The first step to recovery is acknowledging the presence of addiction and its effects on daily life. Overcoming a drug or alcohol addiction can be a serious challenge. While the road to recovery involves many steps, the first few are often the hardest. At Harmony Ridge Recovery Center, our experienced team of professionals will be by the patient’s side throughout the entire process of addiction treatment, providing the necessary tools and knowledge to achieve and maintain long-term recovery.
When beginning your journey we know you may have many questions. We have compiled a few common questions and answers that will help you gain more insight into your drug addiction treatment journey, and what to do when you’re ready for help.
Does addiction treatment work?
Yes. People who get treatment and stick with it can stop using drugs. They can change their lives so they don’t go back to taking drugs. They have to try hard. They might have to try many times. Addiction treatment sometimes takes a long time. But treatment does work.
It’s important to get addiction treatment for as long as you need it. If you don’t think your treatment plan is working, ask your doctor if there’s another plan that would work better. It’s important that you meet with your doctor or counselor often to make sure your treatment is right for you.
What are the treatments for addiction?
Counseling and behavioral therapies
Counseling for addiction aims to help people change behaviors and attitudes around using a substance, as well as strengthening life skills and supporting other treatments. This is the most common form of treatment following detox, but what makes it so successful? Counseling and other behavioral therapies focus on the underlying cause of the addictive disorder in addition to behaviors characteristic of the addiction.
Rehabilitation programs
Addiction rehab exists specifically for individuals who have become dependent on drugs or alcohol. Commonly, they will attend a drug rehab clinic to receive treatment for their addiction. Such places will provide extra medical care and support needed to help people who are ready to get clean.
The process from day one to the moment you leave addiction rehab will be both tough and essential to achieving the primary goal, lifetime sobriety. It’s critical that if you truly want to overcome addiction, you’ll need to have a realistic and clear understanding of what to expect during your addiction treatment.
Residential Treatment
Sometimes the best way to treat an addiction is by spending time away from family, friends, work, as well as anything that triggers you to abuse substances. The goal is to create a space where you can focus on getting better without all the distractions of everyday life.
Outpatient Treatment
For those who feel like they have a solid support system in their spouse and their family members, outpatient treatment might be the answer. With this scenario, you are able to live at home while working your program. This treatment option also is a good choice when you are unable to take a long absence away from home or work.
Sober Living Communities
Many times, people who struggle with addiction find it difficult to leave the safety and security of a residential treatment program and immediately return home and try to pick up where they left off. Sometimes, it helps to transition slowly back and sober living communities help people do that.
Self-Help Groups
Support or “self-help” groups can be a vital part of the recovery process for people during addiction treatment. Self-help groups include programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART Recovery as well as family, church, and community networks.
In addition to support groups for people dealing with substance misuse, other groups offer support for their family members and friends. These groups provide advice and encouragement for people whose lives and relationships have been disrupted by substance misuse, as well as those who want to be helpful in their loved ones’ recovery.
Medication
A person might take medication on a continuous basis when recovering from a substance-related disorder and its related complications. However, people most commonly use medications during detoxification to manage withdrawal symptoms. For instance, methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone are often used for people who are addicted to heroin or other opioids. These drugs often help them stabilize their lives so they can change their patterns of behavior.
The medication will vary depending on the substance that the person is addicted to. Medication is not a standalone treatment for addiction treatment and should accompany other management methods such as psychotherapy.
First Steps of Addiction Treatment
Admitting there is a problem.
Of all the first steps to recovery, admitting that there’s a problem is perhaps the most important. Of course, this is easier said than done. Millions of people struggle with substance abuse, but only a portion will ever acknowledge the problem.
How do you figure out if you have a problem with drugs or alcohol? First, you might recognize common signs of addiction like negative consequences of your use in multiple settings, like work, school, and home. It can be hard to admit these facts to yourself, so you might talk to a trusted person about your concerns. Finally, meeting with a qualified addiction professional can offer you more insight and answers.
Acknowledging the benefit of and seeking our professional help.
Once it has been determined that the person needs to get sober, the next step is to reach out for help. There are various sources of support that can help the individual get started in seeking the treatment needed to overcome addiction and get sober. Stopping substance abuse is not a journey that must be undertaken alone. In fact, getting and staying sober is more likely when the person has a trusted support system to help maintain motivation.
With professional support, the individual is more likely to be able to find a treatment program that aligns with the specific factors and elements of that individual’s substance use issues. This, in turn, is more likely to result in the person getting sober and staying that way longer.
Finding the addiction treatment program that works for you.
No matter what type of addiction you may have, every day can feel like a battle. As a result, it is important to find the right treatment program. Although you may feel like there is no way out, recovery is possible if you find the right program for you.
Take it day by day.
Recovery from addiction requires strength, perseverance, positivity, resilience, and a treatment plan that’s personalized to fit your needs and goals. A common saying in Alcoholics Anonymous is “one day at a time” which is a mantra especially helpful to those in addiction recovery who are overwhelmed by the thought of never having another drink or using another drug again, for the rest of their lives. Here are some ways to keep taking your journey day by day during addiction treatment.
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of being wholly a part of the moment or staying present. To stay fully present in times where your mind may wander, try to make a mental list of how each of your senses is being stimulated at that moment. What can you hear/taste/touch/smell/see?
Make a Daily Goal
Goals give us motivation, and guidance as something we want to work towards. Making a small, achievable daily goal will build your self-esteem while giving you the satisfaction of achievement. Try setting a daily goal as identifying one thing you want to actively work on for that day, for example you may set the goal of being a better listener— which you work towards by counting fifteen seconds after a person is done speaking, before you give feedback or accept feedback.
Journaling
Journaling is an extremely helpful skill for introspective reflection. It gives you the opportunity to gain insight from your day without you having to focus on your past or future. Journaling your thoughts, feelings, and ideas as they present themselves during your day will cause you to stay focused on what is happening during this day.
Make a Plan
Sometimes living in the present means taking time to plan for your future. For moments that you find yourself stuck in the past, or worrying about the future, having a plan to help bring you back to the present moment is key.
Addiction Treatment – What next?
Treatment of addiction is not a quick fix. Consequently, it is important that people who struggle with addiction remain in treatment for an adequate period of time. Of course, there is no set time that a person must spend in treatment. Most research indicates that people with addictions need at least three months in treatment to significantly reduce or stop their substance abuse. However, addiction is a complicated problem and recovery is often a long-term, life-long process. The best results occur when treatment is longer.
Has your addiction left you feeling helpless with no way out? Has your loved one’s addiction made them unrecognizable? We understand what you are experiencing and are here to help!
Each patient at Harmony Ridge Recovery Center receives a customized treatment plan tailored to meet the patient’s mental, physical, and spiritual needs. By utilizing a combination of 24-hour medical care and evidenced-based therapies, we have helped countless individuals heal from alcoholism, drug addiction, and co-occurring disorders. Contact our team today to learn about our commitment to your success throughout your addiction treatment.
(888) 771-8372