Drug and alcohol addiction can change a caring and successful individual into a desperate one and tear families apart. According to multiple studies, millions of Americans are affected by substance use disorders, creating a major health issue in the country. Although the effect is devastating, there is hope and light for the affected people. With the right treatment and guidance, they can regain confidence and stability in their lives.
Let us explore the options and phases of substance abuse treatment adopted for the addiction recovery of such patients.
What Exactly Is SUD?
SUD, the abbreviation of Substance Use Disorder, is a chronic and treatable disease, having characteristics of behavioral, cognitive, and psychological symptoms. This indicates that an individual consistently used drugs or alcohol despite facing issues with such symptoms. For certain substances, specific symptoms are found whose severity could range from mild to severe. A person with SUD is diagnosed by a doctor to offer them appropriate substance abuse treatment.
Recovery Options From Substance Use Disorder
There are some safe and effective ways to recover from substance use disorder. Finding the right treatment type can be the key to achieving a successful recovery from it. Here, it includes:
A. Outpatient Counseling
Among the most common SUD treatments is outpatient counseling, where suggestion and guidance is provided to patients about addiction, the cause and effect of using drugs. This form of treatment can be done at a clinic or via a telehealth service.
B. Inpatient Rehabilitation
This treatment option offers a specialised environment where addicted patients can focus entirely on healing. By staying inside a safe facility, they avoid everyday distractions, receive continuous support, and build healthier habits. This makes long-term substance recovery more achievable and stable.
C. Behavioral Health Care
It is offered by trained professionals who address mental and emotional challenges that are often created due to addiction. They include guidance therapy and supportive interventions with affected individuals. In this treatment, they learn healthier coping skills, manage stress, and understand the process that influences their well-being, leading to lasting recovery progress.
Change Model Stages of Overcoming Addiction
Each person goes through several stages to recover from addiction. However, everyone’s journey of recovery is different. The five stages of change in addiction recovery were developed by psychotherapists to show a road map that each substance-affected person has to go through. These are explained below:
1. Precontemplation Stage
The first stage in this change model of addiction and behavior change is precontemplation. Individuals in this stage generally do not recognize their behavior to be a problem. The reason could be that the person has not yet experienced any negative consequences of their behavior.
It may be a result of denial about the severity or negativity of the effect they have experienced. Education, motivational conversation, and building trust could be helpful for them to move beyond precontemplation.
2. Contemplation Stage
The next phase is contemplation, where the addicted person is ready to bring about change in the future, but not quickly. However, they are also still aware of the benefits they gain from substance addiction.
This is a critical stage because the person is more likely to listen to reason. It’s possible to guide them to the next stage by avoiding blame and judgment.
3. Preparation Stage
The individual in the preparation stage is about to develop a sense of urgency regarding their desire for moderation. Here, they are dedicated to taking action, like intending to consult a counselor, joining a gym, or attempting to quit addiction.
It’s normal for them to go for a few days without turning to substance abuse. The desire to change is real, but they still have to deal with doubt, anxiety, or the fear of recovery.
4. Action Stage
In the action stage, the individual has made particular changes in their lives and is dedicated to change. They stay abstemious for longer and are more willing to reach out to professional support, whether it’s before a relapse or after one happens.
Change will be apparent in multiple aspects of their lifestyle. Self-understanding and self-care are present in this phase, but professional counseling is essential to keep them on the right recovery path. They may face mood swings or grief as they live life without drugs.
5. Maintenance Stage
An addicted patient works hard to prevent addiction recovery backsliding during the maintenance stage. They keep the lifestyle changes they made, such as getting regular exercise, staying sober, paying attention to sleep, eating hygienic food, and attending support groups.
Individuals don’t feel the urge to relapse as often as before, as their confidence grows, so they start to believe they can stay sober for the long term. This stage can last from 6 months to 5 years, depending on the level of the addiction and the individual’s experience and age.
Final Thoughts
Recovering from substance addiction involves physical and mental struggles. But the journey to overcome such challenges becomes easier with the right support, guidance, and treatment.If you or your loved one is facing any substance disorder issue, consult with a professional psychiatrist at Premium Legacy Healthcare. We offer a focused program dedicated to helping individuals overcome their drug and alcohol addiction. Consult us and transform your life!