Do you know there are ways to help individuals with their abuse of opioids? Have you ever heard of medication-assisted treatment (MAT)? MAT is provided for individuals who want help with their drug use. MAT comes in various forms. From oral tablets to injections. Let me say it does not matter how you get clean if it comes from MAT to using a 12-step program.

Several different forms of medication can be used to help individuals. The first that most are familiar with is methadone and suboxone. Several others can be used. You need to go with your doctor and see what will be best for you. Other options for MAT are buprenorphine, naltrexone, and zubsolv. 

Do not be afraid to open up to your doctor. I can tell you it is the best thing that I ever did. I decided I had had enough, went to my doctor, and got the medication I needed to beat my drug addiction. Medication is not the only thing I used; I also chose to do counseling and look for effective treatment support. I can tell you it was the best thing that I did. Remember this, just because you use a medication does not mean you are sober.

Also, remember that you might not need to take this medication for life. It depends on the work you put in for your recovery.  

You are worth your recovery, and someone is cheering you on. One day at a time. Let us take the first step!

References:

CDC. (2021). https://cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2021/20211117.htm 

Written By: Melissa Pena

Addiction can be genetic but also a learned behavior at home. How was your childhood? Were you in a home where drug use, alcohol abuse, or abuse happened? Addiction is also a disease that destroys everything we encounter. Addiction causes home conflicts, missing work, and even health problems. These drugs today are controlling and life debilitating. Addiction does not just affect the drug abuser, but it affects the whole family. I had become the most heartless, cold, irritable, and unrecognizable addict. What was I thinking or doing with my life? 

Today the word is called recovery. I was ready to regain control over my life. I wanted to be in the right state of mind and health. I was prepared to learn what happened to me as a child and deal with this trauma. Today, my recovery comes first before anything else. I attend Celebrate Recovery, which is a 12-step program that is Christ-centered. I work through the steps, attend step studies, meet with a sponsor, and attend two meetings weekly. I realized I had no healthy coping skills. Today, I have healthy coping skills. The skills I gained were reaching out when I am struggling, journaling, and even sitting with my emotions. Sitting with these feelings has not been easy, but I can say I do not self-medicate anymore. Have you found a program that works for you?  What coping skills do you use? Today, I have control of my life and a family who loves me. 

If you would like to reach out to author, please do so on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/melissalynngary2021

Written by: Melissa Pena

To initially request Sobercoin, please visit: https://sobercoin.com/sobercoin-sign-up/. To earn your first 2 Sobercoin, you will need to create a member profile on https://soberverse.com/community. After signing up you will need to write a minimum of 10 forum posts in the Community Forums only found at: https://soberverse.com/community/forums to earn an additional 2 SOBR. The 3^rd way to earn is by checking in on our Sobersystems App for 30 days which is available Apple and Android. The 30 days of maintaining accountability will give you 10 Sobercoin.

By stimulating those with rewards and self-motivation, Sobercoin offers people a chance to have fun while participating in their recovery.  The addiction recovery world and crypto world have been immersed together in this project which is designed specifically to help people get sober, and stay sober. Learn more about what there is to offer at www.SoberNetwork.com.

Treating addiction is a lengthy process, and it is one that consists of many different stages. In order to achieve maximum health and sobriety that can last, it is important to work through these various stages. Learning about the stages can help individuals get a better understanding of what recovery entails and how it will progress.

The Contemplation Stage

For many people who struggle with addiction, the first step to recovery will be what is sometimes known as the contemplation stage. This is a time when individuals will start to question their actions, their behaviors and their health.

Typically, those who are in the contemplation stage aren’t ready yet to acknowledge that they are addicted to any drug or substance. However, they may be starting to think about whether that is a possibility.

Things that might not have been noticed in the past are now beginning to stand out to people in the contemplation stage. Individuals might see that others around them act and feel differently, or they might feel frustrated with their reliance on an addictive substance.

For many people, denial is a necessary component of addiction. In order to survive, they need to deny that the addiction is real. During the contemplation stage, however, the curtain gets pulled back. People begin to be self aware about what they are and what it means.

The Action Stage

The next stage of recovery is often called the action stage or the acknowledgement stage. For individuals struggling with addiction, this is when they can first begin to say, “I am an addict.” This acknowledgement can be very freeing, and it also sets the tone for further action.

For many people, the acknowledgement of addiction is the turning point for making a change. A person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, and can finally see that for themselves, might be ready to begin a detox and participate in addiction treatment

Sometimes, people are propelled to the action stage on their own. They might be in an accident or have a legal issue that pushes them to action, or they might have a health scare or a relationship concern that demands attention. Sometimes, however, individuals are put in the action stage by others. An intervention or a concerned word from a loved one can be what it takes for some people to decide to take action and get treatment.

The Early Treatment Stage

The early treatment stage begins with individuals who opt to formally seek help and enroll in some kind of addiction treatment program. Often, the primary focus of early treatment is helping patients break their chemical and physical ties with an addictive substance. For that reason, the early treatment stage may be known as detox or withdrawal.

The early treatment stage can be difficult, and it will often be accompanied by withdrawal symptoms. It is stressful for the body to relearn how to function without its addictive substance of choice, and it may cause unpleasant or uncomfortable side effects. The good news is that this stage only typically lasts one to two weeks, depending on the addiction in question.

It is critical that during this stage, individuals are supervised around the clock. It can be incredibly dangerous to try to detox, or go through withdrawal, without medical attention. Medical treatment does more than just increase comfort, although that is an added bonus. It can also reduce the risks of serious health problems and diagnose any extreme symptoms of withdrawal before they progress.

The Late Treatment Stage

Once individuals have detoxed from their addictive substances, the real work to maintain sobriety can begin. The late treatment stage is characterized by a range of treatment methods designed to get to the root of addiction. Some of the approaches used may include dual diagnosis, behavioral therapy, group therapy or experiential therapy.

Dual diagnosis is a critical part of addiction recovery for many individuals. Mental health and addiction are closely linked, and as many as half of those with diagnosable addictions also struggle with mental illness. Dual diagnosis treatment addresses both concerns simultaneously, ensuring that mental health won’t interfere with a full recovery from addiction.

There are many types of therapy that can be used to treat addiction. Group therapy, for instance, helps patients feel less isolated, and it can create a welcome environment of sharing experiences and tips. Individual behavioral therapy is also effective, and it can include things like cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy may try to change behavior and mindset to prevent self-destructive actions and thoughts.

Experiential therapy treatment can also help individuals confront their feelings and push the limits of what they think is possible. Through unusual and exciting activities, participants can boost their self confidence. Alternative, holistic approaches can also contribute to a bedrock of evidence-based approaches to addiction recovery during the late treatment stage.

The Ongoing Care and Maintenance Stage

It is vital to note that even after individuals complete a residential or outpatient treatment program, the recovery process isn’t over. Addiction is a lifelong illness, and it requires continuing care.

After a person is diagnosed and treated for something like diabetes or cancer, they can’t expect to live life completely normally and never need another check-up or dose of medicine. Similarly, those who struggle with addiction will need to include care and maintenance in their daily lives.

A support network is a critical element of lasting care and ongoing maintenance. For some people, family members and close friends can form a supportive network. For others, anonymous group meetings and mentors can provide that level of support. Regular meetings as well as therapy sessions can be helpful to maintain sobriety.

In addition, individuals need to understand that addiction necessitates complete sobriety. A person who was addicted to opiates or alcohol can never safely use those substances again.

In order to recover from addiction in a lasting way, individuals need to work through each of these stages of addiction recovery on their route to healthy, happy and sober lives.

Addiction Impacts Men and Women Alike

First, it’s important to note that women and men should receive nearly identical treatment for addiction. Both sexes deserve access to evidence-based treatment, whether that involves prescription medication from medical professionals or one-on-one behavioral therapy. Why is this? Because addiction impacts men and women in similar ways.

Whether patients are men or women, they will suffer from the physical effects of addiction. They may be at risk for stomach cancer, liver disease or heart failure as a result of their addictions. Men and women alike can feel isolated, have broken relationships, and may lose their careers.

While addiction can impact both sexes in the same ways, and treatment should be similar across the board, it may still be substantial benefit to separating men and women during detox or rehab. Women in recovery might do best when they are in a safe, secure environment where the facilities and therapies are geared toward their specific needs.

Women May Feel Safer Sharing in Segregated Spaces

One of the reasons that women may prefer to recover in a women’s only space is that it can be easier for them to share personal experiences. For a number of women struggling with addiction, opening up can be challenging. Often, their experiences relate directly to men, and speaking in a room full of men can make it harder to be truthful about what they’re experiencing.

It’s also important to address the fact that many women who are in recovery from addiction have a history of trauma. Unfortunately, some of them may be struggling with sexual abuse or domestic abuse, often at the hands of men. It can be integral to recovery for these women to talk about their experiences, and realize that many other women have gone through similar situations. However, sharing these traumatic stories while surrounded by men can be difficult or even impossible.

In group counseling, it may also be beneficial to discuss topics that impact women most. For instance, many women in rehab are also mothers, and they want to talk about how to regain custody of their children or set a positive example for them in the future. Women may also want to discuss the future of their marriages, another topic that may not be as appealing to a mixed audience. Group therapy can also target common mental health issues among women, which might include depression, anxiety, low self esteem, self-harm or eating disorders.

Refraining From Romance Can Aid in Recovery

One of the risks to avoid in recovery is replacing one addiction with another. Unfortunately, romantic relationships that form in rehabilitation programs are often just a way to redirect obsessive or addictive behavior. As a result, they should be avoided, since abstaining from romance or sexual activity can allow patients to focus more completely on their own journey to recovery.

Rehab makes people vulnerable, as they are undergoing a major life transition. Free from the binds of a drug or alcohol addiction, individuals can struggle to make sound choices. That’s why it’s often best to attend sex-segregated rehab programs. Eliminating the opposite sex entirely, at least for the duration of a rehab or detox program, can make it easier to recover properly, follow the rehab protocol and dive into therapy and treatment rather than a new relationship.

Facilities Can Be Geared Toward the Needs of Women

Women ready to begin recovery from addiction may want to focus on facilities that understand the specific needs of women. Ultimately, great rehab facilities will cater to both men and women, but there can be some minor differences that make a difference.

Women are often more concerned with their weight than men, particularly because rehab is a time when weight gain is likely for those in recovery from drug addictions. During this natural and healthy stage of recovery, nutritious and healthy meals can provide plenty of energy without adding unnecessary calories. Dining facilities can also cater to a greater range of dietary restrictions or help pregnant women get the nutrition they need.

Women might also prefer certain recreational facilities to enhance their time in rehabilitation. This might run the gamut from an arts and crafts room to yoga classes. Having gender-specific facilities may encourage women to use more of the amenities and take full advantage of all the services available that can aid in addiction recovery.

Camaraderie Among Female Patients

One of the often underrated benefits of addiction recovery programs is that they can teach patients how to socialize. After years of addiction, it’s not unusual for individuals to be isolated, or unable to participate in a group dynamic in a healthy way. With men in the mix, some women may further isolate themselves, struggling to find an appropriate place in the group.

By contrast, a women’s-only rehabilitation program may encourage social activity. Women may find that they have a lot in common with other patients, and they can form bonds that have the potential to last for a lifetime. During group counseling, rehab outings or even daily meals, they will have opportunities to express their individual personalities without feeling threatened or shy. Doing this can be crucial to the reintegration of patients into society after rehab is complete.

In many ways, recovery for women is identical to recovery for men. However, gender-specific recovery can certainly have some benefits. By increasing feelings of safety, improving shared spaces and having more open group therapy, women will have a better chance at recovery and lasting sobriety.

It’s very common for those with mental health problems to begin struggling with addiction, and just as common for those who are addicted to various substances to begin experiencing mental health problems. Therefore, the best addiction treatment will be one that understands the role of dual diagnosis and the clear link between mental health and addiction recovery.

Determining if Dual Diagnosis is Necessary

The first step creating a treatment plan that deals with mental health and addiction is determining whether dual diagnosis truly is necessary. In some cases, patients who are struggling with mental health concerns are only doing so because these symptoms are a side effect of addiction. For instance, patients addicted to strong sedatives may be depressed, but that could be a common symptom of the drug rather than a pre-existing concern.

To determine whether patients are eligible candidates for dual diagnosis treatment, the first step is a complete evaluation upon admission to a detox program. However, this shouldn’t be the only time dual diagnosis is analyzed. After detox, and before rehab begins, is the optimal time to take a closer look at the mental health of patients. Since there won’t be any physical symptoms of drug or alcohol use to contend with at this stage, it will be easier to pinpoint any standalone mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

Getting a Comprehensive View of Health and Recovery

Patients who begin down the road to recovery are often focused on one goal—getting sober. Achieving and maintaining sobriety is an admirable objective, but focusing on the physical symptoms alone may not be enough. A more comprehensive approach to wellness means taking mental health into consideration as well. Often, that means pinpointing and treating mental health problems in addition to addictive behaviors.

There are many different theories on what links mental health disorders and the frequency of addictive behaviors. Some research suggests that those struggling with mental health disorders, and who aren’t getting the medical help they need, are more likely to turn to drugs or alcohol as a means of self medication. Of course, suffering from addiction is likely to exacerbate the symptoms, making the situation worse.

Conversely, addiction itself can lead to mental health disorders. When individuals become addicted to drugs or alcohol, they can experience feelings like guilt or shame, which can in turn create internal stress and serious mental health problems. In environments where addiction is common, individuals may also be at higher risk for crimes like rape or physical abuse, and that can further increase the likelihood of trauma.

How Dual Diagnosis Can Prevent Relapse

One of the primary objectives of any rehab program is to help patients prevent a relapse. A relapse is anytime that the addictive substance is used again after treatment, and it’s a common problem. However, there are ways to reduce the likelihood of relapse, one of the most effective being dual diagnosis treatment.

A few common triggers for relapse are things like stress, guilt, shame, unhappiness or anger. Many mental health professionals will immediately recognize that these are common emotions among those who also struggle with things like PTSD, anxiety, bipolar disorder and depression.

When patients are dealing with the effects of a mental health problem, relapse is far more likely. When patients receive the right treatment for their mental health challenges, however, they will be more cognitively aware, better prepared and generally more able to fight back against cravings. Dual diagnosis treatment can help patients realize that staying sober is truly the best choice in the long run.

Treating Addiction and Mental Health Disorders Simultaneously

When medical professionals at addiction treatment centers know that patients require attention for both their addictive behavior and their mental health, they can offer simultaneous treatment. Often, this involves some form of prescription medication. Certain medications can lessen or even eliminate the symptoms of mental health problems, such as anxiety. When patients have resolved their mental health issues, they may find that they are no longer as emotionally reliant on their addictive substance of choice.

There are also a number of behavioral therapies that can be effective in treating both addiction and mental health disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for instance, seeks to alter behaviors and make positive changes that benefit patients. Dialectical behavioral therapy emphasizes the value of self and helps patients see their worth and why staying sober is something they deserve. Group therapy can also be effective in limiting feelings of isolation and helping patients to understand there are many other people who share their emotions and their experiences.

Revealing the Underlying Causes

Mental health disorders and addiction can be linked through underlying causes, and in some cases triggers may be partially to blame for both. Past trauma, and in particular PTSD, may be the root of some problems. Children who were victims of assault, for example, could grow up with mental health disorders as well as feelings of inadequacy. Or, they may wish to stop reliving painful memories.

In these cases, drug or alcohol abuse is a way for patients with mental health problems to seek peace. In reality, of course, addiction rarely solves a problem, and usually only adds to it. Often, patients with both mental health disorders and problems with addiction can undergo therapy that confronts underlying causes and helps tackle both issues at the same time. EMDR, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, has shown to be effective for this purpose.

Dual diagnosis is integral for patients in need of addiction treatment who also have mental health concerns. By treating both issues simultaneously, with the goal of comprehensive health, patients are more likely to achieve lasting sobriety and more likely to find happiness, health and fulfillment in daily life.

Why Others Are Setting Boundaries In Your Relationship

Setting boundaries is necessary for any healthy relationship. When addiction is involved, boundaries are even more important. Without boundaries, people often say or do things they don’t mean or sacrifice who they are to be there for someone else. It can get to a point where they’re not taking care of their own basic needs anymore.

When you’re dealing with your own addiction problems, it can be difficult to know when others are reaching their breaking points. One day, seemingly out of nowhere, they may just start acting differently. They may stop spending time with you, stop making plans with you, or start laying down ultimatums in order to get your behavior to change. You may see that behavior as selfish. In fact, their setting boundaries for your relationship can actually help you in the long run.

How The Boundaries Others Set Can Play Into Your Addiction Recovery

If people continue to let you behave as you want to, there is going to be no consequences for your actions, even the ones that could ruin your life. Although law enforcement could step in, your addiction troubles may not be extreme enough to get the courts involved.

The moment people start setting boundaries in your relationship, you’ll begin to see the consequences for your continued actions. The repercussions may not seem like much at first. You might miss a few social events or even a party of some kind because of your drug addiction. In extreme cases, continued use could result in severed relationships with family, friends, and other loved ones.

It can be easy to blame others for the possible broken relationship, however their intent isn’t to leave you. They have to set these boundaries to make sure that their lives are as healthy as possible. Frequently, the same people who make these boundaries want to be there to help you move away from your addiction troubles. Instead of seeing the set boundaries as others leaving you behind, you can use the consequences involved in your continued drug use as a catalyst to start your addiction treatment.

How Setting Boundaries During Your Own Drug Recovery Can Help You

If you decide to start your addiction treatment, you may find it difficult to deal with your own troubles and those of others at the same time. That’s to be expected. Going through drug recovery means that you’ll facing painful past experiences and changing your entire way of thinking along the way. Sometimes people can get in the way, even if they mean well.

Setting boundaries for your drug recovery is very important. You need time to be able to adjust to life without addiction while also learning and expanding who you are. Part of that is going to be building and maintaining healthy relationships with others, but you have to be ready for it.

When you decide to let loved ones into the treatment process, you need to push for healthy relationships. You want to build relationships where:

• Thoughts and feelings are easily shared
• Personal beliefs and thoughts are accepted, even if they’re not agreed upon
• Everyone takes responsibility for the things he or she says or does
• Individuals take time and effort to define who they are
• Everyone is respected

If some of these factors are left out, a relationship can turn into one that’s unhealthy for everyone involved. You can help maintain healthy relationships with others by setting limits, being assertive about the boundaries you set, and respecting the boundaries that other people set. If mutual respect in points of view and boundaries are maintained, it’s going to be easier to build lasting, healthy relationships.

Despite your want for mutual respect, someone could try to tear through your boundaries anyway, perhaps unintentionally. If that happens, you have to be ready to dish out the consequences. That’s why it’s important to build these relationships when you’re ready. If you’re not, it can be easy to be swayed by pressure from others.

Building Healthy Relationships Starts With Building A Healthy Version Of You

In order for you to create healthy relationships and boundaries, you need to be able to live a healthy life of your own. You can’t maintain healthy relationships as long as you stay addicted to drugs or alcohol. Addiction treatment can help you work through the personal issues you had with your drug use and teach you how to build habits that are actually good for you.

Treatment centers are designed to help people struggling with addiction handle the transition to life without substance abuse. There are going to be medical professionals and therapists on site every day to ensure that you’re getting the care and education that’s going to help you succeed in the future. Some treatment centers offer both traditional and holistic approaches to therapy, both of which can help you learn about who you are, how to cope under pressure, and how to deal with pressures and triggers when they arise. Recovery can be daunting process, but it can be easier to go through at an addiction treatment center.

Going through addiction treatment can also help you learn how to build good relationships based on mutual respect. People are already going to have boundaries for you. In treatment, you’ll learn how to deal with those boundaries appropriately and how to create some of your own. With their help, you can built the lifestyle and relationships you need.