Very often, it’s hard for drug addicts to understand how much of their life is run by the types of drugs they use. Signs of drug addiction can be hard to spot when an addict is so attached to substance abuse. Signs of mental illness can also be very hard to spot. When people are addicted to drugs, their brain thinks that a harmful substance makes them happier. However, this isn’t the case even if it seems so.
Some of the most commonly abused drugs are Marijuana, Adderall, Xanax, Cocaine, and Heroin. Whether they are street drugs or prescription drugs, there is easy access to them in many places. When drug users go into a residential treatment program, they’re usually angry and embarrassed. Their drugs aren’t around to help them feel better. They feel that part of them is going to be taken away. They feel that they’ve disappointed their loved ones.
While it seems tough now, going to drug treatment as a drug addict is the best thing you could do for yourself. While it may not seem like the best possible lifestyle change, addiction freedom is extremely liberating to the soul. Here is what makes sobriety after rehab so amazing for drug users.
Most drug addicts don’t know entirely what they’re putting into their bodies. Even prescription drugs [1] are made out of so many detrimental chemicals. The risk factors for building up a tolerance for any drug are high. One risks becoming mentally ill and brain damaged. You risk physical illness and you even risk death.
You have the chance to gain freedom from addiction. When you go through drug treatment, you learn the hard truth about drugs. You learn that freedom through sobriety is the best choice you can make for yourself. Between behavioral health treatment and abuse treatment, you’ll find it very difficult to want to use again. You will also gain coping skills that are far more useful and effective than substance abuse. It is a privilege to go to a place that will balance out your body. Do not take advantage of that. Embrace the freedom you gain as a healthy individual. So many people are born with illnesses that would do anything to have a healthy system. When your body is rid of addictive drugs that harm it, you have so many opportunities to become a better person physically and mentally. Why throw your health out the window when you can become a better version of yourself? This is what freedom from addiction can do for you.
Illicit drugs attack the body slowly, so it is far too often that drug addicts don’t even realize how their health is affected. Many drug addicts did not even realize how far gone their addiction was. Addictive drugs first take control of the brain. They make the brain crave more of the drug, and because of this, the body does too. When the effects of the drug start to wane, the body starts to pick this up. This is when addiction withdrawal occurs. The brain’s reward to the body is rebalancing the body when the drug re-enters the system. Your body and the drug become one. Your body’s new normal becomes taking drugs. When broken down this way, the concept of addiction is very scary and real. When you’ve recovered from drug addiction, you’ll realize the many existing consequences of substance abuse that you probably never picked up on.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of being free from drug addiction is how happy you can become. Think about it. Drug addiction is a mental health issue and becoming free from addiction will allow you to unburden yourself of your own mental health issues.
When you go to a treatment center, you’re not only working on breaking the habit of drug abuse but also understanding drug abuse. You’ll be able to dive deep within and learn patterns that are causing yourself to be bound to drugs, such as:
When you know yourself that well, it’s easier to express your feelings. It’s easier to talk about what went wrong. It’s easier to open up to a trusted friend. Drug abuse and mental health go hand in hand. When your mind doesn’t feel the best, drug abuse has been the go-to answer. When you abuse drugs, your mental health deteriorates. The effects of drugs on the human brain are endless. When you stop, your mind has some time to reflect. Your mind will be able to actually process feelings rather than hide them away. You will be completely turned off from taking the drug you once loved once you realized that it was the cause of your problems all along.
Yes, there were triggers that you felt. Yes, there are things from the past that have hurt you. When you go to substance abuse treatment and learn new ways to cope, however, you’ll gain addiction freedom. You’ll wonder why you ever turned to substance abuse when you now have more effective ways of cheering up. The guilt you faced for putting yourself through drug use and addiction will be gone. You’ll feel smart and sharper, which is your brain’s reward for treating it better. All in all, your mental health will feel more balanced and so will your self-esteem.
It is very common and likely that drug addicts will have major tension with their loved ones. The reason behind this could vary. Families of addicts often experience a huge wave of emotions. Think about it. They see their loved one come home with slurred speech. Watch as their loved one slowly fall into a mental illness. They see the health effects attacking the body. Sometimes, they are concerned. Other times, they are angry. Other times, they could feel guilty for being unable to stop their loved one from using illicit drugs. No matter what the situation is, having a drug addict in the family can be very emotionally heavy. Tension is common in these families because there is hope for the addict will get the help they need.
One amazing benefit of sobriety is the easing the tension among family members of addicts. When an addict takes the step to go into drug treatment, they are making their family proud. The effects of drugs on a person go beyond physical changes. Illicit drugs change the way we think, but also how we feel. Distance from loved ones is one of the huge signs of drug abuse and it can be very sad.
If you’re an addict, imagine mending those relationships. Imagine going to a recovery program, becoming sober, and being able to be honest with your friends and family about your feelings. Imagine being listened to instead of having people constantly upset with you or concerned about you. You will be able to talk about why you became addicted to drugs. If you haven’t been treating them well, you will be able to apologize. Relationships may have become distant, you will have the chance to start over.
If these things seem really intimidating right now, do not fear. There is family therapy during drug treatment where the conversations are mediated and steered in a productive direction. The truth about drugs is that they have power over you. That power can sometimes detach you from the people who care for you the most. In your newfound freedom from addiction, you’ll find peace with your friends and family.
Addiction Freedom comes from the knowledge that going to a treatment center will make you a better person.
While no one would ever want you to feel self-hatred for your drug abuse, they do want you to take the time to do some self-reflection. This self-reflection often leads to an understanding of yourself that is so raw that it makes you not want to use drugs anymore. Your mental health will improve tremendously. Your withdrawal symptoms will calm down and the effects of drug abuse will be a distant memory.
There will definitely be permanent changes. While those can make you really upset, remember how much better life is now that you have had help. Freedom through sobriety means that you’re free from something that harms your body. You’re free from something that changed your relationship with your family and friends. You’re free from an addictive drug that impaired your mental health. Addiction freedom opens endless possibilities for you to continue to live a happy and healthy lifestyle. While it is easy to look back on your drug abuse and mental problems, you have gained freedom from addiction. In fact, those things made you stronger. Focus on the positives and enjoy sober living.
At Avenues Recovery, we are here to help you gain freedom from addiction. Although it may seem like a difficult feat, we offer a variety of treatment programs and resources to help you. If you are wondering how to get free from addiction, our professionals are available to answer your questions. Be sure to contact us and take the next step to your freedom.
Sources
[1] nida.nih.gov