Running & Exercise
It seems like most people hate running but, if you’ve experienced a runner’s high or the euphoria that any kind of physical activity can induce, you know what I’m talking about. For me, running is therapeutic, a time when my brain gets meditative, less anxious, and I can lose track of my body and time. Sounds kinda like being stoned, no?
Creativity & Art
Whether you identify as an artiste or you feel like you don’t have a creative bone in your body, finding a way to get creative can also get you feeling good. Much like meditation can relieve stress and anxiety, engaging in creative, hands-on activities can produce the same therapeutic effects in our brains.
Learning & Spirituality
I love to learn. This is the essence of life, for me. This hunger was even at the center of my drug use—I felt like I became more and more enlightened with each new drug I tried, and those experiences were what I considered spiritual. But then, they stopped working. I started to feel numb and barely believed I was real.
Nature & Adventure
Connecting with nature is also a piece of my spiritual quest to gain new insight—it’s my way of interacting with and learning about the universe. When I was abusing substances daily, there were days I didn’t even bother to go outside unless it was to drive to my dealer or smoke a cigarette.
Connection & Service
My drug use eventually progressed to just me – alone in my room – but, in the honeymoon phase, I loved to get high with my friends and philosophize. I valued those conversations, thinking we were solving all of the world’s problems with our enlightened ideas, and I felt connected to those people because of the “depth” we shared with each other.
How to make the most out of drug rehab?
Here are five ways to make the most out of your upcoming stay in drug rehab so that you have a better chance of making it your last one. 1. Keep an Open Mind. Whether it was your choice to attend rehab or not, once you are there, it is probably a good idea to make the most of your situation. If you walk into a treatment center with preconceived ...
What is the most common way to recover from addiction?
Updated on 01/03/20. A substance abuse treatment program, also known as drug rehab, is one of the most common ways to start the process of recovery from addiction. Even for those who go to rehab willingly, a drug rehab program can be a scary and confusing time. No one likes feeling vulnerable and exposed, and detoxing from drugs ...
What do addicts not like?
If there is one thing that addicts do not like: it’s rules. Treatment centers have some necessary rules, and you will need to follow all of them, even the ones with which you do not agree. Doing this demonstrates your willingness to recover from your addiction. It is also good practice in managing your behavior and your relationships with others.
What happens if you walk into a treatment center with preconceived ideas?
If you walk into a treatment center with preconceived ideas about the experience, the staff, or the outcome, you are not giving yourself a chance to learn, grow, or recover. Holding onto negative or old ideas will close you off from the many opportunities that treatment centers have for addiction recovery.
Is detoxing from alcohol a good experience?
No one likes feeling vulnerable and exposed, and detoxing from drugs and alcohol is not always the most pleasant experience. It would be a shame to waste the time and expense of a treatment center stay when there is so much help placed in your path. Here are five ways to make the most out of your upcoming stay in drug rehab ...
Can you get sober without honesty?
Addiction and honesty rarely go hand-in-hand. When you get clean and sober, this is one of the first things that has to change. It is virtually impossible to succeed in an addiction recovery program without honesty. When you decide to give up drugs and alcohol, it is time to let go of the lies, deception, and manipulation that drove your addiction.
What is the purpose of inpatient drug rehab?
The initial focus of inpatient alcohol and drug treatment programs is to facilitate the detoxification process, which involves getting drugs and alcohol out of a person’s system . In rehab, detox is carried out safely under medical supervision to minimize undesirable withdrawal symptoms as much as possible. The secondary focus of inpatient treatment is to address the underlying psychological issues that contribute to substance abuse. Those enrolled also learn valuable coping skills to maintain sobriety after the program ends. Usually, both group and one-on-one therapy are required to work through a variety of issues, such as:
Why is aftercare important?
It’s a good idea to start thinking about aftercare in advance. Why? Because when people have a clear plan and expectations, they feel less trepidation about re-entering society. Once out of the protective shield of inpatient alcohol and drug rehab facilities, individuals in recovery need a safeguard to help them stay committed and on the course. Aftercare is a way to safeguard your recovery. Recovery from addiction isn’t set in stone the moment a person completes rehab. Addicts in recovery need ongoing education, therapy, and support to maintain sobriety. Aftercare is the discharge plan that may involve participating in outpatient treatment, attending individual, group, and/or family therapy, going to support groups, and accessing community resources. Sometimes after-care treatment is included at the inpatient drug and alcohol treatment centers. In other cases, individuals may need to work with a social worker or therapist to develop a plan.
Is it scary to go to rehab?
Those who enroll are taking a significant step in breaking free from drugs and alcohol in their lives. Oftentimes, the underlying cause of fear is uncertainty. People may ask, “what will happen during rehab?” or “what will be expected of me?” Not knowing and feeling unprepared can create undue anxiety and stress. Luckily, the best way to conquer the fear of the unknown is by getting informed about the process. Overcome the fear of the unknown with knowledge.
How to keep your mind occupied in rehab?
Write a Letter or Keep a Journal. Check in with yourself and keep your mind occupied by writing a letter to yourself or a loved one. The letter can consist of anything that’s on your mind, from a list of goals you’d like to achieve in rehab to things you want to do when you check out.
How long can you stay in rehab?
According to the Family and Medical Leave Act, you are entitled to up to 12 weeks of medical leave, so your job will be protected during your stay in rehab. If you’re a caregiver to children, elderly parents or even your pets, now is the time to make sure your loved ones are being taken care of while you’re away.
How to get out of touch with rehab?
Look at yourself. Be honest. If necessary, make sure the courts know – whether via your own correspondence or through your attorney – that you’ll be entering a rehab facility so they are aware you may be out of touch. Even if your rehab stay is verbally understood, it’s best to get a legal “OK” on paper.
Why is it important to be prepared for rehab?
Being prepared for rehab is the best way to ensure that you get the most out of your treatment experience and come out equipped with the tools to stay healthy and sober.
Is it normal to be nervous about going to rehab?
Whatever it is that will get you in a relaxed state of mind and allow you to begin getting excited about this new chapter in your life, devote the time to do it. It’s normal to be nervous about going to rehab, but allow your mind to be as calm as possible in the time leading up to your departure.
How to effectively get help in rehab. What really works when it comes to ending drug and alcohol addiction
There are many types of drug and alcohol rehabs out there. Some work and some don’t. It usually varies according to the individual. At Narconon® Colorado – A life Worth Saving, we have done the research and have the experience needed to develop a truly successful approach to substance abuse rehabilitation.
Drug Damage
Taking drugs can exact a serious toll on the person mentally, physically and emotionally. The body’s nutrition stores become depleted and drug seeking behavior normally results in a distinct lack of nutrition being taken in. This combined with a constant intake of hazardous/ toxic substances will wear a person down from the inside out.
Relief from cravings
A dependence on drugs and alcohol will come with an intense longing and craving for more of the substance. This can become so intense and painful that, all the addict thinks about is getting more of the substance in order to get relief. Using drugs depletes the body of natural chemicals that normally relieve pain and discomfort.
Relief from depression
Using drugs almost always results in extreme depression or a marked prolongation of existing depression. Users can become trapped in an intense, downward spiral of self-loathing and detachment from loved ones. Everything seems hopeless and their very reason to live becomes a distant memory.
Eliminate Anxiety, Mood Swings, Racing Thoughts and Sleep Problems
When someone has used drugs, over time, they can develop many uncomfortable issues that can keep them from feeling good and living a normal life. These include things like anxiety, mood swings, constantly racing thoughts and the inability to get good sleep.
Perception equals reality
An addict’s perception of the world around him becomes obscured by painful, past memories and avoidance of stressful situations through the use of drugs. For an example, try this. You have a son who has been late to work so many times that they were fired.
An end to the guilt
Some of the worst pains an addict faces are due to the enormous guilt that builds up from getting and using drugs any way they can. They lie, cheat, steal and endanger themselves and those around them. These transgressions become the mental and emotional demons that plague an addict’s mind and drive them to use.
How long does it take for the brain to heal from alcohol?
First, we know from brain scans that, physically speaking, it can take 90 days, or more , for the brain to start to repair itself from the damage done by drugs and alcohol. The good news is it does repair itself.
How long does it take to recover from detox?
Continuing Rehab After Detox 1 First, we know from brain scans that, physically speaking, it can take 90 days, or more, for the brain to start to repair itself from the damage done by drugs and alcohol. The good news is it does repair itself. But while this repair is taking place, addicts are still more susceptible to the same impulse control and poor decision making that brought them to treatment, to begin with. 2 Second, during the course of those first 90 days, addicts learn new behavior and new skills that they can incorporate to live a new life, free from addiction. But just like any new habit, it takes time to become ingrained in them. 3 Third, the step-down approach allows clients to be slowly reintroduced to life. They start off in a heavily structured inpatient environment, and then slowly receive more and more freedom as they transition to life during day treatment with sober living and then outpatient.
Is detoxing dangerous?
Whether it be drugs or alcohol, the results can be nasty, and they display different signs. Detox can be dangerous if not monitored, which is why we have medical assistance at the facilities 24 hours per day; in fact, we have one of the highest ratios of staff to client (16/21, which equals about 4/5) in the industry.
Why do people visit rehab?
Visiting a loved one in rehab can cause mixed feelings that can range from excitement and happiness to worry and anger. Many family members and friends become used to negative interactions when their loved ones are using drugs and alcohol. Visiting someone in rehab is the first step in practicing healthy communication.
Why is it important to visit a family member in rehab?
Visiting a family member or friend in rehab can be beneficial to your loved one’s recovery. Visits remind those in rehab that they are supported and also provide them with positive reinforcement for staying sober.
What is inpatient rehab?
Inpatient or residential rehab is an intensive form of addiction treatment where you remain at a facility for a period of time and participate in group, individual, and family therapy. Inpatient treatment may necessitate taking time off from work and/or school to live at the facility while you spend time working on your recovery.
How many hours of therapy does an outpatient rehab program offer?
Outpatient rehabs typically offer group and individual therapy for a few hours per week. Psychotherapy or counseling can be provided by a psychologist, social worker or counselor who specializes in addiction. Therapists usually see clients for 1 to 2 sessions per week.
How many times a day do you have to eat at rehab?
Meals are offered 3 times per day, and short breaks are given in between therapy sessions.
What is detox in rehab?
Detox is often the first step in the rehab process. Many rehab programs offer supervised detox services for people withdrawing from a range of substances such as alcohol, sedatives, opioids and stimulants. During detox, medical doctors and nurses administer medications to ease withdrawal symptoms.
What is outpatient treatment?
Outpatient treatment offers people the ability to continue taking care of work, school, and other commitments during treatment.
Running & Exercise
Creativity & Art
- Whether you identify as an artiste or you feel like you don’t have a creative bone in your body, finding a way to get creative can also get you feeling good. Much like meditation can relieve stress and anxiety, engaging in creative, hands-on activities can produce the same therapeutic effects in our brains. When we are creative, our brainwaves slow...
Learning & Spirituality
- I love to learn. This is the essence of life, for me. This hunger was even at the center of my drug use—I felt like I became more and more enlightened with each new drug I tried, and those experiences were what I considered spiritual. But then, they stopped working. I started to feel numb and barely believed I was real. As humans, we’re curious by nature. As children, we explor…
Nature & Adventure
- Connecting with natureis also a piece of my spiritual quest to gain new insight—it’s my way of interacting with and learning about the universe. When I was abusing substances daily, there were days I didn’t even bother to go outside unless it was to drive to my dealer or smoke a cigarette. In sobriety, as my senses started to return to me, I became aware of things like all of the different s…
Connection & Service
- My drug use eventually progressed to just me – alone in my room – but, in the honeymoon phase, I loved to get high with my friends and philosophize. I valued those conversations, thinking we were solving all of the world’s problems with our enlightened ideas, and I felt connected to those people because of the “depth” we shared with each other. This sense of connection also gives o…