What is Recovering From Addiction

Addiction is a complex disease of the brain. It causes an uncontrollable (compulsive) need for a substance. You can be addicted to substances including alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, or prescription medicines such as painkillers.

Addiction can change the way that your brain works. It affects memory, behavior, and how you make decisions.

Without treatment, addiction can get worse. However, with treatment and lifestyle changes, you can recover from addiction.

What types of treatment are available?

The treatment program that is right for you will depend on many factors, including the type of addiction that you have. Treatment programs can be outpatient or inpatient.

In an outpatient program, you live at home and go to work or school, but you also go to a clinic for treatment. With an inpatient program, you live and sleep at the program facility during treatment.

Other treatment options include:

• Medicine.
  • Some addictions may be treated with prescription medicines.
  • You may also need medicine to treat other mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression.
• Counseling and behavior therapy. Therapy can help you learn new ways to respond to situations that are stressful or that tempt you to use the addictive substance.
• Support groups. These include therapy groups and 12-step programs. These can help individuals and families during treatment and recovery. Examples of 12-step programs are Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA).

How to manage lifestyle changes

Managing stress

Too much stress can lead to returning to the addiction (having a relapse). You need to find effective ways to manage your stress. Some techniques to cope with stress include:

• Meditation, yoga, or deep breathing.
• Exercise. Create an exercise routine that you enjoy and that allows you to work off some energy.
• Creating or listening to music.
• Muscle relaxation exercises.

Medicines

Some medicines may make you feel calmer and help you have fewer cravings. If your health care provider prescribes medicines, make sure you:

• Avoid using alcohol and other substances that may prevent your medicines from working properly (may interact).
• Talk with your pharmacist or health care provider about all medicines that you take, the possible problems (side effects) that they can cause, and which medicines are safe to take together.
• Make it your goal to take part in all treatment decisions (shared decision-making). Ask about possible side effects of medicines that your health care provider recommends, and tell him or her how you feel about having those side effects. It is best if shared decision-making with your health care provider is part of your total treatment plan.

Relationships

Supportive relationships are very important in your recovery. When you are recovering from drug addiction, it will be important to avoid being around people who use drugs. For many people, this means developing new and different relationships. Some ways to do this include:

• Developing trusting relationships with the people you meet in treatment or in AA or NA. These people share your desire to stop using substances (get sober) and to stay sober.
• Getting a sponsor as a primary support person if you are attending a 12-step program.
• Building relationships with people you meet through activities such as hobbies, volunteering, or exercising.

How to recognize changes in your condition

When recovering from an addiction, it is very common for a person to relapse and start using the substance again. Contact your sponsor, therapist, or health care provider to seek additional help if you experience the following:

• Anxiety.
• Excessive anger.
• Isolating yourself from others.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Feeling depressed.
• Loss of appetite.
• Fantasies about using the substance.

Where to find support

Talking to others

• You may be advised to see a family therapist along with members of your family. Family therapy can help you and your family understand what led you to addiction. Talk with your family about this approach.
• Let your family members or friends know that they can help you through treatment. Support from loved ones will be important to help you maintain positive changes.

Financial resources

Be sure to check with your insurance carrier to find out what treatment options are covered by your plan. You may also be able to find financial assistance through not-for-profit organizations or with local government-based resources.

If you are taking medicines, you may be able to get the generic form, which may be less expensive than brand-name medicine. Some makers of prescription medicines also offer help to patients who cannot afford the medicines that they need.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Stay in treatment until you complete the program. Take an active role in your treatment and your physical and emotional self-care. Develop a follow-up plan.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider and counselor. This is important.
• Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep.

Questions to ask your health care provider

• If you are taking medicines:
  • How long do I need to take medicine?
  • Are there any long-term side effects of my medicine?
  • Are there other options instead of taking medicine?
• Would I benefit from therapy?
• How often should I follow up with a health care provider?

Contact a health care provider if:

• You feel like you might relapse.
• You have stopped taking your medicine.

Get help right away if:

• You have serious thoughts about hurting yourself or others.

You can go to your nearest emergency department or call:

• Your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.).
• A suicide crisis helpline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. This is open 24 hours a day.

Summary

• With treatment and lifestyle changes, it is possible to recover from an addiction to substances like alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, or prescription medicines such as painkillers.
• Find effective ways to manage your stress to avoid a relapse. Some techniques to cope with stress include exercise, meditation, yoga, and deep breathing.
• Let loved ones know that their support is important to help you recover.
• If you have any signs that you may relapse, contact your 12-step sponsor, therapist, or health care provider to seek additional help.