Do you need drug and alcohol treatment?

I’m so glad that folks who suffer from alcohol and drug related problems have at last got places to go, people to turn to, and programs to assist recovery. People can’t help becoming addicts but once they realise their malady, they are responsible for seeking help, and fortunately there are many alcohol and drug rehab centers set up specifically for this purpose.
In fact most of the developed countries around the world now have alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers, but such is this global problem that many of poorer third world counties also have some kind of drug alcohol treatment programs on the go too.

Alas many of these addictive types are in denial of their problem for many years and it’s only when they hit a physical, mental, spiritual, and financial bottom that many are even prepared to admit to their desperate state and seek some kind of drug and alcohol treatment

Sadly, drug and alcohol treatment is something I have become familiar with over the last ten years or so of my life. Not only have I spent some years training and working in the field, but I myself have been through the gauntlet of drug and alcohol treatments more than once. While its certainly not a pleasurable experience, going through different forms of drug and alcohol treatment can certainly teach you a lot about yourself. At almost five years of sobriety now, I feel most grateful for the opportunity for personal growth which has only been possible with freedom from alcohol and drug abuse.

When you’re in the midst of an addiction or have just had a relapse, opportunities for personal growth don’t really mean a whole lot. All you really want is oblivion to the end. Unfortunately, the bad news is that the suffering does not stop with drug and alcohol treatment. If you’re familiar with treatment you already know this. Though you will of course begin to feel physically better once you start a treatment program, the emotional and mental distress can often get much worse before it gets better.

Those of us that have had alcohol and drug problems and have sought recovery, soon find out that our problem is not so much about stopping drinking but staying stopped. Once the fog clears we realise that our biggest problem is living sober and most of us join a network (or fellowship) of other recovering addicts who all support each other as they take the steps necessary towards a life without mind altering substances.

There isn’t any quick fix or pain free drug and alcohol treatment, so be prepared to do some work and be prepared to learn humility. While drug and alcohol treatment varies a lot these days, which is a good thing, they all have one thing in common; breaking down the old you and building up a new one. This sounds a little daunting and kind of scary, but don’t worry, its really not so bad. Essentially, the essence to every form of drug and alcohol treatment that I’m familiar with is training your brain to use new networks and patterns of thought instead of the old ones that got you into trouble.

Since the brain is involved in everything we do, there are a lot of routes one can take to retrain it and that is why drug and alcohol treatment is so varied. Writing, art, music, sports, exercise, prayer, meditation, counseling, and support groups are all common examples of tactics used in modern drug and alcohol treatment centers. To best improve your odds in getting and staying sober, it’s a good idea to try as many things as you can because what works for some people doesn’t work for others. Trying out a lot of new things boosts your chances of finding something you like.

In the end, drug and alcohol treatment is a personal battle, and it will be a unique experience for everyone. Therefore it’s very hard to make sweeping generalizations or to provide advice that’s sure to work. There is one Alcoholic Anonymous saying that stands out for me as summing up the key point in drug and alcohol treatment; “You don’t have to change anything, except everything.” Remember, there’s a lot of alcohol and drug abuse info online and at the clinics. Just by reading this article means you have already taken the fist step towards a healthier and happier life for you and your loved ones. Good luck.