The road to overcoming drug addiction poses numerous challenges to addicts and the people who surround them. Using such substances can change the structure of the brain and its functioning, especially in the brain areas linked to self-control, stress, and reward. The changes that take place in these areas make the quitting process difficult for people.
Drug addiction is indeed dangerous to the well-being of individuals, as it disrupts the normal function of their bodies and brains. Recovering from substance abuse is possible as long as you have enough patience and time to go through the process.
Overcoming drug addiction can be facilitated with these tips.
Options
There are plenty of options for treating drug addiction, which depend on the severity of the issue. The right treatment is supposed to address the specific situation and any social, medical, or psychiatric problems that co-occur. A popular option is undergoing a detoxification program, which prepares a particular person for treatment in a controlled environment.
Furthermore, in such an environment, withdrawal symptoms can be easily managed. Detoxification might take place in a hospital or as the inceptive step of the patient’s rehabilitation process. It’s crucial on the road to recovery, as the first couple of weeks hold the highest risk of relapse. It’s worth remembering that detoxification isn’t equivalent to treatment, meaning it’s only a step further to recovery. Go here to see eight ways to prevent relapse.
Another treatment option is counseling, whose goal is to find the root of why a certain person has started using drugs. The patient is taught to recognize problematic patterns, behaviors, and thinking so as to establish a better way of coping with them. The counseling process might involve family members to reach a deeper understanding of the disorder and make improvements to family functioning.
Medication is another option for overcoming drug addiction, but it’s part of a more comprehensive treatment plan. Medications can be helpful in controlling drug cravings, relieving withdrawal symptoms, and preventing relapse. Conversely, support groups can be an important aspect of the treatment process, which are free in most communities.
There are online support group options as well. These emerged since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic when traditional support groups weren’t available to most people. It’s important to know that these groups aren’t considered an official part of a formal treatment plan, but they are definitely useful in combination with professional treatment.
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What are the steps to overcoming drug addiction?
The road to overcoming drug addiction starts by putting an end to abusing substances, which is only a portion of the recovery process. There are multiple drug rehab centers in Fort Collins assisting people in receiving substance abuse treatment. It’s essential for addicts to stay in treatment and stick to their recovery plan. The process should begin by committing to change through contemplation when a person addicted to drugs considers cutting down or quitting his/her addictive behavior.
Moreover, one can commit to change by collaborating with a professional in determining goals, creating a special plan for making changes, and sticking to the plan. Another vital step to overcoming drug addiction is surrounding yourself with support. Individuals who receive support from their families and close friends are more motivated to achieve their goals.
It’s tremendously important for families and friends to be supportive on your road to recovery. Positive support can make a person change for the better by reinforcing new behaviors. Another step to take on the path to overcoming drug addiction is eliminating triggers. These triggers refer to any place, person, or thing that stimulates the craving for substances.
The most common triggers involve places where you have done drugs or friends who you used to do drugs with. While it might not be entirely possible for you to eliminate all triggers, you should do your best to avoid them, at least during the early stages of recovery. Since stress is considered a risk factor and a common trigger for substance abuse, you should learn how to manage it in a healthy way.
Addicts can cope with stress by becoming more focused on taking care of themselves by getting enough sleep, eating a balanced diet, getting daily exercise, etc. You should concentrate on one challenge at a time in order not to become overwhelmed. Another tip for coping with stress is to learn how to step away from triggering scenarios.
Besides coping with stress, addicts are faced with another more challenging task, which is coping with withdrawal symptoms. Sometimes, the battle with withdrawal might require inpatient care or hospitalization to provide adequate supervision. Nevertheless, this isn’t always the case, as different drugs cause different symptoms of withdrawal.
For instance, the symptoms of opioid withdrawal usually include anxiety, nervousness, nausea, diarrhea, muscle cramps, excessive sweating, goosebumps, hot and cold flashes, etc. Conversely, benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms include sweating, agitation, anxiety, trouble sleeping, nausea, increased heart rate, hallucinations, potential seizures, etc.
In addition, cocaine withdrawal symptoms involve depressed mood, lethargy, insomnia, anxiety, paranoia, concentration problems, increased appetite, slow thoughts, and others. This article, https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000947.htm, reveals more about cocaine withdrawal. After coping with the symptoms of withdrawal, you should learn how to deal with cravings.
The DEADS method is considered a helpful approach to resisting cravings. Addicts should Delay use since urges tend to disappear over time, Escape triggers, Accept the new feelings as normal, Dispute their irrational drug needs, and Substitute substances with healthier habits.
Avoiding relapse is an incredibly important step on the road to overcoming addiction. The relapse rate for these disorders is fairly high, between forty and sixty percent. The most effective method of avoiding and coping with relapse is to stick with the treatment for at least ninety days. The longer the treatment, the more positive the outcome. Anyhow, relapse still has chances of happening, which needs to be addressed by reformulating the treatment plan.
Final thoughts
Access to professionals and the ongoing support of loved ones is vital for overcoming drug addiction!
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