In treatment, your loved one will learn how to stay sober, avoid triggers, and completely change his or her drinking and drug-using lifestyle. Detox and treatment are hard and recovery is a lifelong process with challenges to avoid relapse. Staying sober is a huge commitment and takes a lot of determination, encouragement, and support from family and friends.
Avoiding temptation
While in treatment, therapists and counselors will help develop strategies on how to avoid temptations to drink alcohol or use drugs. One rule is that your loved one needs to avoid anyone who is associated with his or her drug or alcohol use. In treatment, there will be opportunities to form new relationships with sober people.
Developing sober relationships
New friendships can develop in treatment or group therapy where other people are learning to live substance-free. Talking to people who are going through similar experiences is a great way to build relationships. New, sober friends are also a great support network for encouragement during difficult times in recovery.
The friends who still drink or use drugs are not making any changes to their own lives. Recovery from addiction is hard, and the urge to use drugs or alcohol can be overwhelming. Friends who are not sober can easily add to the temptation to use and unintentionally influence a relapse.
Friends who drink and use drugs might not be supportive of the treatment program. They will not encourage sobriety because they are not sober. They are addicted and will not be supportive of lifestyle changes. Old friends will not talk about the deadly implications of alcohol and drugs and certainly will not say that drinking and using drugs ruined your life. They may not see themselves as having addiction problems.
The recovery process is not easy. Those who are in recovery face challenges on a daily basis. In treatment, you will develop plans on how to handle stress and anxiety without turning to drugs or alcohol. When you form relationships with new sober friends, you can call on them when you feel intense cravings and they can talk you out of any thoughts of using drugs or alcohol.
Treatment is available
Addiction and mental health are treatable and there is hope in recovery. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and a mental health condition, get help today. Do not let the stigma prevent you from getting the help you need. Asking for help is the first step to a healthy, meaningful, and fulfilling life.
Offering a full range of recovery and mental health services, Valiant Living offers “Expanded Recovery” to enrich our clients’ lives in mind, body, and spirit. Through evidence-based therapy options and the endless adventure of Colorado, Valiant fosters connection, encouraging clients to get connected to themselves, their peers, their families, and their higher power. With the power of recovery, clients are restored to full health and experience life-changing healing. Call us today for more information: 303-536-5463
