Why does one person get addicted to drugs and alcohol and another doesn’t? They can use the same amount with the same frequency and at the same time. Yet, still, one may trade his spouse, children and job for just one more hit. And the other one calmly walks away. The answer: Addiction is a brain disease characterized by an eventual total loss of the ability to control use. The rational part of the brain has been completely hijacked. And professional treatment becomes the only way out. Let’s explore 6 ways Utah treatment centers can change your life.
1. Educating You on the Physiological Aspects of Addiction
While the first step is always admitting there is a problem. The second step is to arm yourself with the facts. Most people know the brain of the addicted person is already created differently from the non-addict. This is why it’s called a brain disease. The disease affects the addict’s ability to control their substance use and their ability to stop. But fewer realize that active addiction will continue to alter the brain if left untreated. This untreated brain will become more and more damaged with every drink or hit. Oftentimes, spouses and children of the addict will become consumed by questions such as:
- If they really loved me, wouldn’t they quit?
- Is it my fault?
- Why do they keep using even when they’re losing everything?
- Why can’t they just say ‘”no?”
According to the widespread Alcoholics Anonymous, the disease of addiction is cunning, baffling and powerful. And it needs to be viewed first and foremost as such: a disease. In the same way, we wouldn’t blame a person for inheriting the genes that resulted in cancer or a stroke. So, we shouldn’t blame a person who has inherited the disease of addiction. It is no one’s fault. Utah treatment centers can educate you and your family on the perplexing plight of the addict and their families. When you better understand what’s going on, it becomes easier to heal.
2. Giving You and Your Loved Ones the Tools to Thrive, Not Just Survive in Recovery
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) defines addiction as “a primary, chronic disease of the brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry.” This brain disease hijacks the person’s rational mind and there is no reasoning with them in active addiction. They will be literally incapable of comprehending your words. Once the addict and their loved ones accept this premise, healing can commence. The only way to heal from this brain disease is complete and total abstinence from ALL substances. Not just the drug or drink of choice. Utah treatment centers will give you and your family the tools to go beyond the struggle for mere survival to regain your sense of self. Some of these tools include:
- Recognizing triggers to use and the sequences of events that lead to complete and total chaos within addiction
- Mindfulness and breathing techniques to help you remain in the present to take action for your own recovery
- Coping skills for stress, marital tension, and work conflict
- Refusal skills for saying no to an offered drink or hit of any mood-altering substance
- Social skills for interacting with others and communicating that you’re abstaining completely.
One of the AA founders said it best: if you don’t want to slip, stay away from slippery spots. So, the overarching focus of all Utah treatment centers would be in replacing old persons, places, and activities with new healthy ones.
3. Letting You Know You’re Not Alone
Whether it’s to pain pills, alcohol, methamphetamine, heroin or gambling, every addiction is created equally. All addiction leads to the same predictable ends when left untreated: chaos and an early death. Utah treatment centers can help you see you’re not alone. There are literally thousands of others who’ve experienced the same trials and heartaches as you. Isolation is the number one driver for addiction. Recovery groups, such as AA or NA (Narcotics Anonymous) provide a safe supportive space for you to interact with others choosing the clearer thinking sobriety offers.
4. Understanding the Family Dynamics that Fuel Addiction
A stay at one of the Utah treatment centers will give the addicted person the chance to reconnect with themselves. The period during treatment is termed the “discovery process.” And the time following treatment is referred to as the “recovery process.” During the recovery process, the skills learned in treatment will really demonstrate what they can do. Of course, you have to apply them for anything to improve. The family programs and support offered by Utah Treatment Centers will help the addict and their family know what kinds of family dynamics have acted as an ally to the addiction. This is not about blame. It’s about responsibility and accountability. Addiction is also a family disease. And all family members should be fully educated on these dynamics. The family dynamics that fuel addiction include the following roles:
- Rescuer/Enabler- the person who feels sorry for the addict and enables their unhealthy behaviors
- Persecutor/Blamer- the person who criticizes and judges others
- Victim/Addict- the person who feels and acts helpless in the situation
Every family with addiction lives within these dynamics. And each member needs to take responsibility for his/her role and work towards changing them for the best chances of recovery.
5. Helping You Identify and Address a Co-Occurring Disorder
A co-occurring disorder is when you’re diagnosed with a disorder other than substance dependency and addiction. These may include:
- Anxiety or panic disorders
- Depression
- Bi-polar disorder
It can be difficult to properly diagnose co-occurring disorders within the first few months of sobriety. This is because the damage done by addiction can mimic other disorders. A good psychiatrist or therapist can help you identify and address any co-occurring disorders within treatment.
6. Showing You How to Have Fun in Sobriety
Sobriety does not have to be boring. It can be fun and exciting. Utah treatment centers offer recreational therapy, social gatherings, activities, and events to help the addict see that recovery can be a whole lot of fun.
Finding the Utah Treatment Centers Right For You
Addiction is a chronic and progressive illness. It never gets better without treatment, only worse. And this illness is ultimately fatal if left to its own devices. But there is hope. If you’re looking for Utah treatment centers, check us out today.
