Drug addictions can be terribly difficult to escape from. They can haunt former addicts at every turn and torment them. There is a very huge number of addicts who return to drugs, whether it be within weeks, months, or years, of breaking their addiction. The reason that a drug addict may return to drugs is that they did not properly rehabilitate and did not have safeguarding measures put in place to ensure that they cannot (nor do they want to) return to a life of debauchery and hedonism.
This page will hope to tell you the correct stages and processes that must be followed in order to ensure that a drug addict does not want to return to their addiction and can have a fully functioning ordinary life. An ordinary life can be the difference between them returning and them staying.
Rehab
Rehabilitation facilities are the first point-of-call for any drug addict. They must be motivated for rehab, lest it fails. Rehabilitation facilities, unless ordered by a court, can be left at any time. This is why it is crucial that the former addict is willing to change and actively wants to. Once they are motivated to change their lives, then they can attend a rehabilitation facility and derive benefits from it. Rehabilitation facilities will offer talking therapy, medication to suppress their addiction until it is manageable, and friendship with other former addicts.
This companionship can help them get through their addiction and to emerge unscathed at the end of the tunnel. Addicts will make strong bonds in these facilities that can often last them a lifetime. If you are the family member of a former drug addict, visit them and stress the importance of cultivating these bonds and friendships.
Talking Therapy and Counselling
Once the addict has left the closest drug rehab center, their future is in their hands and will no longer be determined by a man in a white coat. This is why it is very important that a freshly released former addict attend drug counseling and talking therapy. If they do not attend these, they risk not having the safeguarding and protective measures in place that can deter them from returning to a life of drug addiction. Talking therapy can provide them with support and can help them to express the problems that led them to embrace addiction. Group counseling sessions are also very effective and can be a huge safety net to catch an addict when they begin stumbling.
Integration
Integration back into society is the third step toward full recovery. Integration back into society is where things become difficult, as the addict will be out on their own in the world and may encounter triggers for drug use. Integration may be educational study or work. The integration stage must be one where the addict is closely monitored and while is given a certain amount of freedom, is still closely watched and checked upon. The integration stage is often when many addicts will return to their drug addictions and former lives.
Independence
Independence is something that every former addict will inevitably have to come to terms with. Unfortunately, as we grow older, we cannot rely on other adults to look after us, notwithstanding drug addictions. The former addict will have to set out on their own and find their own independence, be it their own flat, or their own job. There are many housing associations that will provide an addict with a flat or a room in a hostel as part of their rehabilitation process. It is important to mention that when they find their own accommodation or have it found for them, it must be a safe and gentle environment that is not going to encourage their return to drug use. If they are put in a drug rehabilitation hostel wherein all of the people the addict shares facilities with are on drugs, they are very likely to return to drugs.
Relationship
A relationship is a very important part of the return to normality for an addict, and it is important that the relationship is healthy and free from toxicity. If an addict enters into a toxic relationship, they are far more likely to return to drugs as a safety net. They must also not enter into a relationship with another former addict as it has been proven that this is likely to increase the chances of their return to drugs. A relationship, if healthy, can be a huge asset.
Now you know the stages of recovery from drug addiction, from acceptance to complete recovery. Drug addiction is awful and must be treated like it is a disease. Follow the stages listed here for a full and healthy recovery.