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Edward loves to share his passion for the field through writing about addiction topics, effective treatment for addiction, and behavioral health as a whole. Alongside personal experience, Edward has deep connections to the mental health treatment industry, having worked as a medical office manager for a psychiatric consortium for many years. The most serious potential long-term effect of drug abuse and drug addiction is death. Drugs can kill slowly over time, but they can also cause a fatal overdose.
With strong ties to Victory Christian Church and the 12-step community, Federico shares an amazing personal story of redemption and long-term recovery. With over 32 years in the arena of addiction and sobriety, he uses his vast experience to provide a unique approach to mentorship and guiding our clients toward a supportive lifestyle of recovery. Mr. Douglas’ experience, strength, and hope inspires those in our program, and prepares them for the real-world journey of recovery.
Preparing for change: 5 keys to addiction recovery
Currently pursuing her advanced degree in psychology, Samantha’s personal journey of overcoming addiction fuels her passion for supporting others on their path to wellness. Samantha’s own journey of recovery serves as a powerful foundation for her therapeutic services. She approaches her work with empathy, understanding, and non-judgment, recognizing that everyone’s path to healing is unique.
Corey has continued to grow The Freedom Center brand, educate his local community on Substance Use Disorder and become a pillar of the local recovery community. Corey’s mission is to provide quality behavioral health care to local community members who reach out in need, regardless of their financial situation. Outside of The Freedom Center, Corey enjoys playing golf, hiking and most of all being the best father to his three young boys.
Six Stages of Substance Use Recovery
Most participants initially felt hesitant to take on ordinary prosocial roles due to a conviction that “regular life” was boring and limited. However, alongside the integration of new roles, such as that of being an employee or drug-free friend, this conviction was gradually replaced with an appreciation of being accepted and needed. Throughout recovery, such personal affiliations gave rise to a wider sense of sober house being a fully included member of society. Trust and self-esteem were seen by most participants as key to coping with a full range of emotions. Intrusive feelings of shame, self-hate, and guilt meant that achieving this required tenaciousness. Where drugs previously blunted feelings, current sobriety made feelings available, which also meant having to cope with previous unprocessed losses and difficulties.
There are a number of different treatment options at this stage and it will depend on the individual and the facility what will be utilized. Standard options typically include motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, multidimensional family therapy, and contingency management. Because of that extreme sense of pleasure, drugs work in such a way that a person is inclined to use them again and again. Over time, the continual overstimulation of the dopamine reward system can lead to lasting, even permanent changes in the brain. One important change is that the brain begins to produce less dopamine.
Individualized Treatment
Alumni groups can help a person stay connected with the people who went through the program at the same time as them. They can share supportive stories and help each other through common struggles. When a person has realized they have a problem, they have reached this stage. They may want to make a change, but they feel like they cannot fully commit.
- The support of peers, family and friends was also cited as an important factor in recovery, replicating findings from a handful of studies of long-term recovery (e.g., Margolis, et al., 2000; Rychtarik et al., 1987).
- The most serious potential long-term effect of drug abuse and drug addiction is death.
- While that might not be the first question that you ask when you enter a treatment facility, it comes soon after.
- Training of techniques in mindfulness meditation, or the ability to be present in the here and now, in order to target depression, stress, negative emotions, and cravings in the prevention of relapse for individuals with addiction.
However, these are critical components of successful, long-term recovery—and why it is extremely difficult to reach recovery on your own. Finding a purposeful life is not always simple, and you can encounter challenges as you work to achieve a life of purpose. For example, parenting can be a very purposeful activity, yet it is still one that is very difficult at times.