Recovering from drug abuse and starting a journey to a sober, healthier life is not easy. It takes a lot of dedication, hard work and a lifelong commitment. However, the rewards you get from turning your life around will be pleasant and worth all the effort.
The Four Phases of Recovery From Drug Addiction During Rehab
Just like any other journey, the road to sober living in Houston begins with certain steps. Specific steps and treatment plans involving addiction rehabilitation vary according to a person’s addiction. However, a majority of the rehabilitation process incorporates the following phases:
- Intake
- Detoxification
- Rehabilitation
- Ongoing Recovery
1. Intake
The first step involves evaluating whether a certain rehabilitation center is perfect for you, and vise versa. Generally in this process, you’ll meet with a psychologist, therapist and/or counselor. The intake process is simply a series of interviews which serves to acknowledge that you’re submitting yourself to a substance abuse treatment program.
- Background check: This process also involves a background check of your medical and mental health history, mental health screening and physical exams. You’ll also be asked regarding the circumstances involving your substance abuse like the events and people that led you to it.
- Make sure it meets your needs: There are a lot of rehabilitation programs available, and the intake process can help you choose the program that perfectly matches you. If you have chosen a comfortable facility, it is likely that you will stick to the program until the end thus escalating the chances of recovery and sobriety.
- Types of rehabilitation programs: There are three rehab treatment programs which facilities offer: outpatient services, inpatient services, and a combination of both services. Whichever treatment you choose, the intake process will be quite similar and it will be administered by a counselor or therapist from the facility.
2. Detox
The beginning of the rehabilitation process usually requires a phase of detoxification from drug and alcohol consumption. This stage phase is formulated to get rid of all traces of alcohol and drugs from the body. In some cases, the program may give you maintenance medication to alleviate withdrawal symptoms related to certain drugs such as heroin and opiate prescription drugs.
The extent of a detox process may vary depending on the following circumstances:
- A patient’s unique metabolism and body composition
- The duration of drug consumption
- Specific drug and dosage that was consumed
- Other addictions involved
The detoxification process is generally safe when it is conducted in a supervised medical setting. It is not advisable for individuals to do the detox process at their own home, especially if the substance abuse is very severe.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Your body has become accustomed to particular levels of the drugs or alcohol you have consumed regularly. Once you begin the detox process and the substance is removed from your body, you may experience withdrawal symptoms.
Depending on your substance abuse, the withdrawal symptoms may appear within a couple of hours, although they most often appear the first 24 hours upon the last substance consumption.
The symptoms of withdrawal greatly vary depending on the substance used. However, the typical withdrawal symptoms include depression, decreased appetite, agitation, fatigue and more.
Detox Medications
The treatment method during detox varies greatly depending on the certain type of addiction being treated. Before the detox process, a medical staff will determine the type and degree of medicinal treatment you need involving your detoxification.
Although some addictions like opiates, heroin, and alcohol do not require a detox process before rehabilitation therapy, you may still be required to take medications to alleviate the severity of withdrawal symptoms during detox.
Some common medications involved in detox include methadone, buprenorphine, benzodiazepines and barbiturates. These pharmaceuticals comprises anti-anxiety drugs which are often consumed throughout alcohol detox.
3. Rehab
Once you undergo the initial detox from alcohol or drugs, you can proceed to rehabilitation. In this phase, you will establish the crucial reasons behind your addiction. This is also the process where those issues will be addressed so you can move on with your life without returning to alcohol, drugs, and addictive behavior.
This process may also involve three kinds of therapy: individual therapy, group therapy and family therapy.
- Individual therapy: In this process, you may be doing some inner work. This lets you identify where the substance use began and why it has become an addiction. You may also be given strategies on how you can use your time better by focusing on new hobbies or interests. This cognitive behavioral therapy will address your thoughts related to substance abuse, and about your life in general. This helps you reform your thinking patterns and make changes for a sober life.
- Group therapy: This process allows you to recover from addiction by interacting with other patients with the same situation as yours. This will also make you feel that you are not alone in your struggle. This offers a sense of community support which is a fundamental part of your recovery process.
- Family therapy: This is another integral part in your recovery and is offered by most rehabilitation facilities. Addiction not only affects you, but it also affects the people around you. Your family, relatives and close friends are often deeply affected by your addiction. Therefore, they are important in your recovery process.
4. Recovery
We are now down to the last phase of your recovery. Even after you have completed the rehabilitation program, it does not mean that you have fully recovered. In fact, recovery takes a lifetime process for some people and it requires ongoing attention and effort. Maintaining a lifelong recovery may sound easy, but some people find it difficult to resist temptation. A lasting and steady support is essential to fully recover and achieve sobriety.
- Aftercare: Before leaving the rehabilitation program, you will be meeting with your therapist or counselor and discuss your aftercare. You may be offered follow-up programs to assist you as you return to your normal life. That follow-up plan may feature keeping in touch at the rehab facility whenever you feel like you need someone to talk to.
- Live in a sober living facility: You may also be offered to stay in sober living facility for the meantime. You will be together with other patients who are recovering from their addiction. While you are in the sober living facility, you can do an outside job, perform chores, or engage in group therapy sessions. This will allow you to undergo a transitional time to recover before throwing yourself back into your normal life.
Those are the certain steps involved if you are looking for a rehabilitation for drugs. By taking in those steps, it will help you recover from drug abuse and achieve sober living in Houston. By finding the right facility, you will be able to detoxify, go through rehabilitation programs, and maintain lifelong recovery.
Tom Taylor and Kristi Taylor
Tom Taylor and Kristi Taylor are owners and writers contributing to Taylor Recovery. Their interest in helping others has allowed them to write on some great topics to give help to those in need especially in looking for a rehabilitation for drugs. Although inseparable, the two do indulge in their own interests whenever they’re free. They love life and love helping those who need help on the road to recovery from what life throws at them.