The Healing Process Overcoming Drug Addiction

The Healing Process: Overcoming Drug Addiction

Overcoming Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is a serious problem in the United States. There are many people who struggle with drug addiction, and there are also many others that have loved ones that are addicted to drugs. If you or someone close to you has an addiction, it can be hard to know what to do next. That’s why we’re here! This blog post will walk you through the healing process of overcoming drug addiction so that you can start living your best life today.

Rehab

Typically, the first step following acceptance of drug addiction is to check into rehab. This can be a scary leap to make, especially if someone doesn’t know what to expect. But rehab is a necessary step in order to heal properly.

Detoxification

The first step in rehab is usually detoxification. This is the process of helping the body adjust to no longer having drugs present. Sometimes, this process may require medical assistance because of the chemical imbalances created in the body due to its dependence on the substances a patient was using. It usually takes around a week, but this time frame varies depending on the person and their addiction history.

Inpatient/Outpatient Program

Once a patient has detoxed, they may choose to stay in rehab or check out and come back for daily outpatient treatments. Inpatient programs are typically full-time so patients can focus on their recovery without the distractions of work and family life. Outpatient programs allow addicts to return home at night while still receiving help throughout the day with counseling sessions or group meetings.

Counseling Sessions

Following detox is counseling sessions that can take place in a group or individual setting. These are important because they help addicts open up about how drug addiction has affected them so that they can heal properly. These sessions are also great for practicing mindfulness and other tools to have in one’s toolbox for self-care later on down the road.

Medication

If necessary, medication may be used during rehab as a way to help addicts feel better while going through detoxification or counseling sessions. This is something that should be discussed with a doctor and is not necessary for everyone.

Aftercare

Following rehab, it’s important to continue the journey by participating in aftercare. This usually takes place at home because you’re now equipped with new tools to cope with cravings and triggers that may appear down the road. These meetings can last anywhere from three months to a year, and they are great for continuing the healing process.

Navigating Aftercare

Once you are checked out of rehab, the real work begins. This is when it is mostly up to you to stay sober. You can expect to meet with a counselor or other professional weekly for the first three months in order to make sure you are adapting well to your new life. In addition, there may be opportunities for group meetings at this point as well if that’s something that is helpful.

Find new hobbies that don’t involve drugs

Find New Hobbies That Don't Involve Drugs

Depending on where you live, there are various hobbies that you can either get into or expand your interest in. Surfing, hiking, writing, skiing, cooking, gaming, or even traveling can be great hobbies that are fully immersive and can help keep your mind off of drugs.

Maintain your physical health through diet and exercise

One of the best ways to keep your mind and body healthy is to eat well and exercise. Not only will exercise release endorphins and help lift your mood, but it can also be a great way to get out of the house and do something productive.

Similarly, eating healthy will not only help your body repair itself from the damage of drug addiction more quickly, but it will also increase your energy levels and help you feel better overall.

Continue therapy or counseling sessions even after rehab ends

Even though addiction might seem like a problem that is in the past, it’s important to continue seeing a therapist on an as-needed basis long after rehab ends. This can be helpful for processing any urges that may come up from triggers down the road, and it can also be helpful for learning new coping strategies.

Use your support network

Having a strong support system is important throughout recovery no matter how long you’ve been sober. This could include friends, family members, or even sponsors from 12-step programs. These people can be a great source of encouragement and motivation, especially if you’re having a bad day.

This also means that making an effort to grow your support network through making new friends or getting involved in your community can be helpful as well. This can be done through joining local sports leagues, volunteering, or using Facebook, Reddit, and other online resources to find groups of like-minded people near you.

Cut out bad influences

This can be difficult if close friends or family members are involved in drugs, but it is important to try and cut these people out of your life completely. These are not the people who will be helpful during recovery because they may lead you back down a dark path.

Similarly, if there were certain places where you used drugs before such as bars or clubs, this might be something that needs to be cut out of your life as well. You can still go to events or meet up with friends, but you may need to create a new support network away from the places where drugs were once prevalent.

Be mindful of triggers

It’s important to stay aware of your surroundings so that you know what types of people or places might trigger cravings for drugs in the future. This way, you have some forewarning about how to cope with these situations when they do arise.

Be open about your situation

It goes without saying that what you’ve been through isn’t worth repeating to everyone, but being honest with yourself and your loved ones about how you are doing and feeling can help a lot with the healing process. It isn’t healthy to internalize everything and it can overwhelm your body and mind.

Final thoughts

The healing process is an important part of life after drug addiction, and it’s something that should be taken seriously. Hopefully, this blog post can help you develop a better understanding of what to expect from rehab and how to take care of yourself during the recovery period so that you can live a happier, more fulfilled life without drugs.

Looking for rehab near me? Check out this online resource!

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