Relapse Prevention in Framingham, MA

If you have been considering detox for an addiction, you should plan for treatment that continues past the conclusion of rehab. You should look for relapse prevention in Framingham.

Treatment for substance abuse addiction is a gradual process; to many people attempting treatment, however, it can seem remarkably quick -- they go in wracked with cravings and withdrawal symptoms, and in a couple of months, come out seemingly healthy again. They tend to make the unfortunate assumption at this stage, then, that they are all mended and fine, and tend to go right back to their lives.

In truth, medical detox in Framingham is only a small part of any plan to escape addiction. Detox delivers patients from the immediate suffering of withdrawal symptoms, but there's nothing the treatment does to help them maintain sobriety. Addiction being a mental disorder remains part of the brain. Unless steps are taken to address this disorder, addiction can always be expected to return in the form of relapse.

Why Are Programs for Relapse Prevention Necessary?

To find a meaningful way to end addiction, it's important that you first understand how this complex disorder works.

Addictive substances are able to create effects such as pleasure because they are chemically similar to natural signaling chemicals used by the brain on the brain's reward and learning center to produce both pleasure and habit learning. When addictive substances act on these brain regions, it results in both artificial pleasure and the artificial creation of permanent, harmful attachment to drug use. This is the reason addiction is termed a disorder. Alcohol addiction in Framingham is a growing issue that needs to be addressed now.

Attachment formed in this way tends to be deep and emotional. It is indistinguishable from any natural, emotional attachment -- say, to a favorite food or a loved one, only, this habit tends to be far more powerful. Not only can thoughts of attachment to drugs come up spontaneously in the mind and powerfully draw the recovering addict to use again, it can come up in response to memory triggers, as well.

It can help to think of recovering from addiction the way you would think of breaking up with a romantic partner that you're crazy about -- you cannot actually stop loving them; you can only hope to move on, and forget about them. To do this, you might look for ways to avoid anything that would remind you of them. You might also take up activities that would absorb you in other healthy ways.

If you didn't do any of these things, and if you continued to be around things that reminded you of that person, chances are, you would keep thinking about them, and never move on. In some cases, people turn to unhealthy stalking behavior.

Things happen somewhat similarly with an attachment to drugs. Essentially, since it isn't possible to actually remove one's attachment to drugs; what you can do is to find ways to avoid reminding yourself of drugs. This isn't as simple as it may seem; it takes therapy. Relapse prevention treatment also goes to the root of the psychological problems that cause people to turn to excessive drug use to begin. This requires therapy, as well.

It's important, as you look for relapse prevention in Framingham, to understand that such therapy isn't optional. Nine out of ten of those who fail to fully engage relapse, return to drug use. Relapse prevention programs are vital to long-term sobriety.

Relapse Prevention Is All About Therapy

One of the first aims of drug relapse prevention is to help individuals participating learn the lifestyle changes necessary to avoid being reminded of drugs. Called trigger management, it involves individual and group therapeutic interventions in the form of cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Therapists may also work with patients to show them how, in most cases, stress is the number one cause of relapse. Patients learn lifestyle management methods to help avoid stress.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is used to help improve psychological health, as well. In a great many cases of addiction, weakness towards substance abuse occurs for reason of various psychological difficulties or deficiencies. These deficiencies may show in the form of excessive guilt, a feeling of self-hatred, an unreasonable desire for instant gratification, and cognitive distortions that make normal, everyday logic harder than necessary. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can help patients work past these challenges.

A number of other approaches help, including motivational interviewing. This therapeutic approach helps patients gain the engagement and motivation necessary to do well. Family therapy helps the patient benefit from the support of their family.

When you look for relapse prevention in Framingham, it's important to remember that essentially, such therapy is no different than therapy of any other kind -- it is the therapist's skill, and the level of trust established with the therapist, that really works. It's important to look for the best therapists possible. When you find such a therapist, your relapse prevention will likely be successful. Call Framingham Alcohol Treatment Centers now for help (877) 804-1531.