The addiction recovery timeline varies from person to person, but you’ll find that no matter how long it takes, it’s worth every step of the journey. Many people have the notion that recovering from active addiction is going to be quick, but it’s actually a lifelong process. The worst mistake you can make is going through detox or even a short-term program and thinking you’re cured. When you go to a quality addiction treatment program, you’re going to develop a cornerstone for the rest of your recovery.
The First Step in the Addiction Recovery Timeline
They say that in the 12 steps, the first step is the only one that you have to do perfectly. The first step involves surrendering to the fact that you’re powerless over drugs or alcohol. You’re going to do part of this first step by simply entering treatment when you realize that you have a problem. The most important part of the first step is the second half, which requires you to understand that your life is unmanageable.
An unmanageable life can involve the following:
- Health problems
- Issues with friends and family
- Problems with a spouse
- Money problems
- Issues at work
While you’re in addiction treatment, the most important lesson that you’re going to learn is that substances are a symptom. What this means is that just because you’re getting rid of drugs or alcohol doesn’t mean you’ve solved your addiction. The disease of addiction centers in the mind, so it’s going to take some work to change your thinking. In order to change your thinking, you’ll need to display humility and check your pride.
Staying Honest, Open-Minded and Willing
The next step in the addiction recovery timeline is soaking in all the information that you can while taking suggestions. They say that the only characteristics that you need to be successful in early recovery are honesty, open-mindedness, and willingness. This means being honest with others like therapists and your peers, but more importantly being honest with yourself. Keeping an open mind is going to allow you to gain a new perspective on life, and being willing sets everything else up.
The Importance of Aftercare
It’s important to maximize your length of stay in treatment because it gives you the best chances of staying sober. Once you complete alcohol and drug treatment programs, you’ll begin an aftercare plan. This is crucial to your recovery because it helps you to stay on the path of healing. The only thing that can get in the way of you and your long-term recovery is you, so diligence will help you stay clean.
1st Step Behavioral Health can help you throughout your recovery timeline from the start to supporting your recovery. When you enroll a 1st Step Behavioral program, you’ll receive the tools you need to maintain your sobriety. Call today at (855) 425-4846 to find out more about addiction rehab and long-term care.
