Before one can understand any behavior, including addictive behavior, it is imperative to understand that feelings truly dictate our actions. Consider the fact that most people probably have brand name toothpaste or soap in their bathroom. Although everyone intellectually knows that generic toothpaste, for example, is basically the same as (and less expensive than) brand name, people often pay more for the brand name, because they feel that it will provide them with fresher breath and whiter teeth.
Advertisers trick our emotional selves into feeling good about their product, over their competitors or generic, often causing a behavioral change to spend more for their product. Self-directed use of this basic Psych 101 principle is essential to empower personal, healthy change, especially with respect to recovery.
The tangible losses associated with addiction are often readily apparent. Crime and the eventual losses of health, jobs, family, friends, and money are only the manifestations of a more intangible loss, which is likely the real culprit behind abuse: loss of ones self through the insidious and consistent detachment of ones feelings through addiction.
Feelings serve the useful purpose of guiding one toward better understanding oneself and ones actions. The avoidance of feelings (particularly through addiction) robs oneself of the valuable, directional information which feelings can afford. A gut instinct, for instance, can be viewed as a crystallization of all of ones life experiences into a single guiding feeling. Nobody can be consciously aware of every life experience, as it may relate to a presenting concern. One can, however, benefit from ones guiding feeling.
Addiction has the real potential to dull this and other types of valuable feelings, which can ultimately, further alienate the addict from him or herself and others, leading to confusion, poor direction, and despair. This cycle can continue to create a pattern that can lead to the more tangible aforementioned losses. Education (whether through the media, therapy, or the like) is key to breaking this pattern and changing ultimate despair into real hope for the future.
Within recovery, it is also important to note that human behavior is fundamentally structured to pursue pleasure and avoid pain. Therefore, any behavior can actually be changed within an instant. The cocaine addict would instantly quit, if each thought of cocaine were coupled with an electric shock, while each moment of abstinence were followed by a reward of a million dollars. Of course, this type of pain / pleasure is impossible. Therefore, treatment consists of helping the person in recovery to pair the real, emotional pain associated with dependence, combined with the real, emotional pleasure associated with sobriety, in order to motivate recovery.
The Jellinek Curve offers a graphical representation of the insidious path of addiction and the hopeful path of recovery: http://www.in.gov/judiciary/ijlap/docs/jellinek.pdf.
When families are looking for a drug rehab or alcohol rehab program for their loved one, they are often focused on the program itself, not the support programs and systems that follow the residential care. However, a recovery program that offers regular, scheduled events for alumni can be just as important in helping recovering addicts live a life of permanent sobriety as the program itself.
Why Alumni Programs are So Important
An addict is never "cured" from addiction. Life in recovery is not always easy and there are certain to be dark and weak moments along the way when the recovering addict struggles not to take that drink or call an old contact for a fix. These are the moments when a strong support group becomes invaluable in the recovery process.
Though family members and friends who have not dealt with addiction may be more than happy to provide support, it is the people that have shared similar experiences with addiction and recovery that the addict often needs most for support.
It is not only during times of crisis that the recovering addict needs a support system, it's important to have regular contact with others in recovery to stay focused and to get recharged.
Residents of drug and alcohol recovery programs often form very close friendships and connections with other residents and staff during their stay. Having planned activities for this group to continuously meet up in a safe environment can be one of the keys to a healthy, happy, life of recovery.
Types of Alumni Program Activities
Each drug and alcohol recovery center offers its own alumni program activities. No one type of alumni program is better than another is; what is important is that there is some sort of regular, on-going group meeting or activity that past residents are welcome to attend.
For example, the Mark Houston Recovery Center holds a one hour aftercare group each Thursday and a barbeque each Saturday with a different motivational house speaker each week. Other centers offer a recharge weekend where residents can regain focus when they feel like a slip may be near. Still others may offer a program where graduates can sponsor a new resident and learn about recovery through the eyes of the teacher.
Choosing a Drug Rehab Center
It can seem overwhelming to choose a drug and alcohol rehab center for your loved one. Quite understandably, you may feel as if you've got one chance to save this person from his or her own life and want to make the right choice. Seeking out recovery programs that offer alumni groups and activities after completion is one piece of the puzzle.
Other factors to consider are the length of time of the program. A 30 day program may be fine to start with but you may find that your loved one requires a longer continuum of care after the 30 day period. Look for programs that offer longer programs or that will allow the resident to extend their stay if needed.
Recovery from Drugs and Alcohol is Possible
Many addicts are resistant to go to treatment but so thankful once they emerge on the other end. The best thing that family members and loved ones can do for the addict is to stop enabling their addiction, find a program that offers a well balanced recovery plan and organized alumni activities, and get that person to speak with an intake counselor.
Though it may not seem possible during the height of a person's addiction, drug and alcohol recovery can be a reality. There are tens of thousands of success stories of people who have reclaimed their lives and gone on to live lives with more happiness and purpose than before the addiction.
Both Ben Needles & Christine Okelly are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Ben Needles has sinced written about articles on various topics from Business Credit Cards, Anger Control and Business Credit Cards. About the Author (text)Gerald Solfanelli is an American psychologist in private practice, who also hosts: . Ben Needles's top article generates over 550000 views. to your Favourites.
Christine Okelly has sinced written about articles on various topics from Disease & illness, Finances and Accident Lawyers. Christine OKelly is an author for The Mark Houston Recovery Center, an Austin Texas that offers a 90-day program for males design. Christine Okelly's top article generates over 135000 views. to your Favourites.