How to Live Without Drugs: 7 Ways to Overcome Addiction
If you have ever struggled with an addiction to drugs or alcohol then you know just how hard it can be to turn your life around and get sober, once and for all. For a lot of people who are still living in an active stage of drug addiction and/or alcohol abuse, having fun without the use of drugs or alcohol seems to be out of the question.
While people who struggle with a substance abuse problem often have a laundry list of reasons that keep them from getting sober, such as no desire or denial that they even have a problem to begin with. One major and common excuse is that there is no way to live life and have funwithout the use of drugs or alcohol. Although it may feel that way for the majority of addicts, and those in the beginning stages of recovery, that just simply isn’t true.
For someone who has been living life under the influence of powerful, mind altering drugs, it may seem as though there is no other alternative, but there is a way to live life while sober and still have fun at the same time. That is not to say that sobriety will not offer challenges, but getting through them without the use of drugs or alcohol will become very rewarding. Those in recovery understand how important it is to have an enjoyable life while maintaining sobriety.
Work Out- Working out may not initially sound like everyone's idea of fun, but research has proven that physical activity reduces stress. Not only that but it also balances out the production of serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters commonly affected by drugs and alcohol. The stimulation of these through exercise naturally leads you to feeling happier. It is important to remember that working out can take on many forms, not just hitting the gym. Consider trying yoga, going swimming, or enrolling in a ZumbaIf you challenge yourself and are having fun, you are more likely to repeat the same activity.
Play a Sport- To some, the idea of working out or going to the gym is not something they may be willing to do, and that's ok. Another way to stay physically active is by playing a sport. Most cities have community leagues for baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, etc. The majority of these leagues can be found by visiting your local cities governmental website. These community athletics leagues help to incorporate physical activity while offering a social aspect as well.
Develop a Hobby- If sports or physical activity really just aren't your thing, then there are still ways to live without drugs or alcohol. One of the most helpful things to do for long-term sobriety is to develop a hobby, such as photography, cooking, reading, knitting, pottery, gardening, etc. Hobbies allow you to gain self-esteem and are naturally rewarding. They allow you to boost your motivation, improve a skill, and become better at something that you are interested in, which can be important in recovery as it gives you a little something extra to stay sober for.
Volunteer- The simple act of volunteering has been reported as one of the easiest ways to have fun while in recovery. Research suggests that nearly 94% of people reported having an elevated or improved mood after having volunteered. Not to mention, volunteering is probably the cheapest way a person can have fun, it often costs you nothing but your time. The simple act of giving back is very personally rewarding, and can become a pillar in someone's life. Volunteering also gives you the opportunity to meet new people, a lot of whom are also in recovery.
Take Classes- A lot of people in recovery state that drugs or alcohol kept them from pursuing higher education. Well, sobriety is the second chance to pursue that goal. Go back to college or attend some local community classes. It is never too late to go back to school, and oftentimes first time students, or returning students, qualify for grants and student loans. You can also take classes to improve a hobby, such as creative writing classes, cooking, or photography and gardening. Going back to school or taking classes is easily one of the best ways to live without drugs or alcohol.
Attend a Self-Help Group- Self-help groups are usually offered for free around the community. For those in recovery these often include Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Though they may not sound like fun at first, these are the preferred choices for those who are successful in their recovery. This is because they offer sober and social interactions. They often have sober activities outside of the group as well, such as barbecues or dances. This gives you the opportunity to meet new people and develop a good support system, which is important for long-term sobriety.
Meditation- To some, meditation is an important part of living life without drugs and alcohol. Meditation has been known to produce important changes to the structure and the function of the brain, helping to repair damage that may have been caused by the use of alcohol or drugs. It has also been shown to reduce stress and improve overall mental and physical health. It can also help to reduce depression and anxiety, which are common triggers for relapse. Meditation also increases spiritual awareness which can be extremely beneficial when learning how to live without drugs or alcohol.
These are just a few of the most common ways that others in recovery have found useful for their sobriety. There is life without drugs or alcohol, even though it may not feel like it to some. If you are someone you know is struggling with an addiction please do not hesitate to ask for help! We sincerely hope that you found this list useful and wish you the best in your recovery!
Colleges and Drugs: What are the Popular Drugs to Look Out for in 2020?
For those who have been lucky enough to attend college, they know that it can be a very exciting experience. For some, the experience is mainly focused around the academic aspect and the desire to further their education. For others, while academia may still be a factor, the experience is more about what college itself has to offer; individual freedom, and the chance to make decisions without constant parental guidance, the opportunity to expand one’s social circle, and it is often a setting where experimentation with drugs or alcohol is common for a variety of different reasons, either for fun, to celebrate, for social reasons, or perhaps even to deal with the stress. Whatever the reason may be, it is no secret that for the majority of college students, college experience tends to be a place for experimentation, especially when it comes to alcohol and drugs.
What kinds of drugs do college students typically use on Texas campuses?
A recent study found that nearly 23 percent of college students reported using an illicit drug sometime within the past 30 days and more than 75 percent say it is very easy to buy drugs on campus. While this has always been an issue, it may be of even more concern today. In the year of 2020, as the coronavirus, the pandemic also commonly known as covid-19, has caused a shift in the way college campuses are currently being operated. With classes being shut down and having been moved to only online, students are finding themselves with more free time than ever. However, it is unclear how this may impact data as far as drug use among college students is concerned, but young adults will likely continue to seek-out and use drugs.
Here are some of the most popular drugs on college campuses to look out for in the United States during the year of 2020:
Alcohol
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that alcohol is the substance that most people abuse in college, with 4 out of 5 college students drinking alcohol. To make matters worse, the majority of the college population are between the ages of 18 to 22, where 21 is the legal drinking age. More so, around half of the college students who drink also participate in binge drinking, which is where they consume four or more alcoholic beverages per hour.
Cocaine
Although the use of cocaine peaked around the mid 1980’s, it is still commonly found on college campuses. Cocaine is a highly addictive and illegal stimulant. College students reportedly use the drug at parties and clubs. While it is sometimes used by itself, the majority of college students say they combine it with other drugs like alcohol and marijuana at social gatherings. One study showed that 69 percent of users reported abusing the drug after entry into college.
Adderall and Ritalin
Adderall and Ritalin are both prescription medications often used for the treatment of ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). They have become the “study drug” of choice as both are known to have stimulating properties. College students are twice as likely to abuse prescription stimulants due to related workload stress. According to the 2017 results from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, around 60% of young adults used prescription stimulants obtained from friends for non-medical purposes.
Marijuana or Synthetic Marijuana
Some other commonly abused drugs by college students are marijuana and synthetic marijuana. Many students report using these substances in order to relieve the stress associated with college life. It is often abused at parties or other social events. It is estimated that nearly 38 percent of college students use marijuana, according to Monitoring the Future, a survey that is used to measure adolescent drug and alcohol activity. Synthetic marijuana is also a commonly used substance among college students who want to achieve the same effects as marijuana without the legal risk, as synthetic marijuana strains are made in order to circumvent detection from law enforcement agencies.
Xanax & Benzodiazepines
Xanax, also known as alprazolam, is a benzodiazepine commonly prescribed for the treatment of anxiety. Since it is widely prescribed and widely used, it has become easily obtainable through illicit channels. College students are more likely to abuse anti-anxiety medications to deal with stress from college life. It is also commonly combined with other substances such as alcohol, or barbiturates and has been known to cause blackouts, leading to its us as a date-rape drug on college campuses as well.
Psychedelics
Psychedelics, such as mushrooms, ketamine, LSD, or acid, are another group of substances that are commonly abused by people attending college. Psychedelics are hallucinogens, and can cause extreme hallucinations, leading people to lose their sense of reality. The effects of psychedelics are often unpredictable, and can last anywhere from 2-48 hours. This combination can cause people to act erratically, resulting in things like paranoia and psychosis. Use among college students is popular as the report trying to escape from their everyday life, which can oftentimes be stressful.
Ecstasy
Along with the rise of raves and EDM culture, is the use of ecstasy, or “molly” among college kids. In part due to the increased popularity of the rave culture is the increased use of ecstasy, or other MDMA related drugs, among college students. Many report using the drug where alcohol is common, such as at parties, bars, music festivals, and raves. The euphoric feeling often associated with the substance is what leads students to using it in social settings. However, it can result in things like paranoia, dehydration, and it can even turn fatal in certain situations.
Drug use among college students is not a new problem.
These are just a few of the most commonly abused drugs by college students in Texas. Due to things like social experimentation, peer pressure, stress and childhood trauma, many college students turn to drugs or alcohol. If you or someone you know may be struggling with a substance use disorder, please do not hesitate to reach out for help! Many have been where you are before and they have gotten the help necessary to get back on track. College is a very rewarding experience, but we also know that it can be very stressful. There is no shame in asking for help! Call us anytime. We are here to help you.
It is no secret that our country is currently suffering from a widespread problem, that problem is better known as addiction. Current research suggests that more than 21 million Americans struggle with an active addiction to drugs or alcohol every single day. While there are a large number of illegal drugs currently being abused, the most addictive and commonly abused are listed as followed; alcohol, methamphetamine, heroin, opioids, cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana. You may ask yourself, what makes these drugs so dangerously addictive to those who decide to use them? Well, the answer to that question would be Dopamine, the best drug ever created. What exactly is Dopamine, then?
Dopamine is a chemical neurotransmitter that is naturally released inside the brain.
While Dopamine is often associated with drug and alcohol abuse, it doesn’t just stop there; it is linked to shopping addictions, gambling addictions, sex addictions, so on and so forth. Dopamine is meant to act as a positive reinforcement for things normally dependent on survival, such as the rewarding feeling you get after eating a delicious meal or the pleasure you feel after sex.
Dopamine is often referred to as the “pleasure center” or “reward center” of the brain. Our brains are literally wired to increase the odds that we will repeat a pleasurable experience. When someone engages in a rewarding activity, the burst of dopamine is meant to signal to the individual that something important is happening and that it should take place again. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, this signal of dopamine causes changes in the neural connectivity of the brain making it easier to repeat these same actions over and over again without ever having to really think about it. This is what eventually leads to the formation of habits.
Drugs produce an overwhelming sense of euphoria and an intense burst of dopamine.
This powerfully reinforces the connection between using the drug, the resulting pleasure, and everything else that becomes associated with the experience like people, places, or things. In essence, this large surge of dopamine teaches the brain to seek and use drugs, even at the expense of other healthier goals or activities.
With the continued use, and the increased surges of dopamine, the external stimuli that get associated with a person's drug abuse are ultimately what become their triggers later on, and they are often very hard to overcome. This can result in a person having uncontrollable cravings when they encounter things that remind them of using their drug of choice, sometimes lasting even years into sobriety.
What many people do not know is that addiction is a disease of the brain. It is characterized by the inability to stop using drugs or alcohol despite having suffered extreme, severe, and negative consequences, like overdosing, losing their family, or ending up homeless. It is a chronic and often relapsing condition in which the only treatment or cure is to abstain completely from drugs or alcohol.
Drugs interfere with the way neurons send, receive and process information, causing physical differences in the actual structure of an addicted person’s brain. The three main areas that are most heavily affected by drug usage are the basal ganglia, the extended amygdala, and the prefrontal cortex.
The basal ganglia plays an important role in positive forms of motivation, including the pleasurable effects of healthy activities, otherwise known as the reward center. By overstimulating this circuit with a flood of dopamine, it diminishes the sensitivity and makes it hard to feel pleasure again without the use of drugs or alcohol.
The extended amygdala plays an essential role in stressful feelings, especially ones associated with withdrawal. Overtime, the increase of dopamine causes this area of the brain to become more sensitive, which is why it is difficult for those who are addicted to deal with stressful emotions without the use of drugs or alcohol.
The prefrontal cortex is responsible for the ability to think, plan, solve problems, make decisions, and exert control over one’s impulses. Overwhelming the brain’s circuit with the repeated influx of dopamine causes an individual with a substance use disorder to suffer from a lack of impulse control and diminished decision making skills.
Some of these changes to the brain can heal over time, but depending on how extreme the usage of drugs or alcohol was, and for how long they were being abused, some of these changes can be permanent. When someone suddenly stops using drugs or alcohol, the brain goes on high alert because it has been tricked into believing that it needs drugs or alcohol in order to feel good again or to even feel normal.
Some common symptoms of excessive dopamine and drug withdrawal include:
Flu-like symptoms
Anxiety
Restlessness
Insomnia
Seizures
Depression
Irritability
Mood swings
Clammy skin
Dilated pupils
Changes in appetite
Nausea
Weight loss
Dizziness
Digestive problems
For this, the list could go on. If you believe you or someone you know may be suffering from a severe drug withdrawal, it is always recommended that you contact a medical health professional. There is no telling how your body will react when detoxing from a dangerous and addictive substance.
The research surrounding the problem of addiction is continually offering new insight in how to better deal and treat this life-long disease that affects so many people in our country alone. For so long, addiction was seen as the person lacking moral fiber, but now we know that it is a disease that chemically alters the structure of the brain. especially over time. Thankfully, scientists and doctors have been able to identify the link between addiction and dopamine. Hopefully, now that we may all have a better understanding about the role it plays in developing an addiction, we will be able to better manage it when it occurs, or stop it from happening entirely. If you need help and believe you are suffering from an addiction yourself, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for help! We have a team of professionals who are more than happy to help you begin your journey to healthy and happy life.
I am Addicted: 10 Steps to Take to Get Away From Drugs
Struggling with an addiction can oftentimes be a very overwhelming and emotional situation where the user may feel as though they are trapped by their drug addiction, with little to no chance of ever getting help and escaping the deadly grip of drugs or alcohol. So, why even bother trying? This feeling is what can ultimately lead them to continuing their destructive way of living without ever getting the help they so desperately need. For those of you who know, overcoming a substance abuse problemcan prove to be very difficult, especially when someone is unwilling to admit they have a problem or is afraid to seek help.
How Do I Get Away From Drugs and Alcohol?
The first step in any recovery plan is admitting that you are powerless over drugs and alcohol. So, if you are here because you are addicted to drugs and alcohol and are seeing what it takes to begin the recovery process, then congratulations! You have already completed the very first step in recovery. At this moment, you are already on the right track to leading a healthy and fulfilling life, but it will take a few more steps to get there. As any expert will tell you, recovery is a process and it will look different for everyone, but here are a few steps you can take that will help to get you away from drugs and alcohol.
Build a Support Network- If you are beginning a new life of sobriety, it will be very important to build a network of support. This can be close friends and family members, a doctor, a support group online or people from 12 step programs like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). If you feel as though you may have alienated people from your life due to your addiction, try to reach out to them and let them know that you are ready to get clean and sober. They will probably just be happy to hear that you are willing to get help!
Attend a 12 Step Program- Attending a 12 step support group can help provide the support you need, especially early on in sobriety. Support groups like Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous are held within almost every city throughout the United States, and for several times a day. Spending time with sober people and having someone to talk to is essential in the recovery process.
Research Treatment Options- Research different treatment facilities for addiction treatment. Many addiction centers offer different treatment services that are specialized for certain alcohol or drug abuse problems. Picking the right treatment center will ensure that you get the best care for your specific needs.
Get Treatment if Needed- If you are a heavy user, you may need help in managing the detox and withdrawal symptoms early on in your recovery process. They can also help to provide the necessary tools needed for a life of sobriety. The majority of insurance providers also offer full or partial coverage for rehab facilities.
Learn Healthy Ways to Deal with Stress- A lot of what drives people to use drugs or alcohol early on while in recovery is the emotional stress that comes along with it. When you feel stressed try taking the dog for a walk, do some light exercise, or take a hot shower. There are plenty of other healthy ways that we can relieve stress.
Try Family Therapy- Getting your family involved with your recovery can help to strengthen the foundation of your sobriety. This can be especially helpful if you feel as though you have let them down or vice versa. Dealing with emotional trauma will help to remove some of the desire to use drugs or alochol again.
Avoid Relapse Triggers- Relapse triggers are anything that make us want to use drugs or alcohol. They can be anything we associated with past drug or alcohol use, like people, places or things. Avoid people you used to hang out with while you were drinking or getting high. Avoid going to bars and nightclubs, or places you used to get high at, and always be careful with prescription drugs. Make sure you are upfront with your doctor about your past drug or alcohol abuse.
Cope with Your Drug Cravings- Unfortunately, not all relapse triggers can be avoided, no matter how hard we may try! Learning how to effectively cope with your drug cravings will allow you to move past them. Distract yourself by reading a book or go hang out with a sober family member or friend. Remind yourself why you are staying sober and the negative consequences you have experienced because of your drug or alcohol abuse. Try coming up with other coping mechanisms that will work specifically for you while you are experiencing a drug craving.
Have Something in Your Life that You Deeply Care About- Try adopting a new pet or pick up an old hobby, maybe even try something new! Build the relationship back up with your kids. You could possibly even consider getting a new house plant? Having something in your life that you deeply care about will help to provide meaning in your life.
Don't Let Relapse Get You Down- Relapse is sometimes part of recovery. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of a relapse, try using it as a learning experience instead, helping you to identify triggers and fix any problems in your recovery plan. The most important thing to do after a relapse is to not give up. Call your sponsor, family member, or a trusted friend.
Help For Your Addiction is Available in Many Forms.
Always remember that there is hope for recovery and that someone who cares is never more than a phone call away. You are not alone and getting help for addiction recovery is never a reason to feel any shame. Beginning a life of sobriety is very important for your physical and mental health. We really hope this list of steps will help to lead you in the right direction toward a lifelong journey of sobriety. The sooner you get help, the easier it will be to overcome this addiction! Don't hesitate to call us right away:
6 Common Triggers for Drug Use and How to Avoid Them
Once you have embarked upon the journey of getting clean, remaining sober can often times prove difficult, especially for those who have recently found sobriety or overcome addiction. While relapse can sometimes be considered part of the recovery process, by allowing us the opportunity to learn about the potential causes that may lead to unwanted drug or alcohol abuse, we hope to avoid them altogether by becoming more aware of some of the most common triggers associated with drug use and techniques to better cope with them.
If you have ever experienced a relapse, or are new to recovery, know that you are not alone, research suggests that between 40 to 60 percent of people who have recently undergone treatment for a drug or alcohol addiction will relapse within just one year of sobriety. https://health.usnews.com/wellness/articles/2017-04-24/why-do-alcoholics-and-addicts-relapse-so-often One of the ways to keep from becoming a member of this statistic is to pay attention to cues or situations that can lead to this unwanted drug or alcohol use, below is a list of 6 common triggers and some additional tools so that we can hopefully avoid them:
⦁ Negative Emotions
After having masked negative emotions with drugs or alcohol throughout the span of an active addiction, learning to cope with these emotions in a healthy way can be one of the most challenging fundamentals to sobriety. Beginning to sit with these feelings can cause uncomfortability and anxiety, especially when we have never confronted them before. Having a strong support system when we feel sad, confused or frustrated can help alleviate some of the stress that newly recovered addicts may experience. Joining a twelve step program and finding the right sponsor, seeing a new therapist or a counselor, and even going to a gym can be a great start in learning how to cope with these emotions in a healthier way. By allowing ourselves to feel these negative emotions and openly communicating them, our comfort level will begin to increase as we see that eventually these feelings do subside and that we had the strength to face them without the use of drugs.
⦁ Do you need to H.A.L.T.?
Emotions play a major role in recovery and getting to know your body is a key step towards remaining sober. Are you hungry, angry, lonely, or tired? Knowing when to listen to these feelings and having an action plan to resolve them will ensure that you are not reaching for drugs or alcohol and that you are giving your body what it needs instead. Try setting aside time for meal planning if you find that you get hungry around a specific time of day, practice good sleeping techniques before bed if you have trouble falling asleep or plan for an emergency cup of coffee if you begin to feel sluggish throughout the day. You can always attend a 12 step meeting or call a trusted friend, just by understanding these needs we can effectively avoid the trigger.
⦁ Dating and Relationships
Finding love is one of the most amazing things you can experience in life. Relationships can also cause a lot of stress which could trigger a relapse into drug or alcohol abuse.
Often suggested, but commonly ignored, is the advice to steer clear of any romantic involvement (no matter how casual) within the first year of recovery. There are many reasons why dating early in the recovery process should be avoided, addiction is a disease of emotion and new relationships come with many, they may begin to replace the substance and form an addiction of their own. Abstaining from any kind of sexual relationship when new to sobriety will assure that healthier coping mechanisms are being established instead of putting yourself at risk for relapse from the emotional stress of a new relationship. Also, by waiting till we are healthy enough as an individual to begin dating again will only increases the likelihood of finding a more suitable partner.
⦁ Times of Celebration
Birthdays, holidays, and other times of celebration are usually associated with positive emotions but when new to recovery it can be a trigger for drug use. It may not be realistic to expect that you can simply just skip going to all of these events but knowing what to expect when you get there can decrease the chance of falling back into old habits, especially when considering going to a place where drugs or alcohol may be involved. Many recovering addicts feel that they are able to control themselves and their addiction by "just having one", we know that this is a common misconception. By preparing yourself before the party, you can limit your exposure to these triggers, ask others in attendance what kind of substances will be there and have a support system set in place by bringing along a sober family member or friend who can help remind you how important your recovery is and deter you from any potential relapse.
⦁ Professional Success
Alternatively to negative emotions, positive experiences can also be a trigger for unwanted drug use. Have you just landed a new promotion at work or have you finally gotten that long sought after raise? Be careful not to fall back into the old mindset that you have somehow overcome your disease by attaining this accomplishment. A mistake often made by people in recovery is that they are now cured because an addict could have never cultivated this achievement. It is all too easy to want to go out and celebrate, just like old times, but we know by now that addiction doesn't just go away. Make sure that you keep your support system in place by sharing your thoughts and emotions with others in the event that you are headed for a relapse.
⦁ Overconfidence
While having confidence in yourself during recovery is a good thing, becoming too confident can be a potential trigger and lead to a relapse, as many forget the importance of their recovery plan. It is easy to feel as though you have conquered your addiction as the day to day struggles of sobriety seem to lessen but reminding yourself that you are still susceptible to triggers can go a long way in continued sobriety. Staying in contact with your sponsor or therapist, attending regular meetings, and staying humble about your addiction are essential to a life of sobriety. If you find yourself getting complacent or feeling as though you are now above your addiction, consider mentoring someone who is newer in their path to recovery and remind yourself that staying sober requires a conscious daily effort.
We know that sobriety is a lifelong journey and that it will require hard work on a daily basis in order to sustain, no matter where you are in the process. Staying vigilant to your recovery plan and maintaining a good support system lessen the chances of giving in to these triggers that may lead to an unwanted relapse. Take some time to think back upon instances where you felt triggered or had a craving to use drugs or alcohol and come up with your own plan of action to avoid them. Share them with your sponsor, a therapist or a trusted family member or friend in order to remain accountable for your recovery process!
What are some effective drug-addict rehabilitation centers?
Many addicts who have struggled with substance abuse have successfully got clean and sober with the help of a variety of numerous programs. In your local area, it is likely that you have access to a wide array of potential treatment options. These could include the 12 step programs like Alcoholic’s Anonymous (AA) or Narcotic’s Anonymous (NA), inpatient detox centers, residential rehabilitation centers, licensed outpatient therapy programs, sober living homes and even partial hospitalization options. Most of these treatment varieties can be chosen to be conducted in long-term care, comprising of an array of different treatment methodologies over time or in the short-term, like an initial medical detox situation. Finding the right treatment for yourself, a loved one or family member can be quite exhausting with all the different options to choose from.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recommends that any effective drug-addict rehabilitation center provide many components in the treatment of substance abuse. These components should not only be focused on curing the addiction itself, but also offer tools and training for the patient to become productive members of society as well. Without the proper tools to help a patient cure their addiction and rebuild their lives, treatment likely won’t be as effective as it should be.
In the United States, with approximately 1 in 15 adults age 26 or older needing treatment for substance abuse and addiction, finding the best treatment can become a challenging endeavor. Couple this with the fact that most people experiencing a substance use disorder (SUD) do not believe they need to enter a rehab program and you have the potential for a national health epidemic. Nearly 200 people die from a drug overdose every day in the US. This disturbing trend continues to increase year after year, despite efforts by federal and local governments to curb the tide of drug abuse in the US.
Addiction can be a deadly disease.
If you or someone in your family is currently experiencing the disease of addiction, you want to find the best possible care. Choosing a drug rehab facility could be one of the most important health care decisions you make in your entire life. As you look for the most effective forms of treatment, you should consider programs that offer an evidence-based approach to their care. An evidence-based treatment approach is simply defined as one that is scientifically-proven to produce the best results. These programs will regularly consider new research studies and evidence to apply to their treatment regimens. Since these programs are in line with the scientific method, they will constantly reevaluate their practice based on these scientific findings.
“People typically do more research when shopping for a new car, than when seeking treatment for addiction.”
The main goal of an effective rehabilitation for an alcohol or drug addiction should be a lasting, lifelong sobriety. Sometimes the initial act of getting clean can seem like a major victory by itself. While the initial detox and simply stopping use of drugs or alcohol is a success, that alone is not enough to cure the addiction. Constant cravings and painful, sometimes excruciating withdrawal symptoms are common with the first few weeks or months of sobriety. An effective drug rehabilitation will help address the continuing battles of fighting a full-blown chemical dependency.
An addiction is never cured with a quick fix. There is no short term solution to an outright addiction problem. Most serious substance use disorders will require attention and care for months and in some cases even years. At More Than Rehab, we typically recommend aftercare and follow-up with our patients, encouraging them to continue to attend group or individual therapy sessions. These can be continued through our facility or through a local community organization like a 12-step program or other group meeting. We use a social model approach to our treatment programs, focusing on not just quitting the drugs and alcohol, but on reintegration into society once the inpatient stay at our facility is complete.
In any case, each patient we see has a unique set of needs and we try to implement the treatment options that would be the most successful for their individual situation. Multimodal treatment plans are genuinely the most effective at treating a variety of needs. These rehabilitation techniques can be applied intermittently or continuously, depending on the personal situation of the patient.
In the treatment for opioid addiction for example, relapse prevention medications such as Suboxone have a higher success rate for helping people through the early stages of their addiction recovery. Many treatment programs are afraid to use this type of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), because they view them as a replacement addiction or a crutch, replacing one substance for another. A rehab facility that uses these medication-assisted treatments are going to be administered by a board-certified medical doctor. When you are researching the most effective drug addict rehabilitation centers, find out the credentials of the staff and especially the medical director. Check to see that the therapist or physician is certified by the American Board of Addiction Medicine.
In addition to your treatment for addiction, find out if the facility offers treatment for any other underlying mental health issues as well. A lot of times, people become addicted to illicit drugs because they (knowingly or unknowingly) are self-medicating to alleviate symptoms of an underlying mental illness. This dual-diagnosis approach is crucial for many people who are trying to heal as a whole-person. This approach will be the most effective at helping them achieve a lifetime of healthy living through sobriety.
As you’re looking to find the most effective drug addict rehabilitation centers in your local area, remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. No one person’s needs will be fulfilled by a single treatment solution. Look for research-validated and evidence based recovery options that will include medication-assisted treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, community reinforcement and family group therapy sessions. These types of programs will help yourself or your loved one achieve a rewarding life that is free from the use of drugs or alcohol. Call us today!
How many times must someone go through rehab to stay sober?
Excellent question. Trouble is, you may not like the answer. Let’s break it down.
How many times will someone relapse? These questions are a sign that you’re thinking in practical terms about drug rehab in Houston, Austin, College-Station or somewhere else. “How much? How long? What will it take?” These are the kind of questions that come from someone who is, perhaps, ready to help someone else or begin the journey to being sober. Perhaps.
In other words, many people from all walks of life wish they could answer the question, “how do I stay sober?”. They wish really hard, don’t they? They really want to. And they will tell you so. But in reality, only a small percentage actually investigate what it actually takes. Half of all people will relapse as part of their recovery, at a slightly lower rate than other chronic illnesses.
Here’s the not so good news – how many times must someone go through drug rehab to stay sober depends on a countless number of factors. To better understand this, let’s attempt to group some of these factors into buckets.
Bucket #1 - Why do some people use drugs?
Things are not going to be easy, stumbling here and there along the way. a drug addict will be pushed to the limit and beyond. There will be times when you will have terrific reasons and justifications for not getting sober right now. Or, you’ll have an airtight case for why this kind of drug rehab is not for people like you. And, if you could just find that kind of rehab, things would be much better. Or, you might convince yourself and everyone else, that the way to guarantee you’re going to make it is to take a little break – just for now.
The more imaginative you are, the more reasons you’ll create. It all boils down to one question – “What’s your why?” Why do you want to stay sober? The stronger your why, the better prepared you’ll be to stay on track. It helps if you can connect your why to something really important to you. Crazy important. So clearly important, you would sacrifice almost everything for it. If your why isn’t strong enough, you’ll be tempted to rationalize it away when the going gets tough. When things get bad and you’re looking for a way out, you’ll start to question if your why was actually all that important to begin with. This is normal. This is expected. We’re just human. Almost all of us do this when the going gets tough.
Bucket #2 - How strong is your self-control?
Self-control during drug rehab and keeping your commitments are like a muscle. The more you use them, the stronger they become. How experienced are you in keeping your commitments? When you’re tested, how do you perform? Do you stick to what you said you were going to do, or not? Many of us don’t have a lot of experience in keeping our commitments. Things that sounded like a terrific idea yesterday, don’t sound like such a good idea today. Your world collapses as a result of substance addiction. Everyone starts out with their own capacity of self-control and discipline. Then life happens and you either build up the ability to maintain discipline or you don’t. The fact that you may have a drug or alcohol problem didn’t just appear overnight.
Often, when circumstances are in our favor, it’s easier to make plans and commitments. Then the circumstances change. Think of an example when your circumstances were not so peachy and you did what you set out to do anyway. Even small examples of new routines can offer insights into what we can expect. It doesn’t matter where you are with this. Start small. Start small and build up to where you feel confident about overcoming whatever’s going to come your way as you begin the journey to being sober.
Many begin the climb of Everest with a gigantic whyand that’s great, but it’s the tiny commitment of putting one foot in front of the other no matter how exhausted you are that carries you all the way to the top.
Bucket #3 - Why did I start using drugs?
How did you get here? What happened to you? Was it something that caused you to be where you are now? Sometimes, horrible, unspeakable things happen to us. Sometimes it’s subtle and builds momentum until it becomes a tidal wave that overwhelms us. It could have been something entirely unfair. It could have been something innocent that turns ugly. When did it happen? Is it still happening? Is there guilt? Is there blame? Is there anger? Is there shame? Dual diagnosis offers treatment options for related substance abuse problems.
Whatever it was – it happened. And the pain is very, very real. Can you begin to see that something happened and then somehow it began to define in some way, who you are? Can you begin to see that the emotions you experienced began to form how you let it create your story around it?
Bucket #4 - What factors encourage drug relapse?
Want to have some fun? Do a video search for “crabs in a bucket”. Here’s what you’ll find: All crabs have the same goal in life – to be happy. That’s it. And being happy for a crab is getting out of the bucket. Now the funny thing is, the more crabs you have in a bucket, the harder it is for one of them to get out. You see, every single crab is using it’s claws to grab onto whatever it can. They climb over each other until one of them – the lucky one – latches onto the edge of the bucket. Just as he starts to pull himself out, one of the other crabs will latch onto the lucky crab and before you know it, Mr. Lucky Crab is back in the bottom of the bucket.
The story goes, if you listen very closely, you can hear them – “Hey, you! Mr. Lucky Crab. Who do you think you are, trying to get out? D’ya think you’re too good for us? Is that it? Come on boys, let’s show him what happens to crabs like him!”
If you’re surrounded by friends who do the very thing you want to stop doing, what will it be like when they find out? Will they feel judged by you? Will you feel sorry for them? Will you miss them? There’s no right answer here. All you can do is be prepared to ask yourself the question. The social model of addiction treatment has been proven to be a factor in many people’s drug recovery in Texas.
Bucket #5 - Who is supporting you during your drug recovery?
Have you done your research on the best rehab facility in your area? Have you gone and talked to the people who run it? Have you talked to anyone who has successfully completed their stay? What are you using to judge whether or not this is the right rehab facility for you? Prices, location, facilities are easy to compare and shop around. And, yes, all those things matter. It’s important to feel comfortable. On the other hand, I don’t ever remember hearing someone say, “The number one reason why I’m sober right now is because the décor in my room was amazing.”
Visit enough facilities, meet enough of the staff, enough questions to make sure you have the people you need. This is going to be one of the most difficult and yet rewarding journeys you will ever take. Go find the people who are going to have your back. How many times must you go through rehab is all up to you.
