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Self Help does not work in Substance Abuse Recovery

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A habit takes quite some time to turn into an addiction, thus even the realization of the addiction also takes quite some time. When a disorder takes years to develop, then the recovery from it also takes an equal amount of effort and perseverance. But only one’s effort and perseverance is not enough to overcome the addiction problems. There are a lot more factors that play a role and are essential in the journey of substance abuse recovery.

Reasons Why Self-help does not work in Substance Abuse Recovery

Some may believe that self-help (only) can be enough for substance abuse recovery but that is not entirely true for the following reasons:

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  • The right mindset: An addict’s mind is usually not flexible and a major part of their thought process is about the addictive behavior. For some time they might feel they can do it on their own but there is also the chance of being tempted. Also, these individuals tend to be very impulsive and there are chances of them relapsing when the cravings and withdrawal symptoms are strong. In a rehabilitation center, the individual is provided with techniques which enable them to train their mind to cope with these withdrawal symptoms.
  • Support system: When using self-help techniques only, the individual is only working with themselves. Others may or may not know of their progress, if no, there is no one to appreciate and give reinforcement for their behavior. To recover from any kind of mental illness social support is one of the major essential factors. In a rehab, one of the aims is to build a support system for the individual. They are also made to interact with the inmates and share their experiences so that they support and appreciate each other. The whole aim is to enable the individual to connect appropriately with other so that they reconnect back to the society.
  • Professional help: Recovery is not just a mental thing, it also involves physical factors. When you stop consuming alcohol, your body reacts to this change and if these changes are severe you need a physician’s help. If your hormones go out of control due to these changes you need a psychiatrist’s help, the same applies to impulsivity and distorted thoughts, you need a professional help. A substance abuse recovery program provides you a multidisciplinary team that would address your mental as well as physical needs.
  • Motivation: While using self-help if the motivation goes down due to impulsivity or a criticism, there is only the self to provide it. A rehab program makes sure that you get motivation in each step of the program. They also involve the family members if required.

Seeking alcohol withdrawal treatment

It is important to seek help from support groups or a rehabilitation center for substance abuse recovery. Rehabs provide all the things that will be necessary for a person to come out of his/her addiction behaviors. It is not that self-help completely useless but only, individually, using it might not show the expected progress. Self-help is essential for recovery but just as a part of the whole recovery process.

Get into the right rehab today for addiction recovery. Do not battle alone with addiction, get the right form of safe and secure professional treatment for addiction issues.

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If you are deciding to get a treatment for substance abuse recovery for your loved one, then visit Cadabam’s to know about the most effective treatment facilities to treat addiction or you can also call us @+91 96111 94949 to book an appointment right away with one of our best addiction counselors who can in better way help to diagnose the cause of your addiction and provide the right treatment program that is needed to overcome the problem.


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