Addiction is never a stand-alone issue. It stems from and can be worsened by a slew of other physical and psychological problems, trauma, and chronic issues. No matter if it’s alcohol or drug abuse, or even legal substances, addiction is often deceptively slow to arise and seemingly impossible to treat. Especially if you see your loved one struggling with chronic pain and in need of medication, or their health slipping away as they try to find more ways to hide their addiction. 

However, there are certain commonalities behind every kind of addiction out there. Whether you yourself have experienced problems with addiction or someone you love is struggling, these are the five steps that every rehabilitation program and plan needs to entail in order to increase your chances of success. 

Self-care practices for recovery

We all know that the very first step in treating addiction comes from admitting to having the problem in the first place. Once that moment occurs, you will begin recognizing the many aspects of your life where you can make changes for the better and find healthier alternatives to certain self-destructive behaviors that only deepen your addiction. 

Self-care and self-management come in various forms and they depend on the kind of addiction you’re dealing with. For example, in case you’re struggling with chronic pain and you need a healthier way to manage it, you need to seek advice from a professional as to replacing your addictive medications and adding certain helpful exercises into your lifestyle. Trouble with alcohol? Make sure there is no alcohol in your home, and spend some time away from bars. A coffee shop might be a better alternative in the first few weeks or months of your treatment. 

Professional rehabilitation programs

Due to its insidious nature, addiction can often go unnoticed and untreated for too long. In such instances, even upon admitting that you have a problem, you will definitely find yourself in need of professional help and guidance. Find the most suitable drug rehab program with experts who specialize in your particular addiction so that you can get a tailor-made solution specific to your condition and its underlying causes.

Most kinds of addiction require more than just supervision. You’ll need to have regular psychological counseling and evaluations, medical treatment for those withdrawal symptoms, and a support system that will help you stay on the right track even when you find yourself tempted to go back to the substance that has caused you to become addicted in the first place. 

Psychological support

The outside world often plays a very important role in supporting or treating addiction. In case your friends and family are oblivious, they can hardly provide the emotional support you will most certainly need during recovery. They should be your life’s constant, the people you can always rely on for friendly advice and a helping hand, so make sure you’re surrounded by people who will love you even in hardship.

Additionally, support groups are ideal environments for people who feel isolated, ashamed, or have any other negative feelings that lower their self-esteem and the feeling of self-worth. Finding yourself in a room full of people who have dealt with and overcome similar if not the same addictions can be a truly sobering experience. You’ll have a glimpse into your own future, too. By seeing others coping and successfully staying sober, you’ll slowly grow more hopeful of your own recovery, too.

Building a healthy routine

While the things you do that are directly linked to your addiction will always play a key role in your recovery, other aspects of your lifestyle will also contribute to your healing process. Alternatively, sticking to old habits that do not promote health and wellbeing might be one of the worst ways to further hinder your recovery and push you into relapse. 

For starters, you can consult your rehab team on what kind of diet will help your body have the strength and the energy to cope with withdrawal and the entire recovery. Add to that, make sure you create a workout program that will help you build your immune system, stamina, and your overall health, in addition to your psychological resilience and self-esteem. 

Choosing your environment carefully 

Finally, another “outside” factor that can make or break your recovery is your choice of company. If you spend most of your time surrounded by people who have self-destructive tendencies and who haven’t done anything good in terms of your recovery, you need to rethink your social circles carefully. It’s better to cut ties with people who only challenge you in negative ways and who reinforce bad habits. 

Instead, do your best to spend most of your time with people who will support you, cheer you on, help you steer clear of addictive substances, and be there as emotional support when you need it most. 

 

Addiction may be a lifelong battle, but with the right approach and the right mindset, you can significantly increase your chances of recovery. Use these tips as the foundation of your plan, and make sure to talk to professionals in order to find the most suitable treatment for you that will help you recover successfully in time.