Recovering from an addiction to drugs or alcohol isn’t easy. When it is left untreated, addicts may end up losing everything: their health, career, loved ones and most importantly, their lives.
While the recovery process will be tough, the end result, which includes the chance to rebuild their lives and living clean and sober, is well worth the effort.
Admitting to having an addiction problem is the first big step on the road to recovery and the importance of it should never be underestimated.
If you have recently admitted to being helpless towards drugs or alcohol, continue reading and I’ll explain how to get back on track after deciding that you have an addiction problem.
Do Whatever It Takes To Remain Sober
Once addicts have opened up and are ready to receive help, they have to be prepared to do whatever it takes to remain sober and drug-free.
And there are lots of ways to achieve this. Addicts can join treatment programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), both which use 12 step meetings, which over the years have proven to be highly effective in helping addicts beat their addiction.
However, these group meetings are a type of self-help therapy session, as members will share their personal experiences about recovery.
Find a Sponsor and Participate in the 12 Step Meetings
A sponsor is someone who will mentor an addicted individual through an addiction recovery program. They will offer support and guidance whenever it is needed.
It’s important that addicts don’t just ‘fill a seat’ in these 12 step meetings, but actually participate. These sessions gives them the opportunity to interact with people in similar positions as themselves and can play a very positive role in the recovery process.
Embrace Change
Admitting to having an addiction problem will give addicts the chance to start over again.
For example, if the people the person spent their time with uses drugs or alcohol or introduced them to the substance in the first place, then it’s important to make new friends and ditch the old ones.
Addicts must also avoid going to places that might cause them to use the drug or start cravings for it again. Embracing these changes will avoid the possibility of suffering a relapse.
Get Addiction Treatment
The best way to treat any addiction is to get proper addiction treatment.
Time after time it has been proven that a residential stay in a rehabilitation centre provides addicts with the best chance of achieving recovery.
In the rehab clinic, addicts will receive a supervised medical detoxification to minimise the effects of any withdrawal symptoms that may be felt.
Patients will also be under the watchful eyes of the staff in the rehab centre 24 hours a day, which will ensure that they receive medical care and support whenever it is needed.
Recovering addicts will also engage in different types of therapy and counselling, such as family and group therapy as well as one-on-one counselling. These are all geared to educating the patient about their addiction and to show them what can be done to avoid using the drug in the future.
Outpatient treatment is also available for addicts who have major obligations to fulfil. Patients will be able to live at home, but have to attend regular counselling and therapy sessions at the rehab centre each day.