In order to combat addiction, addicts need to develop coping skills and make healthier habits that cause the dramatic release of dopamine they have become accustomed to. This is not always an easy task which is why a treatment program can drastically improve an addict’s chance of recovery.
At Asana Recovery, we have an exceptional inpatient treatment program that offers patients alternative methods of achieving happiness. In addition to developing new skills, we focus on determining what caused an addict’s displeasure to begin with and develop ways toward getting past the problems.
Counseling
Individual counseling works very well for helping addicts find the cause of their addiction. A lot of addicts battled mental health conditions prior to drug use. Users experience impaired functions in social and family relations, working and going to school, and they are prone to engaging in illegal activities. Through individual counseling, therapists and addicts are able to work together to develop coping strategies for these issues. There is a particular emphasis placed on short-term behavioral goals and developing tools needed to abstain from drug use. Some addicts are encouraged to seek help via a 12-step program or attend group counseling.
Group counseling allows therapists to gather several addicts together for treatment. This form of treatment allows drug addicts to discuss addiction with other addicts and promote drug-free lifestyles and choices among each other. Coupling group therapy with individual counseling helps individuals achieve a more positive outcome. Additionally, the use of group therapy while in inpatient treatment encourages addicts to attend community meetings once released.
Physical Activities
Another highly beneficial tool for helping addicts deal with their addiction is to engage in physical activities. Fitness is often a reliable tool that addicts use to refocus their mindset. Physical activities help addicts come clean in a variety of ways. Even low to moderate-intensity exercises are known to help users:
- Reduce anxiety levels
- Lower depression
- Decrease urges and cravings
- Help improve coping habits
- Reduce the chance of relapse
When addicts use drugs, the substances cause a release of dopamine in the brain. This produces a great sense of euphoria. Over time, addicts find that physical exercise causes a similar release of dopamine in the brain, but is a far healthier alternative to drug use.
You do not have to engage in strenuous physical activities. Addicts find swimming, hiking, running, and climbing to be some of the best activities for dopamine production. Weight lifting and other anaerobic exercises are also quite effective and all of these have an excellent impact on the body as a whole.
Slower exercises, like yoga and meditation, are also excellent tools that work effectively toward helping addicts develop techniques for dealing with anxiety and depression and rationalizing their decisions.
Any type of healthy physical activity, even a long nature walk, goes a long way toward improving an addict’s life and reducing the possibility of relapse. The intensity of the workout is not important. What matters is that an addict finds a healthy activity they enjoy and they continue doing it long-term.
We understand how important it is for addicts to get back to a healthier life. At Asana Recovery, we have a trained staff dedicated to helping addicts achieve their dream of recovery. Call us today at (949) 416-3314 to see how we can help you.