Common Recovery Mistakes Made By Drug Addicts

Living with any addiction can be overwhelming, but living with a drug addiction can be incredibly dangerous. It may be surprising to learn that more than 72,000 deaths caused by drug overdoses occurred in 2017 alone. In addition, more people died due to complications involving ongoing drug abuse. Because it can kill, seeking treatment for a drug addiction is imperative. Unfortunately, most addicts are not prepared for the physical and emotional distress involved with being in recovery. With this guide, you will learn and be able to avoid a few common mistakes addicts make while in recovery.

Doing It Alone

Many addicts will hit "rock bottom" and make the decision to change their lives. They may decide at that moment that they will stop using drugs and live a healthier life. Understanding you have a problem is a wonderful step to take, but it is important to share this step and your desire to recover with others.

Making the decision to quit on your own is not enough. You will need support, whether that support is in the form of family and friends or professional medical care. Remember that addiction is a disease and you cannot cure a disease without the help of professionals.

Discuss different options with your family. Considering admitting yourself into a local treatment facility that can help you navigate the detox and counseling required for your recovery. Also look for local addiction meetings in your area so you will be ready to continue counseling and therapy even after leaving the treatment facility.  

Expecting Too Much

Again, addiction is a disease, and most diseases are not cured right away. Once you admit you have a problem and seek out professional care to help you detox from the drugs, you may think your addiction has been cured. Unfortunately, these high expectations may be setting you to fail.

It is important to have realistic expectations about your recovery. While the drugs may be out of your system, the feelings and emotions associated with your drug use will still be present. You will also live in an area where memories of your drug use will be prominent. You may have friends and even family members who will be reminders of your drug use.

After detox and your stay in a treatment center, you must continue with your counseling and support group meetings to help you handle the feelings, people, and places associated with your past drug use.

If you do relapse, remember that this is not a failure and continue in your treatment and recovery so you can live a healthier, drug-free life. 

For more information on drug treatment, contact an organization such as The Lakes Treatment Center.

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