Once you enroll yourself in an alcohol detox program, pat yourself on the back. You took the first step to being well on your way toward recovery. The good news is that medical experts will monitor you to make sure that you are able to manage your withdrawal symptoms. However, you need to do your part as well once you’re back home. Relapsing after a detox program is pretty common, because many make these mistakes:
Thinking Detox is Cure-All Process
Detoxification is merely ridding your system with the addictive substance — it is a start towards sobriety. However, detoxification is only the first step. In fact, stopping alcohol consumption is the most important part. For most people, it is very challenging to stay alcohol-free. You have to remember that there is a reason why you were addicted in the first place. When you stop drinking, that particular reason may still be there. You need to get over the fact that your alcoholism will be resolved by simply going to a detox center. Having a follow-up and additional treatment is a must.
Being Scared of Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal symptoms are not something that you should fear. The symptoms associated with removing the addictive substance is often the reason cited when people default on their detox program. Many do not know that the withdrawal symptoms can be appropriately managed when they do inpatient detox. The detox process may not be an unpleasant experience at all because, most of the time, the process involves various activities that will help you keep your mind off of the alcohol.
Having a Negative Attitude About the Detox
Once you have a negative feeling about the process, it will not be easy for you to complete the process. One of the basic things you should do once you enter a detox program is to have a positive attitude about it. Acknowledge that it is something that can help you get over your alcohol addiction.
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Isolating Yourself Can Be Harmful
Many people who undergo detox for the first time tend to separate themselves from everyone else, thinking it is the best way for them to get over their addiction. However, many studies show that interaction with others in a similar situation during detoxification can help participants recover quickly. When participants hear about the experiences of other people, and when they can share their own struggles, they can unload some of their emotional baggage.
Dismissing Treatment Options
Before you start detox, it is pretty common to have a positive attitude towards it. As the treatment progresses, you will receive a lot of input from therapists and doctors to help you manage your symptoms and addiction. It would be easy to dismiss treatment options, which will not do you any good. For example, staff may encourage you to participate in fellowship activities to help you mingle with other people. Instead of dismissing the suggestion, it would be best to accept the advice and try it out first.
Depending on the Treatment Alone
Once you have spent a few weeks in the program, you may realize that the detox process is easy and manageable. This thinking would lead you to believe that everything will be better because of the treatment. However, you also need to realize that you also have to do your part. Detox is not a one-sided affair. You must also be actively mindful of the activities that you will subject yourself to. You have to think about the internal process and accept that detoxification is only the first step, and there is still much work to do to achieve long-term recovery.
Dismissing Support
If your family entered you into a detox center, you may have negative feelings about it and think that they are not supporting you in any way. You have to believe that the fact that they wanted you to go through detox is enough to say that they are concerned about you, and what they wish for you is to become a better person.
Giving Up
Alcohol detoxification is a tedious process. Patients need to do follow-up checkups and receive additional treatments to ensure that they remain sober longer. There will be times when you might think of giving up. Don’t! Give yourself some time to recover and reset. When everything seems tough, you have to remind yourself that you have already come a long way. Just the fact that you subjected yourself to a detoxification program is a good start.
The mistakes mentioned above are just some of those that you should avoid when you enter into a detoxification program. It would be easier for you to embark on a journey towards sobriety when you put your mind and your heart into it. It is never an easy process. You have to remember that you did not become an alcoholic overnight. Recovery is a process, and you have to commit yourself to it.
