5 Frequently Asked Questions About Drug Addiction Recovery

1. Is Professional Treatment Necessary for Recovery?

Although some people successfully recover from drug addiction without the help of professional services, this is very uncommon, and it could even be dangerous in some cases.

Detox, or detoxification, is typically one of the first steps toward getting clean and it is often best left to qualified professionals. Detox means completely clearing the addicting substance from the body. Some people find this process to be physically and emotionally challenging and, in some cases, detox can even pose certain health risks.

However, going through medically supervised detox at a treatment facility gives recovering drug abusers access to a nursing staff and medical professionals who can make sure individuals remain hydrated, stable and safe. These medical services can even help ease the discomfort that is sometimes associated with detox.

Of course, professional treatment has many more benefits than just medically supervised detox.

These treatment services can help recovering abusers address all of the factors surrounding their addiction and enhance their overall health and well-being.

2. What is Drug Addiction Rehab Like?

Every addiction rehab center provides a menu of different programs, unique environments, and various philosophies, so it can be difficult to describe what a typical treatment facility is like.

For example, one facility may offer long-term treatment at high-end accommodations and focus on an approach that addresses a person’s overall sense of health and happiness. Another facility may be located in a modest, rural setting and focus more closely on healing the entire family of the person suffering from addiction.

However, there are some components that nearly all treatment facilities will have in common, including a drug-free environment, counseling services, and personalized treatment approaches.

The drug-free environment is one of the most basic requirements for a rehab facility. This factor gives recovering drug abusers a safe zone that allows them to put aside any fears or anxieties about encountering the substance they’re trying to stop using.

Counseling services are also vital components of a successful recovery. Whether a former drug abuser participates in individual counseling or group counseling sessions, speaking to a professional therapist can help recovering people address the roots of their addiction and prepare for long-term drug-free success.

Entering a good drug abuse treatment program also means that participants can expect a degree of personalized treatment. Because everyone’s experience with addiction is different, most treatment facilities will work with participants to tailor a course of treatment that fits each’s needs.

3. Will I Have to Leave My Family Behind While I’m Recovering?

Many people imagine that going into recovery means cutting off contact with family members and friends for extended periods of time.

However, if maintaining touch with loved ones is a priority, there are plenty of treatment centers that cater to this preference.

Even though most people initially think of inpatient rehab facilities or centers that require participants to reside on the campus, there are also plenty of outpatient treatment options that only require participants to attend during the day. At night, recovering drug abusers can go home, spend time with their loved ones, and prepare for the following day.

It’s also important to note that even inpatient facilities give recovering drug users regular opportunities to see and interact with their loved ones. Some centers schedule regular visiting times for family members, and in some cases, loved ones can even sleep over at the treatment center.

Many programs also encourage and even require family members to attend some of the rehab treatment sessions. Having family members present during parts of the treatment can give recovering drug abusers additional support and strength as they work toward drug addiction recovery. The family members can also benefit from learning how they can help prevent relapse for their loved one and continue to support that person long after the treatment program has come to an end.

4. How Long Does it Take to Recover from a Drug Addiction Fully?

Family members, friends and people suffering from substance abuse issues often want to know exactly how long the process of recovery takes.

There’s no real answer to this question, partially because treatment programs require varying lengths of time. A shorter-term treatment option may take anywhere from one month to three months. Long-term treatment may require participants to stay at a facility for nine months to a year.

This answer becomes even more complicated when examining how long recovery – rather than structured rehab programs – will take. The fact is, recovering from a drug addiction is a process that goes on long after treatment ends. Many people consider drug addiction to be a condition that lasts for a lifetime.

While this consideration may be daunting, the good news is that there are support systems and strategies that people can use after they complete rehab.

Even though recovery is a lifelong process, many people have successfully remained drug-free for years and even decades of their lives.

5. How Can I Guard Against Relapse?

Relapse occurs when a person starts using drugs again following a period of being clean. The rates of relapse after a drug addiction are actually between 40% and 60%, meaning that around half of people who become sober experience a period of relapse at some point.

The good news is that there are proven strategies that can give recovering drug abusers a better chance of remaining clean and avoiding relapse. Former drug users and their family members should first take advantage of any aftercare programs offered at treatment facilities. Many facilities have specific relapse prevention classes that teach strategies for effectively handling many of these common relapse triggers.

Beyond taking advantage of professional relapse prevention methods, people in drug addiction recovery often become involved in substance-free activities, such as athletics, artistic pursuits or volunteering. Not only are these activities personally fulfilling, but they can also occupy time that might have otherwise been spent with people or in situations that could trigger a relapse.