Addiction affects millions of people around the world. Whether you struggle with a substance use disorder (SUD) or you have a loved one battling it, the cost of addiction is all-consuming. Every day the high price of addiction fractures relationships, worsens behaviors, and hinders fundamental necessities like your income.
At some point, you may consider entering a substance addiction treatment program to address your SUD. While the healthy habits you will learn can support your recovery, there may come a time when you relapse.
Why Would I Relapse?
Addiction is a chronic brain disease. Experts in the field consider vital aspects like environment, genetics, and personal behavior as key indicators of your chances of developing a SUD. After you begin using a substance, your brain undergoes chemical changes that increase the craving for alcohol or drugs.
Once a dependence occurs, everything in your life changes. Even after substance addiction treatment, your mind and body will continue to heal from the effects of substances. You may be one of the many people who will struggle with addiction throughout your life.
Suppose you began using alcohol or drugs in your teenage years. As you started on your path to addiction, your brain chemistry changed. An adolescent's brain is still forming, so their neurochemical pattern changes while under the influence of substances. This shift in patterns carries over into adulthood. Addiction as a teenager or young adult does not necessarily mean you sealed your fate, but it does mean your brain began to depend on the chemicals provided by substances. That shift away from natural chemicals can lead to relapse.
Can I Talk to My Doctor About Addiction?
The topic of addiction is becoming less stigmatized; however, there is a lengthy history of doctors and nurses being uncomfortable or judgemental towards those with an addiction. Fortunately, medical providers have learned more about addiction in the past few years. This increase in knowledge is an opportunity for conversation about addiction.
The impact of destigmatization means you may feel more comfortable approaching your medical provider. For example, when you talk to someone about a specific type of music and they criticize it, your conversation will likely end because you may not want to defend your musical taste. Then over time, you may decrease discussions altogether with this person because of their negativity and stereotypes.
Talking with a provider who continues to stigmatize addiction may make you feel marginalized and unwilling to seek help. Instead, find a medical professional willing to listen and talk to you about addiction, detox, or substance addiction treatment.
Do Attitudes Make a Difference?
Negative attitudes hurt your emotional well-being. For this reason, a substance addiction treatment program should incorporate the family in learning about addiction, mental health disorders, and how to support you through treatment and recovery. When you receive compassion and understanding from others, you can begin to feel better about yourself.
What if I'm Not Ready for Substance Addiction Treatment?
Not everyone is ready to enter a program. You may want to stop using a substance, but the idea of abstinence may seem impossible. While many programs insist abstinence is the only way to achieve sobriety, one form of substance addiction treatment focuses on accepting you and where you are in your life.
What Is Harm Reduction?
Harm reduction is an alternative to complete abstinence. Your choice to practice harm reduction shows you have the will to change your life with the understanding that you are not at a point where complete abstinence works for you.
Think of harm reduction as similar to learning yoga. Setting a definitive goal to becoming perfect in all poses fails to acknowledge your body. When you begin to practice yoga, you have the opportunity to listen to and learn from what your body is telling you. For example, you work towards staying upright in a triangle pose. Some days you will fall, and other days you will stick the pose.
Becoming comfortable with the process of following what your body tells you is like harm reduction. Harm reduction means you move towards finding what works for you while acknowledging you will have good days and bad days.
The relationship you build with your therapist can guide you towards positive changes in your life. When a client-therapist relationship is based on mutual respect, you can feel comfortable and motivated to work towards abstinence. A program that takes a realistic view of your treatment can reduce the negative aspects of a SUD.
Addiction is a disease that spreads and damages your personal and work relationships. When you decide to stop using alcohol and other substances, you may not know who to turn to or know if a substance addiction program is the right next step. The prospect of complete abstinence may seem impossible. However, you can find substance addiction programs that understand where you are in your substance addiction treatment journey. A therapist who engages with you using harm reduction respects your need for specialized care. Monte Cristo Recovery recognizes that not everyone is ready to commit to abstinence when they enter substance addiction treatment. We support your decision to begin detox and will guide you through treatment. While we support your unique needs, we also encourage you to work towards abstinence. Monte Cristo Recovery knows addiction is a disease, and our focus is providing the care and compassion to heal. To learn more, call (714) 824-9896.