Professional treatment is extremely necessary to a safe, effective recovery from narcotic addiction. Without this option, it is very unlikely that you will succeed in putting an end to your substance abuse and making a full recovery. Call 800-934-1582(Who Answers?) now to find rehab centers that will cater to your needs and help you make a change for the better.

The Science of Addiction

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Many people don’t understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs.” In fact, many drug abusers do not understand their own addictions, as they often try to put an end to their substance abuse themselves without the help of professional rehab. This is a dangerous act because of the way that long-term opioid abuse and addiction changes how the brain works.

Your narcotic abuse may have started out as a voluntary act. You may have even been able to not use or think about using at certain times. But the more often you take opioids and the higher the doses become, the more severe your situation will become. Long-term narcotic abuse actually changes the way the functions of the brain so you will begin to crave the drug more than anything else. What started out as voluntary use becomes involuntary when addiction sets in.

As a result, it will be very difficult for you to stop abusing narcotics without someone else’s help. Relying only on your own willpower when your ability to control your actions has been compromised is dangerous. With the way addiction works, it is much safer to attend professional treatment in order to try and put a stop to your opioid abuse.

Relapse Is Always a Factor

Addiction is a chronic disease, meaning that a person could always experience a relapse. Especially early on in recovery, it is more likely, as the individual is dealing with cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and a number of other issues that will all make them want to return to substance abuse. With the help of professional treatment, though, it is much less likely they will do so.

According to the NIDA, professional rehab programs minimize one’s chances of relapse. Though relapse is always a possibility, different treatments you will receive as part of rehab will help strengthen your resolve and teach you ways to avoid a return to substance abuse.

• According to Harvard Medical School, maintenance medications like buprenorphine and methadone can be helpful by minimizing withdrawal symptoms, reducing cravings, and blocking the opioid receptors in the brain. These drugs can help patients focus on what’s important instead of on the severe symptoms they would encounter if they were going through recovery without help.
• Behavioral therapies teach patients better skills for the future and ways to avoid relapse by coping with problems in a healthier, safer way. A number of different therapies can be found in rehab and can be helpful for reshaping your thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors so you can more easily stay on track with your recovery.

Encouragement Is Necessary

Studies have proven over and over that individuals going through addiction recovery need the encouragement of a social support network in order to experience the best results. Family members, friends, and other loved ones can be essential in this process, but as stated by the NIDA, their participation truly helps to “strengthen and extend treatment benefits.”

A person still needs to attend treatment even if they have the encouragement and support of their loved ones for a number of reasons. For one, your support network can always be stronger, and your doctors, nurses, therapists, and even other patients at the facility can become part of this. In addition, these individuals will often understand your situation better than your loved ones will. Having both layers of support will go even farther toward strengthening your recovery and allowing you to create real change.

Do I Need Addiction Treatment?

Yes. Narcotics are highly available and can cause severe cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and other issues that are likely to lead a person to relapse. Therefore, without the proper treatment, it can be incredibly hard to succeed in overcoming your addiction.

Call 800-934-1582(Who Answers?) to find safe, reliable rehab programs that will suit your current situation. We can also answer any questions you may have about recovery and addiction. Call now.