Drug and alcohol addiction can strike anyone at any stage in life. Some people have a predisposition to addictive behaviors, but the use of substances to avoid feelings of inadequacy, pain or to mask mental illness symptoms is all too common. There are many types of treatment available that can help any individual, no matter the circumstances. Below are a few that are worth checking into if you truly want to get free from a drug or alcohol addiction problem.

The Disease of Addiction

There are still a few unknowns when it comes to the mysteries of addiction to drugs or alcohol, but enough is known to understand that it is a disease. It begins when an individual starts taking addictive drugs or drinking alcohol. The brain begins to depend on these outside substances to stay positive, upbeat and functioning at normal levels. Without these mystery components the moods will swing, tempers flare and real life-threatening symptoms of withdrawal can begin. It takes serious professional intervention to recover and regain normalcy to life.

Short Term Rehabilitation

Life is hectic and there is very little free time to spend on any one activity, including improving health and wellness. Taking long periods of time off for drug or alcohol rehabilitation are often out of the question. It can end up costing you a job, or interfere in many other ways with life. There are short term alcohol rehab programs that can fast-track you on the way to complete recovery. Investing 4 to 6 weeks of your life to ensure the best chances for a full recovery from addiction is the best step you could ever take. Making the commitment is the most important part of the process.

Integrated Therapy

Often the use of drugs and alcohol is a way to mask the pain of other hurts or existing mental illness. Co-existing problems like bipolar disorder, PTSD and depression can make drug and alcohol recovery more difficult. Until recently the addictions and mental illnesses were treated separately with miserable results. Combining and integrating the treatment in one place has made the difference in higher recovery success rates.

12-Step Programs

The 12-step recovery program for drugs and alcohol addiction have been around since 1935. These take you slowly through the process of recognizing why you have become dependent on substances and how to make more positive and healthy choices in the future. It involves the encouragement of other recovered addicts that have maintained a sober lifestyle that can help coach you through the rough spots.

Inpatient Therapy

Some people opt to go directly from detox into a structured inpatient therapy setting. It offers protection from early relapse by housing you within walls of a treatment center so that you can completely focus on staying the course towards recovery. This is the most vulnerable time for anyone dealing with addictions. Most failure begins with falling off the wagon directly after going through the difficult stages of cleansing the substances from the body. It is incredibly easy to fall for the strong cravings that hit.

Intensive Outpatient Therapy

There are some people that prefer to utilize therapy in an intensive outpatient manner. This allows you to continue with life as you know it and partake in intensive therapy sessions during the day. The programs are closely supervised, but there is sightly higher relapse rate since the clients are free to come and go at will. Choosing between in and outpatient therapy should be made carefully to ensure you have the best chances for successful recovery.

Group Homes

There are times it is necessary to bridge the gap between treatment centers and the outside world. You may not be ready to jump back into the hectic arena of life. There are normally rental units available in group home settings in which you are housed with other recovering addicts. These are like-minded people that are going through the same difficulties, pushing for the same successful results. There is generally group therapy offered, shared cleaning duties and plenty of opportunities to bond with others in similar circumstances.

Maintaining Sobriety

It is important to do everything possible to maintain sobriety. This may mean cutting people from your life that are unhealthy, moving away from particular neighborhoods or completely changing your lifestyle. Continue with therapy, maintain contact with a supportive community and you should be able to stay on track to complete recovery.

Contact addiction experts like elevationshealth.com and discover the best treatment options for your situation today!