Addiction is a globally pervasive threat. The triggers are many and the effects far-reaching, and those suffering with addiction may feel like nothing can help them break free. However, addiction recovery is possible. It is best to seek professional help as you or a loved one walks through the stages of recovery.
Understanding Addiction
The very nature of addiction makes it a difficult challenge to combat. It is a disease of the brain and can be chronic and progressive. The triggers range from things that are ingested (such as food, alcohol, and drugs) to behaviors like shopping or gambling. The hold an addiction has on someone differs from person to person, as do the methods that are needed for recovery.
The Stages of Addiction Recovery
The road to addiction recovery can be long and difficult, but there are many resources available to ease the process. These depend on the stage of recovery the addict is on. While the schools of thought for what those stages are vary slightly, there are five most commonly identified.
Acknowledging the Addiction: Awareness
The first step to addiction recovery is acknowledging the problem. This is sometimes initiated by a “crisis event” which causes an addict to recognize the need to change. Consequently, this stage of recovery is also referred to as “recognition” or “acknowledgement.” The most important part of the awareness phase is that the addict themself decides to take action and make a change.
Making the First Step: Consideration
A significant step in recognizing the need for change is embracing how the addict’s behavior affects those around them. During this stage, the individual considers how the addiction began, just how much need for the substance or behavior governs their choices, and what needs to be done to break free. This is also a good time to come to terms with the fact that professional help is needed.
Addiction Treatment: Exploring Recovery
This stage of addiction recovery begins to delve into understanding what treatment will entail. It involves speaking with friends and family about support opportunities, doing research online, and actively looking for professional help. Here the addict makes goals and plans to shake off the addiction. Trusted loved one should help support the goals, and addicts should not rush through this stage. The mental preparation of setting boundaries and goals is proven to help addicts have a firm resolve throughout recovery.
Finding the Right Treatment: Early Recovery
Early recovery marks the stage of addiction recovery where the addict starts putting the plan in action. This is the opportunity to choose the right kind of recovery program. The most effective for those suffering from substance abuse is inpatient care, where the patient resides at the treatment facility during treatment. In such residential care, patients receive the help and care they need from a professional medical team.
Substance Abuse Treatment
When the addiction in question is to a substance like drugs or alcohol, the first step of medical intervention is a detoxification process. The patient goes without the substance while in residential treatment until the physical dependency is broken. This process ranges from uncomfortable to more dramatically unpleasant.
The body does not always respond well to being without the substance, and being in residential care allows medical staff to be on hand to mitigate the most severe symptoms of withdrawal. These are usually only present for the first three to four days, while more moderate symptoms can linger for weeks as the body adjusts to a clean lifestyle.
Active Recovery and Maintenance: Long-Term Recovery
Once the hills of detox and early active addiction recovery have been surpassed, the journey does not end. In fact, the process of remaining free from addiction never really ends. However, it does become easier, especially with a good support system. After all the effort an addict puts in the effort to break free of addiction, it is vital to have plans set in place to not relapse. Rehab and other treatment programs are helpful for equipping patients with tools moving forward.
Maintenance is an active process, and patients should employ the strategies learned during treatment to combat temptation. It is also wise to ask friends and family for help when patients feel weak in their resolve. Other resources are also beneficial, including family therapy, outpatient counseling, vocational resources, and local recovering communities like AA and NA. The most important thing to remember is that help is available, and those struggling with addiction never have to be alone.
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