When it comes to breaking the cycle of addiction, one of the first choices is accepting help. It is possible to beat addiction independently, but various therapeutic paths exist, such as using medication management with licensed, professional assistance.
Going It Alone
Going it alone without counseling or medication management in your therapeutic path can be a valid option. It is definitely one aspect of self-care and everyone has the right to care for their needs as necessary. It is possible to engage in addiction therapy on one’s own, but it can be difficult.
First is recognizing that drug addiction isn’t a sign of weakness or some sort of deep character flaw. Addiction can affect anyone. Recognizing that you need to quit is an important first step and a sign of wisdom – it shows that even addicted you have the inner strength to change your path.
Help Guide Org does offer some strategies when it comes to thinking about changes you want to make. For example, the guide advises tracking your drug use to determine the role addiction plays in your life. The guide also suggests weighing the pros and cons of addiction and the impact of quitting. This also means factoring in your relationships, asking for their input, and weighing in on what obstacles may be in your path toward recovery.
Addiction carries any number of risks and triggers in falling back into addiction cycles, so it is important to consider different aspects of your mental health as you commit to such a therapeutic path. Even relatively minor things, such as self-care strategies, can have an effect and help you quit.
Reality of Self-Therapeutics
Psychology Today confirms that it is possible to quit on one’s own and the statistics can be heartening. According to the Psychology Today article, a National Survey on Drug Use and Health asked American from 18 to 25 about their usage. The data, reaching back to 2002, suggested 22 percent of Americans in that age bracket were dependent on substances. This was in contract to the 3 percent of those in the age 55 to 59 bracket. The methodology of the data indicated tat most people can overcome their substance abuse without treatent.
The article does reveal why self-treatment can work, and it doesn’t come off as a surprise. Quitting an addiction is based on the person’s desire to change. However, that can be tricky given the intensity of addiction and some of the symptoms that accompany tapering down from substances by use of medication management.
Strategies for Easing Self-Therapeutics
While we do not necessarily advise treating addiction alone, we recommend some strategies to help with aspects that surround and complicate the recovery process which do not include medication management. These include:
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Coping With Negative Thoughts
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Dirty Role of Denial in Mental Health
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Deep Breathing for Anxiety
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Are insomnia symptoms driving you bonkers?
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Am I having depression symptoms?
As you can see, based on the strategies, quitting an addiction can cause other challenges, and these can be overwhelming. These complications can push even the strongest personalities to relapse, so the healing path of going it alone cannot be recommended.
Downsides of Going It Alone
One of the most significant downsides in overcoming drug addiction by yourself is the ever-present potential for Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome. This temporary phase of medical discomfort has the potential to derail the self-recovery process. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome can vary in intensity but is a part of the human brain’s recovery from substance dependence, such as benzodiazepines. The usage of substances has chemical effects on the brain that cause the brain to expect these chemicals.
Detoxing reduces the access of said chemicals to the brain, and as a response, the brain rewires itself and corrects the chemical imbalance. Usage of addictive substances, such as benzodiazepines, can alter the chemistry of the brain, leading to cravings for the substances and generating intense symptoms when deprived.
Potential Symptoms of Withdrawal
- Fatigue
- Issues with fine motor coordination
- Foggy thinking/trouble remembering
- Anxiety or panic
- Depression
- Urges and cravings
- Irritability or hostility
- Sleep disturbances—insomnia or vivid dreams
- Lack of initiative
- Impaired ability to focus
- Mood swings
- Stress sensitivity
The reality is that such withdrawals can often cause an addict to return to the substance their body is craving, interrupting the treatment cycle. That is why choosing to walk a therapeutic path alone can be so challenging. It is possible, but there is a more manageable treatment path when it comes to beating addiction.
Medication Management
Medication management is one therapeutic option for kicking an addiction that works hand-in-hand with a mental health provider.
Detox is only a first step, not a treatment in and of itself. A lack of treatment after a detoxification process, such as quitting by oneself, could usually lead back to drug use. Medication management in the detoxification process is extremely common, with one SAMHSA study in 2014 recording that 80 percent of detoxification used medications.
New medications are also being developed to work in addiction programs as well. Lofexidine is a non-opioid medicine designed to reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms that the FDA first approved in May 2018. Who knows what the future might bring?
Medication management is a proven and effective option for managing addiction. It is one of the most important ways a drug treatment program can aid in the recovery process. According to DrugAbuse.gov:
Patients can use medications to help re-establish normal brain function and decrease cravings. Medications are available for treatment of opioid (heroin, prescription pain relievers), tobacco (nicotine), and alcohol addiction. Scientists are developing other medications to treat stimulant (cocaine, methamphetamine) and cannabis (marijuana) addiction. People who use more than one drug, which is very common, need treatment for all of the substances they use.
The benefits of medication management are clear and provide for a practical companion to self-motivated treatment. However, the choice of a partner in this regard is key, and New Age Psychiatry is the right partner for Florida residents when it comes time to seek treatment.
New Age Psychiatry Services
New Age Psychiatry is ready to be your partner in drug addiction therapy. We offer several unique programs in addition to our general services to help addicts quit. For example, our medically assisted Benzodiazepine taper program combines counseling and medication management through our virtual treatment program.
Our virtual treatment programs, referred to as telemedicine, are one way we can help you beat your addiction from the comfort of your own home. While telemedicine can have its limitations, you’ll find that it can be pretty effective in the right circumstances and is generally an option for many therapies provided by New Age Psychiatry. New Age Psychiatry offers industry-leading telehealth services to new and existing patients. These services use video conferencing with your doctor to receive medical care and be prescribed medication while staying in the comfort of your own home.
If you don’t have the time or the ability to visit a doctor’s office for medical care, you can turn to telehealth services. In mental health telemedicine, you acquire your medicine prescription online through an e-prescription. The e-prescription is sent directly to your preferred pharmacy, so there is no need to visit a doctor’s office. Mental Health Telemedicine follows HIPAA regulatory rules, ensuring your privacy, security, and the integrity of your information from therapeutic appointment to appointment. Your information is always safe and secure with New Age Psychiatry.
Ready to Start?
There are many benefits to counseling that can help you get your life back on track. If you’re struggling with depression or anxiety, the best thing you can do is speak to a mental health professional about what may be going on and how they can help you find relief. New Age Psychiatry offers individual therapy sessions as well as medication management services so we have everything covered for our patients. We believe in taking care of ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually so if any of these areas need improvement then let us know today! Book an appointment online or call (877) 769-5206 now to see how we can make your life better!
If you would prefer to end the addiction cycle through medication management, New Age Psychiatry can help. You do not need to struggle by yourself to change your life. Our various services can give you a leg up you need to leave addiction behind.
Contact us on the web for a virtual appointment. If you would instead use email, you can reach us at info@newagepsychiatry.com or call us today at (877) 769-5206 for more information.
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