Why Counseling Is an Important Part of Recovering From Addiction
The recovery process can be difficult and isolating, which puts additional stress on people who seek treatment. Counseling can help those who struggle with substance use find new motivation, become more aware of the signs of relapse, and form stronger relationships with the people around them. Learn more about the benefits of drug and alcohol counseling programs and how they can help people stay on the path to recovery.
A Trusted Source of Guidance and Support
Speaking with licensed, compassionate professionals can help people examine their relationships with drugs or alcohol. Often, the first step is finding a treatment center or addiction counselor who creates a comfortable space for healing. Establishing a healthy, trusting relationship with a counselor can encourage and motivate people who are in recovery to open up and take an honest look at the roots of their addictions.
How an Addiction Counselor Can Help
Treatment centers are committed to helping people regain their confidence and change their lives for the better. By building trust and empathy, addiction counselors can provide valuable support, including:
- Identifying underlying triggers that were previously unknown to help avoid relapses
- Prioritizing long-term sobriety
- Learning to change patterns of self-destructive behavior
- Offering support and honest conversations if relapses happen
- Diagnosing, treating, and monitoring other mental health concerns
Room to Learn, Grow, and Stay Accountable
Seeing a counselor can help people who struggle with addiction feel more empowered in their recovery. Therapists can help them plan for a future without substances and create realistic goals. During this process, having someone to offer professional support and celebrate breakthroughs can be crucial. Recovery Place provides comprehensive treatment options to help people recover from addiction. Our center is located in the heart of Savannah, GA, and we’re certified by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. Each member of our staff is committed to helping families better understand and support their loved ones’ journeys to recovery. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you or a loved one.
Am I Enabling Someone With an Addiction?
Addiction is a disease that affects millions of Americans. Addicts often turn to their family and friends for support in times of need. However, things that you assume are helpful might be enabling their substance use. If you’re concerned that you are hindering a loved one’s recovery, here are some common signs of enabling.
Not Holding Them Accountable
Accountability is a critical part of the recovery process. If your loved one struggles with addiction, it can be counterproductive for you to cover for them when their drug use affects other people. This includes lying to other family members and close friends, claiming that problematic behavior isn’t as bad as it seems, or blaming external circumstances. Addiction recovery is a long, winding road, and you should acknowledge that this process can be difficult. However, holding your loved one accountable for the consequences of their actions is the key to a healthy relationship.
Providing Financial Backing
Because it can be tough for addicts to maintain a job or cover the costs of their addiction, you may be tempted to offer your loved one financial support. This can include loaning them money, letting them stay at your house for extended periods, and even paying for their addictive substance or outlet. Though it is understandable that you don’t want to see them struggle, this is often counterproductive and can become an expensive habit. There’s nothing wrong with providing some form of monetary support, but you should establish and stick to boundaries for helping them out financially.
Resisting Treatment
Treatment programs, therapy, and support groups are all productive options for addressing addiction. If an addict’s family discourages or stigmatizes treatment, they may be less likely to seek help. Even if you think that you can help them with their addiction, it’s always a good idea to work with licensed professionals and programs with a track record of working with addicts. When friends and family members enable a loved one’s addiction, they’re usually just trying to help. Unfortunately, this is not a substitute for treatment. At Recovery Place, you and your loved one will find a comfortable environment where they can work toward addiction recovery and a more fulfilling life. We offer a range of treatment services, including online options, to assist with the recovery process. For more information or to schedule a tour, contact us today.
Inpatient Residential Vs. Outpatient Rehab: Which Is the Better Option?
It’s not uncommon for people to delay their decision to seek rehabilitation services, even if their drug or alcohol abuse is severe, due to fear and uncertainty about what to expect. Every program has its advantages and disadvantages, but it’s often difficult to determine whether inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation is the better option for treatment.
When Is Treatment Needed?
Every situation is unique, and no one has the same needs. If substance abuse strains an individual’s daily life, relationships, and causes someone’s health to suffer, it may be time to consider reaching out for help. If previous attempts to curb substance use without the support of health professionals haven’t been successful, turning to a rehab program can offer a heightened level of care and effectiveness.
What’s the Difference Between Inpatient Residential and Outpatient Treatment?
The main difference between inpatient residential and outpatient treatment programs is the environment in which recovery and care takes place. Residential programs often include a more structured schedule and a medically monitored detox plan. Daily activities may include group support and individual counseling in a residential setting. During a stay at an inpatient residential facility, an individual can expect round-the-clock care support, as well as a deep sense of community.
While it may be comforting to know that the distractions of daily life may not be as much of a concern in an inpatient program, outpatient treatment can offer the freedom to attend treatment and sleep in your own bed while keeping your day-to-day responsibilities. Counseling sessions may be offered on a more flexible schedule, allowing patients to continue to work and stay involved in their usual routine with less of a disruption. However, it’s important to note that inpatient programs offer the benefit of limiting access to substance abuse-related behavior.
Choosing the Best-Suited Program for Recovery
Taking the next step toward recovery is a huge decision, and it’s okay to ask for help. Consulting a family member, your family physician, or a counselor about the appropriate substance abuse treatment program for unique situations can make the decision easier. Facilities often offer both types of programs and can provide details about the admissions process to accommodate specific needs.
Detoxing isn’t the same for everyone—you or your loved one don’t have to figure everything out alone. Recovery Place offers inpatient and outpatient program options for those suffering from substance abuse. Our professional guidance, comfortable facilities, and tailored treatment plans are available to anyone looking to start their treatment journey. We’ve helped Savannah, GA residents since 1984, and we accept most private insurance. Schedule a tour to learn more or contact us today to discuss our programs.
Tips for Supporting a Loved One Who’s Struggling With Addiction
Whether it’s a spouse, sibling, friend, or another loved one, supporting someone who’s trying to overcome substance abuse and addiction is often a complex and difficult task. Seeking professional guidance is a great first step, but there are additional ways to help and show encouragement. Here are a few tips for offering caring, compassionate support to a loved one struggling with addiction.
Remember That Addiction Is a Disease, Not a Choice
It’s a common mistake to think that those battling addiction can simply choose to alter or control their substance abuse habits. However, the truth is that addiction is a compulsive disease that affects the brain, not a lifestyle choice or moral failure. As with any other medical problem, supporting a loved one with an addiction will involve seeking professional treatment services and relinquishing any sense of direct control over the situation.
Put a Stop to Codependency
Ironically, family members and close friends of a person with addiction sometimes end up unintentionally enabling or fostering the substance abuse in an effort to show extra love and support. This is known as codependency, and it can be both difficult to recognize and damaging to the addicted person’s long-term recovery prospects. Professional guidance for the family members of an addicted loved one can help minimize codependency-induced patterns, and it can offer everyone positive, effective strategies for showing support.
Anticipate and Accept the Reality of Relapse
Instead of worrying that a loved one receiving treatment will eventually relapse, remember that relapsing is often an uncomfortable but unavoidable part of the recovery process. Instead of treating a relapse as a failure or a reason to give up hope, take it as a sign that it may be time to return to the doctor and develop a new treatment strategy. A relapse is a stressful event, but approaching it pragmatically and optimistically can help the struggling person continue to work toward treatment goals.
If substance abuse and addiction are negatively impacting someone you love, seeking professional guidance is a critical decision that can help combat the disease. Founded in 1984, Recovery Place has helped more than 20,000 people in the Savannah area through therapy, medical attention, and other support services. To schedule a tour to learn more about our services, contact us online or call (912) 355-1440 today.
How Long Does Detox Take?
In the context of recovery, detox generally refers to the period of time it takes for harmful substances to exit the body. This process often includes the complications of withdrawal, which is why many choose to detox as part of a treatment program. So how long does detox take?
What A Detox Program Looks Like
After using addictive substances, the brain adapts and begins to rely on the drug to maintain a chemical balance. Because of this, detox must be performed carefully, as the brain is undergoing alterations in its chemical and physical pathways. Removing substances too quickly can result in withdrawal symptoms that can be dangerous and life threatening. Detox treatment weans patients off of addictive substances as slowly as necessary to minimize these symptoms and allow the brain to recover.
Factors of Detox Duration
The duration of time that a detox program may take is dictated by the factors at play during the period of addiction. For example, for patients who were addicted to more than one drug concurrently, the withdrawal timeline may be extended. Patients who have a higher level of dependence will also generally have longer detox. Furthermore, patients with any compounding conditions such as medical or mental health conditions or uncommon biological or genetic predispositions should have a program carefully designed for them, and it may require a longer recovery.
Choosing Outpatient or Inpatient
Generally, detoxification programs can range from five to ten days. Because of this length, it’s important to ensure that the patient is comfortable and safe for the duration. Although outpatient detox may seem more appealing for the loved ones of patients, inpatient detox is the best way to ensure that vital signs are closely monitored around the clock, and that trained professionals are available at any moment. Because acute withdrawal symptoms can result in lifelong damage, many opt to spend the duration of their detox in an inpatient facility for safety and then opt for an outpatient 12-step program to follow. Choosing a comfortable and professional facility for detox helps to ensure comfort and safety. To learn about the detoxification programs at Recovery Place, call us at (912) 355-1440 today.