If you’re trying to find a route towards sober recovery on your own, you may be very disappointed. This can be discouraging because many people who travel this road alone fail. Recovery shouldn’t be a solo journey. When you’re trying to get sober from drugs or alcohol, you need to seek the help of people who understand the disease of addiction. In early recovery, trying to stay sober is extremely difficult, so rely on others for the help that you so desperately need.
The primary reason why people don’t ask for help is because they’re a victim of a delusion. The brain of someone who is addicted lacks self-awareness, so most people don’t even realize they need help. Other than that, guilt, shame, pride and ego all get in the way of a person asking for help. While asking for help may seem weak, it can be one of the most empowering things that you can do.
Sober Recovery – Asking for Help
It’s quite common for people who became addicted to drugs or alcohol to burn bridges with their friends and families. Friends and family members may have cut off ties with you and stopped talking to you or seeing you. This often makes people with an addiction believe that they are no longer loved, but it’s the opposite. Most of the time, the family must distance themselves from the situation for their own mental health and well-being.
Many family members simply won’t help you continue on the path of addiction, but they will be there when you want help. If you’re honest about seeking sober recovery, you’ll almost always find a friend or family member willing to assist. The assistance comes from helping you find a quality detox center, which is the first step in recovery. Detoxification is crucial to the potentially dangerous symptoms of withdrawal.
Sober Recovery Starts with Detox
The detoxification process from drugs or alcohol should never happen without medical professionals nearby. In the early to mid-20th century, some hospitals and treatment centers thought making people quit cold turkey would work. The idea was that a person would be too scared to ever drink or use again after quitting a drug or alcohol “cold turkey”. Not only was this highly ineffective, but medical science found out how dangerous this could be.
The mind and body become highly dependent to the drugs or alcohol that you’ve been using. When these substances are absent for too long, the brain and nervous system don’t know what to do. The lack of the substance in the body causes a wide range of withdrawal symptoms. Some of these symptoms can be very dangerous and uncomfortable.
Depending on the substance, symptoms of withdrawal can include:
- Irritability
- Body tremors
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Cramping
- Hallucinations
The most dangerous part of trying to detox on your own is that you’re putting yourself at risk of cardiac arrest. Substance abuse has weakened the heart, and it’s under too much stress without medical help. A qualified detox center will ensure that you’re safe during this process. The facility will also provide you with different medications that reduce cravings and minimize symptoms.
Understanding Addiction
Education is a huge part of sober recovery for anyone with a drug or alcohol addiction. One of the reasons so many people stay in their addiction is due to a lack of understanding. When someone doesn’t understand how cunning, baffling and powerful the disease of addiction is, they may relapse. If a person holds onto the idea that they can one day drink or use again, it’s very risky.
When you’re educated about the disease of addiction, you’ll gain some acceptance for your condition. You’ll see that addiction is like an allergy, and your body simply reacts differently to drugs and alcohol than others do. This also helps people realize that they aren’t a bad person, but they’re a sick person who can now get well. Knowledge helps, but then it is time to put in the work to avoid relapse.
Long Term Rehab for Sober Recovery
Detoxification is only the first step in the recovery process, and recovery can take some time. The best chance you’ll have at staying sober is transitioning into a long term rehab program. At a residential or outpatient treatment facility, you’ll get the care and attention you need to recover. This happens through different types of therapies that help heal the brain.
Individual therapy gives people recovering from addiction a safe place to discuss their past with a qualified professional. This is where people discover the causes and conditions that led him or her to drugs and alcohol. From here, a therapist can provide suggestions that allow a person to begin the healing process. Healing is crucial for moving forward and participating in mental and spiritual growth.
Group therapy and support from your peers is another crucial part of the treatment process. Those who become addicted can often feel isolated and alone, but they aren’t. In group sessions, you’ll see that there are many other people who understand what you’re going through. The support you gain from your peers will help give you the strength to continue moving forward.
Transitioning Through Levels of Care
An addiction specialist at the detox facility can help you decide which level of care you should continue with, but It doesn’t end there. The best thing you can do for yourself is transition from one level of care to another progressing to a life of sober recovery. For example, leaving residential treatment to return to regular life can be too much too soon. It’s much better to transition to an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) first for some more security.
From an outpatient program, you can move into a sober living home, which is also great for anyone with a toxic living situation. A sober living home is a home with other people who are living a sober life. Not only can you rest assured that you’re in a sober environment, but you’ll have support when you need it, fully engaging in relapse prevention. You’ll have a much better chance of staying sober coming home from a stressful day to others who understand your struggles.
Serenity House Detox & Recovery Can Help Get You Started
If you’re ready to discover a new happiness and a new freedom, allow Serenity House Detox & Recovery to help you. We’re a qualified detox center that specializes in everything from benzos, to opiates, to alcohol and stimulants. We have the latest in addiction treatment medicine to help provide you with a safe and comfortable detox process. Our staff is knowledgeable and caring an want to help you. The number is 866-294-5306.