If you have a drug addiction and want to stop using, the thought of recovery for drug addicts might be daunting. There’s so much to know about recovering from drugs. It can be hard to even know where to start. Do you need to go to a rehab facility? What will withdrawal be like? Why does relapse happen? And what are triggers for recovering addicts? Read on to find out the answers to these questions and to get more information about recovering from addiction.
Recovery for Drug Addicts: What to Expect when Deciding to Quit
Treatment Centers
The first thing you need to decide about recovery for drug addicts is if you’d like to use a treatment facility. This is also known as rehab. There are long-term options that provide full-time care for 6-12 months or so. You can also find some shorter-term, full-time options which would last 3-12 weeks. There are out-patient options available too, and plenty of counseling and therapies out there.
Withdrawal
Recovery for drug addicts means going through withdrawal. This can be very intense and even fatal. Therefore, it often needs to be managed by a medical provider. Stopping drug use “cold turkey” can shock the body. Therefore, many treatment programs offer meds that help with withdrawal. They help the body adjust slowly. This is why treatment often is done in medical settings like hospitals. Rehab should include medical staff too.
Why Does Relapse Happen
Relapse is a part of recovery for many drug addicts. Most drug users have to try quitting several times before it “sticks.” This is because relapse is so common among recovering addicts. The most common reason for it is because it’s difficult to make a permanent lifestyle change. Stress and unexpected changes can make recovery less of a priority. And recovery requires never-ending focus. Another reason for relapse is because something triggers you.
Triggers
Recovery for drug addicts means managing your triggers. Basically, a trigger is anything that reminds you of drug use. They can be situations, people, smells, or sounds that you associate with drugs. When you encounter a trigger, it makes recovery much harder. Often, recovery is painful and long. Therefore, a trigger can break your concentration and lead you down the road to relapse.
If you want to stop using drugs, you need to know what recovery for drug addicts involves. Start by looking into treatment options near you. You can opt for many kinds of rehab. For example, short or long term places or outpatient care. Research what to expect from withdrawal. In addition, you’ll want to prepare for setbacks, like a relapse. And finally, figure out what kinds of triggers you need to look out for. Hopefully, knowing what to expect can help to make your recovery a success. Remember that you are doing the healthiest thing for your body, and will be thankful you made the decision in the end.