When you or a family member are looking for solutions for a drug or alcohol addiction, you may be wondering if you’ll ever be happy after you achieve sobriety. The short answer is yes, since you’ll feel like you have more control over your life when you’re no longer using drugs and alcohol as a way to escape. However, the journey to sobriety can be a challenging one. The process won’t always be easy, but it will definitely be worth your while in the long run.
Looking for Relief
Unhappy people naturally seek peace and relief from stress, which is likely why you turned to harmful substances in the first place. If you’re trying to forget the memories of a painful childhood or relationship, have experienced a tragic event in your life, or grew up around people who were addicts, it might be easier for you to use substances as a way to temporarily forget your problems. You may feel better temporarily after using drugs or drinking, but once you come down from your “high,” you may feel regret, sadness, and disappointment in yourself for doing something you said you’d never do again.
If you’re searching for a way to feel better about yourself or the circumstances in your life and you’ve reached the conclusion that substance abuse isn’t solving your problem, you’ve probably already decided that you’ll truly be happy if you can kick this harmful habit.
Getting to the Root of the Problem
Rehab isn’t just about getting alcohol and drugs out of your system. You’ll also have to work with counselors and therapists to uncover the reasons why you started abusing substances. During your therapy sessions, a professional will ask you thought-provoking questions to help you figure out when you started feeling insignificant, depressed, or anxious. You may be asked to write letters to yourself or use your creative talent to express your emotions.
During counseling, your rehab specialist may also request that your spouse, children, or family members join you for some of your sessions. If you need to tell a loved one that something they’ve done has cause you pain and anger that led to your drug use, you can do so in a safe space. If a relative needs to tell you that your substance abuse is causing distress in their lives, you’ll have a professional there to help you sort through this information. Your therapist may suggest that some of your relatives book separate counseling sessions to deal with the range of emotions they’ve experienced as a result of your addiction.
It’s important to remember that substance abuse doesn’t only affect the addict. Once you realize that you’ve been hurt by others and have in turn hurt others, you may be more motivated to achieve sobriety for good.
The Detox Period
Once you’ve made the decision to stop using drugs or alcohol and medical staff has removed all these harmful substances from your system, you’ll have to start making lifestyle changes to improve your overall health. This means you’ll have to eat a healthier diet, which may include juicing and foods that are low in sugar or sodium. It’s also important to cut out processed foods, since they can contain chemicals that may make you more prone to anxiety, depression, and obesity.
In addition to diet, your rehabilitation specialist may recommend an exercise program. When you see your body changes and notice that your mind is clear and you’re losing weight, this can encourage you to continue making adjustments to your life to remain healthy. Yoga, tai chi, and Pilates may also prove helpful, because these workout plans focus on your mind as well as your body. Meditation is beneficial during this phase of the rehabilitation process, and provides you with valuable ways to let go of things you can’t control. It’s crucial that you find ways to calm your thoughts and manage your emotions so you won’t attempt to start drinking or using drugs again when you face negative situations in life.
If you or a loved one are ready to start the journey to sobriety, we’re here to help. Contact us today at 833-820-2922to learn more about a treatment program that can change your life for the better. Our drug counselors are available 24 hours a day.