What Can I Expect in Addiction Recovery?

Embarking on the path of addiction recovery is the first step in taking your life back from active addiction. While each person’s journey is unique, there are common expectations and experiences that individuals with substance use disorder can anticipate during their recovery process.

Early Recovery Expectations

If you're taking your first steps toward recovery, there are a few things you should know as you dive in. Here are some important factors to keep in mind:

• Detox isn't enough. Detox is the process of returning your body to normal after a period of drug abuse and chemical dependence. It's often a necessary step, but it's not all you need to overcome addiction. Once you've made it through withdrawal, you will still have cravings that are difficult to resist. Treatment can help you learn to achieve lasting recovery.
  
• Managing triggers. You’ll work to identify and manage triggers—those situations, emotions, or people that used to lead you toward substance use. Avoiding temptation is important but triggers can come from anyway. Learning coping skills is essential.
  
• Lifestyle changes. Recovery isn’t just about quitting; it’s about rebuilding your life. Expect to make positive lifestyle changes, including healthier habits, routines, and relationships.
  
• Co-occurring mental health issues. Addressing any underlying mental health conditions is crucial. Sometimes substance use masks deeper emotional struggles, so therapy and counseling play a significant role.
  

​What are the First Steps in Addiction Treatment?

Addiction treatment programs often begin with an intake and assessment process. Assessments are designed to find out what your needs are going into treatment. Addiction is a disease that affects you physically, mentally, and spiritually. For many, the first step in recovery is something called a biopsychosocial assessment, which explores your biological, psychological, and social needs.

Biological Needs in Recovery

Biological needs may include detoxification and medication, but many biological or medical problems are common in addiction treatment. For instance, people who are caught in a cycle of addiction often neglect their daily needs. Poor hygiene and nutrition can lead to medical issues that need to be addressed.

Psychological Needs in Recovery

Addiction often comes with psychological comorbidities or simultaneous mental health problems. Many people with a substance use disorder also have depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns that can be addressed during treatment.

Social Needs in Recovery

Social issues like isolation, poor social skills, and other problems can make it difficult to cope with life without drugs or alcohol. Many people who are caught in a cycle of long-term addiction, have difficulty connecting with others. Since personal connections are one of the most important ways to combat addiction, social challenges need to be addressed.

Common Elements of an Addiction Recovery Plan

Creating an addiction recovery plan is a crucial step towards achieving and maintaining sobriety. Here are some common elements that are typically included in an effective recovery plan:

Individual and Group Therapy

One-on-one and group therapy are both very common addiction recovery settings. In individual therapy, you will meet with an addiction counselor or therapist to create a treatment plan, analyze it weekly, and talk through behavioral therapies. In group therapy, a counselor will facilitate a discussion between a group of peers.

Objectives and Goals

Goals are big, abstract intents to your recovery plan. For instance, achieving and maintaining addiction. It's a big task and it will take a long time and many steps to get it done. Objectives are actionable steps that you can take in the pursuit of your goal. An objective might be to attend group therapy twice this week. It's something you can get done in a short time frame and you know exactly when it's complete.
A behavioral health counselor can help you create a plan with goals and objectives.

Behavioral Therapies

Behavioral therapies are some of the most common and effective options in addiction treatment. They are evidence-based therapies, which means they have been studied and shown to be effective in treating addiction and mental health issues. Behavioral therapies include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This evidence-based approach helps individuals recognize and modify harmful thought patterns and behaviors related to substance use.
  
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Primarily used for emotional regulation, DBT can be beneficial for addiction treatment by addressing underlying emotional triggers.
  
• Motivational Interviewing. A collaborative technique that encourages motivation for change and helps individuals explore their ambivalence toward substance use.
  
• Contingency Management (CM). In CM, positive reinforcement (such as rewards) is used to encourage abstinence from substances.
  

Taking Your First Steps in Recovery

Embarking on the path of addiction recovery requires courage, commitment, and support. It's important to remember that recovery is a unique journey for each individual, but common expectations, experiences, and treatment options exist to guide and support you along the way.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, remember that seeking help is the first step towards a healthier and fulfilling life. To take those first steps reach out to Wings of Life Recovery today. ​