According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), people will go through four different levels of rehabilitation including treatment, initiation, abstinence (early onset), continuation (maintaining abstinence and recovery). Although these particular principles typically apply to the strategy for helping a cocaine addict overcome their malady, this group of steps is still applicable to addicts attached to other toxic substances (like alcohol or heroin). Initially, when you start the recovery process, you most likely know exactly what you can expect (ranging from detox to practicing self-restraint). However, much like the affliction you are suffering from, no two recovery processes are the same. A variety of factors including stages of commitment to the intensity of the addiction can come into play as you slowly remove the drug from your body. So, what can you expect during this first critical year? Let’s take a closer look and find out.
The Transition Process
Based on the established concept that the patient has successfully undergone treatment, the initial period of rehabilitation will shift from motivation of abstinence to a timeline of three months (if all goes well). For the most part, majority of inpatient treatment programs will last for about 90 days and include these stages:
- Understanding and setting expectations for the withdrawal process
- Identifying and triggers for drug and alcohol addiction and learning to overcome them
- Establishing a game plan for masking cravings without resorting to drugs or alcohol
However, once the patient has shifted from inpatient care to a more self-reliant schedule, this process will no longer be so easy. Sometimes, people will find 12-step meetings (courtesy of groups like Alcoholics Anonymous) or sponsors to be excellent means of group therapy, mimicking the support from the inpatient program.
Biggest Challenges Right at Home
Your big return home is not always as pleasant as it may sound. Sometimes (in many cases, actually), the regular routine you once faced in your house can put a damper on your recovery schedule. In this case, be sure to speak with your husband, wife, partner, and anyone else living in the home about the rigorous nature of your new rules.
Also, being far away from inpatient care means that a chance of relapse skyrockets. Despite reconditioning your brain to ignore cravings, though, the neuropathways between addictive behavior and the pleasure centers will never leave.
Always remember that drugs and alcohol do not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.
The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your drug abuse, alcohol abuse, or addiction troubles today.
