How to Start the Drug Recovery Process?
Drug addiction is a chronic disease that can be characterized as a strong, compulsive but involuntary urge to take drugs again and again, despite noticing the harmful effects of addiction on the abuser's body and brain. It all starts with a voluntary action of taking up a drug or alcohol, but very soon it is converted into an involuntary urge to take that drug. It also involves relapse, which can be characterized as the return to the drug again after a successful attempt at quitting drug addiction.
The recovery process of drug addiction
Drugs should not be taken without the supervision of a healthcare provider. Most people tend to abuse any drug, including Adderall (ADHD medication). The very first step of the recovery procedure is the acknowledgement by the abuser that drug addiction is a harmful thing. It also includes the realization of the abuser that he is suffering from many problems because of drug abuse.
If we enlist certain steps to start a drug recovery process. The list may be as follows.
- Detoxification
- Behavioral Counseling
- Treatment initiation
- Early Abstinence
- Maintaining Abstinence
- Termination
- Advanced Recovery
Detoxification
Detoxification is the very first step when it comes to the proper recovery process. It includes flushing out the substance from within the body of the abuser and hence preventing the withdrawal symptoms. This process may involve proper medication to avoid withdrawal reactions.
Behavioral Counseling
Behavioral counseling is the next very important step in the recovery process. It includes different therapies that vary from person to person, depending upon the personal needs of the drug abuser. There are different types of behavioral counseling ranging from cognitive behavioral therapy.
Treatment Initiation
This step exactly starts when a person reaches rehab to seek professional help. This is a solid step towards recovery. This stage is quite a difficult one. At this stage, the abuser simply goes into the denial stage. He/She thinks that his condition is quite better than the other patients in rehab. Secondly, quitting the substance at once seems to be impossible. At this stage, the history of drug or alcohol abuse is also studied and the counselor makes a plan in collaboration with the abuser for his recovery.
Early Abstinence
When the abuser is committed to starting proper treatment for drug addiction, he enters this stage. This stage can be identified by positive treatment outcomes. But at the same time, this stage is the toughest to deal with. As withdrawal symptoms attack the abuser and he falls prey to many severe physical and psychological problems. He may feel strong cravings for the drug. This stage contains the highest possibility of drug relapse. If it is about an alcohol abuser, he may have to face social pressure to restart drinking, which may increase his cravings to the highest possible level. At this stage, a drug counselor again comes to the abuser's rescue.
Maintaining Abstinence
This stage comes after almost 90 days of early abstinence. This again is a very important stage in recovery. It includes follow-up counseling sessions. Another tough challenge at this stage is avoiding substitutes for addictive drugs. A healthy lifestyle free of drugs may start at this stage. This stage must include something productive and some goals may be set for future life at this stage. This stage lasts until the abuser spends five years of a clean and sober life.
Termination
Recovery from drug addiction is a time-consuming and long-term procedure, which is very challenging because of the continuous danger of relapse. So it is very important to avoid distraction and stick to the solid goal of terminating addiction from the abuser's life.
Advance Recovery
This stage is another very important stage in recovery. It starts after almost five years of enjoying a sober life. In this phase, the previous drug abuser creates long-term goals for his upcoming life. He might have built social ties with normal people who are not drug addicts. This further helped him in his rehabilitation. He may have adopted a healthy lifestyle. He might have developed a new sense of recreation other than drug addiction.
In a Nutshell…
Religion, spirituality, and social work can play a vital role in satisfying his inner self, which in turn helps him live a happy, normal, and sober life. Drug addiction affects both the body and the brain. It affects badly on memory, physical balance, and control over the brain. It might demotivate the abuser with continuous use. Avoiding relapse is a great challenge an abuser has to face at this stage.