Recovery from drug or alcohol addiction cannot be achieved at the snap of a finger. Treatment is a complex step-by-step path, on which a person, with the help of specialists, overcomes all the difficulties in order to regain control over his or her life.
What exactly will have to go through? Doctors distinguish 5 stages: from endless justification of their actions to the prevention of relapses after rehabilitation. For each addicted person, the duration of the stages may differ, and each of them will manifest itself to a greater or lesser degree.
This article will outline what you or a loved one will face in addiction treatment. This should help you realize that everything is on track.
In the journey through addiction recovery, finding the right support system is crucial. One of the most significant steps is engaging in effective alcohol rehab programs, which provide structured environments and professional guidance to help individuals overcome their dependencies. These programs are designed to address the unique needs of each person, offering a combination of medical, psychological, and social support. By participating in such comprehensive treatment plans, individuals can develop healthier coping mechanisms and work towards long-term sobriety. This approach not only aids in managing withdrawal symptoms but also empowers individuals to rebuild their lives with renewed purpose and resilience.
Stage 1: Preliminary Reflections
A person in the first stage is still far from understanding the real problem. If someone starts to put a lot of pressure on him, forcing him to get treatment, then all the arguments will be crushed by an insurmountable barrier. The addict will justify his behavior in any way possible.
At the first stage, there are no particular negative effects of substance use for the addict or alcoholic. These are all outweighed by the positive effects of euphoria.
Being in the first stage can drag on indefinitely, for example, until the person slides to the social bottom and simply does not have enough money for psychoactive substances. This is often due to a lack of information or misinformation about the harms of substances. This is why it is important to have close people around who can talk about the need for treatment without pressure. They should show that rehabilitation for drugs in a specialized clinic is the way to a better life, which is possible if the person makes some effort.
Another reason for a long stay in the first stage is relapses. If an addict has tried treatment before and it did not work out, he or she may mistakenly think that rehabilitation is impossible for him or her. But the truth is that anyone can be cured.
Stage 2: Reflections on recovery
Sooner or later, a person with addiction starts to think about the need for treatment. At this stage, he or she realizes that drug or alcohol abuse is extremely harmful to his or her health and destroys relationships with loved ones. Therefore, he wants to get cured. The problem is that he is ready for treatment, but not now, but later.
In this case, the scales are aligned. On one side is euphoria and perhaps some new acquaintances, on the other is health and the future. It is a battle between reason and emotion. If people close to the person show enough tact in persuasion, reason will win and the person will move to the next level.
Stage 3: Preparing for treatment
This is already a real preparation for action. In the third stage, the person is already talking about a specific timeframe for when they will start dealing with their addiction. Often during this period, people with addiction consider various recovery programs or make independent attempts at treatment. They try quitting drugs or alcohol, may stay off drugs or alcohol for a few days, struggle with withdrawal symptoms, and then return to substances again.
Without help, it is possible to fall back from stage three to stage one. This is considered normal behavior and should not be feared.
Stage 4: Active recovery
This phase differs from all the previous ones in its cardinal approach. At this point, the person has made the decision to change his or her life and is acting according to a plan. Therefore, the recovery phase is characterized by long periods of drug or alcohol withdrawal.
In the fourth stage, a person knows what he or she is doing and for what purpose, sees the result of his or her actions, and continues to move forward. In order not to lose the way, the help of specialists is required. Inpatient treatment under 24-hour supervision is best, but in some cases outpatient counseling and recovery is sufficient.
Stage 5: Prevention of relapse
Even after completing a full course of treatment in rehabs, no addicted person is completely safe. It still takes time for sober living to become the norm. To do this, positive habits must be maintained at all times: exercising, practicing sports, practicing good sleep hygiene, and attending support groups. Each day lived with maintaining sobriety makes a person stronger – it becomes easier and easier for him to cope with triggers.
How long does stage five last? Six months is enough for some people, but in most cases it takes 2-5 years for a positive pattern to take hold. It depends on how severe the addiction was, genetics, health and other factors.
This is roughly what the path to a healthy and sober life looks like – 5 steps. It is important to take them as early as possible to minimize the damage to your health.
