Recovery from drug or alcohol abuse is when someone first realizes that they have a problem with their drug or alcohol use. Second, recovery also means that the person is willing to accept help from others to address their addictions. Third, recovery does not simply mean abstinence. True recovery from addiction is a process that takes time to heal the hurts that caused someone to desire an intoxicated or drug-induced existence. Finally, it is vital to understand that addiction to drugs or alcohol centers on the mind and emotions; it is less about the substance and more about the person’s mental health.
Why Is Recovery So Hard?
Letting go of the thing that helps you feel better and to like your life is extremely difficult for obvious reasons. No one, addict, or non-addict wants to be uncomfortable. However, people using substances need them, and there is no other way to say it. Drug and alcohol addictions only started as a way to have fun or relax. Once the individual realizes how much better they feel and cope with the help of a substance, they use it as a lifeline. Quitting is extremely hard but the answer is to follow in the footsteps of others who have found a way not to need drugs and alcohol to cope. The first step is asking for help to do this.
Less than 2% of newly recovering individuals attain five years of sobriety or abstinence from substances
What Treatments, Therapies, Or Support Groups Work?
Thankfully research on addiction has proven that personalized treatment programs that address the person’s individual needs from head to toe are most effective. Behavioral therapy types such as cognitive-behavioral therapy have also shown very strong results in helping even the most chronic addict or alcoholic learn to let go of the mental inaccuracies that prompt them to use or drink. The array of support groups that exist to help people grow in recovery is also outstanding. The most familiar support groups are any of the 12 step programs that wholeheartedly address the disease as a condition of the mind and emotions that engage the person’s sense of spirituality to become free of their emotional hang-ups.
Alcoholics Anonymous, Mindfulness-based Recovery, Smart Recovery, and Celebrate Recovery are influential support groups for newly recovering addicts and alcoholics
What Do The Experts Say About Recovery?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse is dedicated to addiction research and solutions. NIDA notes that abstinence is essential, but it is not the golden key to recovery. Instead, the healing of the mind and emotions is the key.
BEING IN RECOVERY IS WHEN THOSE POSITIVE CHANGES AND VALUES BECOME PART OF A VOLUNTARILY ADOPTED LIFESTYLE. WHILE MANY PEOPLE IN RECOVERY BELIEVE THAT ABSTINENCE FROM ALL SUBSTANCE USE IS A CARDINAL FEATURE OF A RECOVERY LIFESTYLE, OTHERS REPORT THAT HANDLING NEGATIVE FEELINGS WITHOUT USING SUBSTANCES AND LIVING A CONTRIBUTIVE LIFE ARE MORE IMPORTANT PARTS OF THEIR RECOVERY. (NIDA)
How Essential Is Recovery From Addiction?
Recovery is the answer for all drug and alcohol addicts. It is well known that people who do not give up drugging or drinking end up dead, in prison, or suffering extreme loss and homelessness. On the other hand, recovery can heal broken relationships and families, bring people to new careers or spiritual practices, and open doors to new interests and adventures in life. The list of reasons to recover from addiction is very personal and long but generally includes:
- Realizing your purpose in life other than drugs and alcohol
- Embracing your path to spirituality
- Communicating to professionals about past emotional hurts
- Overcoming fears and anxieties
- Validating your strengths for new careers
- Expressing your feelings in a healthy way
- Re-establishing and acquiring self-love and love for others
- Yearning to use drugs and alcohol will fade
What Can I Expect At Aria Florida?
Aria in Florida provides personalized treatment programs that are substance-specific, and we offer programs for men, women, and young adults. The recovery process takes time, and we encourage all our patients to consider long-term treatment and take advantage of our extensive aftercare programs. We give every patient the love and support to honestly feel and mentally realize that life is good without drugs and alcohol. Call now for same-day admission to one of our specialized rehab programs.