Addiction involving illicit drugs, alcohol, and other substances cost the government more than $740 billion annually. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH), these figures include charges on lost productivity, crime, and health care.
If you are undergoing addiction recovery, you will face lots of challenges in your journey. Therefore for any recovering addicts, below are the most common challenges encountered and how to address them.
Repairing Damaged Relationships
According to SAMHSA, engaging in relationships and social networks that create friendship, support, love, and hope are crucial elements of a life in recovery.
The consequences of drug abuse usually end up destroy friends and family relationships. However, trying to amend the impact of ruined bonds due to drug addiction is a great challenge if your loved ones and peers fail to respond positively.
Therefore, amending lost relationships separates an addict from past destructive habits. It can take lots of effort and patience, so the recovery process is difficult for those around the addict.
Recovering Addicts have to Cope Without Support
Drugs or alcohol often provide short-term relief to people struggling with addiction. For instance, negative emotions and distresses are sometimes controlled using drugs or alcohol. However, the purpose of rehab programs is to eliminate drugs and promote sobriety. Therefore, recovering addicts will never have the chance to use drugs to solve their issues.
Additionally, they have to overcome negative emotional challenges involving embarrassment and shame without abusing drugs. But it is not easy to handle these emotions feelings because they take time, courage, and effort to overcome.
However, professional rehabs have qualified therapists who concentrate on building confidence and capability to manage emotional distress and to support healthy life after rehab.
Managing Stress and Cravings
Many recovering addicts are at high risk of relapse due to irresistible cravings for drugs and alcohol. The primary cause is due to stress and anxiety, which most find reverting to addiction as a form of relief.
Relapsing episodes can make addicts feel like failures due to repetitive habits that they can’t ignore to quench cravings.
Fortunately, an excellent rehabilitation process consists of unique support systems of peers and mentors to prevent relapses and maintain recovery. Also, rehabilitation is partially about healthy behaviors and building life skills to sustain recovery.
Dealing With Boredom
During addictive days, addicts spent most of their free-time indulging in drugs and alcohol. But in rehab, they have to follow up with organized daily schedules involving individual reflections, support group meetings, exercises, nutrition, and leisure time.
Also, they are likely to encounter boredom due to environmental changes, which jeopardizes their recovery journey.
Fortunately, enrolling in an excellent rehab program teaches on how to spend time well with recreational activities and hobbies to reduce boredom even during sobriety.
Supporting Recovering Addicts
Most rehab centers have recovery processes that teach about coping strategies to avoid common challenges for recovering addicts. Also, drug abusers can receive professional help and advice on the difficulties they encounter each day.
If you or loved ones are struggling with drug addiction problems, you can search for a qualified center near you and inquire about the programs they offer. Ensure to ask relevant questions about life skills, facilities, costs, among others, before you join their programs.
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