Addiction is a disease that not only affects the individual struggling, but the family members and friends of said individual can also feel the ripple effect of addiction. Many times, people ask themselves “Can treatment cure my addiction”, and this can be a beneficial starting point to them getting help. Getting help is the starting point of healing and recovery, and can make a positive impact. Those who have found themselves struggling with substances can receive much-needed help and support to begin a happier and healthier lifestyle.
Understanding Addiction
Often, people ask themselves “Can treatment cure my addiction” and this is a valid thought. Addiction is a disease that is characterized by an obsession with surrounding substances and compulsively seeking those substances despite adverse consequences. In other words, people struggling with addiction seek those substances regardless of the health, relationship, and legal impacts using substances causes. Different biological, psychological, and environmental factors can play a role in addiction, and it is crucial to understand that treating addiction doesn’t necessarily cure it, but it can help put addiction into a remission state.
How Addiction Treatment Works
Addiction treatment is centered around finding and addressing the root causes of addiction. Learning healthy and helpful coping skills is the goal so that when individuals leave a treatment setting, they can fight cravings and stressors in order to maintain their clean and sober lifestyle. If you’re wondering if treatment will “cure my addiction”, then knowing the process may be beneficial. First, people who find themselves struggling should understand that the crucial first step in treatment is detoxification- or detox. Removing the substances from the system, safely, can clear the mind of the fog that drugs and alcohol can cause and allow the individual to fully gain all the tools that drug and alcohol treatment can teach. After detox, beneficial treatment can begin.
Evaluation/Assessment
When seeking help for drug and alcohol addiction, there is an evaluation or assessment that is used to gauge the severity of the addiction. During this assessment, it is vital to be as open and honest as possible in order to get the help that is needed. There are general questions about drug and alcohol use, family history of substance use, and personal history of trauma and mental health.
Detox
During detox, it can be extremely uncomfortable. The symptoms of withdrawal can lead to dangerous side effects, and having proper care is crucial. Part of asking yourself whether treatment can “cure my addiction” is understanding that detox is a necessary process that is best done with proper supervision by medical staff. Professional medical detox provides safety and comfort, under medical care and supervision in order to prevent complications.
Counseling, Behavioral, and Psychotherapy
Part of addiction treatment is counseling and therapies. The therapies used during this process are what help with learning how to avoid relapse. For those wondering how to cure my addiction, this is the starting point to remission. Because addiction is a chronic and relapsing condition, treatment isn’t necessarily a cure. However, through therapies like CBT, DBT, and trauma therapies individuals can learn healthy and positive coping skills to maintain a drug and alcohol-free life long term.
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Medication-assisted treatment, or MAT, is a form of addiction treatment that combines therapies commonly used in addiction treatment with medications that can help start the recovery process. MAT is beneficial for individuals who have gone through treatment wondering how treatment can cure their addiction and relapse. These medications help with withdrawal symptoms and help to prevent cravings.
Skill Building and Education
Another part of addiction treatment is skill building and educational programming. This is when individuals can learn how drugs and alcohol can affect the brain and body, as well as learn healthier alternatives than turning to these substances. Wondering if treatment can cure my addiction is a natural thought process, and participation in skill-building exercises and educational programs can help with the recovery process.
Importance of Aftercare Planning and Relapse Prevention
Aftercare is a major component of successfully maintaining long-term recovery. Having extra support available through 12-step programs or additional therapy is crucial and can be so beneficial. Life continues to happen, things go wrong and can get uncomfortable. Those who are trying to stay clean and sober can benefit from having an aftercare plan to help them along the way.
Curing Vs Recovery
As previously stated, there is no real way to cure my addiction. However, there is recovery. Recovery is a process in which people learn how to live life without using drugs and alcohol, and they can stay clean and sober, succeeding in life. A cure implies that it is gone and never coming back. However, addiction is chronic and relapsing, therefore it is important to understand that recovery is possible. Individuals can begin a life of recovery and maintain that lifestyle for the rest of their lives, never having to face the horrors of addiction again. Reaching out for help is the first step to beginning recovery.
Begin Recovery Today
Addiction is a monster that can wreak havoc on the lives of individuals who find themselves struggling. It can lead to severe impacts to school, work, and family relationships, as well as major impacts on health and wellness. Many people are unaware of the help that is available to them to aid in overcoming addiction. If you or a loved one are struggling with drugs and alcohol, know that there is help available. At The Healing Center, we offer personalized treatment plans that are tailored to the individual’s needs. Call us today and begin your journey of recovery.
