Detox and Other Common Obstacles in Early Recovery

Given the common obstacles in early recovery many individuals face, a person battling a drug or alcohol dependency or addiction may acknowledge that a problem exists and recognize the need to reach out to a mental health professional and seek detox. Consulting an expert can be beneficial because many people may have difficulty ceasing substance use and making lifestyle changes without support from a multidisciplinary team, especially when there is a need for medically supervised detox.

However, for many, the need to detox and the fear of what comes after keep them from pursuing the sobriety they know they need. Whether the fear is that you will lose control over where you get placed for your residential program or your belief that you won’t need treatment after detox, The Right Step Centers now offers detox-only admission to our program. This option gives you more freedom in the process to construct a recovery program that is right for you.  

What to Expect After Detox

When seeking treatment, people may expect to receive support and learn the applicable and practical skills that make sobriety and maintaining lifestyle changes feasible, expectations that the team of compassionate addiction specialists at The Right Step Centers in Texas meet and exceed. However, people may not expect the challenges that often arise in early recovery, especially as they return to their homes and communities after treatment. 

Beyond the need to detox, recovering from substance abuse is a process that often includes many of the common obstacles listed below.

#1: Cravings After Addiction Treatment

Cravings and withdrawal symptoms can afflict individuals as they cut back on or completely cut out addictive substances. Learning how to handle cravings requires recognizing triggers, learning how to avoid them, utilizing behavioral strategies to keep from giving in and emotional regulation. Through each of these challenges, we can see the importance of a clinician’s or specialist’s role in treatment and recovery. Information and guidance from experts who understand the psychological and medical aspects of addiction and cravings can help individuals overcome this common obstacle in early recovery.

#2: Relationship Changes and Loneliness

Substance misuse, abuse, drug and alcohol addiction and mental illnesses can all significantly affect the dynamics and quality of family relationships and friendships. In some cases, people may neglect their family and friends and begin treating them differently. Individuals in the process of sobering up may find themselves wondering about any bridges they’ve burnt and how they can repair certain relationships.

Furthermore, individuals in recovery may face the decision of no longer spending time with relatives and friends who use drugs or alcohol out of respect for their known triggers. These changes can contribute to loneliness, ultimately leading to anxiety, boredom and depression, threatening recovery. To overcome this common obstacle in early recovery, consider setting healthy boundaries with your family and friends and developing friendships with individuals in your treatment and recovery community.

Protect Your Progress in Recovery With The Right Step Centers

Breaking free from addiction isn’t easy, but the benefits of achieving sobriety outweigh any obstacles you may encounter along the way. Skilled professionals know how to help you work through any stress, shame, anxiety, sadness, grief or anger and teach you to deal with these emotions without drugs or alcohol. A compassionate team of skilled addiction experts such as those at The Right Step can help you by supporting and guiding you through programs such as:

At The Right Step Centers, our compassionate addiction specialists and clinicians provide clients with individualized care, support and research-based detox and treatment programs necessary to sustain sobriety. Calling The Right Step at 844-768-0430 for more information regarding individualized alcohol and drug treatment programs can be the start of receiving the help and guidance you need and deserve for successful recovery and sobriety.

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