Addiction is the irresistible physiological urge for the use of a habit-forming substance. Drug addiction fits as a disease that affects both the body and the brain. In some cases, drug addiction refers to a substance abuse disorder. An individual suffering from substance abuse disorder feels forced to use it, regardless of the repercussions of using the substance on their body, brain, and life.
Drug addiction is a gradual problem; it usually starts small. The speed at which one gets addicted and the risk of addiction varies between individuals and the drugs. Another factor that determines how addictive a drug maybe is the mode of ingestion. For example, injectables and smoked substances are more addictive since they affect the brain immediately. One qualifies to be called an addict if they cannot refrain from using a substance or engaging in a behavior despite it causing psychological or physical harm. With rehab being a typical solution to sobriety, there are other alternatives a drug addict can use to get clean.
Alternatives to rehab
There is more than one way of ensuring that a drug addict gets clean. However, the bottom line is that effective treatment must look into the individual’s drug use and any related medical, psychological, social, vocational, and legal issues. Rehab might be too expensive for some people interested in getting their lives back on track. However, other alternatives are affordable, accessible, and have evidence of their success.
There are other alternatives to rehab. Medication is one of them, and it helps in reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. There is also recovery coaching whereby people in recovery professionally keep others accountable about their own recovery goals. Finally, there are the peer recovery groups. Let’s delve deeper into these other sobriety options:
Medication
Medication helps counter withdrawal symptoms, prevent relapse, and treat co-occurring conditions such as depression and anxiety. A return to drug use, in some cases, can be viewed as part of the process, but modern medicine helps prevent relapse. Therefore, you should strictly follow the medical treatment plan to achieve success in addiction management.
The medication suppresses withdrawal symptoms during detoxification almost 80% of the time. It is also used to re-establish normal brain functions hence reducing cravings. The medication also treats co-occurring conditions that may contribute to a person’s addiction.
Recovery coaching
A recovery coach brings knowledge concerning addiction recovery and helps a patient through their programs. They are not there to tell the patient what to do. On the contrary, they are there to steer you towards achieving the outcome you want. Their mission is to show you the steps you need to take to meet your objective.
For recovery coaching to work, there needs to be a plan. The patient also needs a goal. The work of the recovery coach is to help the patients develop a strategy to achieve their goals. The recovery coach can detect signs of a relapse and guide you to a counselor or meeting that will help.
Peer recovery groups
Being a drug addict can be a lifelong disease. The treatment process teaches you ways of fighting the disease all the time. It also gives addicts a support network to help in the battle. Like other chronic diseases, treatment for drug addiction is not a cure; we only manage it. However, therapy helps the patient counter addiction’s disruptive effects on their brains and behavior, thus facilitating control of their lives. Each person faces unique struggles with sobriety, substance abuse, and addiction. Their paths are always quite different. However, rehabilitation becomes more manageable with the proper support structure. That is what peer recovery groups offer addicts.
Peer recovery group meetings mostly have 10 to 20 participants. The sessions last for almost an hour and a half. They are focused on specific topics with occasional speakers. Participants get the opportunity of sharing their strategies and struggles. They also get to explore different approaches to various situations. A certified CARE, Peer recovery coach facilitates the groups. The coaches have excellent training on addiction treatment, relapse, recovery, and resources.
Getting clean requires more than just eliminating the physical dependence but also solving the behavioral issues. Just quitting the use of drugs does not change the psychological aspect of addiction. Individuals need professional help to deal with the psychological side of it. Relapse may be a regular occurrence in recovery, but it becomes dangerous or life-threatening for some drugs. In addition, when a person uses the same amount of drugs they previously used before quitting, they are likely to overdose since their bodies are no longer adaptive to that level of drug exposure. Get in touch with us to take you through the sobriety journey. Our counselors are always just one call away 844-903-2111.
