When you think of drug rehab, the first things that probably come to mind are withdrawal, cravings, and relapse. These aspects of drug addiction have been well-documented as a result of years of research and study.
However, people often overlook the side effects of being dependent on drugs for an extended period of time.
To effectively treat someone addicted to drugs and get them back on track, drug rehab centers need to go beyond just addressing the effects of addiction and underlying causes.
An effective treatment plan should help patients develop coping mechanisms, connect with their inner self, discover new interests, and boost self-confidence.
You can expect to learn four coping mechanisms from a drug rehab center.
1. Exercise
Research has shown that exercise can be helpful when it comes to treating drug addiction.
Physical activity is essential for maintaining good physical and mental health. It can help patients manage cravings, reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood and increase feelings of self-worth. Not only does it help with regulating your sleep patterns, but it also helps boost one’s self-confidence as one gets fit.
Alternatively, you might find yourself picking up a new sporting hobby such as table tennis or soccer.
2. Board Games
When someone is feeling isolated while in rehab, the first thing they need to do is build a connection with themselves. However, for some people, this can be a challenging task.
Many drug rehab centers incorporate board games into their treatment plans to help patients overcome the feeling of isolation and build a connection with themselves.
Many studies have shown that engaging in activities that allow you to connect with other people reduces your feelings of isolation. This is because you become less focused on yourself and more focused on the people around you.
People can play a wide variety of board games, ranging from classic card games like poker to more modern games like Scrabble and Monopoly.
3. Arts and Crafts
To help patients cope with the cravings they experience while they’re in drug rehab, many facilities will incorporate arts and crafts activities into their treatment plans.
Many studies have shown that when you engage in activities that allow you to express yourself, such as art, you become less stressed and more relaxed.
You’ll be surprised at how therapeutic picking up a paintbrush can be! However, there are plenty of different crafts people can choose from apart from painting, such as woodworking and sewing.
4. Maintaining a Healthy Diet
A good drug rehab program will include good dieting as a core component of treatment. This will help the patients nurse their bodies back to health after dealing with the damaging effects of drug abuse.
But it’s not just about eating “clean” foods. It’s also about eating enough food to stay healthy and energized.
Conclusion
Drug rehab is more than just withdrawal symptoms and how to avoid cravings. It also means learning to take care of your physical and mental health and feel comfortable in your own skin.
While the effects of drug withdrawal are challenging to deal with, once those have passed, patients can focus on developing healthy coping mechanisms to have a lasting recovery.