The Importance of a Support System in Drug Addiction Treatment

Recovering from substance abuse and addiction is not an easy road, but at the end is the ability to live a healthy, happy, and productive life free of drugs. There are many reasons why people become addicted to drugs, including genetics, environmental factors, mental issues, or even just a failure to recognize when simple fun has gone too far and crossed the line into addictive behavior, just for example. But in most cases you didn’t get there alone. Sure, you may have hit rock bottom in a very lonely way after burning every bridge, but you didn’t start out alone and you can’t expect to fully recover on your own, either. You need a support network of family, friends, and other recovering addicts to help you through the rough road ahead. The most important part of any recovery process is admitting that you have a problem and deciding to make a change. And most of the time this epiphany is one that you will reach on your own. But from there you’re going to need some help.

For starters, you’ll need qualified professionals, likely at some kind of rehabilitation facility, to help you understand your issues with addiction and give you the knowledge and skills you need to overcome your cravings. You need help to realize that you can make good decisions for yourself in order to create a lifestyle that doesn’t involve drugs. Various treatments will detoxify and rid your body of the physical remnants of your addiction, but from there, you will rely on people, to some extent, to listen to your horror stories, share their own experiences, and give you the guidance that will allow you to accept your actions, understand the causes, and thereby take control of the emotional and psychological aspects of your addiction.

But the therapists and professionals you meet in rehab and the other addicts you interact with in group session are only the beginnings of your support network. Addiction recovery is a lifelong process. You may be sober, but you will always be a recovering addict. And once you leave rehab you’re going to have to rely on others to help you through. It is for this reason that many treatment centers focus not only on the addicts they house, but also on their family and friends. The reason is that eventually you’re going to have to return home. And throwing yourself back into the very situation that facilitated or even prompted your drug use in the first place is a recipe for disaster…unless you change the dynamic.

By including your loved ones in the recovery process you can get to the heart of the matter so that you can all work through issues together and everyone can make a change for the better. Family therapy is likely to dredge up a lot of old hurts, but if you don’t work through it together you can’t hope to create the honest and healthy relationships you’re going to need to stay the course when it comes to your sobriety. When you leave the rehab center you need to know that there are people you can turn to in a time of need. If that’s not your family, rely on friends. If your friends are all addicts, find yourself a sponsor and regular group sessions to attend. There are options for support all around and if you’re truly committed to your course of treatment, to kicking your drug addiction for good, then you’ll take advantage of whatever resources are available and build a support network that is strong enough to see you through.