Image Source: Freepik
To give you an idea of how a patient’s recovery process works, here are the stages that the patient undergoes.
The First Stage: Pre-Contemplation
This is where addicts realize that they have a problem. However, they will try to downplay the problem as well as the effect of their actions, which indicates that they are yet unwilling to let go of their addiction and take steps to change. The addiction has become the patients’ source of comfort for so long that they wouldn’t think sobriety is and will always be the better option to go forward successfully in their lives.
The Second Stage: Contemplation
Stage two is where the addicts begin to really want to change their lives and take steps to be finally sober. At this stage, the addicts will need all the support they can get, so it’s important that they be surrounded by people who share their determination and encourage them to keep going. Acceptance of that they have an addiction doesn’t mean that the patients will no longer fall back to their comfortable yet destructive old habits, so they will need a persistent push to get to stage three.
The Third Stage: Preparation
Image Source: Unsplash
This is where the patients become psychologically prepared to start the process towards recovery. They will become aware of the potential changes they can make to make their lives better. This is the stage where they become more accepting of help from their loved ones. Mental as well as emotional support is vital. They will need this to follow through on their decision to get better.
Fourth Stage: Action
The patients take the steps necessary for their recovery and will be asking for support to ensure that they will be able to transcend this phase and get to the final stage. An extensive support network, on top of the support they get from family and friends, will be helpful. This means that they will need professional medical assistance who can expertly help and guide them through during this stage, wherein they will experience withdrawal and everything that goes with the time their body is starting to flush out the toxins. Aside from the physical part of the struggle against addiction, professional help can also take care of the mental side. It would be best if they’re checked in a heroin rehab centre in Thailand or elsewhere in the world with an efficient addiction center, where there is slim or even zero chances of them getting distracted or discouraged.
Fifth Stage: Maintenance
Image Source: Freepik
This is the final stage, and yet will be ongoing. Accepting the fact that addicts will always have to fight off the temptation of reverting to their old habits, they will need to have the knowledge as well as the skills to maintain their sobriety. Aside from productive and healthy hobbies, giving them a sense of purpose such as having a constructive role in society will inspire them to take better care of their health. Lots of patients are even able to get a job and keep themselves away from situations where there are chances of relapse.
The road to recovery isn’t only a long one, it is also difficult and would require a lot of determination, understanding, support, and hard work from both the patients and their loved ones. It is then important that they be placed in a loving and accepting environment to ensure that their journey stays strong. Give yourself or your addicted loved one this glimmering chance at life and be the person he or she is truly meant to be - one who can help his or her life as well as other people’s lives better.
No comments