When we talk about treatment and recovery, it seems very binary. Someone was using drugs or alcohol too much, but then they decided to get help and suddenly they were on the right path. But anyone with a front-row seat to the recovery journey knows that there’s a lot more that happens along the way. Understanding and normalizing the ups and downs of getting sober can help people in recovery and their loved ones stick with the process, even when the going gets tough.
Here are some of the most common stages of recovery, and what to expect during each.
Active use and denial
Anyone who has loved a person with substance use disorder understands this phase well. This is when a person is still using their drug of choice, and possibly getting more and more unhealthy. If you’re the loved one, you might feel angry, frustrated, and worried at this stage. If you’re the person using, you might feel scared. You may also begin to admit to yourself that you have a problem, but you’re not yet ready to share that with others.
Treatment and early recovery
Once a person has reached out for help and treatment, there is a huge sense of relief. But often, people forget that seeking treatment is not the end of the story, it’s the beginning of one. Loved ones and people in recovery are often invigorated and excited during this stage. The whole world is before you, and you’re sure that things will be different this time.
Transition and reentry
After treatment and possibly transitional programming, you’ll find yourself back in the real world. This is when your rose-tinted glasses might become a bit skewed. Family members and people in recovery both realize that this road isn’t going to be easy. Getting back on your feet with a record, resume gap and possibly a trauma history is extra challenging. During this phase, you’ll have wins and setbacks. At times you’ll be proud of how far you have come; at other times you’ll wonder if you can stick with sobriety. You might even find yourself searching for a new identity: if you’re not a drug user, or the parent of an addict, who are you now?
Finding your footing
Soon, you’ll be able to answer that question. You’ll begin to experiment with things that you weren’t able to do while using, or while caring for someone in active addiction. You might volunteer, go to school, or get back in touch with friends who you weren’t able to see the past few years. You’re finding your stride in recovery, and that feels great.
Relapse
Lots of people want to gloss over relapse, but that’s irresponsible. The truth is that relapse is a normal and expected part of a person’s recovery journey. You (or your loved one) might relapse by using drugs or alcohol. Relapse can also be more subtle: you might find yourself slipping into old unhealthy patterns and behaviors.
Whether you catch your relapse mindset early or deal with a full slip, it’s important to get help as soon as possible. Reach out to recovery professionals. They’ll be able to help you understand what went wrong this time and develop new processes for coping in the future. After you make it through this, your recovery will be stronger than ever.
Long term recovery and growth
After a while, you’ll realize that you’re not hanging tightly onto recovery – you’re existing confidently within it. Once that happens, you have the chance to address big questions: What do you want from life? What brings meaning or fulfillment to you? Are you happy?
Exploring these questions presents the chance for growth. But it can also be triggering. If you feel overwhelmed, reach out for help or guidance. No matter how long you’ve been sober, you can always call on the recovery community to help you through.
The recovery journey isn’t a linear one. You or your loved one might circle through these stages frequently or skip them all together. That’s fine. What’s most important is that you’re paying attention to your physical, mental, and emotional health, and doing what you need to do to protect your recovery.
Learn more about Oceanside Malibu at http://oceansidemalibu.com/. Reach Oceanside Malibu by phone at (866) 738-6550. Find Oceanside Malibu on Facebook.
The post Understanding the Journey of Recovery appeared first on .