4 Things to Remember in Recovery
Battling drug addiction is never easy. There are many people who want to recover from their addiction but fail to be able to do it on their own. Seeking outside help can make recovery easier. Taking the time to make sure that you approach rehab properly is important. The following guide walks you through a few things to remember in recovery to ensure optimal success throughout the process.
Detoxing is more than just physical
If you have ever tried to stop using drugs on your own, you know that there are physical withdrawal symptoms you experience that can be quite intense. Many people end up relapsing because the symptoms are too much for them to handle. When you go to a rehab facility, there are medications that you can take to minimize the symptoms you experience and make the process far more manageable.
Being able to overcome a physical addiction to drugs is just a part of your recovery process though. You need to consider the reasons why you turn to drugs on a daily basis. Many people don’t realize that they use drugs as a coping mechanism for things that they struggle within their life.
As you detox from the drugs physically, pay attention to the changes in your mood and attitude along the way. Keeping a journal to track the different ways that you feel can make it easier to cope with the mental and emotional issues you feel along the way.
There are mental health professionals at every facility that can help you throughout the rehab process. You need to learn to avoid triggers and handle stress on your own, without self-medicating with drugs or alcohol. Learning coping mechanisms that are healthy is crucial to your recovery.
Every Journey is Unique During Rehab
Rehab isn’t a one method fits all type of program. There are many different rehab options available to make the process fit well for each individual. It’s important to choose a facility that offers a variety of programs for you to try during the recovery process.
There are some people who learn to express themselves through art and music. Having an avenue of self-expression can be great for managing emotions that arise after you recover from your addiction. Some people find that mediation is crucial to managing stress. Exercise such as yoga or parkour can be great for people who have stress or anxiety.
When you are in the programs you need to be willing to try all of the different treatment options that are available to you. Just because you think that something may not be appealing to you doesn’t mean you really won’t enjoy it. Trying everything once allows you to find new and fun ways to enjoy life without drugs or alcohol.
You Are Never Alone During Your Recovery
Another reason that people often fail to be able to recover from drug addiction on their own is that they feel secluded and lonely during the process. They often feel as though others will judge them during the detox process and thus try to sequester themselves away from society.
When someone detoxes from drugs by themselves, the emotions that arise can seem to be even more intensified and harder to handle. Guilt, anger, sadness, and anxiety can all become more apparent when you are no longer depending on drugs to regulate your mood or anxiety levels.
When you go to a rehab facility, you are in the company of others who are battling addiction as well. The staff at the facility can serve as a strong, non-judgmental support system that can make detoxing easier. Being surrounded by others who have battled addiction makes it easier to handle the stigma that comes with addiction because you know you aren’t the only one struggling with it.
Rehab also provides you with the opportunity to get advice from others about how they handle the new emotions that develop when you are sober. You may be able to learn the steps to take to boost your self-confidence or simply mend damage you have caused to relationships in your life.
Having people who support you not only makes recovery easier for you but being able to be a support to others also helps them. Knowing that you are valued and needed is crucial during your recovery.
Recovery Doesn’t End with Rehab
A common misconception about rehab treatment programs is that once you finish, you are going to be clean and sober from now on. That isn’t the case, though. You will have to make a conscious effort to avoid relapsing in the future.
Many people continue to go to the rehab facilities after finishing a treatment program for outpatient treatment. They are able to continue the counseling that they desperately need and go to group meetings so that they can instill proactive measures into their daily life to maintain their sobriety.
You never want to feel like you are on your own when the urge to use strikes. If you are, the likelihood of a relapse will be much greater.
It’s a good idea to go to a rehab facility and take a tour before agreeing to get treatment there. You need to be sure that it feels like a warm and welcoming environment. You want to be able to focus on your sobriety during your treatment and knowing that you are safe and going to be well cared for will prove to be crucial in the end.
Once you find the right treatment facility for you, you need to be willing to be open-minded about the different forms of treatment that are offered to you. Being able to find new ways to handle the stresses of daily life can make sobriety in the outside world much easier for you.
