Addiction is defined as a complex condition indicated by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. These consequences are truly numerous such as job loss, physical health problems, worsening mental health, legal troubles, financial difficulties, and many others. While addiction to drugs and alcohol is a serious problem, it is manageable. What is the first step toward successful addiction recovery? Read on to find out.
The First Stage Of Change
When it comes to drug recovery, it’s important to address the first stage of change. Stages of change describe the process through which people overcome addiction. There are several stages that mark the journey from addiction to successful alcohol recovery. The first stage is called the pre-contemplation stage.
During this stage, people don’t think their addictive behaviors are problematic. They usually don’t see anything wrong with alcohol intake or drug abuse. Sometimes they are in denial, but in other cases, people haven’t experienced anything serious enough to start thinking they have a problem.
When a person is in this stage, they have no interest in advice and comments that others share about their behaviors. They respond with defensiveness and justification of their actions. To them, drinking or drug use is still a positive experience. This doesn’t last forever, though. When problems start appearing one after another, they may begin changing their minds.
It’s possible to move from this stage to others. The remaining stages of change include the contemplation stage, preparation stage, action stage, maintenance stage, and relapse stage.
What Is The First Step Toward Recovery?
It’s not a cliché when they say the first step toward addiction recovery is admitting you have a problem. Everything starts from there, but it’s easier said than done.
Addiction is complex; that’s why recovery is challenging. One of the hallmark signs of addiction is denial. In other words, a person doesn’t want to acknowledge they have a problem.
Evidence shows denial in addiction is more complex than we believe. It involves a lot of intra- and interpersonal processes. A person with addiction often goes through several stages, from no awareness of their substance use disorder to full awareness.
For some people, denial is a way of avoiding dealing with drug abuse or alcoholism. In other words, sometimes a person is aware of their actions, but they refuse to deal with them or accept the truth. When that happens, they deny the existence of a problem. This is particularly the case among people who use alcohol and drugs as a mechanism to cope with trauma, stress, and other mental health problems.
Denial, however, doesn’t make addiction go away. It deepens it, instead. As long as a person refuses to admit they have a problem, they’re not ready to take responsibility and start the recovery process. For that reason, acknowledging you have a problem is the first step toward successful recovery and a sober lifestyle.
Why Is It So Important To Acknowledge You Have A Problem?
A common misconception is that the first step toward addiction recovery is addiction rehab, i.e., treatment. While alcohol addiction treatment is crucial, one step comes before that – a person’s readiness to commit to making positive changes in their life. That explains why it’s important for a person with an addiction to admit they have a problem.
By admitting that, they are ready to take responsibility for addictive behaviors and also prepared to participate in the drug treatment, engage in the recovery process, and work on positive changes.
The decision to change is the most important step in overcoming substance use disorder. It means you recognize problems in your actions and want to address or resolve them. The first step toward addiction recovery culminates in the drug treatment initiation.
Of course, it’s difficult to be objective about your alcohol or drug use and admit you have a problem. But doing so is crucial for your alcohol recovery Indianapolis. You should also listen to others as they’re expressing their concerns.
What Is Treatment Initiation?
Treatment initiation refers to reaching out for help. Admitting you have a problem is the start, but you have to work and make an effort to achieve sobriety. That’s where treatment initiation steps in.
You can turn to your family or friends and ask for support to overcome addiction. They can help you schedule an appointment at an addiction rehab centers where you can work on your recovery. Remember, before the treatment process begins, they need to evaluate the severity of your addiction. Treatment for addiction is patient-centric, i.e., adapted to the specific needs of each patient. For that reason, they need to know the severity of your addiction rehab, overall health, and other info that can help them help you.
Once the treatment begins, you may still find yourself thinking about whether you really need addiction treatment. You may feel like your problem isn’t as bad as someone else’s in the addiction rehab. Reality is different, and returning to denial is a major obstacle to successful drug rehab Indianapolis.
To make the start of the treatment easier, an addiction counselor of addiction rehab centers helps patients look at the damaging effects of addiction, explore feelings of denial, and increase their motivation to recover.
What Is The First Step Of Treatment?
The first step of the drug treatment process is detoxification, i.e., cessation of substance abuse. During this stage in drug recovery, patients experience withdrawal symptoms because their body craves alcohol or drugs. The severity of withdrawal symptoms varies from one person to another. They depend on the severity of addiction, frequency of use, and other factors. Ideally, detox should be performed under medical supervision, especially for patients with severe addiction.
Conclusion
Addiction is a serious problem with disastrous consequences. Although the effects of addiction can be severe, people can recover. The first step toward addiction recovery is admitting you have a problem. What makes it so significant is that denial prevents a person from realizing the true extent of their actions. Being in denial also means you’re not ready to start addiction rehab treatment and commit to making necessary changes. Once you take a look at your life and realize how damaging alcohol or drugs can be, you’re ready to admit the existence of a problem and initiate treatment.
