The Addiction Recovery Timeline Isn’t As Straightforward As It May Seem
Most people enter treatment when they reach a point in their lives where their addiction is having a significant negative impact – so much so that it spurs them to take action. In many cases, it even takes an intervention to help them see how their addiction is affecting both them and their loved ones. After entering treatment, most patients go through an initial detox. From there, they usually enter a recovery center or facility that focuses on aftercare. After a specified amount of time in treatment, the individual then rejoins the “real” world outside of the treatment facility. Unfortunately, this transition doesn’t always go as smoothly as it should. In many cases, patients wind up relapsing, even after taking part in a year-long treatment program. It is important to evaluate why this occurs. Even if people do everything right in terms of working on themselves and their inner beliefs, they may experience relapses. There are some underlying beliefs or misconceptions that can undermine all of the progress that was made in treatment, making relapse more likely. Knowing what signs to look out for can make it easier to spot problems before they occur. Below, you can find a list of some of the most commonly seen themes that emerge:
Believing That The Work Stops When Treatment Stops
A lot of times, addicts leave treatment facilities feeling like they are cured. In essence, they feel like they put in their time and are done with the process, believing that they can go on to lead a normal life without having to think about addiction again. In fact, however, recovery is an ongoing process that takes a lifetime. Patients need to stay focused on sobriety even after they get out of treatment if they want to prevent a relapse. Otherwise, it is too easy to fall back into old habits again. The process is not from one day to the other, this is something that needs consistency and self-discipline. It is important to always push forward and be conscious of your choices because the little things you do during the day have a huge impact on your progression. It can be as simple as getting behind the wheel knowing you are not in a good place to drive. If you need representation, contact a DUI attorney in Houston immediately. Butler Law Firm is here to help.
Moving To A New Location After Recovering From Drug Addiction
Most addicts come out of treatment with a strong support system in place. Their friends and family members are there to provide them with the support that they need. If they decide to move to another location, however, it may be problematic. Moving away from their support system can make it easier for them to relapse. Friends and family members who care about them help encourage accountability. Once they get away from people who know them, it is easier to slip back into addiction again.
Trying To Get Through The Process Of Frug Addiction Recovery Too Quickly
Recovery is something that can’t be rushed. If people don’t take the necessary time to change their behaviors and develop the skills that they need to cope, they are much more likely to relapse. The way that recovery centers are set up almost contributes to the problem. Because most treatment programs only last 28 days, people naturally believe that they should be cured at the end of this time. In fact, however, the internal work required to overcome an addiction takes much longer than that. The people who successfully overcome their addictions are the ones who keep showing up every single day over a long period of time, giving them the opportunity to make deep and lasting changes.
Taking On Too Much Too Soon After Addiction Recovery
One of the most eye-opening parts of the recovery process is when addicts start to realize how much their addictions have stolen from them in terms of the things that they hoped to accomplish in their lives. Once they get out of treatment, there is a natural tendency to want to take action right away, moving toward their long-term goals and objectives. If they jump right in and start rushing to try to succeed, it can lead to inevitable disappointment if they fail. When they are fresh out of recovery, any type of failure can be a trigger for relapse. A much better option is to take baby steps, working slowly toward achieving their goals in the beginning. Each small success will boost their confidence, helping them get in a much better position to achieve their goals without experiencing major setbacks along the way.
Failing To Prioritize Drug Addiction Recovery
One of the keys to beating an addiction is to make recovery one of the top priorities in life. After completing treatment, addicts are often ready to jump back into their routines, taking on responsibilities that were too much for them when they were addicted. On the surface, this may seem like a good thing. In fact, however, recovery often gets pushed to the back burner as people take on more and more tasks in their lives. Over time, this can cause the addict to lose sight of the lessons that they learned in recovery, putting them at risk of a relapse. To prevent this problem, recovery always has to be a priority, no matter what else is going on in their lives.
Taking Too Many Risks Early On In Addiction Recovery
People who achieve a year or two of sobriety often feel like they are no longer at risk of relapsing. In fact, however, the chance of a relapse is always there – especially if they put themselves in potentially risky situations.
Addiction Recovery Isn’t A Straight Line
Many people fall into the trap of believing that it only takes a month to cure an addiction. In fact, however, it requires a lifelong effort and a tremendous amount of dedication. In order to avoid relapsing, addicts always need to remember what caused them to have an addiction in the first place. They need to take things slowly, avoiding unnecessary risks and giving themselves the time that they need to get their lives back on track. The biggest mistake that people make when dealing with addiction recovery is expecting to be cured overnight. Once people understand that recovery is a lifelong process, they are less likely to act in ways that are risky or impulsive, minimizing the chance of a relapse as a result.
For more information on Butler Law Firm services, check out our blog or call (713) 236-8744
for immediate assistance.