Re: Does It Matter Where I Recover So Long As I’m Sober And Clean

[Edel Dieringer]

A model of care for substance use disorder that houses affected individuals with others suffering from the same conditions to provide longer-term rehabilitative therapy in a therapeutic socially supportive milieu. Also known sometimes as in-patient treatment, although more technically, is medically managed or monitored whereas residential treatment does not have to be.

Sometimes, life is going great for a long time. Sobriety is easy. Then, you get bad news, and suddenly, you feel triggered. You go back to using or drinking as a way to cope with the unexpected. Suddenly, you are right back to where you were before you began recovery.

Does it Matter Where I Recover So Long as Im Sober and Clean

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Alcoholism and drug addiction are a problem in and of itself, but there is also a problem underlying the substance dependence. Without addressing the underlying issues and simply stopping substance use, it is like putting a band aid on severed limb. Oftentimes there are unaddressed or hidden mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, mania, personality disorders, or post-traumatic stress. If an individual receives proper alcohol and drug addiction treatment, therapists, psychiatrists and other addiction specialists will work with the patient to address underlying mental health issues. As with alcohol and drug addiction, mental health issues often require long-term attention to sustain recovery. If mental health issues go unaddressed, or if an individual does not know how to properly cope, they can trigger an alcohol or drug relapse. Individuals with alcohol or drug addiction are not used to experiencing psychological issues such as depression or anxiety without using alcohol or drugs as their primary coping mechanism. With proper guidance from a mental health professional, and in some cases with the aid of prescribed psychotropic medications, individuals can live a thriving life with a mental health diagnosis.

Individuals with an alcohol or drug addiction often surround themselves with likeminded individuals who also enjoy drinking or drugging. Being around the same people who are engaging in substance use while you are in recovery can trigger a relapse. Part of the recovery process is setting healthy boundaries with friends, family or colleagues who do not respect your sobriety enough to stay sober while they are around you. Ideally you want to reach a point in your recovery where you can enjoy social gatherings where other individuals are drinking alcohol and not be triggered to relapse, but this often takes time and effort. One should not surround themselves intentionally with other people who are using alcohol or drugs unless they have a stable foundation in their own recovery. It is also helpful to have a plan in place when surrounding oneself with people who are using alcohol or drugs, and bring a sober support and accountability partner with them when possible.

If an individual is not in an intimate relationship when they enter recovery, it is often encouraged to stay out of one for several months or even a year, until they are more stable in their recovery. This is because individuals who are newly sober may try to fill their void with an intimate partner. There are many other reasons it is encouraged not to date in sobriety. For example, dating and intimacy often involves alcohol, and a newly sober individual may not know how to navigate the dating scene without alcohol or drug use. Additionally, relationships (even long-term relationships that existed prior to recovery) can trigger unpleasant and unwanted emotions that a newly sober individual may not know how to cope with. Furhtermore, individuals who are newly sober may never have had sober sex, and therefore sexual experiences in recovery can be very triggering. Due to arguments, uncomfortability, or insecurity that relationships can cause, this is an area that needs to be taken with caution by a newly sober individual.

The longer one is able to maintain their sobriety, the better chance they have at long-term recovery. As noted, up to 85% of individuals relapse within their first year of sobriety. The good news is that the longer one is able to maintain their recovery, the better chance they have at sustaining long-term sobriety. Once an individual is able to maintain sobriety for their first year, their chances of maintaining their sobriety exponentially grows. Do not think that just because you attended a 28 day inpatient treatment program you are cured. It is highly recommended to seek out outpatient drug and alcohol treatment and have additional support such as a sober coach and/or sober companion. Engage in holistic recovery related behaviors and surround yourself with likeminded individuals who care about your wellbeing.

Research on brain development and growth is still evolving. Not long ago, we thought that the brain stopped developing neural pathways and producing grey matter completely in adulthood. Now we know that the brain continues these activities for most of our lives. But brain chemistry and structure normalization, like holistic recovery itself, takes time, discipline, support, and patience.

Some people may find it helpful to explore values before they embark on recovery because of how these values guide behaviors and decisions during the process. Values exploration helps clarify what matters most so people know which direction to head to create sustainable sobriety where healthy relationships thrive over addiction.

When you go through the difficult recovery journey and come out on the other side clean and sober, you have a lot to feel good about. Yet you may also feel something many others who have walked in your shoes feel: fear of relapsing. After winning that hard-fought battle for sobriety, it can be devastating to consider that it might not last forever. However, it is actually relatively common to relapse at some point after you get clean. So common, in fact, that relapse is often considered one part of lifelong recovery.

\nWhen deciding whether to attend an inpatient or outpatient program following a relapse, discuss these factors with your treatment team and support system:\n

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• Type of drug used. Certain drugs carry a high risk for severe or complicated withdrawal, such as opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and alcohol. If you relapsed on any of these substances, you may need inpatient detox to safely manage your withdrawal symptoms.1 Quitting opioids, such as heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, and hydrocodone, can result in very uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates can be particularly dangerous due to the risk of severe developments such as agitation, delirium, hallucinations, and seizures.8 Inpatient medical detox programs are equipped to prescribe medications to manage dangerous acute withdrawal syndromes and can provide supervision and support to minimize discomfort and reduce the risk of complications.\n
• Level of social support. Having a stable sober support system in place at home and in your community plays a role in how you recover from a relapse.6 For those with support at home, an outpatient program may be a good choice, though inpatient options are often suitable as well.1 For those without this kind of help, an inpatient program may be a better option because it provides a more supportive environment.\n
• Housing. Trying to recover from a relapse while living in an unstable environment or in a place where drugs or alcohol are present can be challenging, if not impossible. In addition to inpatient programs, another option may be moving into a sober living facility, which provides structured, drug-free housing. While living there, residents may be expected to follow certain rules and comply with periodic drug testing.\n
• Transportation. Outpatient programs require that participants are able to come and go from the facility as many as 6 days per week. Lack of transportation can make it challenging to commit to these requirements, so if you don\u2019t have a reliable means of transportation, you might opt for an inpatient program.\n
• Physical or mental health conditions. If you have physical or mental health issues in addition to your substance use disorder, you may need the intensity of an inpatient programs since they are often better equipped to treat co-occurring conditions. Women who are pregnant may also be better served in inpatient programs.1\n
• Past treatment experiences. If you have completed a treatment program before your relapse, you may need a higher level of care. For instance, if you previously attended an outpatient program and then relapsed, you may benefit from an inpatient program at this point.\n
• Risk for further relapse. Recovering from a relapse is challenging when you are continually faced with triggers, stress, and cravings. While you may be able to stop using temporarily, your chances of returning to substance abuse are high if these issues are not properly addressed. Both inpatient and outpatient programs can help you learn how to deal with your triggers, stress, and cravings to reduce the likelihood of a future relapse.1\n\n\n"}Less-intensive treatment may be an option if this is your first relapse and you are in good physical and mental health, are not at risk for severe withdrawal, and have a sober support system in place. Your treatment team can help you decide whether inpatient, outpatient, or other treatment options are more appropriate for you.

Sober living homes can be a critical part of ongoing recovery, since addiction is a life-long, chronic disease that often benefits from longer-term support than is usually provided in an initial treatment program. Staying in a sober living home has been shown to have positive impacts on rates of incarceration, employment, relapse prevention, and sobriety.2

With longer stays, residents can benefit from job training and other programs to better prepare them for independent living and long-term recovery. You can expect to gain a number of skills and benefits the longer you live in a sober home (and in the time after you move out), including:9,10,11,12

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