Millions of adults in America struggle with drug or alcohol addiction, and thousands of people seek treatment for their substance abuse disorder (SAD). The first step in treating addiction and working towards long-term recovery is admitting that your use of drugs or alcohol has gotten out of control and is affecting your life. Substance use can disrupt your overall quality of life, including damaging relationships, making it harder to complete tasks for work or school, and impacting your enjoyment of activities you once used to love.
Once a person admits that drugs or alcohol are impacting their life and faces the fact that they might have an addiction, they’re in a good frame of mind to seek treatment options. Addiction treatment and therapy are most effective when the individual acknowledges their problem using drugs or alcohol and wishes to make a change for themselves.
Addiction Disorders and the First Steps of Treatment
The first step in treatment, after the individual admits to themselves that there is a substance use problem, is to detoxify their body from the drugs and alcohol. Withdrawals can be uncomfortable and fatal for people addicted to alcohol or benzodiazepines. Many treatment centers offer medically supervised detox, which can help ease the physical symptoms of withdrawal and reduce the chances of life-threatening problems with withdrawal.
Some physical treatments may also include medication foor health concerns that developed from drinking or using drugs. Heavy drinkers may have elevated liver enzymes, fatty liver, or the first stages of cirrhosis, while people who smoked different drugs may have respiratory concerns. Intravenous drug users may need to have treatment for lesions on their skin. Treatment facilities help people with SAD take steps toward a healthier body and then be the work of treating the addictive behavior and any underlying trauma that may have caused it.
The First Mental and Emotional Steps of Addiction Treatment
Many treatment options are available for people with SAD, and one of the most important first steps is finding the one to which each individual responds best. Some people may benefit from an inpatient program, where they are completely removed from the temptations and stressors of daily life, focusing on getting sober and learning more about the nature of addiction and better coping mechanisms.
Other people may benefit from a combination of group and individual therapy. A strong, sober support network can help many people in early sobriety, reminding them that they are not alone and helping them form relationships that aren’t centered around drug use or drinking. These supportive relationships can help when you’re experiencing cravings or are triggered by something happening in your life.
Psychological counseling is also important since many people use drugs or alcohol to cope with trauma in their past or self-medicate a mental health disorder, like anxiety or depression. Another essential first step is identifying co-morbid connections and treating them in addition to addiction therapy. Plus, having one-on-one counseling and therapy can help people learn more about healthier coping mechanisms when life throws them challenges.
Do You Need to Take the First Steps To Recovery?
If you’re struggling with an addiction, you aren’t alone. There is help for you. At Hickory Treatment Centers, we offer an individualized addiction rehabilitation approach, intensive outpatient therapy, and individual and group counseling. We also have family therapy available to help repair damaged relationships. Contact us today for a free confidential assessment.
