The ultimate goal of a recovery plan is to help those struggling with substance abuse maintain the sobriety found in an addiction treatment program. The recovery plan is made up of small steps people can follow each day until those steps seem like a natural way of life. Once a person admits he or she has a problem with drugs or alcohol, the first step on the road to recovery is medically-supervised detox.
Medically-supervised detox allows the body time to rid itself of the toxins of the drug in a safe way. Detox also increases the likelihood of treatment success and decreases the chances of relapse. Once detox has ended, the diagnosis of any underlying mental health issues is important. By diagnosing and treating theses co-occurring disorders, the person in rehab receives the most comprehensive care possible.
Treatment plans typically include individual and group counseling, psychotherapy, family therapy and other holistic options that treat the whole person- body, mind and spirit. The length of treatment depends on the individual and can last 30, 60, 90 days or more depending on insurance coverage. Once treatment has ended, staying focused on the recovery plan established in treatment and participating in quality aftercare is the goal.
Attending to Care
U.S. News reports that between 40 and 60 percent of people treated for alcoholism or drug addiction relapse within the first year after treatment.1 Addiction treatment professionals work to reduce this number by providing follow-up appointments on a regular basis when intensive programs are complete. These appointments are considered vital to long-term recovery and shouldn’t be skipped or avoided for any reason at all.
Support group meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, are also important for long-term success. Here, people have the opportunity to continue learning about addiction, and they have the chance to meet with others who are also in recovery. Attending meetings regularly is one of the best ways to keep an addiction under control. Working 12-Steps programs like these can help people to develop a strong, spiritual core they can lean on when drug cravings to use begin to grow.
Staying Healthy
Physical pain or discomfort can lead to increased drug cravings. Self-care with a focus on physical wellness can keep addiction triggers at bay. Common steps involved in this kind of personal care include:
- Eating healthy meals on a regular schedule
- Drinking plenty of water, juice and milk
- Exercising regularly
- Taking medications as directed
- Attending to dental care
- Keeping medical appointments
- Getting quality sleep on a consistent schedule2
Keeping a clean home can also give a person something to do with free time, and the clean spaces can fill a person with pride and a sense of accomplishment. For some people, this is a key part of the recovery process.
Calming the Mind
For many people, a feeling of stress and fear can lead to a craving for drugs, and feelings like this can seem to come out of nowhere. Taking a few steps each day to soothe the mind naturally helps keep stress and the feelings of fear that often accompany newly-found sobriety from growing. Journaling, spending time in nature, working on a craft project or other hobby, cooking or meditating all help calm an overactive mind.
An Individual Path
There are components common to most recovery plans, but the most effective plans are individualized and based on a person’s history, thought patterns and personal preferences. Two people might have radically different plans even when dealing with the same addiction.
If you or a loved one struggles with substance abuse, we are here to help. Call our toll-free number 24 hours a day to learn about the different recovery plans offered at Michael’s House. You are not alone. Call us now
1 Castaneda, Ruben. “Why Do Alcoholics and Addicts Relapse so Often?” U.S. News and World Report, 24 April 2017. Accessed 15 October 2017.
2 O’Connor, Rosemary. “10 Ways to Make Self-care in Recovery a Priority.” Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, 20 October 2015. Accessed 15 October 2017.
