As you embark on the journey of rehab recovery through a professional alcohol and drug treatment program, you will learn how to develop a healthy, sober lifestyle in four distinct stages. Initiation is the first stage. At this stage, you will establish a support network. During the second stage, early sobriety, you will develop healthy coping mechanisms and learn how to live without drugs and alcohol. In the third stage, often referred to as mid-recovery, you will continue to learn and grow in your sobriety and begin to help others. The fourth and final stage of rehabilitation is a commitment to recovery where you will build up your sobriety skills and knowledge and strive to maintain a lifetime of abstinence.

Overcoming Ambivalence

Recovery begins when you seek help from a professional alcohol and drug rehab program. You probably will have some ambivalent feelings about giving up your drug of choice permanently in the initial stages of rehab, and you may feel that your addiction is not as severe as others. The feelings of ambivalence and denial can be your worst enemies at the beginning of your recovery but remember that everyone experiences these feelings and that they are normal. You must keep your eye on the prize, which is a life free of addiction, throughout the four stages that we will cover.

Stage 1: Developing a Support Network

During the first stage of treatment, the goal is to motivate you to participate actively in treatment and accept abstinence as a goal. The rehab program will encourage you to reflect on the damaging effects of addiction on your health and on your relationship with others. A substance abuse counselor can help you identify your goals for treatment and what you hope to achieve. Next, you will create a plan for building a support system of family, friends, or other recovering addicts. Afterward, you’ll create a treatment plan with your therapist that outlines all your specific needs and goals.

Stage 2: Learning How to Live Sober

By the time you reach this stage, you will know how to cope with cravings and triggers without drugs or alcohol. Most often, this occurs in an inpatient treatment setting, where you will have access to care and support 24 hours a day. At this stage, you may participate in therapies such as:

Detox: The process of getting rid of drugs and alcohol from the body.
Individual therapy: One-on-one sessions with a therapist to address addiction’s underlying causes.
Group therapy: Sessions with other recovering addicts who provide encouragement and support.
Family therapy: Sessions with family members to restore damaged relationships and improve communication.

Stage 3: Helping Others in Recovery

Once you have solidified your sobriety skills and knowledge, you may want to give back to others who are still struggling with addiction. In this stage, you may become involved in a variety of activities. Perhaps you want to serve as a role model and support person for someone in early recovery. Perhaps you will become involved in recovery coaching, assisting individuals in developing and adhering to their recovery plans. Perhaps you will begin speaking publicly about addictions. By sharing your story, you will help others understand addiction and realize recovery is possible. Finally, you may decide to return to school so that you can become a counselor, therapist, or some other role in the treatment field. You want to help those with addictions get the treatment they need.

Stage 4: Maintaining a Lifetime of Sobriety

The final stage of rehab involves maintaining sobriety for the long run. Here you will consolidate the skills and knowledge you have taught them in early and mid-recovery and continue to work on their recovery every day. Attending 12-step meetings, therapy sessions, and other support groups may be part of this. It is also possible for individuals to volunteer their time to help others in early recovery. When you maintain sobriety and help others, you can live a fulfilling life free of addiction. Please reach out for help if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction. There are many resources available to help you get started on the road to recovery. You can reach our counselors at any time. You can reach us at 833-497-3812.