The myths that surround addiction can make it seem impossible to recover. You might have heard that no addict can ever feel truly safe from having a relapse. You may also hear people talk about how they know others who are constantly in and out of treatment. The answer to whether or not most alcoholics and addicts eventually recover is not that simple. While many people go through treatment and barely experience cravings, others need to undergo intensive therapy for years. A person’s recovery depends upon multiple factors that include their personality, underlying health issues and support system at home. It is also important to consider how you define being recovered and what you think about the need for ongoing treatment.
Certain people seem to struggle more with getting sober. The odds of a lengthy recovery process go up if you experience these challenges.
- having a family history of addiction
- lacking a support network
- experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms
- using drugs or alcohol in excessive quantities or for many years
- other types of addiction such as shopping or gambling
Even when you take into account serious challenges on the path to recovery, it is possible to stop using drugs and alcohol. Long-term success depends upon you choosing to find the right types of help to meet your needs. You may also need to commit to trying different strategies as you experience changes in your life. Many people experience a relapse when they go through things such as a divorce or the loss of a loved one without seeking new forms of support. You’ll also want to know that the way you begin your recovery has an impact upon your long-term success. People who start off with professional care tend to gain the tools that they need for staying sober faster, and the results are more long-lasting than trying to get sober on your own.
Give Yourself the Gift of the Best Start for Your Recovery
In a perfect world, you’d never want to pick up drugs or alcohol again after you get sober, but this isn’t always the way it works. Your addiction likely started for a reason. You may have been trying to cope with depression or an upsetting living situation. Some people drink to numb themselves from the pain of abuse or a prior trauma in life. If you don’t seek help for these underlying issues, then you’ll continue to feel intense cravings every time they arise. Addiction treatment involves much more than putting you in a place where you can’t access drugs or alcohol. It includes putting you in touch with counselors and group therapists who can help you figure out the best ways to manage underlying mental health disorders that impact your cravings.
Your addiction recovery journey may also need to include opportunities to heal from your past. Many professional treatment programs encourage family involvement, and your loved ones may be able to attend therapy sessions with you. This helps you to begin building a support network at home that you can lean on during times when you are at risk for a relapse. Once you finish your initial phase of treatment, you’ll work with your counselors to figure out an at-home plan to help you stay sober. The first year of recovery is the hardest. While you might be able to avoid drugs in the treatment center, you’ll eventually be tested in the real world. Your after care plan will include options such as attending group therapy or working with a sober companion to make it easier to continue your recovery.
If you ask an addict who has been off of drugs or alcohol for years if they are recovered, you may receive a range of answers. Some people consider themselves recovered after they go for a specific length of time without using drugs or alcohol. Others consider themselves an addict for the rest of their life since even picking up one drink or drug dose could lead to them spiraling out of control again. If you do experience a relapse, it can help to know that this is just another hurdle that many people experience during their recovery. Returning to treatment and learning strategies that apply to your new life situation helps you get back on track. Beginning your recovery in a safe and supportive environment also makes this less likely to be a problem in the future.
Do you still hold hope that you could fully recover from an addiction? We believe you can do it! Give us a call at 844-844-3463, and we’ll help you start off your recovery in the right place.