The Road to Recovery!

WHAT DOES REHAB MEAN?

The term “rehab” is the shortened version of the word rehabilitation. It is most often associated with a program or facility for treating people addicted to substances like drugs and alcohol, or helping people recover from certain medical conditions.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF REHAB?

The three primary forms of rehabilitation therapy are occupational, physical, and speech therapy. Each type of rehabilitation serves a particular role in helping people achieve full recovery, but both share the ultimate goal of helping them return to a safe and active lifestyle.

1. Occupational therapy (OT) is designed to help people get involved in the things they want and need to do to live an independent and fulfilling lifestyle. OT provides support for individuals who need additional help to engage in day-to-day tasks or "occupations," which refer not only to a job or work, but may also apply to self-care, day-to-day work, and leisure.

2. Physical therapy is often used to alleviate pain, enhance movement, provide rehabilitation after a stroke, accident, or surgery, aid with recovery after birth, aid with recovery from sports-related injuries, teach people how to use devices such as walkers and canes, treat chronic conditions such as heart disease or arthritis, and more.

3. Speech therapy can help address or resolve a range of problems, including language, communication, voice, swallowing, and fluency.

WHY IS REHABILITATION IMPORTANT?

Rehabilitation can reduce the effect of a wide variety of health conditions, including illnesses, disabilities, accidents, or trauma. For example, physical rehab may help people avoid complications related to several health problems, such as spinal cord injury, stroke, or fracture. Rehabilitation may also help to reduce or slow down the harmful effects of chronic health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes, by equipping the patient with self-management techniques and assistive products they may need, or by treating pain or other complications.

Rehab can help people avoid expensive hospitalization, as well as reduce the duration of their stay at the hospital. Rehabilitation also allows them to participate in education and employment, stay independent at home, and minimizes the need for financial or caregiving assistance.

HOW IS REHABILITATION EFFECTIVE?

Rehab is effective because it is a highly integrated type of health care that complements other health interventions, such as medical and surgical interventions, helping to produce the best possible outcome.

IS REHABILITATION A FORM OF PUNISHMENT?

No, rehabilitation is not a form of punishment. On the contrary, it can be seen as a helpful, holistic, and enjoyable way to overcome a toxic problem.

WHAT ARE THE BASIC STEPS IN REHABILITATION AND RECOVERY?

ADMIT YOU HAVE A PROBLEM

For a lot of people, this choice follows a bad experience or a low point. It maybe a horrible night out or the loss of a job or relationship. Hitting “rock bottom” can both a humbling and empowering place to be, and there is nowhere to go but up.

FIND SUPPORT

For many people in recovery, this decision made a difference between a fruitful attempt at sobriety and any unsuccessful attempts that have been made before. It may be a friend, a parent, a doctor, or an online support group. Having a support group provides accountability and encouragement.

DETOX

The first few days of sobriety may be very painful physically: one may have withdrawal symptoms or possibly a horrible hangover. They may also need medical supervision during detox, depending on the nature of the addiction. When in doubt, always remember to seek professional assessment.

EARLY SOBRIETY AND PAWS

Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) is a controversial issue. Some people suggest there's no such thing. It's the process of withdrawal after immediate physical sensations have passed, and it can take several forms. One might experience frustration, panic, anxiety, sleeping difficulties, depression, or concentration issues. It can also last a long time, for even as long as a few years in serious cases. Nonetheless, symptoms usually decrease dramatically over time. Whether or not PAWS is a syndrome worth consideration, it is, unfortunately, unlikely to step straight into feeling great. Especially in the early stages, someone experiencing withdrawal is going to need to rely a lot on a support system.

FINDING NEW ROUTINES

Replacing bad habits with improved, healthier habits can be one of the most empowering aspects of recovery. After years of letting drugs or alcohol dictate every decision, the individual has to start making some of their own decisions about how to spend their time.

“PINK CLOUDS”

In the first few months of sobriety, when they start hitting their stride, days can feel so good that it feels like walking on air. Some people in recovery call this phenomenon "pink clouds." At this point, the person sleeps better, saves noticeable amounts of money, looks better, finds time for hobbies again, and most importantly, doesn't have dangerous chemicals running through their body, messing up their chemistry. Unfortunately, they're likely to have harder, non-pink cloud days, too, but these positive changes will remain the same.

AVOID RELAPSE

Addiction treatment calls for continuous diligence. A new way of life and newfound confidence in a personal ability to manage addiction can seem secure, but it can be ruined if “prelapse” is not considered. “Prelapses” are symptoms that can make people feel unable to cope without a drink or hit. They might include stopping a workout routine or daily check-ins with a sober community, or maybe being overworked or not asking for help. Relapse happens when these feelings of weakness are strong. Recovery depends on taking care of oneself by learning to identify the symptoms that bring on a fall.

APPRECIATE SOBRIETY

Addiction recovery is difficult, but when you have lived through a string of difficult minutes, and made it through days, weeks, or even months, you might begin to notice that even the last thought about alcohol or drugs is further in the past than you realized. Filling difficult moments with equally beautiful ones opens life up for enjoyment. It’s not going to be perfect, and bad things happen because that’s life, but if one can remain present and keep leveraging their resources, overcoming difficulties and complexities is as good as guaranteed. Those victories are an awesome feeling.

WHAT IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR ADDICTION?

It’s not possible to determine what exactly the most effective treatment for addiction is since there are so many factors that come into play when it comes to dealing with it. However, the following are ways that are proven to help treat addiction:

• Behavioral counseling;

• Medication;

• Medical devices and applications used to treat withdrawal symptoms or deliver skills training;

• Evaluation and treatment for co-occurring mental health issues such as depression and anxiety; and

• Long-term follow-up to prevent relapse

The first step in the road to recovery can begin with us at Recovery Blvd. We boast a variety of services aimed at preventing addiction and helping to build a new life not just for yourself, but also for your loved ones.

Our high-quality services and procedures include:

1. Advanced Relapse Prevention;

2. Substance Abuse Counseling; and

3. Recovery Crossfit

With us, you can start a new journey towards a better tomorrow with just the right help and care.

If you would like to know more about Recovery Blvd, please call us at (866) 231-3007. You can also visit our drug recovery center in Portland at 1316 SE 12th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214, to book an appointment.

Disclaimer: This post serves a strictly educational use. It does not necessarily reflect the services, products, or therapeutic approaches of this establishment or its healthcare practitioners. The purpose of this blog is not to advertise the products, services, or therapeutic approaches of any other establishment that may be associated with this site. On the subject of safe or legal services, products, and appropriate therapies, recommendations ought to be given by a qualified professional on a case to case basis.