When should a person consider going to a drug or alcohol rehab program? First, it’s important to recognize four main stages of addiction recovery: treatment initiation, abstinence, maintenance, and action stage. Each stage has distinct advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to understand them and what they can do to benefit your recovery. Then, you can use this information to determine if rehab is right for you.
Treatment Initiation
After the first year or two of abstinence, the drug and alcohol rehab recovery process moves to the next treatment phase: treatment. This phase focuses on overcoming cravings and avoiding relapse. The primary goal of rehab is to prevent relapse, which means learning to recognize the warning signs of relapse and take action to avoid them. During this stage, the drug or alcohol rehab recovery process may last anywhere from two to three years. Click Here to learn more about how the treatments are administered.
During this stage, the substance abuser may also be trying to adjust to new routines, new friends, and a career change. Rebuilding trust is one of the main goals of rehab. It may take time for the individual to work through these feelings and make amends with those who have hurt them. However, once they have made amends and begun rebuilding trust, this recovery stage can be positive.
Recovery starts with the first stage of treatment – stabilization. The addict will have realized that they have a problem and decide to seek treatment. However, they may not be sure that getting help will help them overcome their addiction. This stage of treatment is a time to learn new skills that may have aggravated their addiction. The person will need a healthy life and support system to continue their recovery.
Abstinence Stage
The abstinence stage is one of the most important aspects of a successful drug and alcohol rehab recovery. The main goal of this stage is to remove the temptation of alcohol and other drugs, thus preventing relapse. This concept became famous in the ‘Alcoholics Anonymous program, where the basic principle is complete abstinence from alcohol. It was hailed as the most effective way to combat addiction. While abstinence is an ongoing challenge, the benefits of abstinence are immense.
Self-care increase characterizes the Abstinence stage of a drug and alcohol rehab recovery. Unfortunately, many people in recovery skip this stage, but it’s essential to remember that lack of self-care was the primary cause of addiction. If you continue ignoring this goal, you will likely continue abusing drugs and alcohol. But the good news is that the abstinence stage will help you improve your self-care and give you a sense of control over your life.
During this stage, people build a sense of urgency about sobriety. They take action to change their lives and learn new skills. They join a gym or see a counselor. They may attempt to quit independently, but when triggers arise, they revert to abuse. This cycle of relapse is not only painful but also dangerous for recovering addicts and their loved ones.
Maintenance Stage
The maintenance stage of drug and alcohol rehab recovery is where the recovering alcoholic learns healthy coping skills and integrates them into daily life. They also practice abstinence strategies. While the relapse risk remains low, there may still be occasional cravings. The newfound freedom helps to balance these feelings. During this stage, many people can enjoy life sober. For these reasons, it is crucial to seek help from a professional addiction counselor.
At the maintenance stage of drug and alcohol rehab recovery, the individual is no longer required to convince themselves that their behavior is disordered. However, they may still harbor some ambivalence about seeking and getting treatment. Support groups, life coaches, and online forums can be incredibly helpful throughout this stage. While making a change can be intimidating, sustaining sobriety and keeping a clean, sober lifestyle is possible.
Action Stage
The action stage of drug and alcohol rehab recovery begins with the addict putting together a plan for long-term abstinence. They will assess the ease of abstinence versus the difficulty of maintaining a drug-free life and come up with solutions for overcoming obstacles. The action stage can last anywhere from three to six months, depending on the severity of the addiction. Being honest with yourself and your therapist about your personal goals and needs is important.
