Why You Shouldn't Fight Addiction Alone

Though the addict will, eventually, need to live an independent life following recovery and treatment, it can be helpful – and in some cases, crucial – to have assistance at different stages of the process.

Deciding to stop – or being persuaded to stop

Making an informed, committed decision to stop using or abusing a substance is a positive first step! If you or someone you know has decided that a life complicated my alcoholism or drug addiction is not the path you want to take, there are some things you should consider before embarking on this difficult journey alone. On the other hand, if this decision still needs to be made – that is, if you are preparing to confront a loved one by staging an intervention, an experienced intervention specialist might increase your chances of getting through to your loved one. These individuals are able to anticipate the addict’s response and to counter the addict's irrational logic in ways that you might not be able to. Additionally, because they are less emotionally invested, interventionists are better able to speak the difficult words that some addicts need to hear and can remain firm when the addict tries to put blame on others, avoiding personal responsibility for their choices. In some cases, interventionists have themselves overcome addictions to drugs and alcohol; in this way, the addict can no longer claim that “no one understands” what they are going through. Another reason to consider adding a professional to your team is to have a plan in place for "what happens next?" should the addict agree to seek treatment.

Withdrawal

Drugs that can cause physical dependence will result in physical withdrawal symptoms when use stops. Some substances do not cause physical dependence, and, therefore, are not associated with any type of physical withdrawal symptoms (but this does not mean that an addict will not experience psychological withdrawal symptoms – see below). For some substances that do cause physical dependence, physical withdrawal symptoms may be mild – like nausea, cold sweats, or vomiting. However, certain substances like alcohol and prescription opiates, for example, can, in addition to these mild symptoms – cause extremely dangerous and severe symptoms. Depending on the substance, these symptoms may include seizures, heart attack, stroke, and death. Clearly, a medically monitored detoxification is a much safer alternative to gambling that none of these potentially lethal side effects occur while the addict is going through withdrawal – and rushing to a hospital if they do. All addicts may experience psychological distress when going through withdrawal. They may become anxious because they realize that they can no longer use the substance that had helped them cope with reality. They may question their decision to stop using, or worry about a future that they feel ill-equipped to face. The mental and emotional turmoil that addicts experience when trying to stop using – which may or may not be complicated by severe physical symptoms – can be overwhelming to process alone. Structured activities guided by professionals can help redirect an addict’s racing mind to the task at hand instead of dwelling on the situation.

Post-withdrawal

If an addict successfully faces withdrawal alone, the next step is living a sober life. This can be extremely difficult to do, especially if the addiction lasted for such a long time that the addict has forgotten many simple life skills – or if the addict never learned them in the first place. With professional help, however, the next step would be entering a rehab facility. Drug and alcohol rehab facilities help recovering addicts in a number of ways. First, they provide a structured environment and eliminate distractions and temptations. Second, the majority of rehab facilities hold individual and/or group therapy sessions. Individual therapy can help an addict work through emotional issues that may have contributed to the addiction in the first place. Group therapy shows the addict that they are not alone in their struggle with addiction: that others have shared their experiences and temptations, their failures and successes. Finally, rehabilitation facilities also teach the addict valuable life skills. The addict learns to accept personal responsibility for leading a sober life. They also learn strategies for coping with stress in healthy ways as well as techniques for healing damaged relationships and moving forward with their lives and careers. There are many different types of rehab facilities that tailor their programs to specialized needs. For example, some programs are designed to help business executives while others emphasize Christian values. Still other programs care for adolescents with substance abuse problems. Although you may have to travel, not being able to find a rehab facility to meet your needs is not a good excuse for avoiding treatment. For each step of the process of recovery, having professional help may increase the chances of success. Even after leaving a rehab facility, joining a support group can serve as an excellent, regular reminder of why the addict chose to live a drug-free life. There is a lot of truth to the idea that there is "strength in numbers".

See also:

• 5 Signs of Co-Dependency
• Sending them to Treatment: What’s Next?
• Withdrawal and Detox: Get the Facts