Addiction is a chronic condition in which the patients involve themselves in drug and alcohol use. People who are addicted to a substance may continue to drink or take drugs despite knowing the potentially serious problems.
Addiction is a brain disorder that can affect every part of your life, including your physical health, mental health, family relationship, employment, and finances.
Once addicted to any type of addiction, it can be challenging for the patients to quit because of its effect on the brain. In some cases, it can also be dangerous for the patients to suddenly stop using the drugs without any medical supervision.
Addiction recovery has never been an easy job. However, because of addiction recovery, many people could live a normal life after being patient of addiction for many years.
What Is An Addiction Recovery?
Addiction recovery is a process of a series of interventions that professionals design to help patients stop abusing substances. Addiction recovery aims to pull out the patients from their addiction phase and bring them back to their normal lives.
Addiction recovery can vary from person to person and the type of addiction they have been into. The duration of the addiction also plays a significant role in determining the effectiveness of the recovery process.
While addiction recovery is important, it can sometimes be dangerous for the patients. When patients are recovering from drugs and alcohol abuse, they tend to show withdrawal symptoms.
A comprehensive approach that involves the following is needed to suppress these withdrawal symptoms.
- Medical detox.
- Behavioral therapies.
- Family therapy.
- Treatment medication.
- Support groups.
- Support from the social services.
The combination of these services will depend on the patient’s particular needs. That being said, you must select only the best detox and rehabilitation center.
The best way to look for the right infrastructure is to go with a brand. With a branded infrastructure, you can get the right recovery treatment facility.
Stages Of Addiction Recovery
The addiction recovery process might seem like a single process from the outside. But, the moment you zoom in, you will be able to see the stages it is divided into.
The addiction recovery process is divided into five stages. Understanding these five stages of addiction recovery can be used for patients and their family members.
Stage 1: Precontemplation Stage
People who are in the first stage of the addiction recovery process aren’t ready yet to start with the addiction treatment program. The patients do not clearly understand the consequences and the harm addiction can do to them.
Someone stays in this stage of their addiction recovery due to the lack of information about the addictive behavior. In fact, most individuals who are in this stage feel that recovery isn’t possible for them.
Stage 2: Contemplation Stage
This phase is characterized by contemplation readiness. That means the patient is ready to accept his current condition and willing to work to bring changes in their life. Unlike the previous stage, the patient is aware of their addictive nature and understands the pros and cons in this stage.
This stage is critical for the family members and addiction treatment facility as they are now willing to listen to their reasons.
Stage 3: Preparation Stage
When it comes down to the preparation stage, the patient shows their willingness to change their lives. For instance, they might have taken steps or actions to change things. Perhaps they have joined a gym or yoga session or seen therapists in an attempt to quit the addiction.
It is normal for people in this stage to go without any substances for days. But, it is also perfectly normal for them to jump back to their old habits. After all, there is no guidance force working on them.
Stage 4: Action Stage
The patients have made significant changes during the action stage and are committed to sticking with the change. This stage can last for a prolonged period as the patients seek help from a professional.
Self-care and self-understanding both are present in the action stage. However, counseling is necessary for this stage so that patients stick with it.
Stage 5: Maintenance Stage
By the time patience reaches the maintenance stage, they have already worked on their addiction. This stage is just to ensure they maintain their new lifestyle.
The maintenance stage can last the longest by monitoring the patient’s behavior and lifestyle. It has been seen that people who have maintained a healthy lifestyle after the treatment in the maintenance stage have truly broken the addiction habit and can solidify the changes.
Benefits Of Addiction Recovery
Talking about the benefits of addiction recovery, there are so many that listing all of them here will be impossible. However, we have tried to handpick some of the most important ones to ensure you understand their importance.
- Breaking The Addiction Cycle.
- Learning The Ins & Outs Of Addiction.
- Digging Up The Underlying Issues.
- Building New Habits & Practices.
- Establishing Healthy Boundaries.
Challenges Of Addiction Recovery
Recovery from any kind of addiction takes time. Completing your detox process and rehabilitation doesn’t come easy. There are a set of challenges that you need to overcome while recovering from the addiction.
- Financial Challenges: One of the challenges you face while recovering is managing your finances. In the process of addiction, it is most likely that you have lost almost every penny. Talk with your financial consultant to have financial guidance in your life.
- Cravings & Triggers: Even after completing the detox process and therapist, you will find that you are craving for the same thing that makes you a patient of addiction. When a time comes when your cravings start surfacing, seek professional help.
- Anxiety & Depression: Anxiety and depression are integral to your addiction recovery. Every individual who is recovering from an addiction encounters this challenge. It can be overcome by speaking to a doctor or a therapist.
The Importance Of Aftercare
Even if someone has completed their treatment and has recovered from the addiction, it doesn’t mean they have been completely cured. Like any other disease, addiction is a chronic disorder that requires major lifestyle changes to keep under control.
Hence, it is crucial for the people who have completed their treatment to maintain their new life continuously.
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