that experiencing a relapse is a common aspect of the recovery journey and should not be viewed as a failure. A person’s support system may also play an important role in recovery and the avoidance of relapse. Family counseling and therapy sessions may help loved ones to better understand the disease of addiction and learn to recognize potential relapse triggers and ways they can support in those instances. Communication skills and the overall family dynamic may improve through family therapy as well. Effective treatment and rehabilitation for addiction involves a blend of tailored programs, medication support, and therapeutic interventions. Here’s a closer look at the various types of treatment programs, medication-assisted treatment, and the role of therapy in addiction recovery.

recovering from drug addiction

Additionally, seeking professional help like therapy can support your emotional and mental growth. Community-based resources, including therapy centers and local organizations, can provide additional support and structured activities. Volunteering or engaging in community projects can also give you a sense of purpose and connection, reinforcing your commitment to sobriety. Family therapy is also important, as it helps heal relationships and provides a support system for recovery.

These changes in the brain also affect impulse control and judgment, which makes quitting that much more challenging. Individualized treatment programs delivered in a comfortable, relaxed setting promote healing in your recovery journey. Unfortunately, relapse is a part of the recovery process for many people. This doesn’t mean treatment failed, but it could signal treatment may need to be resumed or adjusted. This page will define relapse, go over some of the reasons it happens, and discuss relapse prevention techniques. Your path to sobriety is unique, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Anticipate Changes in Relationships

The following advice can help you no matter where you are in the recovery process. Between 40 and 60 percent of people recovering from addiction relapse, but that doesn’t mean all progress is lost. Therapy teaches people how to manage relapse, and support helps decrease the severity of relapse when it occurs.

What is the best treatment for addiction?

You, nor your loved one, are under any obligation to commit to a Treatment X treatment program when calling the helpline. Get training resources, and access webinars and publications on recovery and recovery support. Find the latest grant announcements on SAMHSA’s effort to address recovery support.

In intent-to-treat analyses, patients assigned to the RMC group, compared to those who received standard treatment alone, had fewer quarterly assessments in which they were found to be in need of SUD treatment. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in substance-related problems per month or in total days of abstinence. Telephone continuing care appears to improve outcomes consistently for individuals with AUD.

How you start your day sets the tone for everything that follows. A positive morning routine can help you feel more energized and focused. Managing your finances is a crucial step to building independence and stability in your recovery. Big goals can feel overwhelming, so break them down into smaller, daily tasks. The https://www.inkl.com/news/sober-house-rules-a-comprehensive-overview more you’re able to accomplish, however small you might see it, the more clearly you’ll be able to see the path towards the future you want.

It might feel as though you’re losing an old, loyal friend, but remember how dysfunctional the relationship was and the hell you went through at the end. Every recovering addict goes through this mourning phase and emerges in a happier place. Remember, everyone’s different—just be honest with yourself about how you’re doing and use all the recovery tools you find helpful.