One of the coping mechanisms that some people resort to when dealing with problems is substance abuse or drug addiction. However, the effects are unpleasant, and this condition can lead to an imbalanced and unhealthy lifestyle, compromising a person’s career, family life, and social life. If you or your loved one is suffering from substance abuse, there are different ways to help you recover and attain sobriety.
So how does one successfully recover from drug addiction? Learn more about the effective ways to recover from substance abuse by reading below.
Drug Rehabilitation
Drug rehabilitation cannot be overemphasized because it’s the best solution for a successful drug addiction recovery. The purpose of drug rehabilitation is to confront substance dependence. Also, it aims to stop substance abuse that can cause psychological, financial, social, physical, and legal consequences.
In a drug rehabilitation facility, specialists help patients recover, providing medical and psychotherapeutic treatment. Health professionals help patients who are dependent on psychoactive substances, including alcohol, street drugs, and prescription drugs. Some of the commonly abused substances are cannabis or marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and amphetamines.
Here’s how a drug rehabilitation facility can help:
- Treat Withdrawal: When you stop using drugs cold-turkey, you’ll experience unpleasant physical and psychological signs and symptoms, such as restlessness, sleeplessness, depression, and anxiety. A drug rehabilitation facility employs licensed professionals to provide prescribed medications and devices patients can take to reduce these withdrawal symptoms.
- Help Patients Stay in Treatment: Drug rehabilitation treatments help patients gradually prevent drug cravings. In-patient treatment can help patients focus more on counseling and psychotherapies needed for complete recovery.
- Prevent Relapse: Stress cues associated with substance use include the people and things around, places, and the patient’s mood. When a patient is permitted outside without proper treatment and readiness, these things trigger a relapse, which leads to failed recovery goals.
Join Support Groups
Support groups for drug addiction enable drug dependents to share their personal experiences. Joining support groups is helpful for those who also have co-occurring mental conditions, such as anxiety disorders and depression. Some examples of support groups include Cocaine Anonymous, Marijuana Anonymous, and Heroin Anonymous.
Support groups provide emotional support and guidance for drug dependents when cravings are triggered, helping them towards successful recovery and sobriety. However, support groups are only a part of drug addiction treatment. It should be combined with inpatient treatment and individual therapy for successful outcomes.
Check out the benefits of drug addiction support groups:
- Know that you are not alone
- Learn effective skills to help conquer cravings
- Meet new people who have the same condition as yours and also want to achieve a sober life
- Obtain support during difficult times
- Have professionals and people to guide you and hold you accountable
Optimize Eating Patterns
Overcoming drug addiction ensures that eating patterns are optimized. Recovery involves being both physically and mentally prepared. That’s why boosting the immune system is important while undergoing rehabilitation. Incorporate fruits and vegetables, including the following:
- Strawberries
- Mushrooms
- Zucchini
- Cauliflower
- Kale
- Bananas
- Spinach
- Apples
- Oranges
Participate in Behavioral Therapy
Behaviors and attitudes related to drug use can improve with behavioral therapy, enabling patients to manage stressful situations better and triggers, causing another relapse. Behavioral therapy sessions are usually carried out in drug rehabilitation facilities, to enhance the effectiveness of medications and help patients recover faster.
The following are the different types of behavioral therapies recommended for drug addiction:
- Family Therapy: It is intended to help patients, particularly young people who are addicted to drugs, and their families. Family therapy helps resolve influences or triggers on drug use patterns. Also, it aims to improve family functioning.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): It aims to help patients recognize, prevent, and cope with the different triggers and situations that lead to drug abuse.
- Motivational Enhancement Therapy: This behavioral therapy uses effective strategies to help people be more open to change their behaviors and attitudes.
- Twelve-step Facilitation (TSF): It is an individual therapy delivered in 12 weekly sessions. The main objective of this behavioral therapy is to prepare patients to participate in a 12-step mutual support program, ensuring complementary and social support to medical treatments.
- Contingency Management: Positive reinforcement is used, including privileges or rewards, to remain drug-free. It involves attending counseling sessions and taking prescribed medications.
Conclusion
A substance-dependent individual should undergo drug rehabilitation in a trusted facility to address their medical issues through detoxification and medication for managing withdrawal symptoms. Seeking support from family, organizations, and professionals is also a good idea to have someone hold you accountable for your actions and remind you about improving your physical and mental health to attain sobriety.
Have your or a loved one suffered from drug addiction?
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