Understanding Recovery

Understanding Recovery

A misunderstood process

The recovery process is often misunderstood. And addiction itself is not always very clearly defined in the minds of many people trying to help their loved ones. Addiction is a chronic illness that is recurring and can have a high chance of relapse within the first few years of recovery. Continued long-term sobriety lessens the chance of relapse over time, but addiction is never really “cured.” It takes a continuous commitment to place it in the past and keep it there thoroughly.

It’s a journey

That is why recovery is not a matter of weeks or months. Still, recovery is a journey that will span a recovering addict’s entire lifetime. Therefore, the first few recovery phases often involve recovery programs. These help recovering addicts organize themselves and prepare themselves for the changes they must make in the wake of their addiction. 

Being sober is easy for most people, but staying continuously sober is very difficult after an addiction. Recovering addicts struggle with pent-up emotions left hidden for years, cravings that come and go, temptations, and sudden urges triggered by smells, sounds, and memories.

Also encountered is a rollercoaster of emotions. The brain struggles to correct itself with various accompanying and highly uncomfortable withdrawal issues.

Being aware

There is no pharmacological cure for most addictions to speed up this process. Addiction recovery is still a branch of medicine centered mostly on helping patients abstain from drug use. Also, helping them psychologically and physically cope with transitioning into a sober life. It’s not always a successful process; it can take several tries before the changes begin to stick. Knowing this can be the difference between losing hope in your loved one and knowing it’s all just part of the process.

Content courtesy of https://transcendrecoverycommunity.com/understanding-needs-in-recovery/.

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