Deciding whether or not to go to treatment for a substance abuse disorder is a huge choice to make. You probably worry about being away from family and home, how you will pay for treatment, or even about what people will think about you going to rehab. Those thoughts and fears will likely lead you to wonder if you should just try to get sober on your own.
Understandably, you would feel like that — nearly all people with addiction issues have likely thought that same thing. However, addiction treatment facilities can help you in many ways and increase your chances of successful, long-term recovery.
Rehabilitation centers are designed to make patients comfortable and to offer tools needed for sobriety. Let’s take a closer look at why it’s not always possible to overcome addiction alone.
Understanding Addiction
Addiction is a complex condition that profoundly affects an individual’s physical and mental health, relationships, and overall quality of life. It is characterized by compulsive seeking and taking of a substance or performing an activity, despite negative or harmful consequences. This compulsive behavior can be driven by a combination of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors.
Substance use disorders, such as drug addiction and alcohol use disorder, are among the most common types of addiction. These disorders involve the misuse of substances like alcohol, prescription medications, and illicit drugs, leading to significant impairment and distress.
Understanding the underlying causes and mechanisms of addiction is crucial for developing effective treatment strategies. Addiction is a treatable condition, and seeking help is the first step towards recovery. A comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the physical, emotional, and social aspects of addiction can help individuals overcome addiction and maintain long-term recovery. By addressing the root causes and providing ongoing support, individuals can achieve a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Why Can’t I Just Get Sober on My Own?
While there are people who can stop using drugs or alcohol on their own, they are not in the majority, and they often don’t have long-lasting sobriety, especially if they have a substance use disorder. There are many reasons why choosing to attend a professional treatment facility is the best option for addicts, with the two biggest being safety and medical attention during detox and laying a solid foundation for long-term recovery.
Detoxification is the process of getting drugs or alcohol out of your system. Many abused substances can cause serious, even fatal, symptoms when they are suddenly stopped. Medical supervision during detox makes withdrawal symptoms manageable, provides comfort, and keeps the addicted person safe. Rehab facilities are equipped to handle the challenges of detox and prepare patients for the next stages of their recovery.
Chemically dependent people often have underlying issues that must be addressed, or they will return to drinking or using. Even if you are able to stop using on your own, if you don’t treat the underlying issues, relapse is likely. Rehab provides you with customized treatment plans that will help you deal with the causes of your drug or alcohol use.
Let’s take a look at some of the risks of detoxing alone, including why it’s not always possible to manage withdrawal symptoms by yourself.
The Risks of Detoxing Alone and Managing Withdrawal Symptoms
When you become addicted to drugs or alcohol, you have already developed a physical and/or psychological dependence on the drug. That means that your body has become used to functioning with the drug in your system. If the drug or alcohol is stopped suddenly, your body will go into withdrawal.
The symptoms and severity of withdrawal depend on the substance and amount used and can vary widely from mild discomfort to death. Particularly, those who are on anti-anxiety medication should be cautious, as withdrawal symptoms can be severe and require professional guidance.
Some of the more common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Sweating
- Hallucinations
If you think or know you may experience these symptoms, it may be best to go through medically supervised detox. It is not only much safer, but it can also be more comfortable than going it alone.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the substances that may require professional treatment.
Substances That Require Medically-Supervised Detox for Substance Use Disorder
While you are detoxing, doctors and nurses will monitor your status, administer medication when necessary, and watch your vital signs to ensure your safety. For some substances, this close monitoring is increasingly important. These substances are often associated with severe addictive disorders that necessitate close medical supervision during detox.
Detox for the following drugs should only be done with medical supervision:
- Alcohol
- Heroin
- Prescription painkillers (opiates)
- Benzodiazepines
- Methamphetamines
- Inhalants
The above isn’t an inclusive list, but if you are abusing any of those substances, you should be medically supervised while detoxing.
Do I Need Help For Addiction Recovery?
You may be an even stronger candidate for professional addiction recovery programs if you have had many past attempts to quit but still struggle to maintain sobriety. Alternatively, you may have multiple substance related addictions (such as alcohol use and medication abuse) and experience stress, cravings, or depression when attempting to quit.
You may also wish to seek professional treatment if you feel you have no control over your feelings, actions, or behaviors while quitting. If you are also suffering from adverse secondary effects, such as gambling, intrusive thoughts, or negative feelings, immediately get in touch with an outpatient or residential treatment center such as My Time Recovery.
How Rehab Offers Support During Recovery
Considering drug rehab to help overcome addiction?
Here are three reasons why this may be a wise decision.
1. Building a Support Network
Even if you feel that you can safely detox on your own, you should consider the social aspect of going to a rehab facility. It’s essential to have support during early recovery as that is the period during which most relapses occur. Being in a facility where you are with like-minded people who are struggling with the same issues you are is not only comforting, but it also provides a sense of fellowship and community.
Bonds are formed quickly in drug rehab, and they offer understanding and support, much like the support you might receive from a family member. Additionally, many of the professionals who work in treatment facilities have gone through recovery themselves, so they can also lend support and understanding. Forming those types of connections can make all of the difference in early sobriety – and you won’t likely get those if you choose to try to get sober alone.
During early recovery, it’s vital that you have a strong social support. This could be emotional — someone to talk to about how you are feeling emotionally — or physical, which is someone who can be there to help you with daily activities and responsibilities when needed.
You may also wish to seek out educational support in the form of addiction classes, 12-step meetings, life and coping skills, help from therapists, and self-awareness work. This ultimately leads to positive reinforcement so you can celebrate your victories with and who recognizes your progress.
2. Learning Healthy Ways to Cope with Stress
Healthy coping mechanisms are crucial for managing stress and reducing the risk of relapse. Finding effective ways to cope with stress takes time and experimentation, but it is an essential part of maintaining recovery.
A rehab center can provide healthy ways to cope with stress so you can easily maintain your life in recovery. This may include exercise, such as walking or yoga, which can help reduce stress and anxiety by releasing endorphins and promoting physical health. You could also try mindfulness practices, such as meditation and deep breathing, to help stay present and focused.
Your rehab center of choice may also help you find a new hobby by exploring creative activities, such as art or music. This provides healthy outlet for emotions and can be a therapeutic way to express oneself.
Alternatively, spending time in nature has also been shown to reduce stress and improve mood, offering a peaceful and rejuvenating environment. Your rehab center of choice may be able to assist in finding an outlet for your unique needs, which will help you combat drug addiction and substance abuse from multiple fronts.
3. Overcoming Relapse
Relapse is a common part of the recovery process, and it does not mean that treatment has failed. Addiction treatment centers help you to understand that relapse can happen — and preparing for it can help you navigate this challenging aspect of recovery.
Your rehab facility of choice may assist with:
- Identifying triggers and developing coping strategies alongside a supportive community or person in your life
- Building a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the physical, emotional, and social aspects of addiction
- Offering family therapy services to garner support from family members, friends, and mental health professionals, which provide encouragement, accountability, and practical advice during difficult times
- Discovering a new hobby such as art, sports, or other recreation, which can help to prevent relapse in the future and provide emotional stabilization whenever you fear you’re approaching relapse in recovery.
- Learning how to practice self-care, such as getting enough sleep and eating a healthy diet, to help individuals manage stress and cravings.
If You Decide to Go to Treatment Rehab
If you are considering taking yourself to rehab, you should familiarize yourself with the many different types.
While there are many different treatments, therapies, approaches, and settings, there are two basic types of rehab you should know: inpatient and outpatient.
With inpatient treatment(also called residential rehab), you move into a treatment center for 30 days or longer under supervision at an inpatient facility, where you receive therapy, psychiatric care (if needed), education, and relapse prevention techniques, addressing both addiction and any co-occurring mental disorders. The advantage to inpatient rehab is that you are away from your regular life, which may be a toxic setting, and are able to focus completely on your recovery.
In outpatient treatment, you typically receive treatment during the day but return home at night, or you attend for a few hours a day for a few days a week, depending on the facility. The advantages of outpatient treatment include continuing with work or school and being with family (if they are supportive) through the process.
Those who have attempted to get sober many times previously and were unsuccessful are more likely to benefit from inpatient treatment. However, outpatient facilities may work best for persons who need flexibility and the ability to continue work, school, or family life.
Finding a Trustworthy Treatment Center Near You
Ultimately, the decision of whether to attempt sobriety on your own is up to you. But there are very sound and solid reasons why going to a rehab facility may be better for you. Consider the above information and talk with trusted family members before making your decision.
If you have questions or want more information about addiction treatment, contact My Time Recovery. for more information. We would be happy to discuss your treatment options and the many opportunities available to help you overcome addiction.
