After detox, you may face challenges you didn't expect. Since you didn't have access to regular support, it can be difficult to maintain sobriety. Aftercare programs provide the support you need to maintain sobriety and continue your recovery process. You should avoid going to drug-friendly places while you're recovering. When seeking medical attention, be honest about your history of drug use. Be cautious with prescription drugs from your doctor.

Medically assisted detox

For many people, medically assisted detox is the first step in the recovery process after completing a drug or alcohol detox. The body needs the drug to function normally, and when it is suddenly taken away from it, withdrawal symptoms can be difficult to deal with. Withdrawal symptoms can include seizures, extreme mood swings, and ataxia. If you're going through this process alone, medical detox can help minimize these uncomfortable symptoms and keep you safe.

While detox is essential for recovering addicts, it does not treat the underlying causes of their addiction. It is essential to seek rehabilitation and education after completing a detox. During rehab, professionals can help you identify triggers, such as an ex-significant-other, a stressful job situation, or an unresolved health issue. Then, after the detox, they can help you find ways to prevent relapse.

Withdrawal phase of addiction recovery

In the Withdrawal phase of addiction recovery, you are attempting to make a life without your addictive habits. You may experience mini versions of previous phases as you work toward maintaining healthy habits and goals. During this phase, you also learn how to deal with life's challenges without using substances. This phase may last for months, depending on the extent of the problem. But if you don't get past this phase, you may face relapse.

The Withdrawal phase of addiction recovery involves several psychological factors. A person may experience craving, an intense psychological desire that arises when a person experiences an altered state of consciousness. The withdrawal symptoms are a result of abnormal brain adaptations. The drug user experiences purely pleasurable effects when the drug is active, but experience negative effects when it is inactive. The desire to consume the drug becomes heightened during the withdrawal phase, and he or she may continue taking the drug to avoid the unpleasant symptoms.

Medication-assisted treatment

Medication-assisted treatment after detox is often an integral part of the recovery process. It not only helps patients remain sober while they are in treatment, but it is also helpful in the early phases of recovery. When used properly, this type of treatment can also supplement long-term sobriety by increasing adherence to the treatment plan. Some of the treatment options for patients who receive MAT after detox are counseling, 12 Step meetings, faith-based recovery, and other benefactors of recovery.

When used correctly, MAT helps patients to quit alcohol and other addictive substances. It helps to curb cravings while regulating brain chemistry. Moreover, the medications used in this type of treatment keep the patients healthy when they transition off addictive drugs. Another advantage of MAT after detox is that it can help pregnant women, who can now avoid complications of giving birth and deliver their babies safely. Further, the use of medication-assisted treatment after detox recovery process may also help women who were addicted to alcohol or other drugs during their pregnancy.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy

If you're going through the detox process, you'll likely have heard about cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT helps recovering individuals develop positive habits and replace harmful ones with healthier ones. This therapy focuses on the way that people think and feel, and it's effective at treating addiction and other mental health problems that often co-occur with substance abuse disorders. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is often used in combination with other behavioral therapies such as contingency management and 12-step facilitation therapy.

Often, the source of addiction is automatic, negative thoughts. These thoughts can trigger certain behaviors and emotions, preventing addicts from achieving long-term sobriety. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps patients recognize their triggers and learn to cope with them. While it may not sound like much, the benefits of cognitive-behavioral therapy can make a big difference to someone's recovery.

Motivational enhancement therapy

Motivational enhancement therapy is a special type of counseling that focuses on helping clients to overcome substance abuse issues. The goal of this treatment is to help clients develop the belief that they can change. Without that belief, clients have little reason to attempt to change. Motivational enhancement therapy avoids addressing a client's resistance, which can be misinterpreted as approval of the client's behavior. This type of therapy has been shown to help clients overcome relapse.

The first session involves a battery-based assessment, where the therapist focuses on identifying psychological strengths and weaknesses. Then, the therapist will create a personalized treatment plan, focusing on maximizing the patient's efforts to make lasting changes. The second session will focus on boosting the commitment to change. Both the client and the spouse are encouraged to participate. This second session builds on the initial progress that was made. The patient is empowered to maintain the change, while the therapist remains involved and supports the process.