To understand “addiction” is just as important to understand the recovery process. As an Addictions Counsellor I often am met with questions as to what addiction means. What has caused addiction and will it ever just seize to exist in a person? Does a person have to remain in recovery for ever?.
To establish if addiction is relevant to to a persons life, factors like “Loss of Control” (financially, relationship conflict, using despite adverse consequences, mental and physical deterioration) “Tolerance” (acquiring more of the substance to achieve the desired high) “Craving” (a powerful desire for a particular substance) “Withdrawal” (physical effects the body experiences due to the substance leaving the body). If these factors have been present for longer than 12 months, addiction is present. Engaging in a treatment process will assist specifically with containment from the persons immediate environment that triggers their addiction, will assist greatly in a monitored detoxification during the withdrawal process. Inpatient treatment structures initially are an important intervention to stabilize an addict or an alcoholics life. Post treatment procedures and referrals are just as important, options such as outpatient counselling serve as an ongoing extension of treatment that can help reintegrate the person into normal living with ongoing professional help. Recovery is a life long commitment of change to live a life free of active addiction. Recovery planning is not limited to attending 12 step fellowship meetings and other self help fellowships that will add value, these platforms often provide the opportunity to meet like minded people in recovery that can create new healthy friendships where the addict or alcoholic might feel isolated in their new found found life.
Common threats to the the recovery process can include the following factors pertaining to the family as well as the addict/alcoholic. “Co-Dependency” (wanting to take responsibility for the addicts recovery) “Minimizing the persons addiction” (stopping a particular substance makes it ok to drink alcohol or ongoing meeting attendance/recovery activities can stop due to a period of abstinence) “Enabling” (retracting boundaries, avoiding consequences for relapsing and other destructive behaviors). Consistency in relapse prevention and recovery planning for both the addict and family members is key to keeping recovery an ongoing process of change, an alcoholic wont turn into a functioning social drinker and an addict wont be able to use successfully through periods of been clean or by been sober for a couple of months.
Combing treatment with post treatment options, serves to create a solid platform and recovery plan that assist families of addicts and alcoholics. Recovery isn’t a one size fits all solution, just as a persons addiction varies from one addict to the next. Effective inpatient or outpatient treatment can provide many benefits that can help addicts and their family members work together in making long lasting recovery a possibility.
If you or a loved one need help, contact us today for professional assistance.