According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), there is an astounding number of Americans suffering from addiction. With the recent spotlight on the opioid crisis and prescription drug abuse in the U.S., the endless headlines of overdoses, and general public knowledge of alcoholism, we can often overlook many the various other addictions that can affect a person’s life. Food, gambling, shopping, technology and sex addiction can also be overwhelmingly detrimental to someone’s personal well-being, family, and social life. Most of these disorders require substance abuse counseling to overcome.
It is fair to say that many people struggling with addiction do not realize the seriousness of their difficulties. Furthermore, societal stigmas often encourage family members and loved ones to condemn the individual struggling with addiction rather than extending a helping hand in seeking substance abuse treatment. Solutionist Counseling is dedicated to ending the stigma surrounding addiction through education, individual counseling, and family therapy services. Our substance abuse counseling in Boca Raton can help you and your family heal from addiction.
What is Addiction?
Addiction is defined as a chronic brain disorder characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences. Addiction causes an intense focus on the use of alcohol or other drugs that takes over a person’s life. Even when bad things happen, addicted individuals are sometimes undeterred by severe consequences. Substance abuse causes distorted or irrational thinking by creating chemical changes in the brain related to judgment, decision making, learning, memory, and behavioral control.
South Florida has one of the largest populations of addiction treatment centers in the United States. Despite Florida’s overwhelming number of options for treating substance abuse, studies indicate about 85% of people who attend treatment relapse and return to drugs or alcohol within the first year. Additionally, approximately 44,000 people die each year from drug overdoses.
It is important to acknowledge that simply going to addiction treatment does not ‘cure’ one of addiction. In fact, the real work begins once an individual completes substance abuse treatment in South Florida. Recovery from drug addiction is a life long process. Attending treatment is the first step for an individual to begin building a foundation for recovery. However, learning what steps to take in order to maintain continuous sobriety. What happens after treatment is what is important in the life of a recovering drug addict.
After Treatment
After completing a rehabilitation program, it is imperative to have a plan to remain sober. A licensed professional understands that addiction is not just chemical dependency. It includes past and current behavioral patterns that induce stress and triggers. Individual therapy, focusing on substance abuse disorders, will assist you in providing the proper tools to adjust to returning to your environment as a sober individual. Consequently, obtaining counseling for substance abuse in Boca Raton helps many people remain sober after treatment.
Continuing to work a 12-Step program has long been the standard of care after completing a program at a treatment center. It is a vital part of any individual’s recovery. However, oftentimes substance abuse is a result of attempts to cope with trauma, PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), abuse, or other mental health issues. Long term post-care like partial hospitalization programming or intensive outpatient programming is essential for a successful transition to sober living.
Many find that after giving up drugs, something still doesn’t feel right. It’s a disoncerting feeling that needs to be addressed immidiately. Feeling uncomfortable in your own skin for too long in early recovery can lead to relapse. Often times, many recovering individuals are also suffering from other co-occurring disorders such as anxiety, depression, or other underlying mental health conditions. It is imperative for an indivdual to find out what else may be going on in order to continue their road to recovery.
Co-Occurring Disorders
The term co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis refers to a condition in which an individual has a co-existing mental illness along with substance abuse disorder. When substance abuse and mental illness co-occur, they often differ in severity. Also, the severity of each condition exacerbates each disorder over time. For example, a person struggling with depression can turn to things like drugs, food and/or alcohol. Over time, these addictions can compound and worsen symptoms of the existing mental illness.
It is crucial that both issues be treated simultaneously for recovery to be successful. However, with the standard treatment being 30-90 days in a rehabilitation center, it is often unlikely for an individual to address all of the underlying issues and causes of the addiction. In many cases, a patient has endured years of distress that will need more time to process and heal.
It is very possible that once someone begins addressing their addiction problem, their mental health becomes an even bigger problem. Drugs are often the solution an addict uses to cope with depression, anxiety, or other underlying mental health disorders. Now that drugs are out of the equation, it is time for the person in recovery to find a new, healthy way to manage their mental disorder.
How Substance Abuse Counseling in Boca Raton Can Help
Solutionist Counseling Services provides the guidance and tools needed to increase your chances of success and live a fulfilling and productive lifestyle. If you have recently completed a drug and alcohol rehab program or feel that addiction may be affecting your life, we are here to help. After treatment or during individual substance abuse counseling, adjusting to sober living can be difficult and may result in complications that are unique to every individual. Returning to work, home and/or social situations may cause stress triggers that can challenge the work you have done in treatment. For example, someone may have been abusive at home or stolen from family to fund their addiction. Maybe a person has a great home life but high stress, demanding job or is required to attend various social engagements. Others may not have worked in months or years due to their substance abuse. Everyone’s journey in recovery is different and we provide the coping skills and tools necessary to build a successful sober life.
Our substance abuse counseling services in Boca Raton are here to help. Here, we will help with:
- Exploring and treating underlying mental health issues that may have lead to addiction and substance abuse.
- Providing coping skills for everyday stress and triggers
- Creating a safe, non-judgmental environment to address personal and family issues
- Providing accountability
- Defining what recovery and sober living looks like for you
As you transition into a sober life, it is crucial to understand and process the underlying issues of your addiction. Abuse, trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety and other illnesses can continue to have a long-standing effect on your life. Continuous work and support to navigate these issues will give you the greatest opportunity for success. Our passion is to help you succeed with your recovery.
Everyone’s history is unique and their future unwritten. There is no better feeling than self-discovery. Let us help you and guide you to replace your fear with love, your doubts with courage and write your future as a healthy, sober individual. One day at a time. Contact us today to learn more about our substance abuse counseling in Boca Raton.
Don’t Let Substances Keep You From Living The Life You Deserve
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