It is commendable that you are seeking help for your addiction to drugs and alcohol. Understandably, you might feel nervous and want to know what lies ahead.
Typically, the first step is detox. This allows your body to eliminate any harmful substances you’ve been taking. Once the harmful substances have been physically removed from your body, you can start on the path to recovery. You may wonder what you should expect after detox.
The Process of Detoxing
The fact that you are battling an addiction to drugs or alcohol means that your body has gotten to the point where it requires these substances to function normally. Going through the detox process with professional help means stopping using drugs and alcohol. Your body must adjust how it works to operate normally without these substances.
You’re going to experience some withdrawal symptoms. These can include:
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Sleeping problems
• Nausea
• Hallucinations
• Changes in blood pressure
The good thing is that you chose to go through the symptoms while receiving care from professionals. This means that professionals will ensure that your withdrawal symptoms present the least discomfort possible.
Detox Is Done, Now What?
Your body is cleansed of harmful substances—what a relief. Now you can start breaking the mental, emotional, and psychological addiction. This means getting to the heart of any underlying issues contributing to your addiction and moving forward with recovery.
Addiction is a disease. Like other chronic diseases, treatment is not a cure. But it does allow you to manage your symptoms successfully. Treatment lets you fight against addiction’s effects on your brain and behavior. You get to be in control of your life once again.
During the recovery process, you will be asked to talk a lot. Talk therapy, group therapy, and family therapy are all part of helping you get better. The more you feel engaged in the process, the better your chance of changing the attitudes and behaviors connected to drug use, leading to healthier life skills.
Should You Choose Residential or Outpatient Care?
The answer to that question will vary based on your circumstances and personal needs. Outpatient treatment gives you some freedom and allows you to continue to work, care for your children, and go about your normal life. For some people, this is good. However, the lack of structure and the constant influence of bad friends and stressful environments can lead to relapses for others.
Inpatient residential treatment is more intense. You don’t have the same freedoms you get with outpatient treatment. But for many people, the structure and constant care of inpatient treatment are critical factors in their long-term success.
Caring for Your Mind and Body
Counseling and therapy are good for the mind. They can help you identify behaviors you may not know you have that led to your addiction. Therapy can help you identify thought patterns that you need to change to deal with stresses in life without turning back on drugs or alcohol. Therapy sessions are focused on maximizing your emotional and mental health.
You also have to take steps to care for your body. Likely, you weren’t paying much attention to good nutrition during addiction. You may have lost weight. Your addiction may have affected your skin, teeth, and other aspects of your health. During recovery, you will relearn how to eat well, exercise, and take steps to improve your physical health. Your treatment should be focused on addressing your needs as a whole person. This holistic approach will help you be successful.
Take Advantage of a Good Support System
One of the most incredible things about going through a recovery program is that you don’t have to do it alone. You’re going to have the support of your friends and family at home, you’re going to have the help of a caring staff as you go through rehab, and you’re going to be side-by-side with other people who are going through the same journey that you are.
Take advantage of twelve-step programs and other meetings designed to give you emotional and social support. All of this will help you benefit long after your detox and once you complete the rehab program.
Are you looking to regain control of your life and break free from addiction? If so, we are here to help. Contact us today at 833-497-3812.