Relapse Recovery

Relapse recovery comes about from a failure in the first place to handle the three main factors causing relapse. First are cravings for drugs or alcohol (both mental and physical). One of the main causes of this is an inadequate detoxification. Withdrawal procedures are simply the start and are by no means a complete detoxification. Second and third are the unhandled feelings of guilt and depression resulting from harm and damage done to self and loved ones, and the sacrifices made in personal beliefs and values as a result of doing whatever is necessary to obtain and continue using drugs and/or alcohol. When these points are fully handled the incidence of relapse drops away and one is finally able to have a lasting and happy drug free productive life.

Addiction withdrawal is the term applied to the process of terminating or ceasing the use of the drug or alcohol causing the addiction. Withdrawal symptoms are those physical, mental, and emotional discomforts occurring as a result of this process. Some procedures attempt to ease withdrawal with the use of additional drugs or chemicals. This can and does complicate the process as now there are new substances that are creating dependencies along with the intense cravings for the original drug of addiction. In most cases withdrawal can be accomplished with adequate medical monitoring and proper nutrition. Drugs severely deplete vitamin and nutritional stores in the body and when properly addressed will reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms without the dangers of using additional drugs.

Alcohol rehabilitation of course involves the cessation of all alcohol use. Alcoholic generally have all sorts of reasons and rationale for drinking. Many, many try to control their drinking and only end up putting off the inevitable. Alcoholism can only end in one of three ways – death, jail, or sobriety. There really are no other options. Many times alcoholics will be involved in other substance abuse, often unknown or unsuspected by family or loved ones. Whether it is alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both, the three factors needing fully and competently addressed are the cravings, guilt, and depression that are hand and hand with any addiction.

All drug rehab programs are not created equal; there are many different types and formats. There are long term, short term, in-patient, out-patient, traditional 12 step, and non traditional to name but a few. One big difference to be aware of is whether or not the drug rehab programs you may be looking at are drug free or whether the program embraces the use of other or substitute or additional drugs and ‘medications’ in an effort to control or alleviate addiction. Narconon Arrowhead is a long term, non traditional, drug free approach to the problems of abuse and addiction. These points set us apart from many of the other drug rehab programs available. We start with the assumption that the being is basically good and despite any appearances to the contrary actually wants to attain a completely drug free productive life. The Narconon program embraces many, many different factors that stop or inhibit the individual from reaching this goal. The majority of Narconon staff are ex-addicts and alcoholics themselves and know what it takes to get lasting results – we’ve been there! When examining the various drug rehab programs look for one thing – LASTING results and success.

Prescription drug addiction generally occurs with those medications which suppress pain of a physical or emotional nature. Painkillers suppress physical pain and many are taken at levels exceeding recommended dosages and tolerance builds up fast, abuse then continues in an attempt to handle the pain, or just out of fear of future pain. Medications such as anti-depressants are designed to suppress various forms of mental stress or duress. Abuse of these is similar to painkillers in that dosages are exceeded and tolerance builds leading to more and more of the drug needed in an attempt to maintain emotional balance. Prescription drug addiction in both these cases results from trying to mask the symptoms rather than treating and resolving the underlying causes of the physical or emotional pain.