For many people with substance use disorders, the journey of recovery starts with drug and alcohol detox. Detox programs provide professional support and a safe environment during the withdrawal process.
Medical detox entails round-the-clock access to healthcare professionals, as well as the use of medications to manage withdrawal symptoms, if deemed necessary. It’s also possible to detox at home with support from an outpatient program. Withdrawal from some substances, such as alcohol and benzodiazepines, can be fatal, so having support from medical professionals is especially crucial.
Although detox addresses the physical aspects of addiction, it is typically considered just the first step in long-term recovery. Addiction is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit, and to recover, all three aspects must be addressed. Detox is intended to free the body from physical dependence so that a person can then devote their full attention to the other aspects of recovery. Without a comprehensive recovery plan, the potential for relapse is high.
Detox As The First Step Toward Recovery
Medical detox is the safest way to detox from drugs and/or alcohol and can provide the most immediate segue into long-term treatment. Further, when a person enters detox, transitioning them into longer-term treatment once stabilized is always the goal. Improved outcomes are obtained when a person goes from detox to a rehabilitation center immediately, according to the Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment.
Higher success rates are the reason why healthcare professionals encourage clients to go directly to long-term treatment and help connect them with these resources. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recommends that non-treatment center facilities that provide detox services, such as hospitals, encourage clients to enter long-term treatment immediately afterward. Doing so can possibly mitigate negative outcomes associated with substance use disorder, such as criminal activity, job loss and/or unemployment, and physical or mental issues, SAMHSA reports.
Detox is only intended to manage the physical addiction and associated symptoms. Even after substance use stops, and the body is rid of drugs or alcohol, the psychological effects of the addiction remain. Treating these effects often involves addressing trauma and false beliefs, learning healthy coping skills, and establishing a new lifestyle. In this sense, when it comes to providing a comprehensive recovery experience, detox is significantly limited.
Important components of addiction recovery that detox does not address include:
- how to manage cravings and deal with triggers
- how to learn and strengthen healthy coping mechanisms
- how to identify and heal from mental and emotional issues that may influence substance use
- how to support ongoing behavioral changes
- how to develop a relapse prevention plan
Psychological, Spiritual, And Social Dimensions Of Sobriety
Drug and alcohol abuse change a person’s thought patterns, which, in turn, affects their behavior. Addiction is the reason why substances may become prioritized over all other areas of life. It is not the person’s intention for this to happen; it is due to their addiction. For long-term recovery to be possible, most people require psychological, spiritual, and social support.
Psychological Support
Psychological support addresses the mental and emotional aspects of addiction through meeting with a psychologist, therapist, and/or social worker, or another mental health professional. Psychological support allows a person to openly discuss their thoughts, feelings, and experiences without fear of judgment, while being acknowledged, respected, and gently guided.
Through therapy, it may be possible to:
- identify the root causes of one’s substance use disorder
- work through trauma
- change problematic thought patterns
- learn healthy coping mechanisms
- improve self-esteem
- gain an understanding of how to manage cravings
- treat co-occurring mental health disorders, such as an anxiety disorder or depression
Spiritual Support
The spiritual component of long-term recovery is based on finding a source of unwavering faith and hope, and believing in something greater than yourself. Not to be confused with religion, spirituality is more of an individualized experience that focuses on the inner journey of tranquility and life purpose, while religion follows a system of beliefs shared by a community and based on ancient teachings. People in recovery may practice religion, spirituality, or both, though at least one avenue is often encouraged. A recent study of 236 people in recovery found that those with a stronger sense of spirituality and/or religious faith had stronger coping skills, greater stress resilience, lower levels of anxiety, a greater perception of social support, and a more optimistic worldview, according to the American Psychological Association.
In peer support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), members are often reminded that every situation that unfolds in life is beyond their control, except their response to those situations. Spirituality helps reinforce this way of thinking by helping members stay in the present moment and remain faithful that there is a larger plan at play—and everything will be OK regardless of present hardships.
Peer / Social Support Networks
Peer support groups are typically recommended for people seeking long-term recovery. These groups consist of like-minded individuals who understand the disease of addiction firsthand and use program texts and principles to remain accountable and maintain their sobriety. Most treatment centers will bring outside AA, NA, or SMART Recovery groups into the facility to hold meetings with client groups. Some outpatient treatment programs may require members to participate in a certain number of peer support meetings per week.
Rehab centers will also sometimes offer alumni programs, inviting former clients to sober holiday parties, virtual meetings, and other alumni-specific outings or events to stay connected and continue supporting each other.
There are endless benefits to having a support network, and among them is having people to call, text, and meet with for support with life situations, both difficult and mundane. Recovery can feel lonely in the beginning for many people, and having a solid and reliable support group can help mitigate that feeling.
Risks Associated With Skipping Further Treatment
Several risks are associated with skipping substance abuse treatment beyond detox. As stated above, detox is not meant to function as complete treatment. Detox only manages the active physical addiction, but it does not address the psychological, spiritual, and social components. If a person enters detox and does not follow up with any additional treatment, the likelihood of relapse is high.
Risks associated with ongoing drug and alcohol abuse without treatment intervention include:
- blackouts
- damage to vital organs such as the brain, heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys
- falling, drowning, being struck by a vehicle, assault, and other accidents
- impaired judgment and coordination
- loss of memory and difficulty recalling memories
- psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, psychosis, and hallucinations
- engaging in unwanted and/or unprotected sexual activities
- contracting blood-borne infections like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C
- committing a crime or being the victim of a crime
- arrests and jail time
The most severe consequence of skipping further treatment is death. Research from the Recovery Research Institute indicates that receiving timely treatment after detox can reduce a person’s risk of mortality as related to substance use. Many people who stop using drugs or alcohol will later seek similar quantities of the substance taken prior to detox. However, after detox, the body is no longer accustomed to such a large amount, which can lead to a fatal overdose.
Comprehensive Addiction Treatment At Bedrock
At Bedrock Recovery Center, clients can undergo medical detox with round-the-clock supervision, access to healthcare professionals, and trauma-informed care in a home-like environment. After completing detox, clients are motivated to transition immediately into residential treatment to develop the skills needed to support long-term recovery. Residential treatment entails a daily schedule of group therapy, peer support, and wellness activities, in addition to nutritious meals and access to a primary care clinician. Case managers help clients with recovery support needs related to their jobs, housing situation, any legal issues, and more. Before preparing to leave the facility, clients meet with staff members to develop an aftercare plan.
Learn More
If you are interested in learning more about Bedrock’s evidence-based approach to addiction recovery, please call us today.
