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Home | Addictions | Treatments | Rehab | Recovery | Heroin | Opiates | Alcohol | |
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Addiction Recovery Addiction to drugs, alcohol, gambling, nicotine, sex or other
2. Seeking help There are numerous avenues for obtaining support and guidance, such as a 12 step program, a drug & alcohol rehabilitation program (including our Treatment4Addiction Center), and individual counseling. 3. Completing a detoxification program The next step involves checking into a detox rehabilitation center for the purpose of ensuring a safe and thorough withdrawal from the substance in question. 4. Entering and engaging in addiction recovery program The addict may need to continue treatment in a residential, outpatient or inpatient rehabilitation center, depending on his or her overall temperament and age, as well as the duration and severity of his or her addiction. 5. Maintaining sobriety For many recovering substance abusers, staying sober is a lifelong process. To help them cope with personal issues and keep them on the right track, they may choose to avail themselves of the following types of aid: (1) a 12 step program or alternative 12-step program, (2) psychological support and transportation from friends and family, (3) employee assistance, (4) individual or group therapy; (5) legal assistance, and/or (6) medical and psychological services. Some addicts choose to help others through advocacy and activism, as well as through non-profit organizations.
The key is to recognize and manage the warning signs before they degenerate into a using incident. Through relapse prevention therapy, addicts learn to become cognizant of the symptoms and triggers that tempt them back to their substance of choice. Common triggers include associating with other substance abusers, entering a bar, looking at a particular photograph, or smelling a certain odor. To ensure progress along the path to sobriety, addicts should (1) choose healthy and positive substitutes for their problematic substance, (2) form a wholesome support group, and (3) avoid or reduce contact with enablers and toxic individuals. The substitutes chosen to replace the object of craving will vary from one addict to the next. Addicts are also encouraged to take stock of the consequences of relapse and may receive training in thought-stopping. Some effective strategies for preventing or derailing relapse and refocusing energy on a constructive activity include the following: Channeling self-destructive energy into yoga, meditation, and exercise Consuming products containing sugar or caffeine Engaging in religious activities and prayer Working in the yard Speaking to a friend, therapist or sponsor when 'permission thoughts' emerge Strengthening communication and interpersonal skills with the help of a therapist Seeking individual or group counseling Joining support groups or a 12 step recovery group such as Alcoholics Anonymous
1. 12 step program The vast majority of drug and alcohol rehab centers throughout the U.S. integrate portions of the 12 step program into their therapeutic modules. Initially intended for alcoholics in recovery (Alcoholics Anonymous), this program has since become the foundation for other 12 step recovery groups such as (1) Narcotics Anonymous, (2) Sexual Compulsives Anonymous, (3) Pills Anonymous (for prescription pill addicts), (4) Marijuana Anonymous, (5) Gamblers Anonymous, (6) Cocaine Anonymous, (7) Methadone Anonymous, and 6) Nicotine Addiction Anonymous. The 12-step program centers on spiritual awakening principles that involve replacing egocentrism with moral awareness, selfless constructive behavior, and altruism. Some of the precepts incorporated into the 12 steps are as follows: Recognizing the presence of a Higher power; Reaching out to other addicts; Living a new life by adopting a new behavioral code; Making amends for past behavior; and Analyzing substance abuse transgressions with a sponsor's help. 2. Alternative treatment programs Addicts may instead opt for an alternative treatment program, whether religious-based, secular and rational, or online. Some of these programs adhere to the belief that drug and alcohol addiction is not a disease, and that addicts are not powerless over substance abuse. Individuals may choose from an extensive array of alternative programs, such as: Meditation, Tai Chi, and yoga training Holistic therapy Alternative medicine Cognitive-behavioral therapy Psychological counseling Biofeedback Life skills training Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Self-esteem boosting skills Motivation therapy Medicinal Marijuana - Available online 3. Wellness coaching Addicts may consult a wellness coach for guidance and recommendations concerning (1) management of health risks, (2) stress reduction, (3) fitness, (4) weight management, and (5) nutrition. 4. Self help Self help measures are also available to sobriety-minded individuals, and these include: Self help support groups; Online resources such as recovery events, meeting locators, articles, online blogs and journals, internet discussion groups, and message boards; Sobriety videos; and Books on recovery. Disclaimer: This Web site is designed for fun. We are not doctors and do not give medical advise. Before doing anything that might be weird or strange be sure and visit your doctor, shrink or priest to get their opinion first as they are experts and we are only writers. What do we know? nothing at all so whatever you read on this web site you must take with a pound of salt - that is understand that it's about humor and love and fun and not about medicine or healing or god. |
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