Recognizing substance dependence is the first step to recovery for many people. Next, they need to find a treatment program that will help them recover their health, happiness, and well-being.

There are many treatment options available. Some people who have severe addictions choose to enter a detox program before they can transition into rehabilitation. Some may opt to start their recovery in an outpatient or inpatient facility. It is recommended that you continue to reinforce the lessons from rehab by attending support groups or therapy sessions.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to addiction recovery. No matter which treatment option you choose, you can be certain that it will provide everything you need for a successful recovery.

It is not easy to overcome an addiction. To achieve and keep sobriety for the long term, will require a lot of willpower and self-discipline. You’re not alone in this journey.

You’ll develop strong relationships with other people in recovery who can relate to your struggles during rehab. During this time, your family, friends, or other loved ones will be there for you.

How much effort you put into recovery from addiction will determine how successful it is. To better understand the consequences of addiction, you can see how it is dealt with below.

Different types of treatment

Each person is different and treatment programs can be tailored to suit their individual needs. The best treatment programs involve the entire recovery process.

• Inpatient Rehab:
  Inpatient rehabs provide structured programs that address all aspects of an individual’s addiction. Inpatient rehab allows patients to reside in a drug-free environment and receive round-the-clock medical and therapeutic support. Inpatient rehab can be a great option for those who are suffering from chronic addiction or a co-occurring mental disorder.

• Outpatient Rehab:
  Another form of comprehensive addiction treatment is outpatient rehab. These programs provide many of the same effective therapies and treatments as inpatient rehabs. Outpatient rehabs allow patients the opportunity to remain at home while they recover. Patients can work and care for their families, while still attending treatment sessions during the week. Keep in mind that outpatient rehabs don’t isolate patients from the outside world. Patients are more likely to encounter triggers that could challenge their sobriety. Outpatient rehabs can be used for people with mild addictions and those who have a disciplined, committed approach to their recovery. Outpatient programs can also be used as a “step down” program following inpatient treatment. They are often combined with sober housing homes.

• Detoxification:
  The detoxification process allows people to safely stop using drugs and alcohol until they are completely free of them. This is often the first step to treating people suffering from severe or moderate addiction. Sometimes, medication-assisted treatment is required to ease withdrawal symptoms. The patient will often be tapered off any prescribed medications during detox until they are no longer dependent on the addictive substance.

• Sober Living Homes:
  Sober living homes are a bridge between inpatient treatment and normal life. This is a great option for those in recovery who require additional support to reinforce what they have learned in rehab. People in recovery can benefit from sober living homes, which allow them to develop healthy new habits and still live in a structured environment.

• Addiction Treatment Medications:
  Patients may be given medications during detox or treatment to aid in the healing process. These medications can be used to manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings or treat co-occurring conditions. The best results from medication for addiction treatment are achieved when they are used in conjunction with a comprehensive treatment plan.

• How to Stage an Intervention:
  An intervention is a meeting between loved ones and someone suffering from addiction. It is usually supervised by an intervention specialist. An intervention helps loved ones to express their feelings constructively and encourages a person struggling with addiction to enroll in treatment programs.

• Faith-Based Treatment:
  Some people choose a more spiritual approach for their recovery. Faith-based rehab centers offer specialized programs and facilities that are centered around faith. This type of rehabilitation program allows people in recovery to surround themselves with others who share the same faith and are seeking guidance from a higher power to be strong for their future.

Rehabilitation

Dr. Ashish Bhatt MD explains that aftercare can be a key component in preventing relapses and ensuring long-term recovery.

Therapies

The treatment of addiction is based on the individual’s health and their substance abuse patterns. An array of group and individual therapy sessions are available, usually organized by addiction counselors.

• Biofeedback Therapy:
  Biofeedback, a non-drug therapy that aids people in recovering from addiction, is a method of helping them understand their bodies’ involuntary processes. A therapist will place electronic sensors on the skin of a patient to monitor brain activity during a biofeedback session. The therapist will review brain wave patterns and recommend psychological techniques to overcome addictions.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy:
  Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT), is used to help individuals in recovery identify problematic thoughts and feelings that could compromise their sobriety, or lead to a relapse. This therapy can also be used to treat co-occurring conditions such as bipolar disorder.

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy:
  Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is used to treat severe mental disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder. It can also be combined with a substance abuse disorder. This therapy is designed to increase self-esteem, and stress management skills and help individuals in recovery eliminate triggers from their lives.

• Experiential Therapy:
  Experiential therapy uses non-traditional methods to help addicts overcome the repressed emotions and feelings that may have led to their addiction. This therapy is often used for outdoor recreation activities like rock climbing.

• Holistic Therapy:
  Holistic therapy focuses on the individual’s overall well-being. Withdrawal symptoms are also addressed. Holistic therapies can include yoga, acupuncture and art therapy.

• Motivational Enhancement Therapy:
  Motivational enhancement therapy (MET), which is used to assist individuals in recovery, teaches them how to overcome any negative thoughts or behaviors that are associated with their addiction. This therapy is often used for people who are in recovery from substance abuse and have co-occurring disorders, such as bipolar disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

• Psychodynamic Therapy:
  Psychodynamic therapy allows individuals to explore their emotions and discover how their subconscious thoughts are related to their addiction. This allows you to determine the root cause of your substance abuse. Individuals will be able to recognize and avoid temptations if they work closely with therapists.

Support groups

It is highly recommended that patients join a support group after completing an addiction treatment program. Once you have finished treatment, support groups can help you stay on the right path to recovery. They also allow for ongoing care and guidance after rehabilitation. Support groups are a great way to get support and encouragement during your recovery.

Many support groups cater to certain substances and/or demographics. The right group will provide a supportive community that encourages and motivates each other to keep sobriety a priority.

• 12-Step Programs:
  The 12-step program is the best way to recover from addiction. These programs are based on the 12-step model of addiction and the 12 traditions that were established by Alcoholics Anonymous founders. Many people find the programs extremely helpful in their recovery because they allow them to adapt the steps to suit their needs. Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous are the most well-known 12-step programs.

• Alcoholics Anonymous:
  Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), meetings offer a way for people to talk to each other about alcohol addiction and how it has impacted them. Most meetings of AA are held in a local setting such as a church, community building or church. While open meetings allow family members and loved ones to attend, closed meetings are for those who are in recovery.

• Narcotics Anonymous:
  Narcotics Anonymous (NA), a support group that is similar to Alcoholics Anonymous, provides support and guidance for people who have an addiction to drugs. NA members encourage each other to keep sobriety in mind and to avoid falling back into old patterns of abuse. People share their stories of recovery and addiction at meetings.

• SMART Recovery:
  SMART Recovery is an alternative to 12-step support groups. This program teaches recovering addicts how to manage their addictive behavior by dealing with the underlying thoughts, feelings and emotions that are associated with substance abuse. The “4-Point Program” is the basis of SMART Recovery. It has stages that can all be completed in any order.

• Al-Anon/Nar-Anon:
  Al-Anon or Nar-Anon support groups are for family members and friends of people who have an addiction to drugs or alcohol. These support groups are designed to help loved ones realize that they’re not alone in their struggles. Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, and Nar-Anon stress addiction as a family disease and offer loved ones effective communication and coping methods.

• Addiction counselors:
  A counselor for addiction is there to offer support and guidance to individuals who are undergoing treatment. Counselors develop a treatment plan and provide aftercare. They also conduct individual or group therapy sessions.

Get Treatment

Many medications and therapies can help you get through every stage of your recovery. There is also plenty of psychosocial support. This means that there are many people like you, who are willing to listen and offer a helping hand to anyone in need.

The only thing left is to decide to improve your life.

It is difficult for many people to admit they are addicted to drugs or alcohol. Individuals often hide their addictions from loved ones by going to extremes. Unfortunately, hiding an addiction can lead to abusers staying in the same cycle for longer.

These signs will help you decide if your loved one is suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction and why it seems like your loved one doesn’t want help with addiction. Your loved one’s chances of long-term recovery are greater if he or she seeks help as soon as possible.

Their Moods Are Unpredictable

People can experience erratic mood swings from many drugs, including alcohol, methamphetamine, and other stimulants. The most commonly abused drugs can make someone extremely energetic, chatty, and hyperactive. The individual will feel lethargic, irritable, and agitated after the drugs have worn off. An addiction is a condition that causes outbursts and mood swings from one extreme to another so this is one major sign that your family member may be hiding their addiction.

They Don’t Want to Spend Time With Anyone Anymore

People who abuse drugs and alcohol often withdraw from their loved ones. This may be done to conceal their substance abuse, or to allow them to consume more of the drug of their choice privately. To avoid being seen intoxicated, people with an alcohol or drug addiction may avoid situations where they might be exposed to others. 

A person who is addicted may also withdraw from their loved ones due to the fact that they have started to prioritize drugs and alcohol first. It can be difficult for loved ones to understand why someone is withdrawing since they are not experiencing the addiction.

Their Physical Appearance is Suddenly Changing

Addicts or users of drugs or alcohol may exhibit physical signs and symptoms. These physical signs may become more obvious as their addiction progresses. Some of the most common physical effects of addiction include rapid weight loss or weight gain, feeling lethargic, small pupils, bloodshot eyes, scabs or track marks on the skin, loss of care of personal hygiene, loss of appetite, congestion, and more.

Keep in mind that different drugs can lead to different physical changes. If you notice sudden physical changes in your loved one, this could be an indication that they are struggling with addiction.

They Become Careless With Their Money & Belongings

It’s common for people to experience financial hardship in their lifetime. However, those who abuse drugs or alcohol frequently face unexpected and unexplainable financial problems. This happens because a person is unable to pay their bills due to the need to get drugs and alcohol. Substance abuse leads addicts to decide to purchase drugs and alcohol regardless of their future bills. They may also sell their personal property in order to be able to afford them. A person with an addiction might also borrow or steal money from their loved ones. 

Without Drugs, They Start Showing Withdrawal Symptoms

When they stop using drugs or alcohol, addicts are likely to experience withdrawal symptoms. Although they may try to hide withdrawal symptoms, many symptoms can be easily seen by others, such as excessive sweating, irritability, fatigue, extreme mood swings, change in appetite, vomiting, paranoia, and flu-like symptoms. The withdrawal symptoms of addiction will become more severe with more severe cases. It is recommended, however, that addicts experience detoxification and medically supervised withdrawal in a reputable rehab center.

They Begin Hiding Alcohol, Drugs, & Drug Paraphernalia in the Home

Addicts to drugs and alcohol will keep a stash of the substance they use hidden. Their drugs and alcohol may be hidden in their homes or other areas that are close to them. For example, a bottle of wine in your fridge is normal, but multiple bottles of wine scattered throughout your home are not.

You may notice your loved one disappearing from home or acting suspiciously. This could indicate that he or she is using drugs or alcohol hidden from your view. You can find hidden substances by keeping an eye on your loved ones or looking around the home.

Conclusion

Addicts to drugs and alcohol will often try to hide their problems as long as they can because they don’t want help for their addiction. This can often lead to them suffering for many months, if not years. It is important to confront your loved ones if they are hiding an addiction and support them on their journey to recovery. Contact a specialist to learn more about hidden addiction and the programs that help with drug and alcohol addiction.

Prescription drug abuse and alcohol addiction are a couple of the worst addictions. These are chronic conditions that require treatment. Unfortunately, the treatment of many of these conditions is incomplete, leading to serious side effects such as organ damage and even death. When considering the worst addictions are, it is important to understand that most drug or alcohol addictions can be treated successfully.

Prescription Drug Addiction

Prescription drug abuse is when a person who is taking medications such as pain killers, sedatives, and even antidepressants for non-medical conditions gets prescriptions for stronger drugs. This can lead to severe chemical imbalances in the brain. People suffering from prescription drug abuse often suffer from anxiety, depression, irritability, insomnia, and even bipolar disorder. Most people who have a substance abuse issue also have an addiction problem, which means they have an uncontrollable need for the drugs. Unfortunately, treatment for this condition is often only effective if the patient undergoes multiple sessions with a trained therapist.

Alcohol Addiction

Alcoholism is a condition in which an individual consumes excessive amounts of alcohol or consumes drugs such as marijuana or heroin on a regular basis. For alcohol addicts, the substance of choice is usually alcohol. For drug addicts, the substance of choice may be prescription drugs, street drugs, or even illegal drugs such as methamphetamines. Individuals suffering from alcohol or drug addiction have what are called withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop their addiction.

Withdrawal From Drugs & Alcohol

The withdrawal symptoms from drugs and alcohol can include sweating, shaking, nausea, anxiety, chills, and hot flashes. For those addicted to prescription drugs, these symptoms may be mild at first but can progress until the patient is unable to function without the substance of choice. When it comes to alcoholism, the withdrawal symptoms are often worse than those of prescription drugs. In fact, there are many people who have to seek detoxification from their addiction in order to survive. 

Treatment Programs For Drug Addiction

When treatment for substance abuse begins, the treatment program will usually begin with a detoxification process that allows the body to get rid of the substance that causes the symptoms. Detox can take several hours to a few days, depending on the severity of the addiction and the health of your loved one. It’s important that you schedule a detoxification date, in addition to any other rehabilitation or support groups that you participate in. This will allow your doctor and staff to know how much to prepare your loved one for their return to living normal lives. After detoxification, patients may go through other processes to help them remain sober, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, equine therapy, and family counseling.

Conclusion

So, what are some of the worst addictions? The answer is prescription drug abuse and alcohol abuse. For some people, drug or alcohol addiction starts with casual exposure to the substance, or getting the substance from a close friend or family member who was abusing it. Addiction often starts when someone uses illegal substances for a few days and begins to experience life-changing symptoms such as restlessness, paranoia, irritability, feeling depressed or disgusted, and a need to do more. Other addicts become so overcome with their addiction that they decide to enter a private rehab, and there are many treatment programs out there to help those suffering with a drug or alcohol addiction.

Most addiction treatment starts with detoxification and medically managed withdrawal, and is often considered the first stage of treatment. Detoxification, the process by which the body clears itself of drugs, is designed to manage the acute and potentially dangerous physiological effects of stopping drug use.

As stated previously, detoxification alone does not address the psychological, social, and behavioral problems associated with addiction and therefore does not typically produce lasting behavioral changes necessary for recovery. Detoxification should thus be followed by a formal assessment and referral to drug addiction treatment.

 Treatment

Drug addiction is a chronic, often relapsing illness rather than an acute illness as is obvious from its severe side effects.  Side effects can vary from mental to physical and can have both medical and behavioral aspects.  Addicts who suffer from addiction generally start with alcohol, illegal drugs, and prescription drugs.  A comprehensive assessment of the prognosis of addiction and the procedure needed to reverse the illness cannot be complete without a complete drug history.  The history may include:

• Addiction to alcohol or illegal drugs and/or an increase in use
• The development of liver failure or disease of the liver
• Substance abuse beyond the recommended dose or tolerance
• Dependency to medications to avoid a recreational opiate use once withdrawal is identified
• Abuse of alcohol and illegal drugs at an early age
• Aspiration/breathing difficulties, etc.

A prior detoxification has been described as someone who has entered treatment and become completely clean before, or someone who has successfully ceased drug use for a minimum of 30 days.  The patient who once adopted an alcohol, illegal drug, or prescription drug regime (in this case heroin) and has established and maintained abstinence for one or more months or more is a prime candidate for “start up” drug treatment. 

This treatment is a detoxification as the name implies and the patient will be provided with medications and therapies to manage their withdrawals.  Detoxification sessions also go hand in hand with drug therapy sessions including abstinence counseling, psychotherapy, education, and/or physical exercises.  Normally detoxification is a combination of more than one process and therapy at a time, but it may be the only comprehensive strategy to effectively confront serious addictions and to bolster the recovery process.

Drug addiction, be it alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications, is treated through a step-by-step process, combining behavioral skills with medically managed withdrawal.  Often, medication is also used in the process as a part of the overall treatment.  Normally the person is detoxified only once.

Detoxification treatments can vary greatly, often dependent on the length of response and severity of underlying diseases.  The frequency, duration, approach, length of drug therapy, and clinical requirements of each kind of drug are incorporated and may vary.  The path to sobriety and maintaining it varies, depending on what was taken. An initial detoxification may be followed by a longer than usual drug therapy, and/or abstinence process that enables patients to proceed to their formal drug treatment process in the most efficient way possible. 

The drug therapy is a combination of structured and non-structured drug therapy, education on adverse effects of the drug use, and most of all, treatment with the most important focus of aversion and prevention.  Each person’s subsequent drug therapy should be related in some way to the most immediate adverse effects, or the greatest hope of beneficial responses. 

The drug therapy process should progress in such a way that the patient’s level of dependence on the drug is reduced, improved, or eliminated. A clear support system is a much needed part of recovery process, as it may be hard at times to continue withdrawal. Alcohol drug addicts may require detoxification and may use certain types of alcohol, but alcohol abuse should not be used as an excuse for continued abuse of the drug.

Drug addiction, not curing it, is the key to most, if not all, of the drug treatment durations and lengths of time.  The ultimate goal of drug treatment shouldn’t be permanent abstinence, but rather the elimination of the pattern of binging.  Most drug treatment and recovery facilities are committed to curing addiction rather than treating it once and for all. 

This is usually associated with an attempt to maximize the effects of the drug.  Studies continue to result in new clinical developments that are showing these theories to be incorrect and ineffective.  Treatment solves the problems associated with drug use, but the problems of underlying causes should always be addressed. 

Underestimating, urbanization, or misapplication of drug treatment may result in abuse and addiction for the patient, or cause long-term effects and dependency on the drug for future patients.  The goal of drug treatment is to maximize the drug use for the amount of time necessary to achieve treatment goals. 

The recommended dosages range from 4 to 8 grains per day for a female patient between the ages of 17 and 21, and from 4 to 8 grains per day for a male patient in the same age bracket.  Healthful dietary choices, exercise, relaxation, and family assistance, can also help to ensure the safety of patients during recovery.

Narcotic Discomfort Relief

Narcotic Pain Relief:

Addiction Risk and Medication.  The wave of news about the apparent epidemic of prescription drug dependency might provide the impression that these drugs are so irresistibly powerful that, earlier or later on, we will all end up either getting hooked, or getting paranoid from inflated worry of addiction.

While narcotic discomfort relief is tagged to be the proverbial poison that is marketed to unwary elderly people, both medical professionals and patients experiencing chronic discomfort are left in the middle of an issue: the requirement for discomfort relief drugs to relieve struggling with severe and incapacitating discomfort, and the overstated fear of addiction risks that feature effective painkillers.

Narcotic discomfort relief is used to relieve pain triggered by chronic disease, surgery, mishap or injury. They act on specific receptors in the brain and spine cable to reduce pain and minimize your emotional response to pain. Prescription drug addiction, particularly narcotic painkillers, can really be ravaging and may result in destroying lives.

Many professionals, however, thought that this inflated fears of addiction is depriving a great deal of patients in desperate conditions from getting the pain relievers they so terribly needed. Additionally, the threats of narcotic pain relief by far exceeds its benefits.

Over the years, prescription drug dependency has actually been a growing issue. The 3 primary classes of prescriptions drugs being abused are: Opioid narcotics – used to deal with pain or relieve coughs or diarrhea. Opioid narcotics connect to opioid receptors in the central nerve system (the brain and the spine cable), avoiding the brain from getting pain messages.

Depressants – utilized to treat stress and anxiety, stress, anxiety attack, and sleep conditions. Depressants slow down brain activity by increasing the activity of a neurotransmitter called GABA. The result is a drowsy or soothing impact.

 Stimulants – used to deal with conditions like narcolepsy, ADHD, depression, obesity, and asthma. Stimulants increase brain activity, leading to greater awareness, attention, and energy. However, while there has been a development in the variety of people abusing narcotic discomfort reliefs, a much higher increase in the variety of individuals who are utilizing the drugs properly and taking advantage of them.

Experts think that it’s not just the drug that causes an addiction. It develops from a variety of physiological, psychological, and social factors. Most individuals who have neck and back pain are not at risk of prescription drug dependency for a variety of reasons. In the first place, majority of individuals with neck and back pain never ever get prescribed possibly addictive painkillers. Going through medically managed withdrawal can help get to the root of the problem.

Opioids For Pain

While steroids can also be prescribed for discomfort due to swelling and swelling, steroids are not narcotics either. Nevertheless, these powerful drugs should be utilized with care. Patients with sharp pain may be treated with opioid narcotics for a really short time, frequently a couple of weeks or a month, that is why the risks of prescription drug addiction is far from being high. Even the most effective drugs can not be addictive when utilized that way.

Narcotic discomfort relief is meant to ease discomfort right away and allow people to obtain out of bed, start physical treatment, and change the habits that triggered their back pain in the first place.

Without painkillers, the very first action could simply be too painful.However, in spite of an excellent treatment, some chronic neck and back pain may not react to the method. Usually, clients develop numerous issues with the spinal column brought about by arthritis or a history of heavy labor that can not be corrected by surgery.

When people don’t react to one or two surgeries, they are more likely to establish persistent pain that are too hard to treat. This little population of people who have persistent discomfort and hard-to-treat issues are typically provided long-term opioid narcotics, and these are the ones who are susceptible to prescription drug dependency.

Commonly Abused Drugs

Drug abuse is a huge issue in the United States. There are an estimated over 20 million Americans, aged 12 and over, with a substance abuse problem.  Millions of people struggle to maintain sobriety from these drugs.  Families struggle with helping their loves ones with addiction on a constant basis. 

Unfortunately, there are many different types of drugs that Americans are addicted to. Just a few of the most commonly abused drugs in the United States, other than alcohol and tobacco, are listed here.

• Marijuana: the most commonly used illegal drug in the U.S. Many states are actually legalizing the use of marijuana, also known as cannabis, pot, weed, or grass. Made from the Cannabis sativa plant, marijuana is most commonly smoked, though it can also be eaten (usually cooked into different foods). The effects of marijuana include relaxation, impaired coordination, memory loss, feelings of euphoria. Though not considered to be addictive, people can become addicted to the act of smoking marijuana. It’s also considered a gateway drug to harder substances.

• Cocaine: though decreased in popularity in recent years, cocaine has been near the top of the list for decade. Also known as crack, coke, or snow, cocaine can be smoked, injected, snorted, or swallowed. The effects are increased alertness, paranoia, irregular heartbeat, and pleasure, though the intensity and duration of the high depends on how it is taken.  Cocaine use is associate with heart problems, as well as brain, kidney, and lung damage. Crack cocaine is a cheaper and more intense alternative to cocaine.

• Painkillers and Benzodiazepines: painkillers, often prescribed for pain after injury or surgery, are very easy to become addicted to. These are drugs like OxyContin, Vicodin, and codeine and many patients don’t realize they’ve become addicted to painkillers. Benzodiazepines, or ‘benzos,’ are prescribed mood-regulating drugs, such as Valium, Xanax, and Diazepam. Like painkillers, users often don’t realize they’ve become addicted to the benzodiazepines.

• Heroin: increasing in popularity, the effects of heroin can be slowed breathing, pleasure, and drowsiness. Heroin use can cause serious withdrawal symptoms, such as vomiting, aches, and confusion, which can easily lead to overdose if a person takes too much. Heroin is typically injected, which is also problematic if using dirty needles.

• Methamphetamine: also called meth, crank, speed, and crystal, methamphetamine use is increasing over the years. Typically injected, snorted, smoked, or eaten, methamphetamine is a stimulant that shares many effects with cocaine. There are many withdrawal symptoms, like depression and cramps, and long term use can cause paranoia, hallucinations, heart damage, and damage to the teeth. Withdrawal that is medically managed can help the user deal with the symptoms.

Helping Loved Ones With Addiction

There many effective ways to love someone in your life who has an addiction, but typically it’s not going to be easy. First of all, do not blame yourself. And right alongside that, it is extremely important to remember that while you’re trying to help the person with an addiction, you cannot forget to take care of yourself, both physically and emotionally.

Who Is to Blame?

So you aren’t blaming yourself—but you can’t blame them either. Addiction is a physical and psychological change within a person, and oftentimes they have little control over or understanding of their actions. Their body is addicted to certain drugs or alcohol (or even food, exercise, sex, gambling, etc.) and their judgement is impaired.  Those who struggle with addiction are often very good at manipulating those around them so they can get their next fix.

Enabling Your Loved One

Don’t enable the loved one with an addiction, make sure that what you do is helpful. Obviously lending money to someone with a drug addiction is likely to lead the person to just buy more drugs, feed their habit. And there are some things that may feel helpful, but actually aren’t—like giving the person food or a place to stay. Set certain boundaries for your addicted loved one. Show them that you care, that you love and support them and you’ll be there for them when they need it. But you have to have a certain amount of tough love. Do not be afraid to say ‘no.’ At the end of the day, there is only so much you can do for them.

Life Long Sobriety is the Goal

Don’t feel like they’re going to be cured of their addiction in a day. Lasting sobriety a life-long battle, and the first step in that battle is for the person to want to get better. No matter how hard you want for them, the addict has to be the one to take the first step. But you can be there for your loved one and guide them toward that step, let them know that they have love and support.  

 

Helping a Loved One Overcome Addiction

Alcohol Rehab: What Should You Expect as Someone Who is Going In

Alcohol rehab is an excellent way to kick alcoholism. That said, rehab doesn’t always work; in fact many people fail the first or even second time. The key to success when it comes to rehab is commitment to quitting the habit. Many people go into alcohol rehab not because they want to or are looking to kick the habit but because someone who is close to them is making them do it. If this is the reason that you are going in you should know that your chances of failure are very high. If you want this treatment to work you have to want it yourself.

You have to be ready to stop drinking

In fact, you have to be desperate to stop drinking. To be successful you have to be so desperate that you are at rock bottom. It is only when you get there – when you realize that alcohol is ruining your life you will be desperate enough to do whatever it takes to quit. Remember, alcohol is a drug and it changes the way your brain functions; it stimulates the pathways in the brain that lead to addiction. That is why quitting is so hard. You have to be prepared for a fight.

Detox

The first step to getting rid of alcoholism when you are in rehab is detox. This is when your body will be ridding itself of the toxins that it has accumulated from over-consumption of alcohol. This stage lasts anything from a few days to a few weeks and it is painful. Although the symptoms vary they commonly include muscular aches, nausea, vomiting, headaches and other symptoms. The doctors in your rehab facility will give you drugs to help with the pain and vomiting but you can expect to experience it to a reasonable degree.

How Long Does Rehab Take?

It is quite likely that you will be in rehab for 30 days. During this time you will regularly visit with an addiction counselor with whom you can discuss the reasons behind your alcoholism. They will give you advice and tips on how to stay sober. You will also have group sessions with other alcoholics where through sharing experiences you can understand that you are not alone and that there are other with similar problems. Group sessions can be very therapeutic.  The clinic may even bring in alcoholics who are in recovery so that they can share with you ideas that helped them stay sober. Take these opportunities seriously.

Getting Out of Rehab

Once your rehab is over you will go back home. The urge to drink will likely be quite strong especially when you feel stressed. That is why you must look for Alcoholics Anonymous near you.   There are AA meetings taking place all the time, all over Louisiana.  In the initial days after rehab you should attend every day – in a few months you can reduce it down to once or twice a week. Keep away from gatherings or situations that involve alcohol – just one drink can send you down the addiction rabbit hole.

Remember, it is very hard to quit drinking if you don’t have a support system. Seek out friends and family and even colleagues who are willing to do what it takes to help you stay sober.

How to Maintain Your Sobriety  

As a recovering drug addict with over twenty years of sobriety, I understand this can be a difficult and complex situation to write about.  Everyone is different, and people use drugs for vastly different reasons.  There’s millions of ways to be an addict, so just to start my article off on the right foot, let’s agree that this is a difficult subject to write about.  

My Experience with Addiction

So instead of discussing the varying commonalities among drug addicts and those who maintain long term sobriety, or other irrelevant statistics, I’m just going to share some experience and practical advice with you.  

For every one person who wants to learn how to stay sober or clean, there are equally as many answers.  Drug addiction is a highly personal thing.  It’s something that many people share, but then again, they don’t.  Some addictive behaviors may be similar, but the inner workings of an addict’s mind is a mystery for each and every one that exists.  In order for anyone, and I mean anyone to first obtain and second maintain sobriety through whatever hard times exist, no matter what happens in life… that takes very serious dedication.

The “dedication” part of it is where so many addicts have trouble.  And, conversely, this makes the argument for me that ongoing support and participation in some kind of regular meeting or group is supremely important in maintaining that dedication.  Dedication can change like an opinion, but if you have someone else helping to hold you accountable, the odds improve significantly that your dedication will not shift off course, which frequently leads to a relapse.

Now, most addicts who want to quit using their drug often enter some sort of substance abuse treatment center while they are highly motivated and even excited.  The first part of that process is going through a detoxification program. Although invariably a challenging part of the process, many feel as they complete their detox, the journey is over.

But as time passes, so can the determination to stay away from their drug.  Some addicts enter the treatment system as a result of external crisis.  Some come in with high levels of motivation for drug treatment, but others have less.

 Regardless of their level of motivation, however, entering a drug treatment facility can be a frightening experience and one that requires a high level of interest in resolving ones’ addiction.  I should also note that regardless of their motivation, the fact that they reached out for help should be commended and supported.    

One time in an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting, someone asked how the old timer’s had stayed sober.  Many of them admitted to slipping and relapsing occasionally, but the simple way to stay sober is just to not pick up the drink in the first place.  Sounds simple enough, right?  Just don’t have that drink.  Just don’t smoke that drug.  Just don’t take those pills.  Words of wisdom, for sure, but hardly easy.

So how does a person not pick up that drink, or stop using that drug? The answer is SUPPORT.  There is no doubt that the first thirty days of any detoxification process may be the most difficult and a lot of close observation and support is necessary during this time.  This is often hard to do in a home environment, especially in today’s world of working parents.  It’s hard to have 24/7 observation over anyone, much less a drug addict who may come up with extremely creative ways to get his or her next fix as soon as a blind eye is turned.  This is where in-patient care can be of the most help.  

In Patient Assistance

When someone is getting in-patient care, it basically means they’ve been admitted as a patient into a drug rehab or treatment facility.  It also basically means they can’t leave until the in-patient treatment part is complete.  

Afterwards, they may recommend a half-way house, or possibly ongoing personal and/or group therapy for the initial and long-term maintenance.  Reason being, is that anyone serious addict who has been through treatment more than once can tell you, getting sober is easy.  Staying sober is hard.  

Staying sober has as many challenges as there are stars in the sky.  Addictions have a nasty habit of coming back at just the right time, like a thief in the night.  And the problem is, it usually only takes one use to trigger a full-blown relapse.  Just one.  

So how can anyone avoid this?  Well, for starters, inpatient drug treatment is very helpful in getting you clean.  A half-way house can provide monitoring and counseling, while still giving you exposure (and freedom) to the outside world.  Ongoing group counseling and/or personal therapy is where you’ll find the strength to turn down that opportunity to use your drug “just once more”.  It won’t hurt anything, right?  No, wrong.  

This is because of the nature of addiction.  You can’t be an addict and also have the ability to control your drug.  If you’re a real addict, your drug controls you.  This is important to know in order to fight it off.  Once you realize your drug can easily overpower you if you let it, it’s up to you to let it or not.

 It’s just as easy to pass on a drug as it is to pick it up and use again.  The difference comes from strength.  And we all know, there is strength in numbers.  So there’s your argument for long term AA or NA (Narcotics Anonymous), or a host of other ongoing treatment groups.  

Other things you can do to help maintain your sobriety include:

• Keep Busy – A drug addict’s worst enemy is boredom, so by keeping yourself busy, you’re also keeping your mind off your addiction, passing time productively, and replacing bad habits with better ones.  
• Talk – Don’t keep your addiction a secret.  The more people around you who know about your struggle, the more support you’re going to find.  It’s embarrassing the first time you tell someone you’re an addict, but becomes easier over time.  No matter how easy or hard it is to say it, if you do, you’ll likely find that most people will rally around and support you.  
• Go to Meetings – This is also part of “Talk” above, but just with people who share similar experiences with addiction.  It’s one thing to sympathize with a person, but to have experienced something yourself and to have a better sense of exactly how that addict is feeling is a whole level of power altogether.
• Seek professional help.  Sometimes, depending on the drug and its’ withdrawal symptoms, professional help is the only way to get clean.  But even if it’s not, you still need a doctor monitoring you, helping to make sure your body is strong and not suffering any serious effects from long term drug or alcohol abuse.  It’s no secret, it’s not uncommon for a serious alcoholic to die shortly after stopping drinking, so having proper medical attention relative to the person and the substance they’re abusing is very important to recovery.
• Take Care of Yourself – Eat better, go to the Gym, start exercising, whatever.  Do those things you know you need to do simply to make your body feel better.  When we exercise, we feel better.  When we eat healthy, we feel better.  When we get proper rest, we feel better.  Pay attention to your body and start working in time for yourself to “make you feel better” without using drugs or alcohol.  
• Reassess friendships – This one needs little explanation.  If you have a drug problem and continue hanging around other people who also have drug problems, you’re just making it easier to relapse.  To rid your life of serious drug addiction, sometimes you need to rid you life of people who might cause you to relapse.  
• Find new ways to enjoy life – Therapy can help you learn to love yourself and enjoy life in ways you weren’t able to before.  Listening to old-timers in your groups can give you insight into the mental changes that take place, over time, in a recovering addict’s mind.  Learn to love yourself.  If you truly love yourself, you’ll take care of yourself better than you ever did before.  

Best of Luck!

Life gives no guarantees, except that it’s never easy.  We all have good days and bad days.  Don’t let the bad ones push you back into your addiction.  If alcohol is the challenge, find a good rehab for alcohol.

Controlling an addiction is a full time job, and one that you really can not do by yourself. Assess your situation now.  If you have an addiction of any kind, admit it to yourself, and get the proper help.  

I want you to succeed.  But start by realizing you are in control, not the drug, and get as much support as you can.  Remember the old saying, “one day at a time”.  You don’t have to strive for a lifetime of sobriety, you only have to strive for a day’s worth… one day at a time.  

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