Facts and Strategies: Healing from Addiction
Sadly, addiction is a disease that impacts many people. Chances are that you know someone who has struggled with addiction or may have even struggled with it yourself. However, this isn’t a rare or uncommon occurrence. Statistics show that within the last year, 4% of Americans have struggled with addiction in the past year and 10% have struggled with addiction at some point in their lives. There is help, and there is a new way to live your life free from addiction.
Mental and Physical Traits
Some of the common signs that are seen when someone enters a rehab center are physical. Thinning hair, brittle nails, and depleted skin are all signs that the body is struggling with a lack of vitamins. This can also be caused by the body flushing out vitamins as is the case with alcoholism.
Not all of the symptoms of addiction are physical. Many addicts share common psychological traits. These are usually in the form of mental illnesses and many centers, such as Serenity at Summit notice this common trend. Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental illnesses that are seen in addicts when they enter a treatment facility.
It is no surprise that approximately 20% of people with an anxiety disorder also have a problem with substance abuse.
Healing After Addiction
Another common problem in addicts is trying to clean up the mess that their addiction has created in their lives. This often leads to relapse, as the mess can feel enormous and it may appear that it can never be cleaned up. This is where a good support system and recovery foundation come into play.
Whether someone gets sober with a 12 step program, a SMART recovery program, intensive outpatient treatment, or any one of the numerous treatments available, they must find some way to keep themselves on the right track after the initial recovery had begun. It is a necessity to remove or set boundaries with all of the old friends who enabled or encouraged the use of drugs and alcohol.
It may be required to find a new “stomping ground”. At centers, this is often referred to as finding a new playground and playmates. It is very difficult to recover from addiction while still surrounding yourself with the people you used with or the places that you used in. These can be very triggering for addicts and create a vicious cycle for relapse
Coping Mechanisms
There are a variety of coping mechanisms that can be employed to help an addict maintain sobriety, and it is important to have as many in your toolbox as possible to prevent relapse.
A few of these can include
- Journaling: This is an excellent way to help pinpoint unhealthy patterns that you may not be able to see for yourself.
- Exercise: Exercise releases “feel good” hormones and can provide you with a natural high that you spent so long chasing.
- Healthy habits: Routine is crucial. Having a set schedule and maintaining healthy eating habits are important to maintaining sobriety.
There are many more coping mechanisms to choose from, and it is important to find the one that works best for you.
Helpful Resources
Sunrise House Treatment Center
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