Addiction treatment isn’t just about rehab. There are a lot of phases involved that play a role in the outcome of your recovery. Many people think they can take short cuts by only doing some of the work. The only way to have good results is to fully commit to recovery and make sure you do everything you need to do. If you are serious about getting sober, it needs to be your number one priority. Getting sober starts before you go to rehab and the work continues after you complete the program.
Five Key Phases of Addiction Treatment
Everyone’s addiction is different. Similarly, addiction treatment is individual and should be customized to your needs. No two stories will be exactly alike. However, there are certain things that you can expect to go through. In fact, it is essential that you go through all the phases to properly set up for a sober life.
Admitting you have a problem/ intervention
This usually comes at your breaking point. You may realize that your addiction has negatively impacted your life. Or, maybe your loved ones came to you with an intervention in order to make you get help. Whatever spurs you realizing you need treatment, it is essential that you want to get better. Otherwise, none of the following steps will work.
Detox
Detox is one of the more dreaded parts of getting sober. On your own, you probably won’t be able to handle the symptoms. You may have tried before and relapsed when things got tough. A medical detox in a supervised environment is the best way to make sure you are comfortable and safe. You’ll be given medication and therapy to support you, and you’ll be monitored around the clock to make sure you are safe.
Treatment
Many people make the mistake of going through detox but failing to continue with addiction treatment. You may think it takes too much time, or that it will interfere with your life. Rehab is a necessity for going on to live a clean and sober life. The more time you can dedicate to it, the better. Ideally, you can commit to full-time, inpatient rehab to give yourself the time to focus entirely on yourself and getting healthy. Treatment usually lasts upwards of one month. It is the best thing you can do to set yourself up for a sober lifestyle.
Aftercare
This is an essential part of post-treatment that many people make the mistake of skipping. Going back to the real world after treatment can be jarring. This is especially so if it is sudden. To make a smooth transition, it is important to have an aftercare plan for the months following treatment. This might include outpatient rehab, therapy, sober living, and any combination of factors to help support your recovery.
Recovery
No matter what, your recovery always needs to be at the forefront of your mind. It is an ongoing process that will last the rest of your life, if you truly want to stay sober. To keep it in focus, you may choose to go to 12-step meetings, engage in sober activities, continue with therapy, and believe in a higher power. You need to be aware of your mental state and know when to reach out for support. As time goes on, it will continue to get easier and easier.
Addiction treatment is an ongoing process, even once you are in recovery. It may seem daunting, but it is the single most important thing you can do for yourself. If you stick to it and do things right, you’ll have the benefit of a healthy, happy, and sober life. Hopefully, for the rest of your life.
