What is Recovery from Addiction?
Guideline for long-lasting recovery from drugs and alcohol
The first step in recovery is learning and deciding that there is a need for change. Maintaining sobriety takes many steps to find long-lasting recovery. First, you have to realize that there is a problem that needs to change. Are you ready to start your recovery?
*Learn what treatment options are available.Deciding that addiction recovery is needed and you want to make a change is the crucial step in recovery. No matter what brought you to the decision that you need to make a change for the better, making the decision to change is the only thing that really matters. For some of us, it takes us landing at some sort of rock bottom that we feel is as low as we will allow ourselves to get in order to feel the need to change our alcohol or drug habits.
*Find help and support.
*Make your sobriety last by building a purposeful life
*Never lose hope
*If you fall bac,k pick yourself up and start again
If so, give us a call toll-free for immediate help in finding a drug rehab or treatment center for you or a loved one.
Making lifestyle changes and breaking behavioral habits
Changing your habits can be a lot harder than it seems. Humans are creatures of habit, and making habitual changes has to start with changing the way you think and how you act on thoughts that you cannot control. These are simple changes that you can implement to help your recovery.*Find ways to help you manage stress.*Change your friends to those who support your newly found sobriety.
*Rediscover what you like to do for fun.
*Change how you view yourself.
Finding treatment options and support
Some people will make the decision to enter into treatment themselves. There are a few different options available for the treatment of addictions. Choosing to get help to handle addiction to drugs or alcohol can be a critical second step in the recovery process.
Inpatient treatment centers: Residential drug treatment programs can include long-term programs, short-term programs, and many different specialized treatment options. Receiving treatment for addiction at an inpatient drug rehab center allows the individual to recover in a loving and caring environment while receiving treatment for their addictions.
Outpatient treatment programs: Outpatient therapy for addiction is a style of rehabilitation that sets treatment scheduled on a regular basis, from daily meetings and therapy to once a month, depending on the level of care you choose. Some of the other types of outpatient treatment include partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient treatment, which are mainly used for people who need medical care and psychiatric treatment while undergoing a substance abuse treatment program. These types of programs are heavily monitored and oftentimes, accompanied by sober living arrangements to offer a better level of support than a traditional outpatient program.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs: Most dual diagnosis treatment centers are inpatient treatment with a heavy focus on mental health and underlying mental health problems that have not been previously addressed. Treatment at these centers is usually longer than the typical 28-day treatment center.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programs: Most dual diagnosis treatment centers are inpatient treatment with a heavy focus on mental health and underlying mental health problems that have not been previously addressed. Treatment at these centers is usually longer than the typical 28-day treatment center.
12 Step Programs: Many of the programs that help people recover from drugs or alcohol will incorporate the 12 steps to recovery. Twelve-step programs help people who are struggling with addictive behaviors. Twelve-step programs like AA, NA, and CA offer support for the individual in the form of meetings and fellowship with people striving to remain drug or alcohol-free.
It doesn’t matter what program you choose for your treatment; you will need help in recovery to avoid common pitfalls in early recovery. Talking to your friends and family about your intentions to change your life is the important third step in recovery. Trying to hide your recovery can make things more difficult for you, your friends, and your family. Knowing that people will support you may encourage you, and you should welcome help in your time of need. You need to take charge of your recovery and be very proud of the fact that you are changing your lifestyle habits for the better.
Find recovery groups
There may be cases when the family or friends contributed to your addiction problem either directly or even indirectly (enabling you to be addicted). In these cases, it is extremely important to find like-minded people to help with support and introduce you to new social outlets that support recovery.
Making Lasting Sobriety
Getting free from drugs or alcohol through a drug rehabilitation program is a great first step in recovery, but managing your recovery can take planning and execution of the aftercare program you have set up for your return home.
Know your triggers and learn to manage cravings.
One of the biggest parts of early recovery is learning to manage cravings and the thoughts of using again. Being able to identify triggers and environments and staying away from people who are using drugs or alcohol will help you stay on your path of recovery.*Make sure to avoid places where drugs or alcohol are present.
*Avoid people with who you used to drink or use drugs.
Enroll and follow through with your aftercare program. Aftercare programs can include some or all of the following groups or programs.
*Support groups*Halfway or sober-living houses
*12 step recovery programs
*Continued outpatient care
*Find activities and hobbies that you enjoy and give you a sense of well-being.
The final step in recovery is the rebuilding of a new life without the need for drugs, alcohol, or any addictive behaviors. This is not as simple as it seems. We are habitual beings that can fall back to what we feel is a safe place. Some people feel the need to give back and volunteer in their community, and others take up hobbies and activities to fulfill their fulfillment.
Setting reasonable goals and following through until they are completed to our satisfaction fuels us for the next challenges ahead. Life takes a lifetime to complete, so do not rush into anything too fast. Take your time and make sure that the decision is best for you and not the best right now.
What to do if you relapse after going to treatment
Relapse can be a part of some people’s recovery, but this is not always the case. If you find that you have fallen back to your addictive behaviors, you know what to do to pick yourself back up. You have all the tools that you need to get yourself back on track for recovery.
Relapse can be caused by many things, but the most common cause is boredom. Being an addict can have a great impact on your social life and, in some cases, need as much time as a full-time job. That is a lot of time to fill, so getting into aftercare and managing your time in order to include some activities that you enjoy on a daily basis will help you stay the course of recovery. If you are ready to start your recovery program, give us a call to find the substance abuse program that is right for your needs while enrolled in a drug rehabilitation program.
How We Can Help
Please contact us by phone for immediate assistance. This is a necessary step in beginning the recovery process for yourself or a loved one. Our addiction treatment specialists and staff have over 25 years of experience in helping people find effective and affordable treatment for all addictions. What you tell us is completely confidential. We are HIPAA compliant. We are here to answer your questions and to get you (or a loved one) into treatment today. For immediate intake, call us now.1-800-513-5423
Sources
NIDA Recovery
Recovery and Support
Recovery Resources
NIDA NIH
Erik Epp – Content Author
Summary
Service Type
What is Recovery from Addiction?
Area
Nationwide service for helping people become drug free.
Description
Learn what recovery from addiction is, and how we can help you start your road to recovery today. Give us a call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 1-800-513-5423
