Addiction
The first thing you’ll notice about Salt recovery is the extent of our knowledge and experience. Drugs and alcohol can cause addiction. Addiction means that you compulsively seek out and abuse drugs and alcohol despite repeated negative consequences or a strong desire to quit. Some of the most common psychoactive substances that lead to physical and psychological addiction include:
Opiates such as prescription painkillers and heroin.
Alcohol.
Stimulants such methamphetamine, Adderall, and Ritalin.
Cocaine and crack cocaine.
Prescription medications.
Benzodiazepines such as Xanax and Ativan.
When you become addicted to a substance, your brain chemistry changes. Since drugs and alcohol are neurotransmitter inhibitors, they force your brain to release more neurotransmitters than it should whenever you use. Your brain can become dependent on substances in order to release neurotransmitters and begin to reward your drug and alcohol use by releasing a rush of pleasurable neurotransmitters whenever you use.
When you don’t use, you can experience cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Your brain also associates drugs and alcohol with pleasure and classifies them as reminders of your substance of choice with pleasure. This results in you dealing with powerful cravings whenever you are exposed to triggers.
Some common triggers include:
Items or paraphernalia that remind you of your substance of choice.
Places where you commonly use or acquire drugs or alcohol.
People that you use with.
Negative emotions, such as anxiety, stress or depression.
Entering Salt Recovery for addiction
In recovery, you can address addiction in a safe and private environment. It’s an environment away from negative triggers and where there’s lots of positive empowerment and guided support.
Once you are settled, the treatment process can begin. Recovering at Salt Recovery will incorporate many therapies. You may attend group and individual therapy, and there are five-star amenities and activities to take advantage of, too.
Therapy sessions include:
Psychotherapy: This therapy treatment is a big part of dual diagnosis treatment. Cognitive behavioural therapy, in particular, helps you learn how to cope and change negative thinking.
Support Groups: These are great when dealing with a dual diagnosis that can feel isolating. Support groups let clients share frustrations, celebrate successes and find referrals for specialists. They also provide a space for forming healthy friendships filled with encouragement to stay clean.
Holistic wellness practices: Art therapy, meditation classes and other forms of wellness practices help deal with dual diagnosis. Often, a person’s mental health is the big cause of substance abuse disorders. Removing negative triggers and introducing healthy habits allows a person to rest. It also helps calm their mind and learn the tools they need to prolong their recovery for the rest of their lives.
