Categories
Substance Abuse

The Connection Between Substance Abuse And Mental Health

A common misconception surrounding addiction is that it is nothing more than a string of bad choices resulting from a simple desire to “get high”. But when we start to delve into the lives of people suffering from addiction and learn about their backstories, a pattern starts to emerge. 

The pattern does not depict the mental picture we have of bums on street corners clutching their bottles of whisky. The pattern shows human beings who are in pain – either physical or mental – and whose pain either results in or results from addiction.

Addiction almost never exists in isolation. It is rooted in context; it can have a complex array of underlying causes and comorbidities. Many people tend to look at addiction as a problem when in many cases, addiction is a symptom.

Lessons From Rat Park

Lessons From Rat Park
This concept of addiction being a symptom was brought into stark relief during the Rat Park experiments that were run by Canadian psychologist Bruce Alexander from 1978 to 1981.

A group of rats that were isolated in cages were offered two choices of beverage: ordinary tap water, and a sweetened solution containing morphine. Without exception, the rats chose the morphine. Predictably, they became addicted. Some of them died.

The key point is that the rats were isolated in small spaces with nothing to do and no other rats for company, and they were fed a basic diet.

Another group of rats were introduced to Rat Park: a construction that was much larger than a standard cage. Rat Park was equipped with balls, wheels and other toys, a variety of foods, and – this is the crucial part – other rats. The rats in Rat Park were given the same choices of beverage as the caged rats: water and morphine.

The rats in Rat Park – the ones that had good living conditions, activities to engage them mentally and physically, and opportunities to build social connections – overwhelmingly rejected the morphine. A few tried it, but they always reverted to the water.

If we apply these findings to humans, we can deduce that addiction is far less likely to occur in individuals whose lives are conducive to a better state of mental wellbeing. Furthermore, the best way to treat addiction is to focus on the underlying causes – interestingly, when addicted rats were moved from their isolated cages to Rat Park, they did not want the morphine.

Being Isolated In A Crowd

Being Isolated In A Crowd

Critics of the Rat Park experiments argue that humans rarely live in isolation. On the contrary, it can be difficult to get any time alone. But society is set up in such a way that it is possible to be isolated in spite of being surrounded by people. 

Consider the teenage victim of bullying, who is told by parents or teachers that he has to “learn to stand up for himself”, or the new mother who is suffering from postpartum depression and is constantly told that she should feel happy because she has a baby.

People are wired to gravitate to those who are similar in their experiences, values, and likes and dislikes. Someone who has a mental illness, or who has experienced trauma, is regarded as “different”. The resulting lack of understanding – whether real or perceived – can be enough to push someone into the arena of substance abuse and addiction.

The reverse can also happen: addiction isolates a person from their loved ones. Relationships crumble, finances fall apart, and the addict loses interest in things that were previously important to them. What results is a sense of desolation – or desperation – that drives the addict to use drugs again.

Related article: What Are The Signs Of Alcohol Abuse, Dependence And Addiction?

What Do the Numbers Tell Us?

According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), people who suffer from mental illnesses are twice as likely as the general population to develop a substance use disorder. 

Similarly, people who struggle with addiction are three times more likely than other people to have a mental illness. These individuals are more likely to die prematurely: it is thought that mental illness can take up to twenty years away from a person’s life expectancy.

What Does This Mean For Addiction Treatment?

Addiction Treatment

Over the last few decades, we have been learning a lot about addiction and its connection to mental health, and addiction treatment has evolved accordingly. There was a time when “rehab” consisted of little more than a period of detox followed by a few sessions with a psychotherapist.

Many addiction treatment and rehab programs now follow a holistic approach that treats the entire individual rather than just the addiction. A variety of treatment methods are used to cater for variations in individual circumstances. 

Treatment methods still centre around individual and group therapy, but the programs also include creative therapies, mindfulness training, life skills coaching, fitness and nutrition, and elements of self-care in the form of relaxation and recreation.

A Human Version of Rat Park?

At the start of the 21st century, Portugal had one of the worst drug problems in the world. They responded by doing two things: they became the first country worldwide to decriminalize all drugs, and they diverted funds from the punishment of addicts to social services. 

In addition to inpatient addiction treatment programs, job creation drives were put in place, and loans were made available to addicts who wanted to start small businesses. The goal was, quite simply, to give addicts a reason to not use drugs, to give them a reason to want to be present in their own lives.

Final Thoughts

One of the biggest takeaways from the Rat Park experiments is that, while physical and psychological dependence on substances is real and should not be underestimated, taking care of mental health and wellbeing is critical not just in the treatment of addiction, but in its prevention. 

If we give that teenage victim of bullying some meaningful connections that he can trust, and if we acknowledge the anguish of the mom with postpartum depression, maybe we can stop addictions before they start.

Contact 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Related article: Holistic Addiction Treatment: Is it Effective?

Categories
Inpatient

The Benefits Of Inpatient Addiction Treatment

In-patient addiction treatment comes with many advantages. Making the decision to stop using drugs and alcohol is rarely one that is made lightly. The addict may grapple with a lot of things before getting to that point, such as disintegrating relationships, job loss, financial crisis, and failing physical and mental health. They may have had trouble accepting that they have a problem or they might be in fear of the stigma that is often associated with addiction.

And so making this choice is, in most cases, very brave and not at all easy. And while it is the crucial first step without which nothing else can happen, giving up drugs is not simply a matter of no longer using it. For many addicts, the use of the substance has become necessary to their survival. No matter how determined you are, if you have been addicted to alcohol for a long period of time, your life can be in danger if you suddenly deprive your body of it.

addicted to alcohol

This is why most addicts cannot and should not attempt to stop using drugs without some kind of support – and for many, this involves trying to figure out if inpatient addiction treatment and rehab is the right avenue.

What Is Inpatient Addiction Treatment?

An inpatient addiction treatment program is one in which you stay at the facility, day and night, for the duration of your treatment. While some feel that the cost of in-patient addiction treatment is hefty, it is important to bear in mind that this includes sleeping and living facilities, meals, physical and mental health care plus addiction therapies and treatments. Often, it can also include the provision of a variety of recreational facilities.

One of the big benefits to an inpatient rehab program is that with all of your necessities of life taken care of, you can focus on your recovery.

What Is It Like To Live At A Rehab Centre?

Inpatient addiction treatment facilities range from the very basic to the highly luxurious. If you don’t have a lot of money to spend, you can opt for a facility that has shared sleeping accommodations and canteen-style meals similar to those you get in a university dorm. If your pockets are deeper, or if you are able to find additional funding from another source, you can go for a very upscale in-patient addiction facility with a luxury private room and chef-prepared meals.

Regardless of the level of luxury, almost all inpatient addiction treatment centres provide exercise facilities of some kind along with some recreational activities, ranging from basic movie-and-popcorn nights to luxury golf days. Rehab is not intended to feel institutional. Residents are supposed to feel that they are in a residential facility and not in a hospital. This is one of the many benefits of in-patient addiction treatment facilities.

Do Inpatient Rehab Facilities Have Strict Rules?

Again, the rules depend largely on the facility, but yes – there are rules that are strictly enforced. These rules exist for the sole purpose of protecting all of the facility’s residents.

Some typical rules include the following:

  • While personal items like photographs and books are encouraged, residents are usually prohibited from bringing mobile phones, any material glorifying substance abuse, items that can be used as weapons or tools for suicide, and clothing with offensive logos or pictures.
  • Essential prescription medication is allowed as long as its use does not conflict with addiction recovery efforts. Most facilities store the medication in a safe place and dispense it as required.
  • By law, residents with service animals have to be accommodated, but it is your responsibility to provide the documentation that is required in your state or province.
  • Residents are generally not allowed to leave the facility unless there is a specific reason for them to do so, such as a dentist appointment or an organized trip.

Related article: Why You Should Not Attempt Alcohol Withdrawal At Home

What Does A Typical Inpatient Rehab Program Look Like?

Increasingly, as we recognize that everyone’s needs and circumstances are unique, there is a drive to provide custom addiction treatment services. That way, instead of trying to shoehorn everybody into treatment methods that may not work for them, all residents are provided with the treatment they need. By following this approach, post-rehab relapse rates are much lower, and residents have a better chance of going on to achieve lifelong sobriety.

Some therapies and treatments that you can expect during inpatient addiction treatment programs include:

  • Group, individual and family therapy
  • Yoga, meditation and mindfulness coaching
  • Life coaching and life skills training
  • Creative therapies that use art, music and dance
  • Nutrition counselling and fitness training

What Are The Benefits Of Inpatient Addiction Treatment?

Inpatient addiction treatment programs can benefit almost everyone who has an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Time and time again, they have been proven to produce the highest success rates when it comes to addiction treatment. 

Some of the benefits include the following:

  • The medical detox phase keeps you safe and comfortable while the substance works its way out of your system, a process that for some individuals and some substances, can be life-threatening without proper medical supervision.
  • Without access to drugs and alcohol, you will not be able to give in to cravings – instead, you will learn positive ways of dealing with them.
  • Rehab gives you time away from loved ones, who may need to take this time to work through their own emotional upheavals.
  • You have support at all times of the day and night.
  • Having a schedule to stick to, and people who will hold you accountable can help you create responsible habits that you can take with you for the rest of your life.
  • You are among people who have an understanding of what it is like to be in your shoes, and who genuinely want you to succeed.
  • Conversely, when you have been there for a while, you are in a position to provide much-needed support for people who are coming in after you.
  • You don’t have to worry about the stresses of daily life, so you can throw all of your focus into your recovery.

Are There Any Disadvantages?

The primary factor that pushes many people away from the idea of inpatient rehab is the cost. Although the price does include everything you will need to receive treatment and survive, there is no denying that it is out of reach for some.

In addition, committing to inpatient rehab means stepping away from your life for a while. If you are employed, you have to take time off work; you have to ensure that the bills at home can be paid while you are gone. Also, you may have to explain a lengthy upcoming absence to people who do not know you are struggling with an addiction.

And of course, you have to consider what will happen when rehab ends. You are at your highest risk of relapse for the first-month post-rehab, and you need to ensure that you have the right support in place to help you when you get back into the real world.

Making The Most Of Inpatient Addiction Treatment

Addiction is a devastating condition that does not only affect the addict. It also affects family members, friends, work colleagues and neighbours. By going into an inpatient addiction treatment program, you are not only healing yourself – you are helping those around you recover from your period of addiction. 

Addiction is a devastating condition

You are building up your own physical and mental strength, and dealing with issues that may have been holding you back for years. At the same time, you are proving to yourself just how resilient and resourceful you are.

You have a world of opportunity just waiting for you: better relationships, more solid job or education prospects, financial security, and above all, a sense of self-worth and accomplishment. All you have to do is take that first step and call for help. Call 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Related article: Be in the Know: Canada’s Latest Alcohol Addiction and Recovery Facts

 

Categories
Marijuana Addiction

Treatment for Marijuana Addiction: Why You Need to Stop Smoking

Most people who are in support of marijuana consumption have a number of arguments to “back up” this stance. However, there are facts that point to why you need to stop smoking marijuana. Granted, weed is found in nature. Also, it may have some relaxing properties. However, weed also contains many natural products that are toxic to the body.

The smoke that is produced with marijuana consumption is dangerous to the body. Furthermore, the addictive properties of marijuana can interfere with your social, personal and work life. Over the course of this blog, we discuss the importance of marijuana addiction treatment. Essentially, we explore why you need to stop smoking marijuana, sooner, rather than later.

The Reasons Why You Need Marijuana Addiction Treatment

In this section, we define each of the side effects of smoking marijuana. Furthermore, we break them down in a bid to show you why you should stop smoking.

Marijuana smoke contains carcinogens

A high percentage of marijuana enthusiasts consume the product by smoking. It’s not the only way you can consume marijuana, however, it’s the most common. The clincher is whether you’re using bongs, joints or blunts to consume weed, the number of carcinogens released does not change. 

Carcinogens are chemical substances that have been linked to cancer. With cancer, prevention is far better than cure. Therefore, to ensure your health, get marijuana addiction treatment ASAP.

Marijuana can lead to lung damage

One of the effects of smoking marijuana is lung damage — plain and simple. Regular weed smokers are at a higher risk of getting lung damage compared to non-smokers. This has been proven by a scientific study.

Also, a New Zealand study has shown that lung damage due to cannabis is equal to the damage caused by five cigarettes. The risk to your health is not worth it, at all. 

It is possible to develop a dependency

Granted, marijuana is not as addictive as drugs like cocaine, heroin and methadone. However, it is still possible to get addicted to marijuana. In fact, one from every six smokers ends up addicted to marijuana. Over time, this addiction may blossom into a dependence which is just as worse. 

If you are dependent on weed, you’ll need it for everyday functions. In fact, most addicts do not even know when they start getting dependent on marijuana. It starts with only a few drags in the evening. Then, you start to do it before work. Furthermore, when you get back, it’s your go-to for unwinding after a stressful day. In a few months, you’ll find it impossible to go a day without smoking weed. That’s why you need to stop smoking weed as soon as possible. 

With weed dependence comes a high level of tolerance. You’ll find yourself having to smoke more weed to achieve the same effects. In doing so, you inhale more carcinogens, doing more damage to your lungs and other body systems. 

Related article: The Amazing Benefits of Quitting Marijuana

Weed can make you lose focus on your goals

For a productive existence, marijuana addiction treatment may be necessary, especially if you smoke on a daily basis. When you consume cannabis, it leaves you with a feeling that most people call “baked”. Furthermore, getting baked is a relaxant, rather than a stimulant.

Therefore, if you smoke weed daily, you’ll end up feeling relaxed for too long. Consequently, there won’t be any time left for more productive pursuits. If you’re a student, this usually transmits to a slump in grades. If you have to go to work, you may start to experience reduced performance levels at work.

It depletes nutrients in your body

Your body needs magnesium to stay relaxed. With plenty of dietary mineral magnesium in your body, you’ll feel less on the edge and more relaxed. However, smoking marijuana can counteract this feeling. 

Cannabis has the effect of depleting the body’s natural marijuana reserves. As a result, when the high fades, you are going to start to feel less relaxed and anxious. This can be a double-edged sword. It may mean that you have to turn back to marijuana to feel relaxed again, a scenario that can lead to dependence.  

Marijuana is expensive

If you are wondering why you should stop smoking, your bank balance can give you the answers. According to a United Nations report, marijuana costs about $300 per ounce. Depending on the quality and how much you smoke, you may end up spending three times that figure on a monthly basis. 

In addition to the immediate cost implications, the effects of poor job performance due to weed can also affect your bank balance. You may miss a promotion or worse, get fired. Over one year, these factors can add up to thousands of dollars.

It can affect mental development

People who consume marijuana heavily, especially during their teenage years reach adulthood with lower IQ levels compared to non-smokers. This has to do with the fact that the brain doesn’t stop maturing until the mid-20s. As a result, the use of a mind-altering substance can affect the growth and development of your brain.  

Cannabis can affect your personality

As we discussed earlier, the consumption of weed can deplete your body’s store of nutrients designed to help you feel relaxed. That alone is enough reason why you should stop smoking marijuana. 

However, there’s more to it. Depleted body nutrients can lead to increased anxiety and paranoia. Some of it is justified due to the criminal standing of weed in most states across the country. However, physiologically, the effects of marijuana can start to affect the brain. Combine this with the fuzzy feelings and lack of stimulation to do anything. Then, you have a recipe that can alter your personality — and not for the better.

The Long Term Effects of Weed

Compared to the short-term effects, the long term impact of weed can be more severe. It’s why you should stop smoking as soon as possible. Some of the long-term effects of smoking marijuana include the following:

  • Abnormalities in the brain 
  • Chronic medical depression 
  • The possibility of testicular cancer 
  • High blood pressure 
  • Heart attacks and possible strokes 

How To Stop Smoking Weed: Get Expert Help 

Trying to stop smoking marijuana without expert help can be extremely difficult. The addiction, possible dependence and withdrawal symptoms may make the process an effort in futility. Contact 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Related article: How to Stop Smoking Weed

Categories
Sobriety

How to Stay Sober After Addiction Treatment

Going through addiction treatment is only the first part of living a life free from substance abuse. Staying sober is a lifelong process to which you will have to commit. Sadly, it is usually not a very easy process for most people, especially in the beginning. This is generally due to cravings and other temptations associated with addiction recovery. However, learning how to stay sober after addiction treatment can make your recovery smoother.

The singular greatest fear of most people recovering from addiction is a relapse. After all the effort and time that you put into going through addiction treatment, you should not have to endure a relapse. Thankfully, there are several tips for maintaining sobriety that can help you on your journey to a substance-free life. By learning and implementing the tips on how to stay sober after addiction treatment, you will reduce your risk of a relapse.

In this article, you will find invaluable insight into how to stay sober after your rehab. Furthermore, we will give you strategies that can help you maintain sobriety and avoid relapse after your addiction treatment. 

But, before we dive into it, you must know that cravings do not make you weak. Instead, it is a part of your addiction recovery process that you must experience and conquer. With the right tips for maintaining sobriety and some effort on your part, you can win the battle against addiction relapse.

Tips to Help You Stay Sober After Addiction Treatment

Transitioning from addiction treatment to real life and recovery can be quite challenging. In fact, many people suffer relapses during this stage. However, an addiction relapse is avoidable. To help you, we have compiled a comprehensive guide on how to stay sober after addiction treatment. Keep reading to discover tips to help you maintain long-term sobriety. 

Get a support system

Get a support system

A support system is vital for any recovery addict who intends to maintain a lifetime of sobriety. Your support system is a person or a group of people that can help and encourage you when the going gets tough. Cravings and urges to use are a normal part of addiction recovery. However, your support system plays a vital role in ensuring you do not succumb to these temptations. 

Your support system may be a person from the addiction recovery group meetings that you attend. Or it may even be your trusted friends and family who are sober and want the best for you. Whichever the case is, you must have someone you can reach out to when you need help.

Make the right changes to your environment

The thought of coming back home after addiction treatment can be exhilarating. However, if you don’t make some critical changes to your home, you may quickly find yourself back in rehab. 

One of the most crucial tips on how to stay sober after addiction treatment is to modify your environment. If possible, before returning home from addiction treatment, ask a loved one to remove any paraphernalia from your home.

Paraphernalia is a thing that is related to your past habits of substance abuse and may constitute temptations. Otherwise, as soon as you get home, throw these things out, or give them away. You may also need to avoid places that can spark urges to use or drink again. This way, you are at fewer risks of suffering an addiction relapse.

Set goals

essential tips to maintain sobriety
One of the essential tips to maintain sobriety is to create a list of goals that you want to achieve. These goals can be a source of motivation to keep you going through your addiction recovery. When you create plans and timelines for your future, you will find it easier to resist temptations that arise. 

Furthermore, your goals will be a continuous reminder of all that you stand to gain from long term addiction recovery. Having something to strive for will make the struggle to stay sober a smoother experience.

Related article: Try Out These Sober Activities For the Winter Holiday Season

Create new healthy habits

Previous substance abuse habits may likely create a void in your daily routine after addiction treatment. If left unfilled, this lull in your day may lead to boredom, which ignites thoughts of substance use. Therefore, one of the crucial tips for avoiding relapse is to create new and healthy habits to replace the old ones. You may pick up a new hobby, take a class, get a gym membership, or whatever other healthy habit catches your fancy.

Studies show that it takes around two months before a habit becomes automatic. Therefore, take your time to find something that you genuinely enjoy and then stick with it. This way, you will have less time to reflect on your past and subsequently get tempted.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle – Diet, Rest and Exercise

Learning how to stay sober after addiction treatment will help you focus on your life’s essentials. Some of these include your diet, rest periods, and exercise routines. Regular exercise is particularly useful for dealing with cravings. 

This is because, during exercise, your brain releases endorphins, which can help you relieve stress and boost mood. Furthermore, maintaining a healthy diet can help control your mood and suppress urges. Not to mention, it can fortify your immune system and help your body develop.

However, it is not just about what you eat but also the amount you eat. You must ensure you strike a balance between the quality of your food and the quantity. Also, ensure that you always have adequate time to rest during the day and sleep at night. Irregular sleeping schedules can lead to stress, thereby making your addiction recovery harder than it should be.

Volunteer

Often, we can get so overwhelmed by our problems that we forget that there are those around us who also need help. Volunteering to serve others is excellent for taking your mind off your troubles, yet doing some good in the world. There are several ways you can serve others in your community. 

You may volunteer at a local youth centre or the library or maybe even at a shelter. It all depends on your interests. Also, many people in recovery choose to sponsor others in recovery to help others along the path they’ve walked. These are some of the ways you can get out of your head and see the bigger picture.

Identify your triggers

Our final tip on how to stay sober after addiction treatment is to identify the things that can push you back to substance abuse. No matter the changes you’ve made or your level of progress, relapse is always a lurking danger. 

However, the best thing to do is remain alert and watchful for the signs of a relapse. This means identifying your triggers. Identifying your triggers will help you know when you are at risk of a relapse. This way, you can quickly seek professional after-care help if you need to.

Final Take

Staying sober is a decision that you will have to make continually throughout your life. However, every journey starts with a step in the right direction. We hope that our tips on how to stay sober after addiction treatment will help you on your journey to lifelong recovery. Remember, relapse is an ever-constant danger. This is why you must establish habits that can help you deal with triggers if they do occur.

Contact 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Related article: Top Sober Activities For The Weekend

Categories
Therapy

Benefits of Group Therapy During Addiction Treatment

Group treatment provides many benefits to those who may be in addiction treatment. People who abuse substances are more likely to remain abstinent and committed to recovery when treatment is provided in groups. Some of the benefits you tend to gain from group addiction treatments include identification, affiliation, confrontation, support, and gratification. 

Also, it has been found that group counselling is efficient at addressing anxiety, depression, denial, isolation, shame, character pathology, and temporary cognitive impairment. These factors and the benefits of group therapy sessions provide an excellent and adequate opportunity for addiction treatment.

Furthermore, group therapy immerses you into many different experiences — from expressive arts therapy and skills development to cognitive behavioural therapy groups. In simplest terms, group therapy comprises therapy sessions that focus on reducing symptoms and helping two or more individuals to recover.

Group therapy is a vital component of any comprehensive addiction treatment program. It offers clients the ability to access support and encouragement from the community surrounding them in a residential treatment facility. The natural sense humans have to assemble and to lean on people around them makes group therapy a potent tool in treating substance abuse.

If you are recovering from a drug or alcohol addiction, you may question the value of participating in group therapy. It may be tough enough for you to seek help and open up to a single counsellor or therapist, let alone bare your soul to a small group of people. You may worry that you will not have enough time to discuss your thoughts and ideas. For some people, they agonize over having to share personal information with perfect strangers.

However, with group therapy for addiction treatment, it’s all worth it. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of group therapy during addiction treatment. Before we proceed, let’s take a look at the definition of group therapy.

What is Group Therapy?

What is Group Therapy

Group therapy is a specific form of counselling used to treat psychological disorders, including substance abuse and addiction. Typically, it involves regular sessions where therapists work with several individuals who are being treated for the same substance abuse issue. 

Participants in group therapy treatments take turns discussing their feelings, struggles, experiences, and sobriety goals. Sometimes, these groups may be focused on a particular recovery topic. An example is how to recognize and avoid triggers. Other times, they may focus on general topics such as how to manage complicated peer, work, family or other relationships.

Related article: How To Help A Loved One In Recovery

Many people benefit from peer support in group therapy. In fact, it has been a core aspect of drug and alcohol addiction recovery for several decades, with effective results. Going forward, we’ll discuss the benefits of group therapy for addiction treatment.

Benefits of Group Therapy for Addiction Treatment

One of the most significant benefits of group therapy for addiction recovery is that it offers an avenue to bond with others. It also provides a platform to create a fictional support system for the post-treatment phase. 

Group therapy is often undertaken in conjunction with individual therapy. This is because it offers several unique benefits that are hard to achieve in a one-on-one session with a therapist. Benefits of group therapy for addiction treatment include:

You will meet people dealing with similar situations

One of the top reasons to consider group therapy is that it gives you the privilege to meet people similar to you. People who are dealing with the same addictions as you are more likely to understand you better. Meeting this category of people can help you realize you’re not alone. Some groups may even focus on a specific life event. 

A good example is the grief and loss support group where others assist people with specific mental health diagnoses. An example of such is bipolar or anxiety disorder. Usually, people find it helpful to receive not only professional support but general support too. For instance, seeing how others – with different experiences and styles – work through similar problems. 

You will be more stimulated to change

Many people have been to addiction rehab sessions ready to make a change with no approach or method. As a result, they find it challenging to figure out exactly how to get themselves to change for good. In a group therapy setting, this isn’t something to worry about. 

You’ll not only hear how people have strived hard but also how they have overcome past challenges. Ultimately, team support and encouragement can play a cheerleading role. Also, this can provide positive reinforcement as you passionately work toward your goals.

It will boost your relationship with others

group therapy boosts relationship

During group therapy, members can provide feedback on how they see you. Sometimes, they talk about their experience relating to you and how what you say makes them feel. This feedback has often proven to be supportive in boosting addiction recovery. 

However, such feedback is better appreciated when it comes in a safe and supportive environment. This will help you understand yourself and your relationships better. It will also allow you to adjust your behavioural acts to be more productive. In a therapy group, you benefit from the feedback of an individual therapist and the entire group.

You will get support from like-minded people

When going through difficult times, having other witnesses to validate your experience is significant. Generally, being able to tell your story to others can be empowering. This helps you create a narrative in which you effectively maneuver adversity and thus enhance your experience. 

A benefit of group therapy is that it offers adequate support to help you understand yourself better. Sometimes, during addiction treatment, this can make all the difference. 

It helps you become more aware of your immediate needs

Another benefit of group therapy for addiction treatment is that it helps you become aware of your own needs and feelings. More importantly, it provides a safe platform for expressing them. Our group session regularly allows members to discern how they feel during each session and talk about it.

Although many people find it difficult to know how they feel while interacting, they get better with time. Usually, it can be challenging to be self-connected when connecting with others. Nevertheless, continuous communication will help boost your connection with others.

Types of Addiction Treatment Techniques

Many options have been successful in treating drug and substance addiction, including:

  • Behavioural counselling
  • Medication
  • Medical devices and applications used to treat withdrawal symptoms
  • Treatment and evaluation for accompanying mental issues including anxiety and depression
  • Long-term treatment to prevent addiction relapse

Conclusion

Ultimately, group therapy sessions can be a beneficial tool in helping you maintain your sobriety. You can join these sessions during the early phases of drug addiction treatment or at any point in your treatment scheme. Call 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Related article: 6 Signs to Have Expert Addiction Treatment

Categories
Addiction Relapse

Preventing Addiction Relapse: What You Need To Do

The end of addiction rehab is a momentous occasion. However, it also raises the question of how to prevent addiction relapse. As you graduate from your inpatient addiction treatment program, you are filled with a sense of accomplishment – and you should be. You have worked hard to mend your relationships and explore the causes lying beneath your addiction. And if you did not attend an inpatient program, you have resisted the urge to give in to cravings, and you have managed to avoid addiction relapse.

While you have earned the right to feel great about what you have accomplished, it is important for you to recognize that this is not the end of your journey. The end of addiction treatment is the beginning of the rest of your life in the outside world – a place where you will not be protected from relapse triggers, and where you will have easy access to the substance you once relied on.

Accept That Transitioning From Rehab To Life May Be Difficult

Inpatient addiction rehab makes it very easy for you to not use drugs or alcohol. You are in a place where you do not have access to your substance of abuse. Nor are you spending time with the people you used to use drugs with. You are completely removed from the stresses of daily life, and you are in a place where you can completely focus on your recovery.

Even if you are recovering with the help of an outpatient addiction treatment program, you have some protection. You have a daily schedule that you are expected to follow and people to check in with each day. While you are not as isolated from life as those in an inpatient rehab program, just having a routine to follow may be enough to keep you from using drugs or alcohol. Part of preventing an addiction relapse is understanding the peculiarities of the situation.

It is no wonder, then, that when addiction treatment ends, your risk of relapse is at its highest. When you go back to your real life, you may feel overwhelmed by the fact that you suddenly have to assume old responsibilities, talk to people who may have had a negative impact on your life, and go to places that you associate with your period of active addiction.

But if you can get through that first month post-treatment, your risk of relapse drops sharply, and it continues to steadily decline with each passing week. 

Related article: 8 Signs Of Addiction Relapse

Continue Some Of Your Rehab-Era Support

One of the problems with leaving rehab is that you are also leaving behind your therapy, your education workshops, and your group supports. 

But if you talk to your rehab facility, they may be able to connect you with services and supports in your area that can help continue with the work you started during your addiction treatment program. These support services can be crucial to helping you prevent addiction relapse.

Rehab-Era Support
talk to your rehab facility

Examples of supports that you should consider continuing include the following:

Individual therapy

Some of the issues that you delve into during addiction treatment can take a long time to fully explore and resolve – a lot longer than the typical rehab stint. Most communities have several therapists for you to choose from. 

If you live in a small community with limited options, or if you have a disability, illness or condition that prevents you from seeing a therapist in person there is a growing number of digital options that you can explore.

12-step programs

Initially created to help recovering alcoholics in the 1930s, 12-step programs are one of the most successful tools for maintaining sobriety. There are several reasons for this: you have some specific steps to carry out, which can give you a sense of purpose and closure while contributing to your healing and that of your loved ones. 

Furthermore, it gives you access to a group of people who, while they have their own unique stories, can empathize with what you are going through. As you strive to cut off former friends who were a force of negativity in your life, you can replace these connections with ones that are rooted in recovery and positive goals.

Healthy living programs

Exercise and nutrition are a big part of many rehab programs because addiction robs you of physical health as well as mental health. By staying healthy, it is easier for you to achieve dopamine boosts in natural ways, meaning you do not need to use drugs. 

Join a gym, maybe get yourself into some personal or group training sessions, and have a consultation with a nutritionist.

Yoga and meditation

Yoga and mindfulness techniques are increasingly used in addiction rehab. More importantly, they are effective tools for addiction relapse prevention. 

Both of these can easily be continued when you return to the real world. These pursuits can go a long way toward keeping your body and mind connected.

Embrace What Technology Has To Offer

There is a lot of material available on the Internet that can point you in the direction of preventing addiction relapse. In fact, you can supplement the support you get from other sources with this content. This includes:

  • Groups on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram
  • Educational sessions in the form of audiobooks, podcasts and YouTube videos
  • Apps to track sobriety, when and where you can find 12-steps meetings, and how much money you have saved by not using drugs or alcohol
  • Online therapy sessions that are run via instant messaging or video

Find A Non-Related Interest

preventing addiction relapse

By joining a sports team, taking classes or participating in community events, you can find people to talk to who have nothing to do with the world of addiction or recovery. 

Your 12-step friends are, in all likelihood, going to be an essential part of your life for years to come, but having friends outside of that community can help you find balance and regain a sense of independence that you may have lost. Sometimes, this makes all the difference in preventing addiction relapse.

If You Fall Off The Wagon, Just Get Back On

A lot of people believe that if a recovering addict suffers a relapse, their addiction rehab has failed. This is not the case at all. Many life-improvement journeys include setbacks. Someone who is training for a marathon will miss a run, or someone who is on a weight-loss plan will eat a chocolate bar. The same goes for drug and alcohol recovery: if you suffer a relapse, it does mean failure, it is just a setback. Learn from it, identify what the trigger was so you can avoid it, and simply try again. 

And remember – the longer you go without using drugs or alcohol, the less likely you are to experience a relapse. This means that every day you are becoming stronger.

Call 1000 Islands Addiction Rehab & Treatment Centre for addiction treatment programs.

Related article: How To Prevent Addiction Relapse