Is it not that recovery is part of treatment? Is it not that they are one and the same?
The answer to both questions is no. If you find yourself answering yes to both, then it’s important that you know the difference between treatment and recovery. Knowing the factors that separate the two will allow you to give more space to healing and transformation as you would know what to do and what to expect. This knowledge is all the more important if you or your loved one is battling substance abuse. Knowing the difference between the two will make it easier for you or your loved one to just be and truly take things one step at a time. In this post, we will discuss the difference between the two.
Treatment
It’s easy to be confused between treatment and recovery because the two are closely related concepts. However, the two are not one and the same.
Treatment is the formal period of dealing with the sickness head-on. When it comes to battling substance abuse, treatment takes place in a live-in or residential setting where patients stay. This is only when treatment begins.
Treatment often starts with detoxification (detox). During detoxification, the patient’s body undergoes a process where all substance subject of the abuse is removed from the body. This process is important because it removes the effects of tolerance and dependence. When there is tolerance, patients are placed in a biological position where their body craves more and more of the drug to feel its full effects. When there is dependence, patients are placed in a biological position where the body ceases to function normally without the drug. The two biological states are the very thing that makes the battle against substance abuse extra challenging. This is why substance abuse and addiction is a form of sickness. This is because the body no longer knows what it truly needs. Hence, the necessity of detoxification.
Detoxification is best done inside a facility. A solid facility provides robust help whenever a patient experiences severe withdrawal symptoms. This is why it’s best for you or your loved one to enter into a rehab facility if you want to truly recover in a realistic way. If something about local drug rehabs scares you, then you could check out drug and alcohol rehabs abroad that will give you a full sense of vacation and break from it all. A drug and alcohol rehab in Bali like Calm Rehab Bali will provide the utmost support, care, and guidance 24/7. You or your loved one will get all the help you need inside a dedicated rehab facility.
After detox, you or your loved one will then undergo the next phases of treatment. Such phases involve talk therapies. Talk therapies involve talking to your counselor or sharing your experiences with a group. You or your loved one will also have activity-based therapies where there will be a chance to be physically active or do arts and crafts. You or your loved one may also choose to undergo equine therapy where you get to experience treatment by connecting with horses through equestrian activities.
During counseling sessions, a therapist will use different techniques to assist you or your loved one in discovering the underlying issues that triggered addiction. You or your loved one will also receive help when it comes to self-image, exercise, and nutrition.
Recovery
Recovery is undertaken after completing a treatment program. During recovery, one can move to a transitional house where there is more freedom but with solid boundaries on matters related to substance abuse. A transitional house is perfect as an introductory phase to allow you or your loved one to slowly ease back to doing daily routines and errands. Others who don’t opt for transitional houses choose to return home and find their own way of easing into their new normal without substance abuse. When a person is already undergoing the following steps, it is already safe to say that such person is actively undergoing recovery.
During recovery, you or your loved one will still undergo one-on-one or group meetings. Such meetings are important because they provide community support and boost people to be on track with their recovery. One can recover alone but imagine how easier it would be if there is support and help from others? The difference is massive. Hence, one-on-one or group therapies are highly recommended to people in recovery.
People in recovery often take on 12-Step meetings in community centers. 12-step meetings provide solid community support and guidance when it comes to accountability. Recovery is a life-long process. You or your loved one will find that it’s better to undertake it with a group of like-minded people who fully understand what you or your loved one is going through. People battling with substance abuse need all the help and understanding that they can get.
Start Your Healing Journey
You or your loved one can start healing today. Treatment and recovery can be overwhelming but there is nothing that no one can handle if one is only given enough time and space. Now that you fully understand what it takes to recover from substance abuse, it will be easier for you or your loved one to get all the help and support that you need. Start with small steps. Start by simply reaching out to people or researching rehab centers that can accommodate you or your loved one. Healing is within your hand. Please feel free to go for it.
