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About 20% of people who struggle with mental illness develop an addiction problem. When the drugs and alcohol are gone, the mental illness is still there. It can make things very difficult for someone who is trying their best to change their life for the better. Unfortunately, the internal pain can even lead someone to hate themselves or turn back to substances to numb the pain. However, we know that second chances really do exist. No matter what you have done during the lowest point of your addiction or how bad you feel about yourself, you can bounce back from this. It just may take some time and a little help from the professionals.
The first step in taking advantage of the second chance that you have right in front of you is to actually get clean. The best way to do this is to get to a rehabilitation center immediately.While in rehab, you will be forced to detox from all illicit substances in your system. For people who use regularly, this can be quite the shock to the system. The detox process can be physically and emotionally grueling. You may not feel your best for a couple of days, but the staff at the rehabilitation center will be there to ensure you are safe and as comfortable as they can make you. As the toxins are removed from your body, you will be forced to see the world and your current situation more clearly than ever before. While it may not be the sunniest portrait, it is good to have clarity. It's also great to be in a rehabilitation center when this time comes for you.
Rehabilitation centers do not solely focus on substance abuse and the physical aspects of getting clean. The rehab facility will also have professional mental health staff to help you on your journey. You will have group and one-on-one sessions with therapists. You will even have access to a psychiatrist in the case you need medication to manage your mental health. Utilize these tools to the best of your ability while in treatment, and don't be afraid to talk about any feelings of guilt or self-loathing that are building up inside of you. The staff can give you tools to make yourself feel better and help manage those emotions once you leave and go back to your normal life.
Some people make the mistake of thinking that after rehab, they won't need any additional treatment. However, rehabilitation is intense treatment that should be replaced with more traditional therapy and sobriety treatment when you leave. Talk to the staff at your rehabilitation center before you leave to set up a treatment plan for when you get home.
As hard as it may be, you need to realize what things in your life will have a negative impact on your sobriety. If certain people continue to use drugs and alcohol around you when you aren't comfortable with it, it may be time to remove them from your close circle. This can be difficult when some of the people are family or close friends. However, they should respect the fact that you are trying to get clean and need them to be sober around you. It's not just people you want to avoid, either. Get rid of any booze or drugs you may still have in the house. You will also want to avoid places that encouraged your bad behavior, such as a bar or a drug dealer's house. When these things are out of your life, you won't have as much temptation. However, the temptation may still creep up from time to time, and you need to be prepared for that.
Once you are out of the safe place of the rehabilitation center, you are going to face temptation. It's best to have a strong support system behind you for when those feelings pop up. Start at home with friends and family. Hopefully, you can find someone to call when your cravings are running rampant, and they can help encourage you to make good decisions. If friends and family aren't as supportive as you'd like, try finding people who relate at support groups or AA meetings. You may find a sponsor or friend to support you. Of course, you want to act as a support for the people who support you as well. Be a good friend when they need it, too. It will strengthen the bond and lead to better support.
It is an accomplishment to get clean. Instead of focusing on the negatives, focus on the positives that you have accomplished in life. Be kind to yourself. You may experience guilt if the things you've done have affected other people in your life. However, dwelling on that will only make you feel more depressed or anxious. Work on letting it go by thinking about your successes and the good qualities about yourself. You also need to learn how to accept yourself and your life the way it is and get over any trauma that may be emotionally holding you back.
It can be cathartic to put others before yourself, especially when you may be experiencing guilt in recovery. Look for opportunities to help others by finding local charities that need volunteers. Good deeds don't necessarily need to be through a charitable organization, though. Start at home by caring for family members. You can even perform random acts of kindness for strangers around you.
While an addict, you may have neglected quite a few of your responsibilities. It's time to handle those responsibilities once you are out of recovery. Get back to work and do your best to be a good parent, child, sibling, and friend. You will need to stay away from drugs and alcohol in order to perform your responsibilities to the best of your ability, which you should see as additional motivation. Handling your business will also make you feel better about yourself, which may help with any mental illness that may be contributing to your past life as an addict.
When you get out of recovery, that is not the end of your battle with addiction. In fact, it's just the beginning. You can't expect miracles overnight. It will take time and effort to improve your relationships and career. Be okay with small progress in these areas and yourself. You are a work in progress, and you may still make mistakes. Just do your best to stay away from dangerous situations and constantly move in the right direction. Eventually, you will look back to see how far you've come.
Everyone deserves a second chance - even you. This isn't just for you, though. It's for your family, too. It all starts with looking into a rehabilitation center. You will face your addiction head on and then prepare for normal life again. That's when the real work begins, but with dedication and the right support, you can make an opportunity out of this.
Our incredible intake team is ready to answer all your questions and guide you through the process.
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