With rising economic uncertainty, people are making ends meet to survive in these challenging times. Some people know how to stand in the face of difficulties, but others turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with stress. Usually, people believe taking drugs a few times won’t make any difference, but soon, it turns into an addiction. Are you familiar with drug addiction? It is a chronic disease that results in a compulsive and uncontrollable urge to consume substances.
Despite its harmful consequences, people are unable to stop themselves since it is a relapsing disease. Although some addicts blame their mental condition for drug addiction, this path begins with the voluntary act of taking drugs. And when they try to stop, seeking and taking drugs has become compulsive. Fortunately, rehab centers take the responsibility to help people break these habits. Before starting the treatments, it is crucial to determine the reasons behind drug abuse.
At times, mental trauma, depression, anxiety, and stress pushes people to take drugs. Substances lead to an adrenaline rush, helping the brain relax. Thus, if people take drugs as a cure for mental illnesses, rehab has to treat mental illness and addiction together. Do you know how? Psychologists and therapists perform a dual diagnosis to cure both conditions simultaneously. Let us help you understand how.
What Is A Dual Diagnosis?
Many people who get diagnosed with addiction disorders also suffer from mental illnesses, known as dual diagnosis. These individuals need an integrated treatment plan that addresses both conditions actively. There are a few rehabilitation centers that acknowledge and treat such conditions. In case you are residing in Washington, head over to the Shoreline recovery center as they have various flexible treatment options available. If you are still skeptical about rehab, have a look below. Here are five ways of how rehabilitation centers prevent addiction and mental illnesses.
1. BREAKS THE ADDICTION CYCLE
There is no better way of breaking an addiction cycle than educating people about it. Learning about drug abuse and alcohol consumption gives an insight into what events and habits trigger cravings. Rehab facilities help you explore these triggers, letting you put deliberate efforts to avoid and manage addiction. Since individuals come across provoking thoughts, rehab centers put them into a drug-free environment with sober people.
Moreover, therapists start treatment with detoxification to help addicts wipe out all the drugs from their bodies. They also use behavioral counseling to help people with mental illnesses. It lets them evaluate addiction severity and devise a treatment for co-occurring mental health issues – depression, anxiety, etc. It is an incredible way of treating withdrawal symptoms while breaking the addictive cycle in the long-term.
2. OFFERS THERAPY & TREATMENTS
Believe it or not, addiction is a psychological and physical disease. Therapy is the ultimate way to determine emotional triggers of substance use. It also offers a way to develop new and healthy coping mechanisms. While sharing your thoughts, beliefs, and opinions with an unknown person, you can see flaws in your thinking and behaviors. Similarly, you will also learn to positively alter those behaviors and thoughts to live a productive and healthy life.
Most importantly, effective therapy can reduce a person’s chances of relapsing, closing doors for withdrawal systems. Rehab centers offer countless therapy options, as there is no single treatment suitable for every patient. As a result, therapists tailor programs to encourage patients to change their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors concerning addiction. They also help them cope with mental stress by identifying triggers that stimulate anxiety and depression.
3. BUILDS NEW HABITS
Do you face any difficulty in setting goals? Patients with a history of addictions and mental illnesses encounter trouble in accomplishing things. They suffer from a repetitive cycle of wanting to change habits but falling back to destructive behaviors. Likewise, these individuals cannot adopt any self-care habits due to mental distress. Rehab teaches you how to set short and long-term goals. These revolve around physical and emotional health, spiritual aspirations, and social relationships.
At the same time, rehab will help you cope with the day-to-day struggles of recovering from addiction. You will also learn the techniques to manage stress, prevent relapse, and avoid triggering environments. It gives people a chance to cope in healthy ways and create new thought patterns. In short, rehab centers prepare you for success while helping you have a fresh start. All you need is self-discipline and faith in yourself to leave old habits behind.
4. ESTABLISHES HEALTHY BOUNDARIES
Alcohol and drug addiction expose you to infections, dental issues, baldness, acne, and various other problems. In your rehabilitation journey, it is essential to establish some healthy boundaries. Rehab centers incorporate treatment programs that focus on health and nutrition. They ensure you don’t have any nutritional deficiencies, eliminating the chances of low energy levels or sleep problems.
In rehab facilities, your daily meals will have the perfect balance of vitamins and minerals. It would include non-saturated fats and foods rich in fiber and protein to boost cognitive functioning. After all, your body needs optimal fuel to recover quickly. Alongside diet, rehab centers encourage patients to exercise as it helps in coping with stress and anxiety. They offer facilities like tennis, swimming, and other things that can stimulate physical activity.
By following a healthy routine, people can see improvements in their physical body and mind without the need for artificial drug boosts. It rebuilds faith, helping them purge destructive behavior.
5. PROVIDES CONSISTENT SUPPORT
Undoubtedly, rehab centers offer consistent support to patients, assisting them in every stage. The real challenge begins when patients leave the facility as they have to deal with everything independently. Instead of forgetting about patients, rehab centers offer aftercare programs to keep track of their progress. Therapists hold support group meetings and collaborate with local counselors to stay in touch with patients.
These programs help people get past relapse and withdrawal symptoms that occur post-treatment. Usually, post-acute withdrawal symptoms (PAWS) last up to 12-18 months, resulting in poor sleep, mood swings, irritability, etc. But if a person recovers from mental illness, he/she may not encounter PAWS at all because there is nothing to trigger it.
Wrapping Up
Most people turn to drugs to reduce mental pressure from their brains without realizing its consequences. You might have taken it a couple of times, but its addictive elements won’t let you stop. Rehab centers are the only way to pull out yourself from this trap. Therapists will help you cope with stress, depression, or any other mental condition while supporting you to overcome addictions. Although rehab facilities help you in every step, you have to ensure self-discipline and give 100%.
