Many people start using drugs to heighten or alter their moods, or to alleviate social discomfort. However, the reasons that people continue using drugs are often more complex. Certain substances can temporarily relieve feelings of anxiety and depression, diminish the pain of unresolved guilt, and mute the angst caused by current or past traumas. As such, it’s common for people to continue using drugs because they feel like they need to. With certain substances, the likelihood of both physical and psychological dependency are incredibly high. These and other factors can make even the mere prospect of quitting drugs terrifying.
Seeking treatment for drug addiction is actually one of the most positive and empowering things that you’ll ever do. The longer that you use a substance; the more the drawbacks of using outweigh the perceived benefits. Prolonged drug use has a significant and long-lasting impact on a person’s physical and mental health. It causes financial difficulties, legal difficulties, and destroys careers. It also results in the loss of meaningful relationships among many other things. Although the day you stop using drugs could prove to be one of the most physically and emotionally challenging days that you’ll ever face, it’s also guaranteed to be the most rewarding one. You’ll be infinitely closer to regaining your freedom and good health, and you’ll have the chance to begin your entire life anew. Knowing what to expect can make the prospect of quitting far less intimidating. It can also empower you, motivate you, and inspire you to start moving forward.
What the Very First Day of Quitting Looks Like
Detoxing is always the first step in quitting. This is the initial period of abstinence in which physical withdrawal symptoms present. How your first day of quitting looks and how hard it ultimately is all depends on how you choose to tackle detox. The absolute best way to detox, and the easiest, is by doing so in a licensed rehab facility that offers customized medical support. In professional detox, you’ll have the benefit of around-the-clock monitoring. Onsite staff will make sure that your withdrawal symptoms never spiral out of control. Detox teams can use:
- Medications for alleviating physical discomfort and minimizing withdrawal symptoms
- Sleep aids and other strategies for preventing insomnia and restlessness
- Stress management therapies
- Good hydration
- Nutritional support
and more. All of these things will be provided to ensure that you’re as comfortable as you can possibly be.
When you check into a rehab center, you’ll be given a needs-specific treatment plan. You’ll receive a complete psychological and medical evaluation, and your detox symptoms will be mitigated right away. In a closed-campus facility, you won’t have the opportunity to relapse, even when cravings and temptation are at their highest. Moreover, if you’ve been using drugs to alleviate feelings of anxiety, depression, or other mood-related issues, you’ll have instant and ongoing access to dual diagnosis treatment. Dual diagnosis treatment is designed to identify and manage any co-occurring disorders that recovering addicts may be dealing with including:
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- General anxiety disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
and more. As your body and brain gradually adapt to being drug-free, you’ll learn healthier and far more sustainable ways of maintaining good mental and physical health.
What to Expect Throughout the Days and Weeks That Follow
Detoxing can be challenging even after physical withdrawal symptoms abate. As your brain adjusts to functioning without drugs, you may feel unmotivated, depressed, fatigued, and emotionally drained. Getting better takes both personal effort and the benefit of a caring and compassionate team. In rehab, patients can take advantage of group and individual counseling, stress management workshops and activities, art therapy, and many other forms of support. You’ll be encouraged to eat well, rest well, and place your entire focus on getting better and feeling better. Once your mind is clear and your vital signs are stable, you can transfer seamlessly into the inpatient or outpatient addiction program of your choice.
Taking Steps to Keep Your Recovery On Track
Many people who use drugs think that quitting is something they can manage by sheer will alone. Addiction, however, isn’t a sign of insufficient willpower, weakness, or a lack of effort. Instead, it’s a complicated and lifelong disease that requires ongoing management. Your first day of quitting drugs is merely the first step towards the brighter, happier, and ultimately more successful future that you want. Not only can professional rehab help you get customized detox support for making the withdrawal process easier and safer, but it can also set a solid foundation for long-term recovery. If you’re ready to quit using drugs and want your first day sober to be as comfortable and rewarding as possible, we can help. Get in touch with us now by calling 844-903-2111.
