Does the prospect of recovery from drug addiction seem daunting? If you’re considering starting your recovery journey, it may seem like the odds are against you. But millions of people have done it before, and there are concrete steps you can take. This guide will detail these steps so that you’re no longer flailing in the dark.
The choice to seek treatment for drug addiction is seen as more complicated than it should be. Despite decades of medical consensus that addiction is a disease, many people still consider it a moral failing. People struggling with addiction often deny themselves treatment due to an undeserved shame that makes them think they should be able to stop using substances through willpower alone.
Recovery can also seem scary from the outside, especially since few people know quite what to expect. But willpower is not the problem addicts are struggling with, and while recovery takes effort, most people end up appreciating the process.
We’re here to explore why to seek recovery from drug addiction and to demystify the treatment journey.
Why Seek Treatment for Drug Addiction?
The clearest evidence that you have an addiction problem is that you are facing negative consequences for your drug use but cannot stop using. Does this sound like your experience?
The fact that you are considering getting treatment for addiction indicates that you are struggling to some extent. You may feel physically unwell and emotionally vulnerable. You may be making mistakes at work or school and fighting with the people you love.
Whatever the case is, things are going wrong in your life and drugs seem to be at the root of the problem. But does that mean you should seek treatment?
You Deserve Help
There is a common misconception that addiction is the individual’s fault and that they should face the consequences without help. But addiction is a disease, even if your first time using drugs was a conscious decision.
Think about it in terms of physical issues. Let’s say you’re climbing a ladder to fix your roof and fall and break your leg. You’re going to seek help immediately. You might wonder if you could have done more to prevent the accident – maybe you weren’t taking the necessary precautions – but that won’t prevent you from going to the emergency room.
Addiction is no different. Regardless of why you initially used drugs, you did not decide to become addicted. Visiting a health professional is, however, a decision you can make so as to improve your life and the lives of your loved ones.
Make the Choice
Recovery from addiction requires more than simply agreeing to get treatment. While it may begin this way, you need to make the choice to get better. If you’re not ready to do so now, that does not mean you should defer treatment. Take the first step, but be ready to ask yourself time and again if you are ready to fully commit.
Choose a Primary Course of Treatment
Addiction treatment is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. On the contrary, everyone’s process is different. What works for one person may not work for another.
Furthermore, your circumstances may not allow for certain kinds of treatments. As we will discuss, residential or inpatient treatment is ideal, but it might not be possible for you to choose this route, whether because of a lack of access or other insurmountable barriers.
Your first step is to review the treatment options available. In order to help you make the most informed decision, here is what you need to know.
Detoxification
Regardless of the route to recovery that you choose, you will need to start with detoxification from drugs. Substances change how your body acts, as it becomes dependent on drugs to perform certain functions. Going cold turkey can lead to severe withdrawals that can be dangerous.
This is why you should attend a detox under medical supervision, whether at a dedicated detox center or at a comprehensive drug rehab. Doctors will be on call to ensure that you are safe and as comfortable as possible.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient or residential rehab refers to treatment programs during which you stay at the treatment center. This is considered the most effective form of treatment. During residential treatment, you experience different types of therapy in the ideal environment for recovery. You are surrounded by people working towards a shared goal and have the time and space to grow.
The best rehabs are staffed by certified medical and addiction experts with extensive experience. They have the skills to provide effective treatment, customized so as to best serve every client./
During inpatient rehab, you will attend the following types of therapy:
1. Individual Therapy
You will be assigned an individual therapist to explore the roots of your struggles with substance use. Addiction is not borne in a vacuum but emerges from a combination of nature, nurture, and personal circumstances.
In many cases, addiction is not the only illness the person is struggling with. Co-occurring disorders, including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and more, are common. Your individual therapist will help you identify the underlying issues and learn skills to manage difficult emotions.
Therapists at rehab centers have a toolbox with different methods which they can use when appropriate. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and psychoanalysis are all effective on the road to recovery.
2. Group Sessions
In addiction recovery, group sessions play a major role. Individual therapy helps you dig deep into your psyche and learn important skills, but group therapy gives you a chance to put those skills into practice by communicating effectively and managing your feelings in the moment.
You will be interacting with others who all have their own difficult experiences to unpack. The therapist will help you learn to empathize without internalizing their struggles, which many addicts tend to do.
You may also be having a hard time finding belonging, especially if your relationships have become dysfunctional. In group sessions, you find acceptance, commiserating with others who have gone through similar experiences.
3. Family Therapy
Addiction affects whole families, as everyone becomes involved in the dysfunction. They do so in different ways, and the family system becomes a constellation of unhealthy relationships. This is not something that simply goes away when the person starts recovery.
Families are often invited in for family therapy sessions, where the therapist delves into the different roles. Family members communicate with honesty in a safe environment and can begin the healing process. Every family member learns to identify the patterns which are causing so much shared pain.
4. Holistic Therapies
The above therapies form the core of addiction treatment. However, modern rehabs provide a range of supplemental therapies. These include mindfulness and meditation, art therapy, equine therapy, and occupational therapy. They make a huge difference for many patients and provide practices that help the person navigate life outside the rehab center.
Outpatient Treatment
Not everyone is able to attend a residential rehab, whether due to cost, proximity, family issues, or non-negotiable work responsibilities. In these cases, outpatient treatment is a worthy alternative. Outpatient treatment provides a similar program to inpatient treatment, but you do not live at the center during the process.
Prepare for Treatment
You don’t need to actively prepare for the treatment itself. In recovery, the experts will guide you throughout the process. However, you will need to prepare to facilitate the process.
The following list will help you keep track of what you need to do:
- Choose a treatment center: Luxury rehabs like Seasons in Malibu provide exceptional care in beautiful surroundings. Many other types of rehabs are also very effective when it comes to addiction treatment. Make sure that the rehab center is staffed by licensed professionals and has a good reputation.
- Speak to your insurance: Different insurance providers pay different amounts for rehab. Speak to your provider to find out which rehabs they will pay for.
- Make provisions at work: Speak to your manager about taking time off to get treatment. They are required by law to keep your conversation confidential. Ask them what they need from you to manage while you are away.
- Make provisions at home: Consider what your family will need while you are in rehab. If you have children, discuss childcare with your spouse or another caregiver. Ask them what you can do to make the process as easy for them as possible.
Life After Treatment
The recovery process continues long after you leave treatment. The best treatment centers provide aftercare and you may choose to stay in a sober-living home for a while. In these spaces, you are able to avoid your triggers and gradually ease your way back into your normal life.
You will experience cravings and this is normal. The goal of treatment is to be in a better position to manage those cravings, with a healthier outlook and a toolbox of skills.
Find Community
It is impossible to overstate the importance of finding community after leaving rehab. Fortunately, there are many different kinds of recovery groups that you can join for free. These groups give you the opportunity to meet like-minded people who you can turn to for support. For many people, they provide a sense of belonging unlike anything they’ve experienced before.
If you are struggling with addiction, there are excellent options available. Get in touch with Seasons in Malibu to discuss how you can experience rehab in luxury.
Resources
- Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator
- Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment
- What is Substance Abuse Treatment? A Booklet for Families
- Get One-on-One Help to Address Your Child’s Substance Use
Sources
- 1. Taylor & Francis Online – Integrated Treatment of Substance Use and Psychiatric Disorders. Accessed April 29 2024. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19371918.2013.774673
- 2. Current Opinion in Pediatrics – Psychiatric disease and drug abuse. Accessed April 29 2024. https://journals.lww.com/co-pediatrics/abstract/2012/04000/psychiatric_disease_and_drug_abuse.16.aspx
- 3. Sage Journals – How Social Relationships Influence Substance Use Disorder Recovery: A Collaborative Narrative Study. Accessed April 29 2024. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1178221819833379
