Addiction can develop rapidly, meaning you can develop a dependency to your substance of choice within weeks of your first use. Struggling with a substance abuse disorder can impact various areas of your life. As addiction progresses, you have to continue to increase your use as your tolerance builds to continue experiencing the pleasurable effects of intoxication. Cravings, triggers, and dependency makes it extremely hard to recover without help. While preparing for rehab may seem overwhelming, treatment is the best way to improve your chances of obtaining sobriety. Addiction is a powerful, progressive, and destructive disease that impacts your cognition, judgment, and behaviors. While addiction may seem like a rare condition, 1 out of every 7 Americans will develop a substance abuse disorder in their lifetime. All psychoactive substances, including legal and illicit ones, are potentially addictive.
How Addiction Works
Addiction is a mental health disease that changes the way you think, feel, and act. Drugs and alcohol are mood-altering substances and neurotransmitter inhibitors that force your brain to release more neurotransmitters than it should. Neurotransmitters, like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, are natural chemicals in your brain that create positive feelings, like relaxation, happiness, and euphoria. Abusing drugs and alcohol can not only create significant neurotransmitter imbalances, but it can also lead to damage to your neurotransmitter receptors. Your brain connects your substance of choice with pleasure, which then causes your pleasure and reward center to alter. Eventually, your brain becomes incapable of releasing certain neurotransmitters without your substance of choice. Addiction can impact your body and mental health, as abusing substances can overwork your liver and aggravate preexisting mental health disorders. For those with a mental health condition, drug and alcohol abuse is especially problematic because psychoactive substances can make prescription medications and mental health treatment less effective. Certain substances can lead to physical addictions, which cause powerful, uncomfortable, and intense withdrawal symptoms when you immediately stop using. Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Seizures and disorientation
- Exhaustion, insomnia, and confusion
- Body aches and pains
- Dehydration, vomiting, nausea
- Shakes, tremors, and sweating
Preparing for Rehab
When you decide to get help for a substance abuse problem, preparing for rehab may seem stressful, especially if you’ve never completed treatment before. You can choose to attend a residential treatment program. Preparing for rehab requires evaluating your treatment options and being realistic about the severity of your addiction. Inpatient programs typically last for 28 days and you remain on campus 24/7. The increased structure is great if you have a co-occurring condition, multiple attempts at recovery, a lengthy addiction, or a physical dependency. Many inpatient programs offer detox services, which can alleviate and reduce the severity of your withdrawal symptoms. When you’re preparing for rehab, make sure that you discuss what items you’re allowed to bring, as inpatient centers typically restrict what personal belongings you can have. It’s also important when preparing for rehab to have your most up to date medical and mental health information, as treatment centers will ask about your health and any comorbid or co-occurring conditions you have. Make sure to remain open and honest with addiction staff members. You should also remember to ask any questions you have about the program before you arrive, such as when visitors are allowed.
Starting Treatment Today at Promises Treatment Center
When you’re struggling with an addiction, it can damage your health, relationships, and quality of life. When your substance of choice controls your life, it can make it impossible to maintain stability. Early treatment is the best way to improve your chances of achieving lasting recovery. If you have any questions about preparing for rehab or would like to discuss your treatment options, reach out to us today at 844.875.5609.