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For those who have not experienced being addicted to drugs, prescribed or otherwise, it might seem to be a very abstract concept that you simply can’t wrap your head around. After all, the impact it has on one’s life is so drastic, it’s hard to fathom how someone can let their life fall into that downward spiral like that and not do anything to stop it from happening.
This is just one of the many assumptions surrounding drug addiction and the people suffering from it, however. Especially if you have a close relationship with the substance abuser, it is understandably difficult to watch them go through these very trying times.
However, resorting to these assumptions and basing your decisions on how to continue or change your relationship with them might be more harmful than helpful to the situation. This is why many people struggling with addiction choose to go to a luxury Florida treatment center to get the help they need for recovery.
Here are some important facts to keep in mind in case a loved one falls victim to substance abuse.
Quitting Cold Turkey is Not Realistic
Quitting–whether it’s drugs, alcohol, or smoking–will always be easier said than done. Quitting cold turkey, especially, requires strong will and determination to pull it off–and sometimes even with that, it’s still not a foolproof plan.
Quitting cold turkey, simply put, refers to the sudden stop of substance intake. It’s so sudden and abrupt that there’s no chance for the user to gradually wean off the substance. The point is to jar the system into breaking the habit to get it over and done with.
Without a solid backup plan or follow-through, however, this is bound to fail. In many cases, the urge becomes even stronger than the last because of the lack of mental preparation. Apart from that, the withdrawal symptoms that come on are going to be very challenging and difficult.
Without a solid support system to help them get through, the substance abuser might end up going through more physical pain, anger, and resentment than usual. That’s why it’s also unrealistic for family and friends to tell someone to “just quit cold turkey.”
Don’t Wait for Rock Bottom
People usually don’t feel the need to stage an intervention in the early days of addiction, mostly because of the belief–which is in fact a denial–that the situation won’t take a turn for the worst. Unknowingly, however, this becomes enabling behavior to the drug user. These leeways, however, will only become bigger and wider, until eventually, it becomes more difficult to get them to stay within boundaries.
Family and friends should stop looking at interventions as the last resort. The earlier you ask help from rehab for alcohol addiction and substance abuse, the better the chances are of having a successful rehabilitation program for the user. The moment they start denying their addiction, it should already trigger a red flag on your part. No substance abuser will easily admit to their addiction. There will always be an excuse, a justification, a diversion.
Don’t Judge Relapses
Expecting relapses to not happen is the same as expecting that quitting cold turkey is easy; they’re both unreasonable and unrealistic. Relapses, unfortunately, can occur with someone who has completed even the most rigorous of rehabilitation programs. This, however, doesn’t mean that the program failed. Rather, it is a learning opportunity to further identify what other aspects or issues need to be addressed in order to resolve the remaining triggers.
Keep in mind that recovery will always be a life-long process. It does not magically end upon graduation from the treatment program. Recovering drug addicts will always have to be mindful of their environment, the people they meet, the food or drinks they eat, and more, to stay on the right path. A well-informed support system can help them with this life-long mission.
Visit this website on drug addiction and rehabilitation to learn more.
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