Why Does Recovery Take So Long?
When people think about the concept of recovery, they may imagine that it takes a finite amount of time to get through. They also believe that when it ends, they will be healthy and “normal” again. However, these are not exact truths. The recovery process can be quite complex and last longer than people bargain for.
What Is Recovery?
For many people, recovery starts when they first admit to their substance abuse problems. This often means making the decision to enter some form of treatment. However, recovery doesn’t end when treatment does. Recovery is a lifelong process, and it is important to remember this when first starting on the journey.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
As previously stated, recovery is a lifelong process. However, the various pieces of recovery, especially the initial treatments, will take different amounts of time due to a number of factors. One of the most prominent is the level of addiction. For those with long-standing addictions, the concept of recovery will take more time. However, recovery truly is an example of “what you put in is what you get out.” Dedication to getting better is the main way to get there.
What Is Involved in Recovery?
There are many steps involved in the recovery process. Each step builds on the one before it, while others work in tandem.
Detox
This is the definitive first step on the path to recovery. It may also be one of the toughest. The goal of detox is to purge the toxins from a person’s system.
Detox can be painful. Withdrawal can be an awful experience. However, depending on the needs of the individual, medication may be administered to assist with the more egregious side effects.
It should also be noted that nobody goes through detox alone at a recovery facility. There is always caring, helpful medical staff on hand to care for residents 24/7. With a risky and uncomfortable process like detox, support is not only helpful, it is necessary.
A typical detox will take a few days. However, more severe cases may take significantly longer due to side effects and the needs of the individual.
Individual Therapy
This type of therapy is one of the pivotal pieces of recovery. Often, once someone begins individual therapy, they will continue it throughout the rehab process and well into post-treatment recovery. Some will even continue for years.
Therefore, individual therapy has no time limit. It may go on for a very long time. This is also a matter of preference. Some people find that after some time, they do not need or want to continue therapy. At that point, they are free to step away.
Group Therapy
This therapy is the most widely used in rehab and recovery. In many cases, it is used in tandem with individual therapy. Each of them works out different aspects of the healing process. For many people, group therapy begins and ends in a rehab center. However, quite a few more will be encouraged to continue with group meetings once they have reentered society post-rehab.
People with substance abuse issues often find solace in talking with others who are in the same headspace as themselves. That is why group therapy can be so important to the healing process. For people who need group therapy post-rehab, there are often groups that can be attended multiple times throughout the day and week.
Therefore, the amount of time spent in group therapy may be longer than expected; however, this is not necessarily true for everyone.
Post-Treatment Recovery
In the world of recovery, there are two parts: Time spent in a rehab facility and time spent back in society. As previously alluded to, a person with a substance abuse issue never truly gets rid of their substance use disorder. There is no cure, and there is no finite amount of time that it takes to be better. It is all a matter of how a person feels on any given day.
In the post-treatment world, a person is left to find what is best for them. Often, therapists and medical professionals will help a person create an individualized plan of care. This will allow them to be made aware of what steps they will need to take to continue their sobriety.
Lifelong Process
When the question of time comes up in conversations with medical professionals, the answer is always “It depends.” There are certain pieces that can be evaluated and hypothesized over, but for the most part, there are no solid numbers.
A person who sets their mind on recovery must be willing to pursue each avenue presented to them, as one aspect may work for some but not others. Nonetheless, the first steps happen in rehab facilities such as Twilight Recovery Center. That is where a person will get clean, learn about themselves, and find the path they should be on to find their version of sobriety.
When someone has a substance abuse issue and decides to seek assistance, it is necessary to realize the level of commitment it takes. For people who want a quick process where they will be “cured,” there will be an unfortunate wake-up call. Recovery is often an immeasurable process that takes time in rehab plus a lifetime of constant check-ins and personal assessments. At Twilight Recovery Center, we are prepared to discuss your individual case and describe what your journey may look like. However, it is impossible to assume that any one person’s steps will take any more or less time than anyone else’s. Luckily, we can help you through the first stages of recovery. Call us today at (888) 414-8183.
