Modern man has many useful resources available to help us in the areas of medicine, science, and technology. On the other hand, there are many new and harmful substances that have arisen from that same technology. People can become addicted to many things besides drugs and alcohol. For instance, smoking or even overeating is considered an addiction. When you realize someone has an addiction problem, you need to find an effective addiction recovery plan to help them overcome that addiction and give them the tools that will enable them to stay clear for the rest of their lives.
An addiction treatment plan starts by taking it one day at a time. There is a general consensus among the medical and scientific communities that an addict is never totally cured. They are detoxified and then given some tools that will hopefully allow them to resist the temptation to backslide. The addict will rely on these tools for the rest of their life.
This is the thinking behind the 12-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, a foundation of almost every therapy offered to addicts at Native American Addiction Facility. You should read and understand the 12-step program thoroughly in order to help your friend realize that while a great struggle is ahead, the ultimate goal, attaining freedom from addiction, is well worth that struggle, and it can only be achieved by taking it one day at a time as they tread the road to freedom.
There is a great role of the rehabilitation centers in recovery. The first step on the road to recovery is to detoxify the body of the addictive substance. This is something that should never be attempted without medical supervision because some bodies have severe reactions to the withdrawal of the substance. When the withdrawal phase is completed, rehabilitation begins. During this phase, the addict will learn various aspects about addiction and the problems it can or already has caused. These can range from financial loss, broken relationships, and mental turmoil to legal problems. Addiction rehab will help recovering addicts make positive changes in their lives to heal these rifts through counseling, therapy, and other measures.
The self-help group is usually comprised of people who have gone through the same addictive behaviors as the new members. These people can offer concrete suggestions as to what has worked, or not worked, for them. They offer non-judgmental support and understanding to a recovering addict. These men and women all volunteer their time to help others as they have been helped in their turn, and their groups can be found all over the world.
Addiction crosses all social barriers. It seems to hit especially hard on the homeless. While addiction is the root cause of many addicts being homeless, there is also a large percentage of people who are homeless through no cause of their own. They turn to addictive substances as a method of coping with their troubles. These people are in desperate need of addiction treatment plans and counseling since many can’t afford to pay for it.
There are many homeless people who, while not addicts themselves, have family and friends who are addicts. They need counseling on how to cope with the addict and how to protect themselves from falling into the downward spiral of addiction. Many children run away from home to escape an abusive situation and, with no money available, wind up living on the street. With the proper counseling available to them, they may be able to return to a normal life, perhaps living with relatives or friends if the problems with their parents can’t be resolved. If you or a loved one is addicted to heroin seek professional help ASAP.