The process of rehabilitation is a long and arduous one and some may even argue that it is even more challenging than being addicted to substances themselves. For the addict, when in the throes of their habit, being it drinking alcohol, snorting cocaine, injecting heroin or smoking crystal meth, they are in a euphoric state.
The prospect of rehabilitation means a complete disconnect with the thing they love the most and nothing about that seems attractive.
While some addicts are partially lucid, most exist in a constant state of false reality whereby they are not in touch with what they are actually doing or what is actually happening to them. The average person cannot deal with an addict.
As family members, friends and loved ones of the people who are addicted in our lives, it is very difficult to divorce ourselves from feeling the need to save them. The fact remains that addiction of any kind, requires professional management if there is to be any hope of recovery. We may try to operate at a basic human level, hoping that ultimatums and threats will suffice in breaking someone of their addiction but, any therapist or recovering addict will tell you, there is no greater manipulator than an addict. You need the services of a professional to see through he façade and to be able to deal with the addict, not devoid of emotion but despite it.
Also, when dealing with addictions and addicts there is an often overlooked facet that can play a major role in the source of the addiction and the success or probability of recovery. Many times, addicts are actually self-medicating to deal with psychological problems that they may or may not know they have.
One of the best ways to find out if it is just an addiction with which you are dealing or if it is an addiction and a psychological problem is to employ the services of dual diagnosis treatment centers. Professional help with addiction is always the best rule of thumb and as a standard, all addicts who enter into a treatment or rehabilitation program undergo a psychiatric evaluation. This is to determine just how addicted the person is to the substance and to see if there are any underlying psychological problems that need to be dealt with in tandem. This is a very fragile situation for addicts and it requires experienced and qualified professionals to work with them to come up with the best treatment solutions.
Addiction at any level is considered a chronic mental illness. The substances to which an addict may gravitate are all in an effort to abate or to cope with their unique life and mental situations. No two addicts deal in the same way and therefore, no two addicts should ever be treated in the same way. It is important that as a supportive family and friend unit that you prepare yourself for treatment as well because the effects of addiction are far reaching. You may not have to do anything on your own per se, but you may have to attend sessions that will require the utmost in honesty from you.
Image Source: www.addicthelp.org
Excellent post, thanks for all the work you’re putting in!
Alcohol is not good for health. These two addicts deal in the same way and therefore, no two addicts should ever be treated in the same way. It is important that as a supportive family and friend unit that you prepare yourself for treatment as well because the effects of addiction are far-reaching. Keep doing good work and stay away from alcohol.