If you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, it can be extremely difficult to get sober and to stay sober as well. Many people with alcoholism have tried to get sober before, but they find themselves drinking weeks or months later. This can cause you to feel lost and hopeless, but you should never give up because recovery is possible. Alcoholic treatment programs can help you recover even if you’ve relapsed, but you have to have the willingness to get help.
There is a wide range of reasons as to why people relapse, and one of the main reasons is because they tried to get sober on their own. It’s common for people who struggle with addiction to believe they can do it on their own, but it often results in a relapse. The reality is that recovery is difficult, and it takes the support of others to overcome your addiction. One of the primary benefits of going to addiction treatment is understanding why you continue to relapse and what you need to do to stay sober in the future.
Understanding the Root of Your Alcoholism
One of the biggest misconceptions is that if you are able to stay sober for days or weeks, then you’ll be able to stay sober. When you relapse after obtaining some time of sobriety, you can feel extremely confused because you were doing so well. The problem is that when you don’t get down to the root causes of your drinking, it’s extremely difficult to stay sober. There are a variety of different triggers that you’re going to deal with in everyday life, and it’s important to learn how to cope with them in a new way.
For some people, mental health issues are the primary reason for addiction as well as relapse. When you’re struggling with symptoms of mental illness, it may have seemed like the only solution was to drink or use. The problem with self-medicating your symptoms of mental illness is that it only makes your problems worse. Some of the primary mental illnesses that people struggle with that lead to substance abuse include the following:
- Depression
- PTSD
- Anxiety
- ADHD
- Bipolar disorder
When you go through an addiction treatment program, you’ll receive a proper diagnosis to find out which specific mental health issues you struggle with. Even with symptoms of mental illness, it’s possible to live an amazing life in recovery from addiction. Not only are there non-addictive medications that can help you manage your symptoms, but therapy is extremely beneficial as well. Although there are some biological factors to mental health issues, many of the symptoms can be overcome through various forms of therapy.
Avoiding Relapse in the Future
You may be someone who has relapsed after giving treatment a shot before, but this doesn’t mean that you should lose hope. Unfortunately, addiction is a very powerful disease that doesn’t want you to get better, and this can cause you to be closed-minded. You may have not been open to suggestions and new idea the first time you asked for help, but you can learn from your past. As long as you go into treatment with an open mind and the willingness to try something new to stay sober, recovery is possible.
The most important part of treatment is to understand that treatment is designed to help you create a foundation for your recovery. In order to maintain long-term sobriety by avoiding relapse, you need to practice what you’ve learned when you discharge from treatment. One of the best things you can do is look at your previous relapses and analyze what you were unwilling to do before, and change those things moving forward. There are many people just like you who have relapsed one or more times, but they now live amazing lives in sobriety today.
Staying Connected After Treatment
When you discharge from treatment, you’ll be given a discharge plan that can include a variety of ways to help continue your sobriety. Following up with a therapist or other mental health professionals will give you the opportunity to continue growing in your recovery. During treatment, you’ll meet others who are on the same journey of recovery as you, and staying connected to them will help you maintain your sobriety. You’ll find that your relationships from treatment can last long after your discharge.
If you’re ready to give recovery another chance, call us today at 772-266-5320.
