Addiction recovery is the process through which an addict tries to overcome their addiction and commits to improving their well-being, physical and mental health, and living circumstances in order to experience satisfaction and reach their full potential.
Addiction recovery demands more than just abstaining from harmful substances or engaging in healthy habit-forming behaviours. Abstinence is only one phase in the recovery process, which is considerably broader and more holistic. Other steps involve dealing with the issues and behaviours that led to addiction, as well as, if necessary, changing one’s mindset and thinking to live a more happy, healthy, and productive life.
If your loved one needs support dealing with an Alcohol Addiction, contact us today on 0800 999 1083. We can help you by recommending treatment options.
Functional imaging studies have shown that during drug craving or intoxication, certain frontal brain regions become activated as part of a complex pattern that includes brain circuits involved with reward (nucleus accumbens), motivation (orbitofrontal cortex), memory (amygdala and hippocampus), and cognitive control (prefrontal cortex and cingulate gyrus).
It’s essential to understand the following:
Addiction alters the brain’s functioning and harms it in the same manner as cardiovascular illness alters the heart’s function.
In the following aspects, addiction is comparable to other chronic diseases:
The brain can derive pleasure from various activities such as eating a piece of cake, having a sexual encounter, or playing a video game. The release of a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) called dopamine into the nucleus accumbens, the brain’s pleasure centre, is how the brain communicates pleasure. This is a positive thing (in general) since it ensures that individuals seek out life’s necessities. However, drugs of abuse like nicotine, alcohol, and heroin release dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, and in some situations, these drugs release far more dopamine than natural non-drug rewards.
By flooding the nucleus accumbens with dopamine, addictive substances can create a shortcut to the brain’s reward system. Addictive substances can also release 2 to 10 times the amount of dopamine that natural rewards do, and they do it faster and more consistently.
Drugs become less pleasurable with time, and a desire for tolerance), and as a result, dopamine has less influence. Addicts discover that the drug no longer offers them as much pleasure as it once did and that they need to consume larger doses of the drug more frequently to feel high.
The study of how the brain recovers from addiction is a fascinating and rapidly developing field of study. Evidence suggests that the brain can heal.
The rehabilitation of the brain after alcohol and marijuana use has gotten little attention. However, recent research has revealed that some healing does take place. According to one study, adolescent alcohol abstinence resulted in significant improvements in behavioural disinhibition and perceived stress (Hicks et al., 2012). This could indicate that the prefrontal brain is recovering after a period of abstinence. In addition, several studies have linked the number of days spent abstaining from alcohol to improved executive function, larger cerebellar cortex, and improved short-term memory.
While promising, this field of research is still in its early stages, and there have been mixed results that demonstrate little to no improvement in cognitive deficiencies. This is especially true in research looking at how the brain recovers after cannabis consumption, particularly in terms of IQ. Former marijuana users, on the other hand, have been shown to have greater activation in areas of the brain involved with executive control and attention in several studies. It’s still unclear if this is related to the compensatory response or brain recovery.
What is apparent is that both marijuana and alcohol addiction have neurotoxic effects and that this damage can be reversed to some extent. Although there is no conclusive information on how to improve brain recovery from substance abuse, recent research suggests that exercise as treatment may help. It has been proven that physical activity improves brain health and neuroplasticity. Physical activity has been shown to increase executive control, cerebral blood flow, and white matter integrity in adults in prior research. While none of these therapies has been tested in adolescent marijuana or alcohol users, this method is promising and should be further researched.
Recovery from addiction is a complex process because there is so much involved. Conquering an addiction is a difficult task that requires a strong desire as well as all available help. History has shown that addiction can be overcome with the appropriate tactics despite the difficulties.
Recognising that you have a problem and deciding to battle it is the first step toward recovery from addiction. If your body has been addicted to a substance, such as alcohol, or activities like sex or gambling, it will be tough to let go. If you have a loved one who refuses to admit their problem, you can use several intervention strategies to persuade or encourage them to seek care, including hiring a qualified professional interventionist to assist you.
Finding the correct treatment option is one of the most important decisions you’ll make during your recovery. It may make or break your efforts. Your difficulties can be considered when you call a confidential addiction helpline such as Compare Rehab UK, and you can be directed to the best treatment programme for you.
Even after therapy, your recovery path will not be complete since you and your loved ones will face new problems as you progress. Environmental and social factors, for example, may have a role in triggering a relapse. Regardless, you can always overcome these obstacles and continue your recovery by using the skills you learned in therapy.
Many people feel that an alcoholic or addict’s behaviour is a question of choice, believing that the alcoholic or addict may choose not to use and that the subsequent chaos and ruin is a matter of morals or simply that the addict doesn’t care. This could not be further from reality. Most people in treatment for addiction problems have extremely low self-esteem and are ashamed of being judged by everyone, even themselves.
Denial, which serves as both a protective mechanism and an enabler of dysfunctional behaviour, must end and be broken down for reality and the truth to be recognised and rehabilitation to begin.
Most people seeking addiction treatment also have other mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety disorders, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or other significant mood disorders.
Although an individual may have a dual diagnosis that necessitates medication or treatment, an addiction treatment program focuses on the addiction. While patients are still under the effect of alcohol or drugs, it is difficult to make a clear and thorough diagnosis. This is because unless the addiction is handled and managed, all other efforts will be ineffective. However, both conditions should be addressed to help the individual accomplish long-term sobriety, which requires addressing both the mental illness and the addiction while on treatment.
Someone battling addiction and considering seeking treatment might consider therapy and recovery as a process with a defined end, after which they will be “cured.” However, recovery is a lifelong process that must be worked on and maintained even after the treatment programme is over.
Even if it has been years since they last used, many people who have gone through treatment continue to claim, “I am an addict.” They may continue to refer to themselves as “in recovery” because it reminds them that the desire to abuse substances still exists and that attention is required to avoid relapse.
Addiction treatment can be brief: inpatient recovery can last as little as a fortnight, though one to three months is more common. Other treatments, such as supervised dosage tapering or drug substitution, might last weeks or months and lead to rehab or other alternative therapies. Many people attend therapy or self-help meetings for months or even years after treatment.
Every person’s journey is unique. The specifics of each stage will differ according to the nature of their addiction, its intensity, and their health profile. The road to recovery, on the other hand, often follows a generic path: hitting ‘rock bottom,’ then acknowledging the problem and seeking help; gradually establishing a new way of life; and somewhere in between, addressing the difficulties and issues that led to addiction and becoming stronger than ever. You don’t have to wait until you’ve struck rock bottom to seek help. Seek aid sooner rather than later to have a better chance of succeeding.
While some people will need to go to a residential rehab facility for alcohol or drug treatment, others can get better by going to frequent check-ups and treatment sessions from home. This is owing to the one-of-a-kind nature of addiction. While this is true, practically every addict will have to go through the following stages to be free:
This is the first stage, which begins when a user realises they have a severe problem that is causing harm to themselves and others. This may occur spontaneously due to dire financial, professional, academic or health negative consequences, or even as a result of pressure from loved ones and friends. The addict continues to recognise the dangers of their addiction and the consequences of their actions.
The individual begins to explore making a change as they become more aware of the harm their addiction is causing them and others. They may start to study more about addiction and recovery, discuss their problem with family and friends, and seek treatment such as rehab.
After some thought, the person may realise that they need to accept responsibility for their acts and move forward with treatment. During the planning stage, the user may begin looking into specific rehab programmes and gathering resources to assist them in changing. They may stop abusing substances or engaging in addictive behaviours and even seek help.
During the early stages of recovery, the person begins to take measures toward abstinence. Attending treatment, going through detoxification (detox) and withdrawal, initiating therapy, counselling, self-help groups, and other resources may be required. This stage can be quite demanding because it necessitates significant changes in behaviour and mindset. The addict must let go of their psychological crutches and come to terms with giving up the pleasures of addiction, learning new methods to be satisfied and happy.
Relapse is a constant threat during this time, and it may happen several times. Relapse, however, is not necessarily a sign of failure. The person may simply be stumbling along the route to eventual recovery.
Maintenance is the most complex and time-consuming phase of addiction rehabilitation. This is the time after treatment when the person has achieved abstinence and must maintain their recovery. Avoiding relapse and its triggers is a never-ending struggle, and many people may experience early recovery and even a long time of maintenance before relapsing. To maintain an active recovery and hard-won abstinence, you’ll need constant vigilance and determination and a lot of support — may be in the shape of professional help from a treatment provider.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to overcoming addiction and achieving long-term recovery. If you’re battling addiction, your road to recovery will be different from everyone else’s. Attempting to overcome an addiction on one’s own is rarely successful. Using the professional assistance offered offers you access to the knowledge, medical support, therapy, and other factors that can be crucial to your success.
Most people who want help for their addiction will need help acquiring it: they are unlikely to be familiar with treatment options, available facilities, or the problems they will face during treatment and recovery.
If you’re thinking about receiving help for your addiction, it’s always good to speak with an addiction professional first. A specialist can inform you about your condition and the various treatment options available to you and direct you to specific treatment options and facilities that may be right for you. They can also assist you in making preparations for treatment and setting and managing your expectations for the process ahead.
A treatment centre that fails to examine the impact of addiction on a person’s entire family isn’t doing its job properly. Family members of patients are generally included in therapy at our partner’s centres in the following ways:
There are a variety of healing choices available. Your unique circumstances will determine the best one for you. The most effective treatment programmes ensure that each patient participates actively in therapeutic activities that will help them achieve abstinence and live a life free of addiction in the long run. Among the recovery options are:
Don’t go through the process of recovery alone. Treatment providers can answer your questions. Get in touch with one today.
Call 0800 999 1083 today!
Medication can be helpful in the rehabilitation of addicts. Some addicts may be prescribed medicines to help them wean themselves off more problematic, dangerous, or illegal substances of abuse, making it easier to taper down dosages over time. Others may be prescribed medications that block the effects of their substances of abuse or even make them unpleasant (for example, some medication used to treat alcoholism immediately causes withdrawal symptoms).
Medication is vital during detox and withdrawal since some of the more harmful or unpleasant withdrawal symptoms can be reduced or completely avoided with the proper medications. Even after withdrawal, some medicines can help recovering addicts maintain their sobriety by addressing mental health issues that may have contributed to or been exacerbated by their addictions: antidepressants, for example, can be used to treat depression, which is a significant factor in substance abuse, addiction, and relapse.
Unlike alcohol and chemical addictions, behavioural addictions do not require detox programmes because they are primarily psychological in origin. Behavioural therapies are used in treatment programmes for this type of addiction to help the addict regain control over whether to engage in specific activities and when not to. Cognitive behavioural therapy, dialectical behavioural therapy, and psychodynamic processing are among the therapies used.
In the United Kingdom, there are various substance addiction treatment programmes; your unique circumstances will determine the best programme for you. There is no one-size-fits-all method for treating substance addiction because different chemicals have varied interactions with the body, and individual characteristics must be taken into account.
From start to end, substance addiction programmes in qualified institutions are always tailored to the individual needs of each addict. These programmes start with a medically assisted detox to treat your physical dependency and make the withdrawal period easier to bear.
After detox, you’ll go through rehabilitation, where you’ll be treated for your psychological addiction to drugs and alcohol and any other mental health disorders. You’ll also learn coping skills in therapy to help you deal with relapse triggers and cravings.
Learning to manage your recovery entails much more than simply refusing to use or abstaining entirely from the behaviour to which you were previously addicted. To permanently overcome your addiction, you’ll need to change the components of your life that led you to the substance(s) of addiction in the first place.
Hunger, rage, loneliness, and exhaustion are some of the identified high-risk circumstances for relapse.
Stress and concern are powerful relapse triggers that might bring up strong desires.
Self-help programmes or support groups are made up of recovering addicts who join together to help one another face the obstacles that arise during the recovery process.
While relapse is not always a failure (many people battling addiction relapse at least once before attaining a successful recovery), it is dangerous due to the dangers of overdose and getting back to old bad habits. Relapse prevention plans and tactics can make it simpler to avoid relapse.
BACP accredited psychotherapist with 16 years experience working in mental health specialising in psychodynamic person-centred therapies treating those with a range of mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, OCD and Addiction.
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