Many people who have never had a substance abuse problem are either unsympathetic to the struggles of those trying to beat addiction or they don't understand why such addiction is so hard to overcome. There is also much confusion as to why doctors and scientists consider drug or alcohol addiction a "disease," as consuming those substances is initially voluntary.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, initial voluntary use of drugs or alcohol leads to eventual physical changes in the brain, when use of the substance continues. This is why substance abuse transitions from recreational choice to addiction. It's also why addiction is so hard to overcome. Once drugs have become a habit, the brain's communication system and the way nerve cells operate have already been changed. In trying to gain freedom from addiction through detox, the recovering addict actually suffers from these physical alterations. In essence, the brain wages war against the body to continue gaining the substances it has rewired itself to accommodate. Such war usually presents itself through general discomfort, intense nausea, pain, and other physical symptoms. These initial challenges to maintain sobriety can be the most difficult.
Freedom from addiction is a longer road than just getting through detox. Non-addicts and even former addicts new to recovery often underestimate how difficult sobriety can be for someone so accustomed to the instant gratification, escapism, and general detachment provided by drugs or alcohol. The brain, although clean of negative substances after detox, also continues to remember its altered state from days gone by. For its needs the brain generates physical cravings, just as it does for food when the body needs nourishment. Together or separately, triggers and cravings create discomfort in recovery and always present risk for relapse.
Coping with the discomforts of recovery requires a solid support system for the addict, employment of newly learned coping mechanisms, and patience by the people closest to the individual. The first months are the most difficult for everyone concerned. The good news is that as time progresses and sobriety takes a firmer hold, living a healthy life does get easier. Ways to deal with recovery discomfort and help maintain sobriety include:
Gaining freedom from addiction is never easy. Whether you or your loved one suffer from substance abuse, there are many options to help gain and maintain sobriety. A support system is critical for anyone going through recovery and this network is first enabled by the connection to a treatment program experienced in helping addicts detox and maintain sobriety. When it's time to reach out for help, Freedom From Addiction is there for you.
l View Hide Sources:
Seeking addiction treatment can feel overwhelming. We know the struggle, which is why we're uniquely qualified to help.
Your call is confidential, and there's no pressure to commit to treatment until you're ready. As a voluntary facility, we're here to help you heal -- on your terms. Our sole focus is getting you back to the healthy, sober life you deserve, and we are ready and waiting to answer your questions or concerns 24/7.
You don’t have to go through detox and rehab treatment alone. Get the help you need today. Speak with a treatment specialist now about the struggles you are facing.
Enter your phone number below
You will receive a call from a treatment specialist
Calls to our general helpline will be answered by Freedom From Addiction an online addiction resource owned and operated by Desert Rose FL, LLC (Desert Rose Recovery) a Behavioral Health Options company (BHO). Information provided is for internal use only and not shared or distributed in any manner.
Our Treatment Specialist work solely for BHO and will discuss whether BHO facilities are an option for you.
Our helpline is offered at no cost to you and with no obligation to enter into treatment. BHO does not provide referrals nor receive any commission or other fee that is dependent upon which treatment a visitor may ultimately choose.
Our mission is to improve access to substance use disorder and dual-diagnosis treatment by making easier to ask for help and get reliable resources faster. FFA is saving lives by improving universal access for addiction treatment help.
Technology to educate and empower society on a path to recovery. One addict at a time.
© Copyright 2019. All Rights Reserved, Freedom From Addiction