Introduction
Scarred by the experience of addiction, you may be wondering how to get clean and stay that way. The good news is that recovery is possible. It may take a long time, but it’s worth it. In this guide, Dr. Julian Mitton, shows you what you need to do in order to achieve lasting wellness through addiction recovery.
Introduction
Addiction is a chronic disease that affects the brain, and it can be treated. The most effective treatment for addiction is a combination of psychotherapy and medications, but it’s important to note that there are no shortcuts or quick fixes. Recovery takes time and involves making lifestyle changes in order to achieve long-lasting wellness.
The first step toward recovery is recognizing you have a problem–and then taking action. If you think you might have an issue with drugs or alcohol, don’t wait another day before seeking help! The road ahead will be difficult; however, if you’re willing to put in the work necessary for lasting change, then recovery is possible for everyone who truly wants it (and we know how much we all want this).
What Is Addiction?
Addiction is a chronic disease that affects the brain. It’s also a family disease, a mental health disorder and a public health crisis. Addiction can be thought of as having two main components: physical dependence and psychological dependence. Physical dependence occurs when you need to take more of a substance to feel its effects; psychological dependence means you crave or want drugs even when you aren’t high on them–you may even think about drugs throughout your day without ever actually taking them (this is called drug-induced craving).
Addiction is often considered a spiritual disease because it has such far-reaching consequences for those affected by it: it affects their relationships with loved ones; their ability to work; their access to healthcare services like insurance coverage for treatment options like detoxification programs or rehab centers; even things like employment status and housing stability become compromised by this condition over time because the person struggling with addiction doesn’t have control over his or her behavior anymore due primarily because of how much time he/she spends trying different substances instead of doing other things!
The Path to Recovery
The path to recovery is a journey of healing, not a destination. You will likely go through several stages during this process:
- Stage 1: Awareness and Acceptance
- Stage 2: Preparing for Change
- Stage 3: Engaging in Treatment and Recovery Strategies
Stage 1: Admitting You Have a Problem
Admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery.
You may need to seek help from a professional, such as a therapist or doctor. A professional can help you identify the problem and develop a treatment plan that works for your specific needs and situation. It’s important to be honest with yourself about your addiction; however, if you’re having trouble recognizing it on your own, an experienced counselor might be able to help point out some signs of addiction in your life that may be hiding in plain sight.
Stage 2: Getting Help for Your Addiction
- Get a medical evaluation. Addiction is a disease and requires treatment, just like any other physical or mental health issue. Your doctor can help you find the right treatment program for your needs. If you aren’t sure where to start, ask them for recommendations of programs in your area that specialize in treating addiction.
- Get a mental health evaluation. Addiction often coexists with other mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety disorders; getting proper treatment for these issues will make it easier for you to recover from addiction too! Your therapist or psychiatrist may recommend joining an aftercare program like 12-step meetings (if applicable), seeing another therapist regularly after discharge from rehab, and/or attending group therapy sessions on an outpatient basis.* Find the right fit: Don’t try every option available just because someone tells you that’s what they did–it’s important that whatever path toward wellness works best for YOU!
Stage 3: Getting Clean and Sober
In this stage, you’ll begin the process of getting clean and sober. This can be a difficult time for many people, but it’s important to remember that you are not alone in your struggles–and there are many resources available to help.
When you enter detox (the first stage of rehab), your body will need time to adjust from drugs or alcohol abuse before it can go through withdrawal symptoms on its own. In order for this process to go as smoothly as possible, it’s essential that you make sure your physical needs are met:
- Food: You should eat three meals each day while detoxing at an inpatient facility; if possible, request specific food items based on any allergies or dietary restrictions that may apply. If this isn’t possible due to availability issues at the facility where you’re staying during treatment (or if no such facilities exist), speak with staff members about bringing snacks from home instead! Some popular choices include nuts/seeds/dried fruit bars; protein bars made with natural ingredients like whey protein isolate powder; nut butter packets from brands like Justin’s Nut Butters (which come in flavors like coconut almond butter).
- Water: Drinking plenty of water helps prevent dehydration during withdrawal periods – so don’t forget about hydrating throughout each day! The average person should aim for 2 liters per day minimum amount needed just stay hydrated enough without overdoing things too much.”
Stage 4: Laying the Foundation for Recovery
Stage 4: Laying the Foundation for Recovery
The fourth stage of addiction recovery is a time to lay the foundation for long-term wellness. This means setting goals and creating healthy habits, as well as finding ways to cope with triggers that may cause you to relapse. It’s also important to find ways to deal with cravings so they don’t consume your life or derail your progress.
Recovery planning should begin when you’ve decided that treatment is right for you and your family, but before beginning treatment itself (if possible). It’s important because it gives everyone involved something concrete on which they can focus their efforts during this critical period in your life–and because it will help keep everyone accountable throughout treatment, even after discharge from an inpatient facility or intensive outpatient program (IOP).
A successful recovery takes more than willpower, it takes a support system and strategies that work.
Your recovery is the result of a number of factors, including your own willpower and motivation. However, a successful recovery takes more than willpower. It also requires having a support system and strategies that work for you.
A support system can be anyone who cares about you and wants to see you succeed in life–a friend or family member; a counselor or therapist; someone from your faith community or spiritual practice; even an online community may be helpful! Having people who care about what happens next for you is important because it helps build motivation when things get difficult along the way (which they will). This can also help prevent relapse down the road by reminding us why we decided to change our lives in the first place!
Conclusion
This is a big topic, and there’s no way that we can cover everything in one blog post. But we hope that by reading this, you have a better understanding of what addiction recovery looks like and how to get started on your own journey toward wellness. If you’re interested in learning more about how our therapy program can help with this process, please contact us today!
