Getting medically detoxed is the first step when entering a substance abuse center; the mind and emotions come next. If your addiction can make feel ashamed of your past, unworthy of love, alone, and depressed, it is imperative to take steps to take care of yourself. When you take these steps, you will be starting your journey of self-discovery in recovery. Many enter recovery and ask the question, “Who am I?”
Living in addiction, we were not able to see our true self. Entering into a drug and alcohol treatment center is the first step to cleansing not only our bodies but our minds. This is the beginning of our self-discovery process. The professionals at Sobriety Solutions, a drug treatment center in Pennsylvania, have proven results in helping individuals through therapy by helping to dig deep into their past, childhoods, and revealing the experiences that shaped them… good and bad. Sobriety Solutions has helped individuals to realize what their beliefs are so they can practice principles to live by. The effects of this process include happiness, fulfillment, and clarity. The journey of self-discovery and recovery is not always an easy path. This journey may also include fear, confusion, and re-visiting some of your choices in life. It is important to rely on the support network you have created in your recovery process and a professional during these challenging times. However, it is important to remember that with each challenge comes a learning experience and a chance to grow.
Substance abuse is a highly complex disease that affects thought and behavior and takes a toll on body, mind, and spirit. Substance abuse almost always has underlying causes like childhood trauma, sexual and physical abuse, and disorders like depression. The root causes of the addiction must be addressed by a professional or in an addiction treatment program for individuals to achieve recovery. Entering a drug treatment program like Sobriety Solutions in Pennsylvania you will learn new tools and resources like yoga, meditation, and effective communication skills. Working with a professional at our drug treatment program Sobriety Solutions in Pennsylvania will allow you to learn different approaches that help you create self-awareness.
Dealing with Depression
Dealing with drug addiction is never easy and it is even more difficult when you are struggling with a mental health disorder such as depression, but there is hope. Treatment is available. When you have both an addiction and a mental health disorder such as depression, bipolar disorder, or anxiety, it is called a co-occurring disorder or dual diagnosis. Given the complex ways that addiction and co-occurring disorders like depression can affect your life and complicate your recovery, it is essential to receive professional help at a drug treatment program like Sobriety Solutions in Pennsylvania. With the right treatment, you can overcome a co-occurring disorder and reclaim your sense of self.
Sobriety Solutions learned through extensive research that the best way to treat depression is to use a holistic approach of medication management, various therapies, and experiential treatments. Sobriety Solutions is a leading drug and alcohol treatment center in Pennsylvania that provides multiple proven therapy modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), individual therapy, and group therapy. We can also provide additional ways to improve your recovery through non-traditional approaches such as 12-step meetings, guided meditation, art programming, or spiritual therapy.
Getting to Know Yourself
Recovery is a time to look inward. This process is not a one-time event; it is a way of life. This may seem like a daunting task to some in early recovery, but in reality, this process gives us the opportunity to continue to grow and learn about ourselves.
Journaling can be a tool that allows you to reflect your problems, questions, and the directions that your life is taking. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, writing in a journal provides “an opportunity for positive self-talk and identifying negative thoughts and behaviors.” It can be helpful to start journaling while in a drug treatment center. In early recovery, you will be trying to find yourself and asking yourself the question, “Who am I? As you think about your life while you are in drug treatment program, some big questions may arise. You may have found that your job did not give you purpose, your relationship has challenges that need to be addressed, or there are specific goals you want to attain. Journaling is a record of your development as the person who is sober and the person you are striving to be. It can also allow you to track your progress and manage your goals in your recovery process.
Deepening Self-Understanding
Art heals. Art therapy has been used since the 1950’s. It has been an integral part of the substance abuse treatment program field for many individuals, since it can be a creative expression to process and externalize emotions. Whether it is alcohol abuse, cocaine abuse, or any other substance use disorder – each disorder involves a combination of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms.
Being creative is well-known to be extremely beneficial in drug treatment programs of all types and it is not confined to one type of art. Some of the ways of expressing yourself are:
- Painting
- Drawing
- Sculpting
- Singing
- Playing an Instrument
- Creative Writing
- Writing Poetry
- Dancing
- Drama
- Gardening
- Photography
- Cooking
For many individuals overcoming addiction, the addictive behavior is driven by the desire to alleviate any emotional suffering. In drug treatment centers, art therapy is used to give a voice to those feelings and past experience’s in a healthy way. This process can become a way of regulating and improving feelings, giving you a good resource for self-care.
Yoga
Yoga is the use of physical postures to learn how to connect with the mind, body, and breath to gain self-awareness and focus attention inward. According to data published by US News & World Report, around 21 million Americans practice yoga, a number that has doubled in the past 10 years. Yoga has many benefits including, including:
- Stress Relief
- Self-Reflection and Increased Self-Awareness
- Healthier Exercise and Eating Habits
- Heightened Self-Confidence and Improved Self-Image
- Emotional Healing
- Overall Health and Wellness Improvement
Yoga is increasingly being used in alcohol abuse programs and drug addiction programs to provide a healthy outlet to cope with potential triggers and daily life stressors. Yoga goes way beyond just stretching. Yoga has been found to be beneficial as a part of Sobriety Solution’s substance abuse program. When used in conjunction with other forms of traditional therapy practices used at drug abuse centers, yoga can be a wonderful addition that individuals can practice throughout their lifetime to calm themselves and improve clarity.
Developing Self-Acceptance
DBT refers to Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. It is an approach to therapy that can help you learn to cope with difficult emotions. Today, Pennsylvania opiate drug treatment centers such as Sobriety Solutions are using Dialectical Behavioral therapy as an approach to treat a range of conditions, including:
- Eating Disorders
- Self-Harm
- Depression
- Substance Use Disorders
Sobriety Solutions Pennsylvania Substance Treatment Center offers a skill based DBT group. Individuals are given the opportunity to have working knowledge of what DBT therapy can offer. Group is held once a week and is focused on learning about Dialectics and Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, Emotion Regulation and Distress Tolerance. Group then focuses on each module of DBT therapy with an emphasis on DBT skills. Individuals are encouraged to identify skills that they believe would be most beneficial for them and to practice these skills in group and on their own. Individuals have the opportunity to learn what skills they need most and how to practice these skills for proficiency.
Understanding Your Individualized Needs
Everyone’s recovery process is different. Some individuals may require outpatient substance abuse treatment longer than others while others may need more mental health treatment. Entering a drug abuse center is not easy, but it is the perfect opportunity to take some time to get to know who you really are and what you believe in. Recovery can be overwhelming at first as you are learning a new way to live. It is important to go at your own pace and understand your needs.
Whether you are looking for inpatient or outpatient treatment, there are many options out there for anyone looking to take their life back from addiction. If you would like to learn more about drug and alcohol treatment center options available, please contact a Treatment Advocate at Sobriety Solutions at (833)-880-HELP. Sobriety Solutions Treatment Advocates are available 24/7 and free of charge to provide treatment options.
