A lot of people who struggle with addiction never seek out professional help. SAMHSA’s 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that out of the 23.1 million people who needed treatment for a substance use problem, only one percent, or 2.5 million people, actually received any type of treatment at a specialty facility. Getting treatment for an addiction is an essential part of the recovery process, but it is not the only component of recovery. Another important part is finding support during rehabilitation and throughout the long-term recovery process. For many people, this support can be found in their living environment. Recovering addicts can benefit from housing that provides encouraging and supportive people to help them maintain their sobriety long-term.
Rules of Successful Addiction Treatment
Addiction recovery consists of several different elements. The National Institute on Drug Abuse identifies the several fundamental rules of successful addiction treatment, stating that it must:
- Assess and modify the patient’s treatment plan as needed
- Be easily accessible
- Incorporate any necessary forms of counseling
- Individualize treatment to best meet the personal needs of each patient and treat her many different needs
- Last an adequate amount of time
- Monitor the patient’s drug use throughout treatment and address any possible relapses
- Treat patients even when they aren’t voluntarily admitted, as treatment can still be effective even if it is not voluntary
- Use medication as a supplement to treatment if needed
- View addiction as a treatable disease of the brain that affects a person’s mental functioning and behavior
Effective addiction treatment should address the multiple aspects of a person’s health, including his physical, psychological and emotional needs.
Importance of Social Support in Recovery
One important part of a person’s well being is her social life, which can strongly influence and be influenced by the person’s addiction. If a person has been associating with people who encourage her to use the addictive substance, she will have to change her social habits and interactions in recovery to avoid those people and situations that trigger her to use the substance again. Relatedly, in at least the early stages of recovery, it may help for the person to be surrounded by a group of people who both understand her addiction and are able to support her in her recovery.
Residential Recovery Communities
An excellent way for a person to find continual community support is by living with other people recovering from addiction and substance abuse. One particularly effective option for people in recovery is a residential, non-medical living community in which recovering people are able to offer support, accountability and encouragement to each other. Particularly for people without post-rehabilitation support networks in place, these residential recovery communities can help people avoid relapse and stay in recovery.
How to Create a Safe and Supportive Recovery Environment
Even if a person doesn’t take part in a residential recovery community, she can still take specific action to ensure that her post-rehabilitation home is a safe and nurturing place. Some helpful steps include:
- Asking a friend or family member to remove all addictive substances and paraphernalia from the house
- Finding and regularly attending a support group
- Cutting off contact with people who don’t encourage recovery and sobriety
Recovery is a complex process that is made easier with the support of other people. It’s therefore essential for anyone in the recovery process to find housing during and after rehabilitation that encourages her to succeed in recovery. If you or someone you know is interested in learning about Foundations Recovery Network’s residential treatment centers give us a call at 615-490-9376.
