Why is Giving Back in Addiction Recovery Important?

The journey of recovery from drug or alcohol addiction has many steps. From seeking professional help to building a strong support system, each person’s path to sobriety is unique. However, one critical aspect should not be overlooked – giving back. The act of giving back can have a profound impact on a person’s recovery journey. Not only does it benefit the community, but it helps the individual maintain long-term sobriety.

The Connection Between Sobriety and Giving Back

Addiction often leaves individuals feeling alone, isolated, and disconnected from their community. Giving back can bridge this gap and help those in recovery feel a sense of belonging and purpose. By volunteering or getting involved in charitable activities, individuals can regain a sense of self-worth and contribute positively to society. This link between sobriety and giving back goes beyond just the act of giving. It is about rebuilding a sense of connection and making a meaningful impact on other people’s lives.

How Does Giving Back Help the Person in Recovery?

Giving back provides those in recovery with a sense of fulfillment and gratitude. It allows them to reflect on their journey and appreciate their progress. By helping others, they gain a new perspective on their struggles and find inspiration in the strength and resilience of those they are helping.

Below are additional ways giving back helps those recovering from a substance use disorder.

  1. Reinforces Sobriety: Engaging in service activities can distract those in recovery from cravings or triggers that might lead them back to their old habits.
  2. Builds Self-Esteem: Helping others rebuilds self-confidence and self-esteem. It fosters a positive self-image, making the person feel valuable, worthy, and empowered.
  3. Provides Purpose: Volunteering or mentoring gives an individual a new sense of purpose, meaning, and direction.
  4. Develops Empathy: Being in a position to give back helps those in recovery understand and empathize with others who may be struggling.
  5. Enhances Skills: Engaging in community services can help people in recovery to develop and enhance various social and practical skills.
  6. Fosters Gratitude: Giving back helps foster a sense of gratitude in individuals for the help they have received during their recovery.
  7. Promotes Personal Growth: Being of service to others can help promote personal growth and give the person an opportunity to examine and change their attitudes and behaviors.
  8. Responsibility: When individuals are responsible for the well-being of others, it can motivate them to stay sober.
  9. Healing: Giving back provides opportunities for individuals to reconcile past negative behaviors and actions, which can be a critical step in their healing process.
  10. Connection: Volunteering or giving back helps people in recovery connect with others, reducing feelings of isolation which are a common trigger for relapse.
  11. Perspective: By giving back, individuals in recovery can gain a fresh perspective on their issues. It helps them put their struggles in context.
  12. Distraction: Participating in positive activities can distract from negative thoughts or cravings. It provides something constructive to do with one’s time.

One study on meaningful volunteer opportunities for people in substance addiction recovery reported many participants felt volunteering was helpful in their recovery process because it helped them think “outside of themselves.”

Seven Ways to Give Back

  1. Volunteer your time at a local organization that shares your interests or values. Whether it is a community center, homeless shelter, food bank, hospital, school, library, or animal rescue, there are always opportunities to lend a helping hand.
  2. Share your story. By speaking openly and honestly about your addiction and recovery, you can inspire and educate others who may be going through similar struggles. This can be done through support groups, community events, or online platforms.
  3. Consider using your skills or talents to benefit others. For example, if you are artistically inclined, you can create and donate artwork to local hospitals or rehabilitation centers. If you are a good listener, you can offer to mentor or support others who are in the early stages of their recovery journey.
  4. In areas where resources for recovery are limited, start a support group to help others.
  5. Make a financial contribution to an organization that helps those struggling with addiction. Even small donations can make a big difference.
  6. Raise money by organizing a charity run, bike race, walk, or other fundraising event.  Give the proceeds to local substance abuse prevention and treatment programs.
  7. Organize community cleanup events. You can set a good example by caring for the environment and promoting cleanliness in the community.
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The Benefits Of Rehab

Rehab is designed to provide those struggling with substance abuse the right tools and resources to overcome addiction.

What Are the Benefits Of Rehab?

Anyone that is struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol will benefit by going to rehab. Those who have suffered from addiction know how hard it can be to overcome it alone, and the healing environment of rehabilitation offers the support needed to make a successful recovery. Rehab includes individualized treatment plans to help patients identify and overcome the underlying issues that started their addiction. While the main priority of a rehab facility is to help patients overcome addiction, there is an abundance of other benefits of rehab as well. In addition to conquering one’s addiction, those attending addiction treatment will also learn the necessary tools for building a productive, healthy, and happy life.

Structure

One of the main benefits of going to a rehab facility is the structure that it provides you with. Treatment programs emphasize creating daily routines full of productive activities and counseling sessions to help keep patients engaged and eliminate distractions. Breaks are provided in between scheduled activities so patients can process what they are learning. Patient’s are allowed to sit, converse, and relax frequently throughout the day during breaks and in the evening because it is important to not only learn new coping skills but practice implementing them in a safe environment.

When people have been suffering from an addiction to drugs or alcohol, they have developed behaviors and ways of thinking that both enable their addiction and discourage healthier habits. Routine becomes extremely important in replacing those self-destructive habits with positive ones that focus on healing. The structure of rehab establishes a simple daily schedule that makes sobriety a priority while maintaining a balanced lifestyle that patients can stick to post-treatment. Continuing the structured ways of living learned through addiction recovery programs means you will feel less pressure to find relief in drugs or alcohol when you return home.

 A Safe And Supportive Environment

Another significant benefit of drug and alcohol rehab is the fact that patients will be in a safe and supportive environment surrounded by people who understand exactly what each other are going through. Peer support is a primary aspect of treatment and is absolutely necessary to maintain long-term sobriety.

An inpatient or outpatient rehab program provides countless opportunities to connect with other people in recovery through support groups and group therapy and to establish a network of support. These people will travel along the same journey to sobriety as you and help you overcome any struggles that you may face along the way. Most importantly, the individuals that you meet will understand what it’s like to struggle with cravings, suffer from trauma, and feel the intense weight of any feelings shame and guilt brought on by addiction. Having a peer support group will not only provide accountability and encouragement, but it will also give you the chance to help others in their sobriety journey as well.

Multiple Therapies And Treatments

Addiction is a mental, physical, and psychological disease, and therapy is crucial in helping those in recovery understand the emotional triggers of his or her substance use and how to develop new, healthy coping mechanisms. It can also help individuals see flaws in thinking and behaviors that may lead to negative decisions related to drugs and alcohol, and how to positively alter those thoughts and behaviors so that they become more productive and healthier.

Effective therapy can additionally reduce a person’s chances of relapsing and can help him get back on track if he does relapse. There are countless therapy options available through rehab programs, which is extremely important as no single treatment is appropriate for everyone. The goal of therapy in the rehabilitation process is to help patients change their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors concerning substance abuse, to engage in treatment, and be encouraged to cultivate a healthy lifestyle. Some of the evidence-based addiction treatment therapies that are typically offered include:

  • Behavioral Therapy
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Contingency Management
  • Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT)
  • Dialectal Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
  • Integrative Approach
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Multidimensional Family Therapy
  • Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)

The course of therapy that a patient will receive typically depends on the substance of abuse and the characteristics of the patient. Harmonizing treatment settings, interventions, and services to an individual’s particular problems is critical to his or her ultimate success in returning to a sober life post-treatment. There are many additional alternative therapy options that are offered and can help people through recovery, including: yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, Pilates, massage, and exercise routines. These are all great ways to release any stress, improve mental concentration, and the overall physical and mental health of a person. Participating in one or more types of therapy during drug rehabilitation can be one of the best ways for a person to maintain sobriety.

24/7 Medical Support

One benefit that is specific to inpatient rehab is that there is around-the-clock medical and clinical supervision that you have access to seven days a week during your entire stay at the facility. This can be extremely critical for preventing relapse in those with severe addictions, as individuals that are in recovery are vulnerable to a variety health issues shortly after stopping use of the substance that they were addicted to. During this time period, people will likely experience unpleasant and potentially dangerous symptoms as their bodies attempt to readjust to functioning without the drug. Even after the initial withdrawal symptoms have passed, the stress on the body and mind can aggravate other physical and mental illnesses. With close access to doctors and constant care, patients can feel safe as they undergo the process of becoming sober again.

Setting Goals And Building New Habits

Many people with a history of drug or alcohol abuse have poor discipline and self-care habits. A critical part of self-care for a person in recovery is setting and accomplishing goals. Many people have tried to set goals on their own and struggle because they didn’t approach goal setting with the proper mindset or conviction. The repetitive cycle of wanting to change habits but continually falling short gradually weakens a person’s resolve to the point where many stop trying and fall back into their old self-destructive behaviors. Rehab can help teach you how to set short and long-term goals in relation to your recovery and how to accomplish those goals. The goals that treatment facilities focus on include objectives for your physical and emotional health, relationships, and spiritual aspirations. Ultimately, rehab is designed for your success after leaving. You will learn the tools needed to manage stress, avoid triggering environments, managing triggers when unavoidable, prevent relapse, cope in healthy ways, and create new thought patterns to enable your success upon departure. The new habits that you learn in rehab will help you cope with the day-to-day struggles of recovering from addiction post-treatment and how to address the situations that may have contributed to your substance abuse problem in a healthy way.

A Focus On Health

An additional benefit of attending rehab is the focus that treatment programs place on health and nutrition. Regular consumption of drugs and alcohol deprives the body of key nutrients. Unhealthy diets can cause headaches, sleep problems, and low energy levels, which are all factors that can inhibit proper recovery. In a rehab facility, meals are predetermined and balanced to ensure that you are receiving the optimal fuel for your body to recover. Studies have shown that recovering individuals do best on a low-glycemic, dopamine-boosting diet that includes most protein sources, foods that are rich in fiber, and unsaturated fats. Receiving proper nutrition is essential to a successful recovery; a balanced diet improves both mood and overall health, which can reduce drug cravings and help prevent relapse.

Exercise also provides multiple benefits for patients in recovery. Rehab facilities often offer services such as tennis, yoga, swimming lessons, and other forms of physical activity to help people develop a healthy and strong body in the aftermath of addiction. Exercise, in particular, has the advantage of being quantifiable and measurable. Through this, those in recovery learn that they don’t need drugs or alcohol in order to feel good about themselves. They can see improvements in their physical body as an example of a healthy mind and body, without the need of artificial boosts from drugs. Exercise helps people suffering from addiction rebuild faith in themselves and replace their self-destructive habits with healthy ones. Daily bouts of physical activity help fill in the gaps of time that were once previously occupied by patients thinking about and obtaining their substance of choice. Once a healthy relationship with food and exercise is established, patients can use the nutritional tools that they learned in their everyday lives when returning home from treatment.

Ongoing Support

One of the most important benefits of rehab is the continued support that is offered to patients even after they have left the facility. The goal of rehabilitation is to give clients tools to help them engage in abstinence and recovery on a long-term basis, including an aftercare program. Drug and alcohol addiction treatment often provides aftercare via support group meetings and/or referrals to local counselors to ensure that patients continue to have the ongoing recovery assistance they need after returning home. These programs help individuals to get past many of the setbacks, including relapse, that can occur post-treatment. For many, this step in the recovery process is one of the most significant, allowing for a successful completion of addiction treatment to turn into a successful future.

Ongoing support is especially important because post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS) can last up to 12-18 months after acute withdrawal (detox). Symptoms that are commonly associated with PAWS include poor sleep, diminished appetite, mood-swings, anxiety, depression, irritability, and poor concentration. These symptoms can lead to relapse if the individual is not aware of them and does not manage them with healthy coping techniques. Having ongoing therapeutic support, as well as support from people who have more time in recovery than them (such as a sponsor or other peers in support groups), drastically decrease the risk of relapse. It is always advised to spend free time with peers who have more clean and sober time than the newly recovering person does because of the saying, “you’re only as strong as your weakest link.” By hanging out with people who have the same amount, or less, clean-time as you, you put yourself at risk for relapsing with your friends. This is extremely common and the reason that people in early recovery should spend time with peers with at least 1 year clean and sober.

Overcome Addiction With The Help of Rehab

Rehab is designed to provide those struggling with substance abuse with the right tools and resources to overcome addiction. From offering a supportive, safe environment and 24/7 medical assistance, to daily therapy and treatments designed to help a person better understand and overcome the reasons behind their addiction, rehab can make the journey to sobriety easier than doing it alone. If you’re ready to find a rehab and take the first step towards recovering there is help available. Contact a treatment provider today.

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4 Reasons to Exercise During Addiction Recovery

Many who abuse drugs or alcohol neglect important components of daily health, wreaking havoc on both emotional and physical well being. It is important to repair the psychological and physical damage of chemical dependency as well as the damaged mind-body connection. Exercise in chemical dependency treatment serves many purposes, but there are some primary benefits one can get from exercise during substance abuse treatment and recovery.

1.  Exercise relieves and reduces stress. Exercise has been shown to alleviate both physical and psychological stress. Tension builds in our bodies when we’re at work, during everyday interactions, and even when we’re watching television. This tension can come from having poor posture at work or having a bad interaction with a co-worker. Moving your body alleviates this tension, and allows you to get rid of any negative emotions you have been keeping in. Focused exercise uses both physical and emotional energy, that might otherwise find unhealthy ways of escaping.

2.  Exercise naturally and positively alters your brain chemistry. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins which create a natural high. These are the same endorphins your body released while you abused substances. However, abuse of drugs and alcohol causes an imbalance that interferes with a person’s ability to feel pleasure, happiness, and satisfaction. Dedicated physical activity during treatment and recovery will help you reintroduce natural levels of endorphins in your system. This not only helps you feel better but reteaches your body that it is capable of regulating your own brain chemistry and mood in healthy, natural ways.

 3.  “Exercise is meditation in motion.” The Mayo Clinic has described exercise as “meditation in motion,” meaning by concentrating on the physical we can experience the psychological and emotional benefits of meditation. Through movement, we can refocus our thoughts on our own well-being and forget, at least briefly, all that is going on in our lives. You may leave your work-out with a clearer mind, feeling more rejuvenated and optimistic. Finding this clarity within chaos can make recovery much more manageable.

4.  Exercise improves your outlook. Those who exercise regularly report increased feelings of self-confidence and optimism and reduced feelings of depression and anxiety. This is in part has to do with the body regulating and calibrating itself during exercise, but it also has to do with feelings of accomplishment, pride, and self-worth as you see your body transform and your goals reached. As you reach certain benchmarks you feel more accomplished, and reinforces the goal of continued sobriety as attainable.

In addition, regular exercise fosters improved sleep, greater energy, and enhanced feelings of well-being, all of which make life much more manageable and enjoyable and recovery that much more possible and sustainable.… Read the rest

What are The Advantages of Drug Rehab Centers?

Rehabilitation centers provide both inpatient and outpatient services to drug addicts. The patients undergo counseling and are taught life survival tactics to help them keep off from the drugs.

Here are eight primary advantages of rehabilitation centers

They Provide a Safe Environment

Rehabs offer a safe and protective environment for the patients. The counselors understand what the patients go through and do their best to provide incredible services to the inpatients. The counselors are also well-versed in the different types of drug addiction, which means that they deliver the best services. They offer personalized attention to every patient in the rehab while still providing a calm and conducive environment.

A safe environment makes patients feel safe and protected. Such an environment allows patients to focus on recovery alone. Patients who join rehabs recover fast than those at home.

They Encourage Peer Support

Rehabilitation centers allow different types of people all dealing with drug addiction. The patients don’t feel lonely or isolated like when they are at home. Rehab centers, therefore, offer the advantage of peer support. The drug addicts encourage and teach each other. Since they live together as a family, they are always free to share their opinions and thoughts, which reduces stress cases.
The councilors offer massive support to the patients too. During the admission, they dig deeper into each patient’s history to know how they can help them. With the right information at hand, the therapists always know what type of support to offer to each patient.

They Offer Educative Programs

Rehab is a self-realization zone. It is where drug addicts get time to learn themselves better and dig deeper to know what caused the drug addiction and how it can be dealt with. For instance, assume that unemployment was the cause of drug addiction. In that case, the therapists teach the addicts new self-employment skills such as carpentry to solve the unemployment issue.
By the time they leave the rehab, they are usually equipped with the right skills to sustain themselves. A busy mind leaves no room for drug addiction, which is a significant benefit that drug addicts get by visiting rehabilitation centers. Other educative programs that the patients learn in rehabs include how to take care of themselves, avoid drug addiction in the future, etc.

They Offer Maximum Privacy

Privacy is essential for everyone’s peace of mind, and drug addicts are not an exemption. Drug rehab centers provide maximum privacy to all people addicted to drugs. The administration process is done discreetly, and so, other people can’t find about you unless they are your friends and family. Also, the rehab centers are highly protected to keep off invaders and unwanted third parties.
This protection gives everyone on the rehab the peace of mind they need to meditate and recover well. Since every rehab center has unique privacy rules, it’s advisable to confirm the rehab center’s privacy terms before joining.

They Provide Aftercare Services

It takes time for one to recover from addiction completely. Even after completing the rehab sessions, patients need close monitoring at their homes to ensure they are doing well. The rehab councilors understand this, and that’s why they offer aftercare services.
Should one of the alcohol addicts experience a relapse while at home, the counselor takes the addict back to the rehab or offers the right advice to keep them on track. The aftercare service is a tremendous advantage that hospitals or other non-rehab centers don’t provide.

They Offer Many Treatments/Therapy

Drug addiction is a physical, psychological, and mental problem. Its treatment/therapy should focus on improving all the physical and mental aspects of the patients. Drug rehabilitation centers offer comprehensive treatment programs. The treatment helps the patients to stop taking drugs to ease the drug abuse signs. Some of the therapy’ programs include behavioral therapy, contingency management, motivation interviewing, etc. At the end of the rehab programs, the patients change their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors on different drugs.

They Have Well Planned Daily Routines

Rehab facilities offer well-structured treatment programs. The programs focus on the activities that the patients do every day. Such activities include counseling training and physical therapies. There are breaks between the programs to allow the patients to rest and meditate on their learning. The breaks also help the patients to cultivate their relationships. Considering that most of them have unhealthy relationships and habits. Some even have poor time management skills, and daily routines help them get back on track.

They Encourage Complete Focus on Self

Rehabs help drug addicts to focus on themselves without distractions. The patients get the chance to disconnect from families and people who always hold them back. They make new friends at the centers, learn to interact with others, and advance their communication skills. The rehab centers support patients by giving them adequate time to interact with each other. They provide all essentials, including a balanced diet, to keep them healthy. The staff also keeps an eye on the patients to ensure that they don’t take any drugs while in rehab.

Explore the Benefits of Drug Rehab Centers

The above are just a few of the multiple benefits that drug rehab centers offer to inpatients and outpatients.
Don’t let anyone suffer as you watch. Rehab centers have changed thousands of lives, and you too, or your loved one can be changed too. Find a reputable rehabilitation center near you to start your recovery process and enjoy the above benefits.… Read the rest

5 Reasons Why You Should consider Home Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation can happen anywhere, and what better way than to bring that rehabilitation to where most of you spend the majority of your time? Rehabilitation can be extremely accessible and carried out in the comfort and familiarity of your own home.

Here are a few reasons why you should consider home rehabilitation:

 

1. Personalized care from start to end

By providing bespoke rehabilitation in a familiar home environment, we can develop a holistic plan that suits your recovery needs. In addition, recommendations and modifications can be given on the spot, giving even more opportunities to promote a faster recovery.

 

2. Convenient and time-saving

Long queues, vague waiting times, and delays in scheduled appointments often deter our trips to the doctors. We work around your schedule to seamlessly fit rehab into your lifestyle, with rest and recovery after treatment at home. It also eliminates travel on your part, which can save a lot of time in the process, as well as any waiting time that can occur when appointments run late or are delayed.

 

3. Cost-effective in the long run

Aside from saving money on transportation which will add up over time, costs also add up with delayed appointments, resulting in a longer rehabilitation duration. Home rehabilitation will give you quicker access to the service you need within days of discharge and can save costs with a faster recovery on a shorter rehab period.

 

4. Safer for high-risk individuals

There is greater benefit from the additional safety of home rehab while recovering from an illness that compromises mobility, or an increased risk of infection in public areas. The home environment supports better monitoring of an individual’s progress and condition, as we can see what is contributing to the problem first-hand and report back to the physicians for closer monitoring.

 

5. Not just for you, for your family too!

The people around are important pillars of support in a rehabilitation journey. Many family members may feel overwhelmed and may struggle to cope with how to take care of their loved one. Our care does not just stop with you, but extends to your family members as well. We will discuss strategies with your family to find ways to effectively deal with any changes you are facing and head in the right direction.

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What are the Benefits of Rehab?

Why do people go to rehab? A rehab centre offers several advantages that facilitate better addiction treatment.

Here are the benefits of drug addiction treatment:

1. Improves Health

Alcohol and drug abuse can result in your body losing nutrients. Consequently, you become weak while experiencing symptoms such as headaches and sleep loss. You also feel similarly terrible when you stop using the substance of abuse, increasing the likelihood of a relapse. A rehab allows you to concentrate on your overall wellbeing, including mind and body health.

A rehabilitation centre offers balanced meals to aid in recovering nutrients in your body. It boosts your health and moods while minimising your cravings for alcohol or drugs. Furthermore, the centre provides different exercise classes to encourage a healthier body. These routines help you form a habit that you can continue post-treatment for a healthier lifestyle.

2. Addresses Underlying Issues

The key to fighting addiction successfully lies in knowing the reason behind the substance use. What turns you to your substance of choice? Is it a means of gaining approval? Does it help you numb your emotions? Do you use it as a coping mechanism against stress?

Identifying the underlying problems enables you to address the root cause of your addiction. Counsellors use various therapy programmes to guide you in finding these problems and creating new, drug-free coping skills.

3. Fosters Accountability

Rehab gives you people to hold you accountable for maintaining sobriety. For instance, attending group sessions lets you measure your progress with someone who does not judge you. Your presence around others recovering from addiction also increases the sense of accountability. You are less likely to relapse when you know a support group is waiting to hear from you.

Aside from accountability, the support group delivers a sense of community. It consists of people that share a similar experience, meaning they can better understand your experience and struggles. You can form genuine friendships based on hope and love that offers each other a shoulder to lean on.

4. Creates Structure

The structure is among the most important benefits a rehab offers. It allows you to follow a routine that guides your first steps to recovery. Treatment centres encourage daily patterns that facilitate productive habits and activities. Clients generally combine these efforts with various treatments and therapies.

A vigorous routine promotes healthier habits, assisting addicts in breaking self-destructive behaviours. The structure in rehab lets you develop a simple yet solid daily practice that concentrates on maintaining sobriety. Moreover, you can adopt this systematic approach at home to maintain a healthy lifestyle post-treatment.

5. Ends the Addiction Cycle

Another benefit of rehab is detoxification. A treatment facility lets you take the first step to break the addiction cycle through a safe detox programme. Although detoxification may not be sufficient for permanent healing, it opens the door for comprehensive and more effective treatments.

A rehab also encourages self-care habits and discipline by building new practices. Counsellors help you learn to set realistic goals and take the measures to achieve them. Most individuals typically do not know proper goal setting. Hence, the continual failures in their attempts to change become a source of discouragement.

This repetitive cycle of falling short characterises the majority of addicts. They often assume that a few changes to their schedule can stop the substance abuse. However, they fail to consider the addiction’s firm grip on their life. These assumptions also do not take into account the compulsive nature of addictions.

A rehab guides in addressing these factors, helping you develop achievable short and long-term goals for effective recovery. These goals target various aspects of your life, including relationships, emotional health, spiritual aspirations, and occupational objectives.

6. Educates about Addiction

Rehab helps you recover and overcome addiction, clearing your mind to learn more about substance abuse. You can use your understanding of addiction to recognise the specific events, people, or experiences that trigger your cravings. Rehab facilities enable you to identify your triggers, strengthening your intentional efforts to avoid them.

Learning about addiction can also help you better understand and help others in need. You can use your example to discourage others from falling into the same trap. In addition, you can better support others in your therapy sessions since you know their situation.

7. Creates Healthy Boundaries

Addiction is one of the reasons for broken families and relationships. It takes an emotional, physical, and psychological toll on you and your loved ones. Rehab for drug addiction helps you and your loved ones learn to develop healthy boundaries. Thus, it prevents you from taking too little responsibility and your family from taking too much of it.

Poorly defined boundaries increase anxiety and confusion since you do not address the underlying addiction problem directly. A rehab aids you in understanding where you and your loved ones tangle up these boundaries. It helps you learn to keep them healthy, improving everyone’s wellbeing and recovery.… Read the rest

Common Reasons Why People Avoid Going to Rehab

Common Reasons Why People Avoid Going to Rehab

As stated by the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 96% of people who are actively addicted to substances and not seeking help don’t believe they need to get treatment for help. The other 4% either felt they required treatment but didn’t try going to rehab, or tried to seek help but did not receive treatment.

Roughly 19.4 million people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol don’t believe they need help for it despite negative consequences. We must encourage those that need help to seek it. It’s impossible to overcome addiction without taking the necessary steps to heal and stop using. We’re here to help and support you from day one of your addiction recovery journey. If you need help with addiction recovery, look no further.

What are the Main Issues That Keep People from Going to Rehab?

There are many reasons that a person may use to justify not going to rehab. These reasons may cause anxiety and distress to the point of inaction. Inaction is dangerous. Many people need help with their addictions. Taking that first step in seeking help is crucial. Keep reading to learn more about the reasons that may be keeping you or a loved one from going to rehab.

Denial

Denial is a major reason many individuals feel that going to rehab isn’t necessary. It is the point in which we keep denying things we know to be true. Addiction creates a form of smoke and mirrors that can make a person oblivious to the extent of damage addiction has caused. In many cases, the use of drugs or alcohol becomes a coping mechanism.

Shame

Going to rehab may seem embarrassing in the eyes of struggling individuals. The feeling of shame can be overwhelming. Shame can lead someone to think that they are not worthy of receiving treatment. If you need help with addiction, seeking help is a courageous first step. It takes a strong character to admit that you need help with addiction. Your past doesn’t need to define your future.

Fear

The fear of going to rehab is a real mental roadblock for some people. When individuals think about the long-term effort that needs to be put in, they may shy away from seeking treatment. It takes motivation and determination to get treatment for addiction. The long-term benefits are well worth it though. As you conquer your fears, you gain confidence in yourself.

Giving Up the High Seems Impossible

Going to rehab may seem unappealing to those that can’t give up the high. Some individuals are so wrapped up in the high that they can’t imagine living without it. However, for these individuals, the consequences of addiction will continue.

Physical and mental health will continue to deteriorate. Seeking help for addiction is a long-term investment. There are endless benefits to finding the strength to give up the high. The future you will surely thank you.

Feeling That Nobody Cares

Struggling individuals may feel that nobody cares about them anymore. They may have burned a lot of bridges that lead them to a place of isolation. Lack of family or other support can feel like a big obstacle when it comes to going to rehab. That’s why we’re here to provide support, both from our community and staff.

While you’re in treatment for addiction, we’ll help you take the steps to rebuild broken relationships in your life. You’ll also be able to make new friends at rehab with people that share the same common goal: long-term sobriety.

Hoping the Problem Will Fix Itself

Some addicts hope that the problems of addiction will go away on their own. This state of delusion is dangerous. You must put effort into overcoming addiction. The process is well worth it, but it takes determination.

Going to rehab gives you a real chance of getting your life back. Not only that, but you’ll be able to build the kind of life that makes you a better person. You deserve a fulfilling and healthy life. If you need help with addiction, take that courageous first step of seeking it.

Treatment Cost

The cost of treatment can keep many individuals from going to rehab. Even if you need help with addiction, the worry of not being able to pay for it can seem like enough of a reason not to go. However, there are many options when it comes to paying for treatment. We accept a wide range of insurance providers.

We’ll also personally work with your insurance to make sure you get the most out of your benefits. If you still aren’t able to afford rehab, we can discuss other possible options for financing treatment.

Time Conflict

It’s true to say that treatment and recovery take time. If you need help with addiction, you must be ready to commit to attending treatment sessions. Maybe your main worry is not being able to fit treatment into your schedule.

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How Long Can A Patient Stay In Rehab?

Everyone who works on recovering from a substance abuse disorder has a different rehabilitation process; and the more severe an addiction is, the longer it could take to complete treatment and develop the strategies that are required to recover successfully. Some patients are back on the right track after a few weeks, whereas others may benefit from a more lengthy and comprehensive treatment program. So how long can a patient possibly stay in rehab for?

 

Rehab: What Is It?

“Rehab” is the shortened term for rehabilitation, which is a type of care that helps individuals keep, improve, or get back abilities and functions that are needed for everyday life. For example, physical rehabilitation may be used to help people gain back certain physical abilities after an injury or accident. There are several different types of rehabilitation out there, but the most common type is substance abuse or addiction treatment.

Drug rehabilitation centers are facilities that are known for providing treatment for alcohol and drug addiction. When someone is addicted to alcohol or drugs, they lose some of the physical, mental, and cognitive skills that are needed to thrive in everyday life. Rehab is designed to help them gain the original skills they had back while getting to the root of the addiction. There are many different drug rehab programs available throughout the United States that offer varied environments, approaches, and treatment methods for those with substance abuse disorders.

 

What Happens During A Treatment Program?

The rehabilitation process will be different for every individual who enrolls in a program. When a person enrolls in rehab, healthcare specialists will work with them to figure out their needs, their conditions, and their goals. Once healthcare professionals know the patient a little better, they will create a unique treatment plan with activities that are tailored to the individual.

Most treatment plans begin with a detoxification process. During detox, the body will try to rid the system of alcohol or drugs. This process can be uncomfortable and potentially dangerous, so it is important to receive medical supervision during detox.

Treatment methods are designed to help people understand their addiction and replace drugs or alcohol with healthier and more beneficial habits. Everyone enrolled in a rehab program will likely undergo various types of therapy during their time in treatment.

Different types of therapy and treatments utilized in rehab may include CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), mental health counseling, music or art therapy, occupational therapy, recreational therapy, financial counseling, dialectical behavioral therapy, sports therapy, yoga, meditation, vocational rehabilitation, and more.

Treatment programs can be either inpatient or outpatient. Inpatient rehab requires individuals to live at the facility and gives them access to 24/7 care. Outpatient rehab, on the other hand, allows people to live at home and only requires them to come to the facility for scheduled meetings. Whether someone should receive inpatient or outpatient care depends on the severity of their addiction and their home situation.

 

The Length of Treatment Programs

How long a program will last also depends on the individual’s needs. Rehab programs can range anywhere from a few weeks to over a year at the longest. Short-term programs are typically 28 days or 30 days. Most long-term programs are either 60 days, 90 days, or 6 months long. Extended stays of about a year or more may be required if someone has a co-occurring disorder or is not showing signs of improvement with their addiction.

Out of all the options, three-month problems seem to have the highest success rates.

 

Continued Support & Resources

For rehab to work, individuals must be fully committed to participating in treatment and must be willing to put in work. Recovery is a lifelong process that requires continual effort, so it is important for individuals to maintain motivation throughout the program and long after.

After someone leaves a program, they may require continued care and support. They are encouraged to keep practicing healthy habits, attending therapy, and going to support meetings. Many rehabilitation centers will provide support resources after checkout. Read the rest

Understanding The 5 Stages Of The Addiction Recovery Process

All addictions go through stages, from experimentation to regular use, on to high-risk use and eventually, dependence. It’s no surprise then that unravelling uncontrollable behaviour is also not instantaneous. The addiction recovery process isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s a set of learned coping mechanisms that need to be implemented over a lifetime for a person to remain in active recovery. Often, the only way someone can achieve lasting abstinence is with professional help.

At Delamere, we provide support to overcome alcohol addictiondrug addiction and other addictions, at our purpose-built wellness retreat in Cheshire. We recognise that each person goes through several stages in the cycle of recovery and every journey is personal to them. In the 1970s, psychotherapists developed the Stages of Change Model which identified that, whatever the addiction, people needed to go through the same steps to achieve change (1). Understanding this process will help to explain how Delamere’s unique approach can help you through and beyond addiction.

Stage 1: Pre-contemplation

At this stage, a person may not even realise that their addiction is problematic. They may also be in denial, unable to understand the implications or impact of their actions. Whether it’s everyday drinking that’s out of control or a dependence on illegal or prescription drugs, people in this stage can only see the negatives of quitting their addictive behaviour rather than the positives. They simply aren’t ready to take action and don’t recognise they need help. This can be especially hard on family members and friends.

At this point, staging an intervention may be the only way to help someone you love. At Delamere, we offer a range of intervention services and work closely with families to get people the individualised treatment they need. If you notice that someone’s addiction is having negative consequences on their work, relationships, safety or mental health, please get in touch in complete confidence and find out how we can help.

Stage 2: Contemplation

During the contemplation stage a person might start toying with the idea of changing their addictive behaviour. They will weigh up the pros and cons of altering their approach to alcohol, drugs or other addictions, such as compulsive eating, gambling or gaming. At this point, they are ‘getting ready’ to make a change but still finding reasons to stick with the status quo. Contemplation usually begins around six months before someone decides to reach for help which is the key to beginning the recovery process.

There are many reasons preventing someone from asking for help. They may feel ashamed or guilty. They might worry about the impact on their job or family. It can sometimes seem easier to just weather the storm themselves. This is where Delamere’s holistic therapists can offer unrivalled support. Even if you’re still contemplating embarking on a recovery programme, they can offer non-judgemental advice to guide you on the right path.

Thinking about tackling your addiction? Speak to the team at Delamere

Stage 3: Preparation

This is sometimes referred to as the ‘determination’ stage because it’s the point at which someone is ready to take action in the immediate future. It could start with taking small steps to change their behaviour at home, such as giving up drinking or drugs, but this can result in dangerous withdrawal symptoms if someone is physically and mentally addicted. You can support a person you love in their pursuit of overcoming addiction by helping them to get professional treatment.

residential rehab programme at our state-of-the-art facility beside Delamere forest encompasses everything from a medical drug or alcohol detox, to one-to-one counselling and group therapy sessions. Deciding to take action is the first step to a successful recovery and we can get you there.

Stage 4: Action

During the ‘action’ stage, a person has recognised they have a problem and been brave enough to do something about it. At this point, they may have decided to commit to a residential rehab programme that will help them to overcome the mental and physical addition to drugs, alcohol or another addiction, while also developing new strategies to change their old habits and adopt healthier behaviours.

At Delamere, we focus on each person individually and look at their life as a whole to determine the best recovery strategy. People respond differently to therapeutic treatment which is why we offer a wide range of options, from somatic healing to grounding techniques. We identify triggers and help our guests to develop coping mechanisms that they can use while they stay with us and in life beyond our retreat.

Stage 5: Maintenance

Recovering from an addiction isn’t like getting over a cold. Active recovery takes discipline, determination and ongoing support to prevent relapse. When someone has been in recovery for six months and has managed to sustain their behaviour change, they are in the ‘maintenance’ stage. Using the tools they have learned to cope with challenging situations will help a recovering alcoholic or person with a history of substance abuse to remain abstinent in the years to come.

As well as the coping tools we develop with our guests, Delamere offers a comprehensive aftercare treatment for 12 months which includes access to our clinical therapy team for one-to-one support along with group therapy sessions for peer-to-peer guidance. We’re also here to offer continued support to friends and family members who want to help someone in active recovery.… Read the rest

What Are the Benefits of Drug Rehab Centers?

When substance abuse negatively impacts your life and the lives of the people around you, it’s time to get help. …

When substance abuse negatively impacts your life and the lives of the people around you, it’s time to get help. Addiction is treatable, and obtaining treatment in a drug rehab center gives you an opportunity to get professional help to stop using drugs and begin to build or resume living a productive life.

Substance use disorder can’t be cured, but it can be successfully managed. Discontinuing use of substances is the first, but not the only, aspect of addiction recovery. Drug rehab centers are one of the most effective forms of treatment for recovering from drug addiction, and there are many benefits to obtaining treatment from a drug rehab.

Safe Environment for Breaking the Cycle of Addiction

Habitual drug use triggers intense cravings to continue to take drugs. While you might have believed you could stop taking drugs anytime you wanted to, stopping cold turkey can cause unpleasant and possibly even life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.

Going to a drug rehab allows you to go through detoxification in a safe environment where you can receive professional medical treatment and care during withdrawal. You may be able to receive medications that reduce the intensity of your withdrawal symptoms. Sometimes, you may receive prescription medication that help to reduce cravings.

Focus on Recovery

At rehab, you will be able to completely focus on recovery. While you are in treatment, you will be separated from people and places that may have tempted or encouraged you to use, and from people who may try to tell you that they don’t believe you can recover. You won’t have to deal with the stressors of day-to-day life while you put all your effort and energy into what it takes to live a drug-free life.

During your time in treatment, you’ll learn much more about addiction, including what may trigger the urge to use in the future and what you can do when you experience cravings. Your days will be structured, leaving you with little or no downtime for thinking about wanting to use.

Exploring Underlying Issues

Do you know what caused you to want to use drugs in the first place? While you are in rehab, you will have the opportunity to explore any underlying issues you may have. Some people struggle with co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety, and using drugs was a way to self-medicate and relieve symptoms of hopelessness or anxiousness.

Counselors on staff at drug rehab centers have received specialized training for helping you dig into problems that you may been trying to avoid dealing with. They can help you look at your problems and teach you new coping skills for dealing with them that don’t involve turning to substances.

Peer Support

Long-term recovery depends on connecting with other people who truly understand how you feel.  At rehab, you will begin to participate in group support meetings with other people who are also learning what it takes to live a sober life.  Together, you will share your experiences and challenges, and you will share with each other what works and what doesn’t.

Participating in peer support programs can help you to feel less alone and strengthen your ability to relate to other people. You will learn the importance of building a support network that can continue to be part of your long-term recovery journey.

It’s important to stay committed to treatment, both during your time in rehab and after you leave. With that commitment, a drug rehab program can give you the foundation of living your best life without reliance on substances.… Read the rest