WHAT ARE THE STAGES OF ADDICTION RECOVERY?

Recovery is a continuous action relating to addiction because addiction is a chronic disease hence, there is no cure. Recovery does not happen at once; it takes a varied period per individual and is in stages.

It requires effort, discipline, time, support, and determination to be inculcated in a person’s lifestyle so he can be healthy and sober.

If you want to give up substance use, you should be ready to see your treatment as an investment that you will see its returns.

You should be able to understand, make changes within, and learn how to love yourself. Recovery is not limited to overcoming addiction over substances but it extends to a transformation of the mind, body, and spirit. 

Addiction recovery is in stages and the National Institute on Drug abuse has developed four stages which are:

  • Initiation of Treatment: 

This is the starting point of a recovery where the patient chooses what treatment he should use or in situations he is forced to receive treatment where he does not want it willingly.

It comes after the patient has spent quite a while contemplating if he is an addict or not or if he needs treatment. At this stage, it is mostly very challenging health-wise due to withdrawal symptoms that accompany the non use of drugs.

  • Early Abstinence:

It is the second stage of recovery, and it can be the most challenging stage to cope with because of some treatment outcomes.

For instance, Cravings, Psychological dependence, triggers, and continued withdrawal symptoms can encourage alcohol consumption. This stage involves education about coping mechanisms needed to remain sober.

  • Maintaining Abstinence:

This stage comes after approximately 90 days of continuous abstinence. It involves focusing on the steps to be taken by the addict to help remain committed to abstinence. It is at this stage that an in-patient is released to continue counseling on an outpatient level. 

  • Advanced Recovery:

It is the final stage of addiction recovery in which you are to put into practice all that you learned during your treatment program. 

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