The road to recovery isn’t an easy one to embark on, but holds the gift of independence from drugs and alcohol. For some, accepting that help is needed can be a challenge while others may be searching for an answer but aren’t sure what’s available. Both cases have the possibility of a happy ending where sobriety is achieved and maintained but not without hard work and dedication from everyone involved.
It Begins With a Detox
Detox is a heavy word to those who have experienced addiction or substance abuse before. During drug or alcohol use, the brain alters how it functions due to the presence of an outside substance. Once detox begins and this substance is removed, the central nervous system goes into a state of panic as it learns how to function on its own.
This period of recovery is known as withdrawal and comes with a set of withdrawal symptoms depending on which substance was abused, the quantity and frequency of use and the individual’s own personal health. Time tends to be the largest factor in how severe withdrawal symptoms are, making detox and rehab a significant challenge for those with years of consumption leading up to treatment.
Medically-assisted detox can take the edge off of withdrawal symptoms through proper administration of various medications. The symptoms commonly targeted by these medications include:
- Mild to severe pain
- Fever
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Irritability
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Depression
With the proper team overseeing the detoxification process, most patients will notice a shift away from detox being the most challenging part of rehab. Others that attempt to detox on their own often fail to do so, returning to drug or alcohol use in order to end the withdrawal symptoms.
Next Comes Solo and Group Therapy
The cornerstone of addiction treatment programs, therapy is a proven method for helping addicted individuals understand what they’re up against. Individual therapy sessions create a private and more intimate environment that promotes deep thought and open sharing. Patients are led through their history with substance abuse for a couple of reasons. One is to uncover the root causes of their addiction and equip them with the skills needed to better handle each concern going forward.
Learning to open up and truly process the thoughts and emotions running through our brains is a challenge on its own. Oftentimes therapy sessions during rehab are the first time an individual has spoken to a mental health professional in any capacity. It comes as no surprise given how few cases of addiction are actually met with treatment but a shifting social stance on rehab is putting treatment accessibility on everyone’s mind.
Learning to Share With Others
Unfortunately, many of those battling addiction are labeled by others based on their disease and not the person underneath. Because of this harmful perspective, the idea of sharing one’s story with a group can feel overwhelming or even impossible. The mere thought of group therapy can be enough to make rehab seem like a non-option.
Opening up about how addiction has impacted the individual’s life is extremely beneficial for therapy sessions but also has merit after treatment. Working with a facility such as America’s Rehab Campus means having access to mental health professionals through a network of recovery specialists. The stress and anxiety of normal life can build quickly making the ability to share these concerns vital to ongoing sobriety.
Friends and family members will also want to know how well their loved one is doing regardless of where they may be in treatment. By telling others that drugs and alcohol are out of the question, individuals can better enjoy parties and social gatherings thanks to reduced peer pressure.
Rehab Doesn’t Have To Be a Challenge
At America’s Rehab Campus, our compassionate staff is focused on helping others overcome addiction while building the skill sets and networks needed to maintain sobriety. Whether it’s a personal concern or a concern for a loved one, ARC offers free and fully-confidential consultations online and over the phone.
Don’t hesitate to reach out today with any questions you have about the process. Our team helps make the process as seamless as possible, from insurance assistance to aftercare treatment.
