Despite efforts to improve admissions rates and increase education around drug and alcohol addiction, addiction rates and preventable deaths from drug or alcohol-related causes continued to rise. According to the National Institutes of Health, nearly 100,000 people lost their lives from alcohol-related causes in 2018. In the same year, another 70,000 Americans lost their lives to drug-involved overdose.
Signs of Addiction
The signs of addiction will vary widely from person to person and substance to substance. In other words, someone struggling with an addiction to heroin may present with different symptoms than someone struggling with an addiction to marijuana. Because of this, it can be hard to pinpoint struggles with drugs or alcohol in a friend or loved one. However, there is a range of common symptoms across most cases regardless of the drug of choice. You may notice new or worsening mental health symptoms, legal problems, financial problems, and other behavioral changes such as voluntary isolation, secrecy, and changes to social circles.
You may also notice physical and psychological changes occurring in a friend or loved one struggling to manage a dependency on drugs and alcohol. For example, they may appear anxious, depressed, moody, irritable, or frequently experience swings. They may also struggle with physical symptoms such as weight changes, sleeping problems, stomach problems, heart and breathing issues, and a range of others. It is important to note that the signs of addiction often appear mild at first and, over time, involve into significant and potentially life-threatening medical and mental health challenges. If you are worried that a friend or loved one is struggling with addiction, it is crucial to seek help at a professional rehab.
What is Sobriety?
Getting sober is the goal of any addict seeking help to overcome addiction. But what does it mean to be sober? Most people understand sobriety to mean abstaining from drugs and alcohol completely. For many newly recovered addicts, the definition of sobriety closely mimics that of abstinence. This is important because, for someone in rehab, drugs or alcohol have become a central focus of their life. Important obligations, family responsibilities, relationships, and their physical and emotional health have, for the most part, taken a backseat to drinking alcohol or using drugs. As you begin your journey to recovery, you will start to understand the ways drugs and alcohol have affected your life and the lives of those around you. Also, as a part of therapy, you will realize that drugs and alcohol are not as important as many other facets of your life. Because relapse is a common and all too frequent occurrence for many who have completed an addiction treatment program, the safest definition of sobriety generally involves maintaining one’s distance from their former substance of choice.
How to Get Sober and Stay Sober?
Data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration indicates relapse rates for those recovering from a drug and alcohol addiction remain high. Statistics show as many as 60% of people who have completed an addiction treatment program will experience a relapse at some point on their journey to recovery. However, even with this information, the most effective way to get sober and stay sober is to seek the help of a professional addiction treatment center like Twilight Recovery. Although relapse statistics can be disheartening, other statistics show that those who seek help to overcome their addiction at an alcohol or drug rehab are far more successful in achieving and maintaining lasting sobriety years after treatment ends.
At a professional alcohol or drug rehab, trained medical and mental health providers will help you manage detox and develop healthy, effective coping mechanisms you can use after treatment to manage triggers and avoid relapse. These vital relapse prevention skills can help you during the months and years post-treatment when struggling with people, places, or events that would have formerly increased your desire to drink or use drugs. Contact our admissions team today if you are ready to learn more about how professional drug and alcohol rehab can help you get and stay sober.