The start of any journey is daunting, and the destination can seem impossible to reach with how much distance needs to be traveled. That’s especially true with drug addiction and its challenges of difficult withdrawal symptoms and a high relapse rate. Although drug addiction is a disease and can be effectively managed, where do you start your journey if you’re living in Los Angeles? Let’s talk about ways to prepare yourself for recovery.
Acknowledge that you’re struggling with substance abuse
It may sound like a cliche, but the saying that ‘the first step to recovery is acknowledging you have a problem’ is true for a reason.
Accepting that you are struggling with substance abuse is one of the most important foundations for a successful recovery. It signals an awareness that substance abuse is affecting not only your life, but the lives of those around you. Acceptance also signals that you’re open to seek Southern California substance abuse treatment and are willing to do what it takes to become sober.
Mental preparation
Mentally preparing yourself for the challenges of the journey ahead is the next thing you can do to lay the foundation of a strong recovery. Detox will be the first step of your recovery, helping your body get past its dependence on the drugs or alcohol you are using.
There’s no way around it - detox is hard, and many people do not get past this stage due to the symptoms of withdrawal that come with it. With positive self-talk and wellness practices such as meditation and journaling, you can help mentally prepare yourself to get past detox.
Set goals and expectations
Before you start your journey, you’ll want to consider your goals and expectations. Sobriety is the end goal, of course, but what about other details, such as timeframes and milestones?
Setting goals and milestones can help you track your progress on the road to recovery. Setting expectations can also help you keep from getting discouraged. Detox and addiction recovery are hard, so factor this in when you are setting expectations.
Educate yourself
Before you begin the road to recovery, it’s helpful to know what to expect and what resources you have at your disposal. Fortunately, there are many resources that can help you along the way. Educating yourself will help you get a better idea of what to expect from detox, recovery, and aftercare, as well as find treatment at one of the many Addiction Treatment centers in Los Angeles that best fits your needs and your budget.
Talk to your family and friends
Your family and friends are an invaluable resource when it comes to successfully overcoming addiction. Talk to them about what you need from their support, what your recovery plan looks like, and what aftercare will look like.
Game plan your schedule around your treatment, including any existing personal or work obligations. This is especially important during withdrawal, when you’ll be grappling with withdrawal symptoms.
Inpatient
If you’re going to an inpatient addiction recovery center, make sure to communicate with your employer and arrange a leave of absence while you get the treatment you need.
If you have extracurricular hobbies or obligations such as clubs or sports, let them know you’ll be gone for the duration of your program. You don’t have to tell them where you are going, however, if you don’t want to.
If your center does not allow internet/cell phone access, make sure to update everyone with where you’ll be before you go, and give them the contact information of the center in case they absolutely need to contact you.
In-home
If you’re getting in-home treatment from a service like Elite Home Detox Los Angeles, there’s less disruption to your schedule, and you can continue meeting your social obligations as normal. All the same, it may be valuable to plan to skip extracurricular activities during your recovery so that you can completely focus on your recovery. Their concierge heroin detox plans are not one-size-fits-all, but are designed around individual needs to ensure patients receive the best care.
Be patient
One of the biggest factors towards a successful recovery is patience. Remember - drug addiction is a journey that cannot be completed overnight. Nor will your journey stop after you’ve completed detox. Drug addiction is a disease and doesn’t go away; instead, it must be treated and managed like any other chronic medical condition.
Before you begin your journey, keep in mind that coaching, counseling, and other ongoing care are all essential parts of helping you prevent relapse. With hard work, dedication, and patience, you can overcome your addiction and stay sober.