Struggling With Addiction? Recovery Is A Process & It’s Time To Get Started

It’s not always easy to admit that you’re struggling with an addiction to alcohol and/or drugs. You may not even be sure yourself if you’ve become addicted to the substance, or it’s just become a bad habit. One day you feel like you’ve got control over your drinking or drugging and the next you lose that control and end up feeling awful that you “did it again”.

Addiction is nothing to be ashamed of, regardless of the type of drug or why you continue to use it. Give yourself permission to admit that you’ve got a dependency issue and then, make a firm commitment to doing something about it.

Freedom Begins With The First Step

The journey to achieving a life free from addiction isn’t always quick and easy. It involves a long-term commitment of dedication with a good bit of effort too. Similar to any other journey, achieving sobriety begins with one step to get that momentum going.

Granted, progress will vary from person to person depending on the addiction, treatment process, support system, and the individual. However, the reality is that sobriety can be experienced, and along with it, a better life.

In this article, let’s look at recovery as a process and discuss a general overview of that process.

What Is Alcohol Or Drug Addiction?

Addiction is a chronic disease that can affect the brain, especially if you’ve been abusing alcohol or drugs long-term. It can cause you and your loved ones a lot of pain and negative consequences. There are millions of men and women battling addiction each day, feeling imprisoned with cravings and negative emotions due to such. You can also become addicted to behaviors, such as shopping, watching porn, sex, and more.

The continued use of alcohol or drugs can cause physiological changes to the brain, and leave you feeling like you cannot live without another “hit” of whatever drug you’re addicted to.

Common Symptoms And Signs Of Drug/Alcohol Abuse

Maybe you’re not sure if you’ve got an addiction issue. You could be going through some sort of phase or numbing out because of a painful situation going on. However, you may indeed be struggling with the disease of addiction.

Denying addiction is common among many people. They may or may not believe they have become addicted, even if their loved ones come to them with concerns. If you’re wondering if you or a friend has a substance abuse problem, here are some common signs of alcohol and/or drug abuse:

• You start neglecting your duties in school, at work, or at home.
• You use alcohol or drugs in dangerous conditions or engage in very high risks. You may drink and drive, get into fights when drunk or high, make poor choices, and engage in risky sexual behavior.
• Getting into legal trouble.
• Your relationship is struggling directly due to your drug use.
• Your tolerance has increased.
• You keep using alcohol or your drug of choice to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
• You’ve lost control over how much you drink.
• Your life revolves around your drug of choice, and you’re constantly thinking about it.
• You’re abandoning your responsibilities.
• You continue to use drugs even though they are hurting you.

Do you see yourself in any of these scenarios?

If so, you may very well be addicted to alcohol or your drug of choice.

As such, it’s time to reach out for help to get free from that addiction, so you can go on to feel freedom and peace and enjoy a beautiful life sober and clean.

When it comes to alcohol/drug detox and rehabilitation programs, it is important that you find a program that will suit your needs. If you feel comfortable with the type of program you have selected, you’re more apt to stick with it and see it through to the end. This will increase the chances of attaining long-term sobriety.

Detox Centers For Addiction

Getting free from an alcohol or drug addiction usually involves going through a detox process. This is where your body starts detoxing from the toxins associated with the drug. It’s the first step toward freedom.

The intensity of the process differs for each person and highly depends on the substance used, how often, and the dosage.

Withdrawal symptoms may include:

• Body aches
• Headache
• Increased anxiety
• Depression
• Reduced appetite
• Issues with concentration
• Agitation
• Severe fatigue
• Runny nose
• Inability to sleep
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

It usually takes about a week to get through the worst of the detox process but can vary. Some drugs, such as opioids and benzodiazepines, require a gradual reduction so the withdrawal symptoms aren’t so severe.

The type of treatment offered during detoxification depends on the specific type of addiction. Prior to the detox, medical personnel will assess your situation to determine the level of medicinal assistance you may need during the detox process.

Types of Rehab Centers

Inpatient Programs (Residential Programs)

Inpatient rehab programs allow you to leave your home and attend the rehab full-time for usually about 28 days. You will be medically supervised by professional substance abuse counselors for the scope of your inpatient treatment. This is a wonderful option because you have the chance to get away from your everyday life and temptations in order to solely focus on your recovery.

Transitional Programs

Once you complete your time at a residential treatment program, you have the option to attend a Transitional Residential Program in some areas. Here at Into Action, we offer this semi-structured environment as step to help you become stronger in your recovery foundation before returning home. Typically, time spent in this transitional stage is about one month.

Outpatient Programs

Outpatient programs are similar to the inpatient programs, except that the center allows patients to return to their homes each night during the program. If a patient has obligations like caring for children or elderly parents, outpatient care will allow them to fulfill those obligations. In other cases, they may allow a patient to work on a part-time basis while still in the program.

Sober Living Homes

A sober living program allows you to live in a home with other men who are also on the recovery journey. You’re able to attend your job or school, yet enjoy the structure of a recovery program to keep strengthening your recovery before going home. The time frame varies for each person, but many sober living homes allow you to live there several months.

Reach Out For Help For Addiction

As you can see, there are various options to treat addiction. It’s up to you which one you’d like to attend.

For those with severe addiction issues, or experience chronic relapsing, attending an inpatient, residential program is recommended. You’ll have around-the-clock support and solely focus on your recovery.

Give us a call today. We’d love to help you with any questions or concerns, as well as help you take your first step toward recovery.