Addiction to drugs or alcohol can happen in a number of different ways, that is why you should choose recovery. Socializing with family, friends, coworkers or clients who drink may encourage you to drink also. This type of socializing can seem to be an innocent endeavor, but it may become the gateway to addiction. Drinking alcohol at social gatherings, or gathering for the purpose of drinking is a part of some cultures, and is an accepted form of collective behavior. Over time, as the craving for alcohol builds up, many people will begin to drink with or without the social engagement. Once addicted to drinking, these same people may actually avoid the social engagements altogether, and prefer to drink alone.
Why to Choose Recovery
People may also begin to drink because they want to drown out the problems that they face or because they suffer from physical or mental illness and the alcohol numbs their pain. It is the same way with drug addicts. They may start taking drugs because their friends do it and expect them to follow suit, or they use drugs to ease the symptoms of physical and mental illness. People who have suffered traumas such as child abuse and neglect, poverty, violence, war, and homelessness are at a greater risk to begin abusing drugs or alcohol. When life situations become overwhelming and a person can no longer cope, they may reach for a drink or take drugs as their escape. What at first seems to be the savior of their problems later becomes another demon to contend with.
Anyone who has or is struggling with addiction knows how it affects every area of his or her life. Substance use disorder is a chronic, progressive disorder that is difficult to control or stop. Eventually, addiction will begin to wear down the addict’s immune system and affect the brain and body causing deterioration, disease and sometimes death. An addict may begin to feel lonely, sick, depressed, anxious, guilty, angry and hopeless. Help may not seem possible and the addict may feel lost and fearful. The only solution to their problem is rehabilitation to achieve sobriety, treat psychological issues, teach relapse prevention and prepare the recovering addict to begin living a new, healthy lifestyle.
It Will Change Your Life
What may seem like a tremendous challenge at first is actually a well planned-out system of programs designed to achieve all the goals of a successful rehabilitation. But the addict must make the commitment to embrace the challenge and surrender to the changes that must take place. Once an addict has successfully attained sobriety and is working on other issues, he begins to see the light of a very promising future. Recovery from addiction gives the addict a new lease on life, and he begins to realize that he has already achieved some of his goals and he will eventually reach other ones also. As the addict continues with counseling, addressing issues and correcting problems he will become more enlightened, educated, empowered and prepared to lead a fulfilling, productive and happy life.
Rehabilitation centers staff professional addiction specialists who are knowledgeable and experienced in handling all phases of addiction recovery. Each recovering addict should be treated as an individual with his or her own unique set of challenges to overcome. Recovery should address the addict holistically, treating the body, mind and spirit. Many recovering addicts find renewed strength by practicing their faith in a higher power, such as Alcoholics Anonymous. By practicing their faith the addict will find love, peace, guidance, direction, strength and healing. Addiction recovery is a lifelong process that should be designed to heal every area of an addict’s life. Everett Drug Treatment Centers can help you begin your recovery journey. Just give us a call today at (617) 553-9495.
