In our increasingly open society, abstinence is a controversial thing. Many people wonder why they should restrict themselves completely rather than enjoying an occasional drink.
Though abstinence-based recovery is not for everyone, we believe it is a worthwhile approach as it reduces the risk of relapse significantly.
Studies show that rehab centres, where abstinence is encouraged, are the most successful form of treatment for addiction.
We know how difficult it is to decide to give up drinks and drugs forever.
However, we are also aware of the amazing benefits that come with a sober lifestyle, so we recommend abstinence to anyone with a drug or alcohol problem.
Addiction impacts your mind, body, and soul. When you become dependent on substances, there is no escaping the extreme damage they can cause.
In case you are unaware of the common symptoms of addiction, here is a brief list:
There are many more symptoms of addiction, but this list highlights some of the most commonly experienced ones.
If you would like to know about the symptoms of addiction in more detail, give us a call and we will happily discuss it with you.
Pursuing abstinence means taking a zero-tolerance approach to drugs and alcohol. This means you decide to never touch drink and drugs again, rather than doing it occasionally.
As difficult as this sounds, as you progress through addiction treatment, you will get better and better at resisting temptation and remembering why you want to get sober.
The detox administered at rehab helps with abstinence as it teaches your body to function without substances.
You will feel the effects of this for a few days, potentially experiencing nausea and headaches, but afterwards, you will be much healthier.
Therapy is also a useful tool for abstinence, as it equips you with healthy coping mechanisms to employ when you would usually turn to drugs and alcohol.
For example, you may learn how to rely on your support network, practise self-care techniques, or distract yourself from the temptation.
Every rehab centre we work at in Dorking promotes abstinence, so be prepared for a no-nonsense approach.
You may feel as though you are not capable of leaving drugs and alcohol behind forever, but you would be surprised what you are capable of when supported by a team of experienced staff at rehab.
You will spend 28 days working with addiction specialists who will teach you how to cope with your addiction.
When you attend rehab in Dorking, you will receive your very own treatment programme that is tailor-made to your situation.
The rehab staff will create this treatment plan after consulting us about your circumstances and any treatment preferences you may have.
To give you a realistic example, if you have experienced lots of trauma in your life, you may be interested in having Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) to help you reprocess painful events in the past.
If you mention this on the phone, we will search for rehab facilities in Dorking that specialise in EMDR.
We also take into account any mental health conditions you have. It is extremely common for people with addiction to be diagnosed with other conditions, as it is all linked to chemical imbalances in the brain.
If you are a dual diagnosis patient (someone who struggles with addiction and a mental health condition), we will find a rehab centre that prioritises mental health support.
This can even be specific to your addiction, so we can find a facility that specialises in anxiety or depression.
If this article has resonated with you, we urge you to take the next step and call us on 0800 140 4690.
We cannot change your painful past, nor can we go through the recovery process for you, but we can be solid support while you embark on a journey to sobriety.
We offer a free initial phone call as we believe everyone deserves to learn about the different treatment options in Dorking.
Why not take advantage of this phone call and see where it leads you?
We promise there is more to life than addiction, and without contacting us, you may never find this out for yourself.
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