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A loved one with addiction is going to struggle with many facets of their life. They may struggle to hold a job, be in a relationship with others, or deal with their own health and well-being. There are also high-functioning people with substance use disorder (SUD) who can seem like everything is going just fine, but underneath it, all are struggling. There is a three-fold increase in opioid deaths in the past decade, which demonstrates the challenges people have with addiction. This is especially a struggle for people with mental health issues and addiction, also called dual diagnosis. Treatment is recommended for people who struggle but is not a guarantee against relapse. The key is to make an offer of treatment, attend if possible, and find the right program to support healing. Find out why treatment is so important for people with addiction.
Goals
One of the challenges people with addiction in recovery face is resetting personal goals. They typically have trouble knowing what comes after addiction. That was their life for a long time, and they are adjusted to that lifestyle but need a change. They are going to need lots of positive reinforcement and encouragement to develop some tools and techniques that help them navigate their work goals, relationship ideals, and hopes for their future. In combination with treatment, they might also experience going to therapy, psychiatric help for mental health issues, and support for the journey. Goal setting is a priority for aftercare, to help them understand how to prioritize what is important (paying bills, for instance) over what is fun (going out with friends on sober engagements when the bills aren’t paid). A good treatment program helps people focus on these goals and set ones that are manageable for them to meet.
Lifespan
People who struggle with addiction often live less time than the general population. Drug dependence, mental health challenges, and even homelessness can shorten a person’s lifespan. Treatment offers a beacon of hope amidst the challenges they face. Although they face great health risks, mental health challenges, and physical challenges they are more likely to be successful in getting their life on track with treatment. Recovery is a great space to figure out how to navigate healing from addiction. Many things play a factor in recovery, one of the attitudes. When someone chooses to be sober and clean, they are making one of the best decisions they can make. This creates a positive space for them to grow and heal from addiction.
Stress
Stress is one factor leading to relapse for many people in recovery. Substance use disorders (SUD) increase the severity of major life stressors. Treatment can help mitigate stress factors that result in addictive behaviors. Not only can treatment help, but giving tools and resources to people so they can find hope in the midst of the struggle. This can include a variety of things, including:
- Poverty
- Mental health
- Depression
- Medical care access
- Tobacco and alcohol use
- Job transition
- Family stress
Drug use increases health risks for cardiovascular disease, lung, and respiratory illnesses. Mental health is also at risk for people with SUDs. Although stress is one major factor, people can often choose de-stressors that help them navigate healing.
Relationships
People with addiction often struggle with their relationships. They find they are not as able to manage healthy boundaries or relationships with loved ones. They may even find their loved ones stop engaging with them after a while because they are not able to handle the stress of worrying and dealing with their behavior. The goal for people in recovery is to learn how their addiction harmed relationships and to find better ways of navigating this through family therapy, counseling, and working on building a stronger connection to themselves that helps them build lasting relationships.
Receive Help
Overcoming denial is one barrier to treatment. The reason treatment helps people is it focuses on the individual’s journey. The layers of addiction and trauma are peeled back to help the person make the best decisions possible for their future. Substance use disorder is challenging. If left untreated, a person can suffer significant life-changing circumstances. If someone had a disease like cancer, they would be given lots of options for treatment. For people with addiction, there are many barriers to getting treatment. If they acknowledge a problem exists, they can seek help.
Conclusion
The final reason treatment helps people is that it gives them hope. Addiction can feel like a bottomless pit that is hard to crawl out of. Finding hope in the midst of these challenges is necessary for survival in the midst of the challenge of addiction. There is no turning back when it comes to navigating through addiction recovery. Hope is the place a person can hang their hat and find a reason to get up every day and keep going. The promise of tomorrow seems stronger when people willingly walk alongside someone and support their journey. It is difficult to find hope while still addicted. Detox, rehab, and aftercare services provide space for the brain and body to breathe and begin the process of healing.
Forge is a place to come and recover your life from addiction. We help you reimagine what is possible and create the life you’ve been dreaming of.
Call us today: 1-888-224-7312
