ByNick Jones

Addiction Treatment

Is Traveling for Treatment my Best Option?

When you’re looking to get treatment for drug addiction or alcoholism there are many options you are likely to face. One of these options is traveling. When faced with the subject its sometimes common to think is traveling for treatment my best option or should I stay in my home state?

Traveling for Treatment from Addiction

One of the main things to think about when it comes to traveling for treatment is you are in a new environment. When a person travels to get rehabilitation he or she will be in an entirely new and even a new beginning environment. Getting away from an environment where drug use or alcohol abuse can trigger relapse is always a good idea.

Treatment which is a decent distance away from one's home helps give someone the ability to start over. While being in your home state or town is ideal for reasons of being comfortable, is usually not the healthiest place to be healing from your mental health and addiction issues.

Having a new surrounding and location to work on yourself can help you build a healthy lifestyle and network of people in recovery. Traveling for treatment will also allow for little distraction away from your focus on your healing journey from addiction and gaining recovery. Being in recovery brings about new changes and perspectives to one's thought processes and life in general.

Staying in Treatment

Another main reason that traveling for treatment maybe your best option is it is harder to walk away and leave treatment. Leaving rehab when you across the country is a lot less likely to happen than if you are close to home. For recovery from addiction to be successful, it's important that treatment is completed. When treatment is not completed and focused on the effectiveness of the therapies and care provided is much lower.

It is normal for people in treatment to want to go back to their old life. This can happen out of a fear response, obsessions, or cravings that often come with addiction. If you are close to your home, you can easily gather your belongings and leave treatment against medical or psychological advice. However, when you are hundreds of miles away from your familiar places your drive and motivation to change tends to be greater.

Relapse is another thing that can be problematic when in a treatment center near home. Studies have shown that being far away from home for addiction treatment is connected to a higher rate of staying in treatment. It is also linked to a higher rate of effective and successful treatment.

Families and Dynamics

Having the support of friends and family while in drug and alcohol treatment is also important. On the flip side, having a separating force between someone trying to recover from addiction and dysfunctional family or friend dynamics can be priceless. Family dysfunction is something all too normal among families that struggle with addiction among members. When a member of the family is addicted to a substance the whole family changes to adapt and normalize any problems going on. In return, the function of the family can become unhealthy.

On top of the unhealthy dynamics that can occur in an addicted family, separating one's self from the dysfunction can give him or her the best chance at achieving and obtaining a recovery. Many addiction rehab centers nowadays have family integrated treatment. This is mentioned because even if you travel out of state for treatment, getting your family involved in your treatment process is still possible and may be recommended.

Most out-of-state treatment programs offer things like family days or weekends that allow your family to come and see you. In addition to coming to see you, many treatment places will offer family counseling services. Having family counseling while you're in treatment can give you and your family a chance to get on the same page. When everyone is on the same page, leaving treatment and returning home will not be tough.

Finding Yourself Again

If you are someone who is struggling with addiction issues it is likely that you may want to start over and find a new way of living. Getting into recovery through treatment and continued support involves finding yourself and what you want out of life. To find yourself in treatment and become healthy you need the ability to completely focus on yourself.

Staying at home while getting treatment can be highly distracting from your focus of recovery in the first place. A good way to engage in treatment and think about traveling to rehab is to view it as a vacation for yourself. While in rehab away from home you don't have to worry about anyone asking you for anything or expecting anything from you. Not having to stress about anything else, you'll focus on gaining your health and adopting a recovery lifestyle.

Pursuing Recovery

Traveling to go to a treatment facility for substance abuse issues can get you into a mindset of recovery and starting a new journey. If you are not looking for a new start but prefer going to treatment away from home for privacy that's okay too. Many people have fears about going to rehab for addiction and losing their careers or respect of those around them. If privacy is an issue, traveling for treatment is your best bet most definitely.

But creating a distance between anything that triggers you or puts you at risk of going into a negative mental fog of addiction, distance during recovery is the best thing you could do for yourself. Separating yourself from things that harm your health in a physical, mental or even spiritual way is the first step to adopting a life in recovery. Breaking free from routine and demands of day to day life can help you get a footing in recovery and ultimately break free from drug and alcohol addiction.

ByNick Jones

Alcohol Addiction

Myths About Alcoholism Recovery Debunked

Deciding to become sober is a huge decision and choosing a recovery center is an important life-impacting decision. With so many misconceptions, stereotypes, stigma, and myths that surround alcohol addiction and recovery, research is necessary.

Despite the many myths about addiction that exist, lots of people choose recovery and lots of people are successful in their journey. Lets debunk the most common recovery myths.

Myth #1: Addiction is a Choice

This is probably the most popular misconception. The American Psychiatry Association refers to addiction as a brain disease. The wiring in your brain literally changes. This causes intense demand from the body to use the substance again. In short, addiction is not a choice. People cannot just get stronger or gain the willpower to stop drinking. It becomes just as important to the individual as food and water are.

Brain imaging studies show changes in the areas of the brain that relate to decision making, learning, memory, judgment, and behavior control.

Alcoholics struggle to get and remain sober not because their wills are weak but because they have a disease that takes over their life. The correct response to someone who is struggling with alcohol abuse is not judgment. It’s actually the opposite; it’s treatment and encouragement.

Myth #2: I Will Lose My Job

If you are a struggling addict, chances are your boss and coworkers already know. If the addiction continues or gets worse, you may lose your job if you don’t seek help.

Many companies would prefer helping an employee than losing one. It is essentially cheaper and better for morale. It is very likely that your employer offers an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAPs address a wide-range and complex body of issues that affect emotional and mental well-being, such as alcohol and substance abuse along with other disorders.

If you choose to use your company’s EAP, your boss doesn’t necessarily have to know that you are seeking help. If there are problems at work due to alcohol abuse, your boss may refer you to an EAP and become more involved in monitoring your recovery.

Another option you have is to check your coverage under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Under this act, employees have 12 workweeks of job-protected, unpaid leave in a 12-month period for “a serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform the essential functions of his or her job.”

Myth #3: You Must Hit “Rock Bottom” Before Getting Help

The first problem with the mindset of needing to hit rock bottom before seeking treatment is that “rock bottom” is such a vague term. There are not definitive bounds to distinguish what rock bottom is for each individual struggling with alcohol addiction.

The rock bottom myth is a dangerous one. Alcohol addiction is a progressive disease and waiting to hit rock bottom can result in permanent bodily injury and possibly death.

Anyone can benefit from being in a recovery program; it’s all about finding the right fit for your individual needs. You do not have to hit rock bottom in order to change your life, better yourself, and quit alcohol.

Myth #4: People in Recovery Can’t Hang Out in Places Where Alcohol is Served

Everyone’s recovery journey is different. Yes, some people may not feel comfortable around alcohol, but that is a personal choice, not a necessity to remain sober.

Each person in recovery decides what events they want to attend, how long they want to stay, and what boundaries they create for their own sobriety. If people in recovery avoided alcohol indefinitely, they would end up missing most social events for the rest of their lives. Restaurants and nightclubs do serve a variety of nonalcoholic drinks.

Most people who are seeking sobriety state that they have a renewed gratefulness for life and enjoy making the most of their time.

Myth #5: Rehab Will Make You So Sick, You’ll Be Miserable

The truth is, recovery isn’t easy. If it was, people wouldn’t suffer from addiction. Going through treatment in a sober living environment and participating in group and individual therapy, all have positive impacts on your recovery.

Detox is generally the first step in addiction recovery. The detoxification process clears alcohol from your system. Medically supervised detox can ease the side effects of withdrawal symptoms. However, detoxification is only the first stage of addiction treatment and by itself, does almost nothing to change the behaviors of alcoholism.

Keep in mind that the withdrawal phase won’t last forever or even for a long period of time. The average duration of detox is approximately 7 to 10 days. This is a reasonably short period of discomfort compared to healing and recovery that can save your life.

Detoxing is much safer in the care of trained medical professionals. The medical staff has the ability to monitor your vital signs and provide any necessary treatment should any serious complications arise.

The staff at treatment centers work to make you feel as comfortable as possible.

Myth #6: Successful Sobriety Includes AA

You may have heard that Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is the main treatment path of alcohol use disorder; although that is true, the recovery community is huge and is not limited to one single way of doing things. There are numerous options when it comes to choosing support.

Alcohol Anonymous can be very beneficial for some people but it’s not the cure-all for addiction.

You are sober when you refrain from alcohol, however, you choose to do that is up to you.

Addiction Recovery is More than Myth

Myths about alcoholism and recovery often inhibit people from getting help, either because they feel they do not fit the profile of an alcoholic or because they feel so discouraged and truly believe they can never get sober.

Greater knowledge of the truth about alcoholism and recovery can help people with drinking problems seek help. When loved ones and friends are able to accurately identify a drinking problem, they are able to encourage the individuals they care about to get help.

ByNick Jones

Addiction

Things to Look forward to in Recovery

Is the tough journey towards sobriety worth pursuing? The first few months of recovery may come with a lot of euphoria. But soon some people may start to feel bored. Perhaps you still miss the drinking days or you still want to be in the circle that used to get high every evening. It is OK to run into “the wall’ but after that, there is much to look forward to in sobriety.

Sobriety comes with a feeling of gratification in the long run. You can have your life back and you can even have it better this time. Here are some things to look forward to in recovery.

1. Improved Health

It goes without saying that you will enjoy better health in sobriety. Imagine that your body does not have to strain cleaning up all the toxins. You also get to eat at the right time and in the right amounts, consciously.

You are now free from long-term dangers that come with prolonged substance abuse such as liver or kidney problems. While you may not entirely reverse the health damage that has already happened, you avoid risk of further respiratory problems, cardiovascular, digestive and mental health issues.

During recovery, you can come up with a positive and structured routine that will fuel your body positively. Sobriety will help your body heal and slowly build up its energy, immune system and support for health functioning.

2. Freedom

Addiction and dependency is a form of slavery. Having to depend on drugs every day to wake up, cope with life issues, feel good or interact with others is not healthy. For a long time, drugs have run your life. Now, you do not have to worry about being in control of your substance use. No more wasting time figuring out where to get the next fix or drink.

There is a sense of relief that comes with letting the chains go and feeling free again. Slowly, feelings of shame, despair and guilt will begin to wear off and you do not have to feel disconnected from the world.

3. Emotional Well-being

With sobriety, you no longer have to be the emotional wreck you used to be. One of the greatest fears for recovery is how to go about handling issues and all the emotions. First of all, there is no miracle cookie for happiness and balance and recovery. However, sobriety comes with clarity of mind that helps you handle issues better.

You will learn to understand all the emotions behind any feeling. Since you understand yourself and your mind better, you will know when to act and how to act. With self-consciousness, you learn to accept your mistakes and pick the lessons for better tomorrow. You will go through significant emotional milestones in sobriety.

4. Better Wholesome Relationships

A lot of relationships get damaged during addiction. Your loved ones suffered the consequences of your addiction and some emotional damage occurred. When you are committed to sobriety, you prove to them that you are choosing the best for yourself.

In sobriety, you also meet friends with common beliefs. You will be amazed there are so many good people with the same beliefs that have overcome similar struggles. You get to shed off bad crowds that kept you company during high days.

5. New Hobbies and Interests Await

During addiction, you may have lost interest in a lot of things you used to love before. This includes losing interest in other aspects of life including activities that bring happiness and relaxation. Sobriety will give you a chance to know yourself better once again. While reflecting on your personality you will discover constructive outlets such as new interests and hobbies.

6. Productivity and Chance at a New Career

Chances are you ran into work trouble during one of the days you were high. Perhaps, it’s the work life that gets you on the cliff. With sobriety, you have a chance to rethink things. Having lost so much to addiction, you do not have to waste more time with a job you do not like. You will have the courage to pursue your true work path.

While going through the sessions, you might have been lucky to stumble upon networks that help recovered addicts find new work opportunities. Being sober will help you reflect on the important things, and being productive tops the list.

7. Helping Someone Else

When you have done this successfully, you have a chance to tell someone how it felt and how you got through it. You can also tell them how the other side feels. You can mentor someone best if you have been in their situation. They find you more credible if you somewhat know and understand what you have been through and overcame successfully.

8. Sobriety Excitement Islands

Once in a while, make a habit of celebrating your sobriety journey. It is such a significant accomplishment. Excitement islands are simply little things you do for fun on a regular basis. These islands give you something to look forward to. Here are some island ideas you can schedule for yourself

Hang out over the weekends with family and friends
A matinee movie
Try a new splendid restaurant (great idea for the money wasted on drugs)
Camping
Massage or spa treatment
A play or a ball game
Coffee with a new friend
Take day off!
Get creative with other examples

9. Gratitude-filled Life

Sometimes people fall off the wagon because they do not take a moment to be grateful. Gratitude begins with meditating on your journey. When you have won back your sobriety, it builds a culture of gratitude as you become grateful for second chance, new friends and family, better relationships and your freedom.

You also learn to pat yourself on the back for small and big achievements made so far. You realize that this is a better routine than the one you were used earlier where you felt inadequate and undeserving. Gratitude comes with self-love, satisfaction and confidence in self.

Sobriety comes with a complete transformation into a new person. You feel better about yourself and you appreciate your journey more. There is a lot to celebrate and to discover about new being. Remain patient and positive as each day brings new lessons. If you would like to start your recovery journey today, call us for all the support you may need.