Addiction recovery, also referred to as addiction treatment or addiction rehabilitation, is the process in which an individual learns to cope with the effects of their addiction while also learning to maintain their sobriety in the long term.
This can be a complex and challenging process for many individuals who may find themselves struggling with addiction, but the results mean that individuals are more likely to minimise the long-term consequences of their addiction; addiction can never be completely cured.
If an individual leaves their addiction untreated, then they are more likely to experience greater and greater threats to their health and general wellbeing, as well as increasing the risk of their addiction also worsening over time.
This is known as creating a ‘vicious cycle’ of addiction, often requiring specialised rehabilitation to break the pattern and begin to treat the effects of.
Addiction as a disorder and the effects of this
Every individual will have a different experience of addiction due to the different substances that individuals are addicted to, the extent of their consumption, as well as personal factors such as age, metabolism, height, and weight.
Some individuals may be able to go about their daily routine while struggling with addiction, whereas others may find that they are unable to keep up with their everyday responsibilities and may require help far sooner than others.
However, all addictions require rehabilitation for an individual to avoid the future impacts of this – some of which can be life-threatening depending on the factors previously mentioned.
The following subheadings categorise the effects of addiction into two main categories: physical and mental – as well as providing some examples of some effects that can fall under these categories for specific substances.
1. Physical health impacts
Depending on the substance, an individual may experience a range of different impacts to their health and physical well-being.
For example, substances that are generally consumed by smoking may cause additional risk to the individual’s lungs and respiratory system health. Many studies have linked opioid consumption via smoking to a higher prevalence of respiratory disease within specific populations (1).
In addition, many substances that have addictive qualities also have an effect on an individual’s cardiovascular system. This leads to additional risk to heart problems, breathing issues, as well as blood pressure changes – all of which can be fatal if varying too much from the standard levels.
Beyond the long-term physical impacts, the detox process itself can take a heavy toll on the body. For example, opioid detox is often accompanied by withdrawal symptoms such as muscle aches, gastrointestinal distress, and severe insomnia. While not typically life-threatening on its own, the intensity of these symptoms can greatly strain an individual’s physical health and complicate the early stages of recovery.
2. Mental health impacts
As well as addiction itself being considered a mental health issue, it is also a condition that often co-occurs with many other mental health issues.
When treated during addiction rehab, the focus on and treatment of two or more mental health issues is called a dual diagnosis approach and is always recommended due to the focus on all issues present, not just the addiction alone.
Commonly co-occurring mental health issues include depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia, though there are many more that have been reported.
Alcohol addictions have been long linked to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety specifically as alcohol is known as a ‘downer’ substance, meaning that it brings down an individual’s mood and can often leave them feeling strong negative emotions.
Addiction as a whole has generally been linked to the reward system in the brain (2), also adding to the additional mental health strains that this disorder can cause and the associated rehabilitation treatment options that are recommended.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is often considered to be the practise of becoming increasingly aware of one’s consciousness and awareness of their surroundings.
Though a relatively simple concept in theory, mindfulness is something that must be regularly practised in order to gain the full benefit of.
Mindfulness originates from Buddhist teachings and, at its basics, concerns general development of awareness to the self and that which surrounds us (3).
Because of this, mindfulness is often recommended as a form of therapy or treatment for a range of different mental health issues including specific conditions such as anxiety, depression, and addiction specifically.
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Mindfulness strategies across an individual’s rehab journey
In the field of addiction, and relating to rehab in general, mindfulness strategies are often implemented across many individuals’ addiction treatment programmes.
This is because mindfulness may allow individuals to gain a new perspective on their situation, including their addiction, the effects of this, and the broader reach of their condition.
The following subheadings outline how an individual may benefit from mindfulness practises in each stage of rehabilitation, highlighting the importance of this and the need for increasing teachings of the mindfulness approach.
1. Mindfulness during detoxification
As detoxification from any substance can be a challenging process due to the withdrawal symptoms that an individual may experience.
This is where mindfulness may be able to help an individual think about the beginning of their rehabilitation journey in a different light, using their experience of a home alcohol detox services to form the basis of the remainder of their treatment.
For example, focussing instead on an individual’s situation and surroundings may distract from initial uncomfortable symptoms, but choosing to also focus on these symptoms and be aware of their presence and need may also be another beneficial approach.
2. Mindfulness in therapy/treatment
In many modern addiction treatment programmes, mindfulness itself is being introduced as its own form of therapy.
Often considered to be a holistic treatment (i.e., drawing from other disciplines), mindfulness is often a part of meditation or yoga-based rehabilitation, as well as being its own standalone form of care.
This may be an individual’s first experience of mindfulness – either in the context of rehabilitation or therapy – but it is always important to remember that as long as an individual is committing fully to their treatment and applying their full motivation to this process, then they are making the best progress that they can.
3. Mindfulness in aftercare
Though aftercare may not seem as hands-on and effective as the previous stages of rehab, mindfulness within this stage is still vital.
Aftercare is often the best stage in which an individual can practise their own mindfulness techniques, especially if they are confident at leading their ongoing learning and commitment to rehabilitation and recovery.
Some individuals may prefer more contact during aftercare, but this can also include mindfulness, with individuals perhaps keeping a mindfulness journal alongside their ongoing care and support.
This is a great way to track progress, as well as for others to see how an individual perceives their treatment programme and any changes that could be made to accommodate this.
Getting help for addiction and seeking recovery today
Seeking rehab for addiction can be a daunting task, especially if it is an individual’s first time seeking care.
However, getting in touch with local medical support systems, as well as the individual’s local doctors’ or general practitioners (GPs) can be a great way to start the process into seeking further care.
Additional addiction referral services are also available and information on these services can be found on the internet and through the individual’s local advice services.
References
[1] Hulin, J., Brodie, A., Stevens, J. and Mitchell, C., 2020. Prevalence of respiratory conditions among people who use illicit opioids: a systematic review. Addiction, 115(5), pp.832-849.
[2] Cleary, M. and Thomas, S.P., 2017. Addiction and mental health across the lifespan: An overview of some contemporary issues. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 38(1), pp.2-8.[3] Van Gordon, W., Shonin, E. and Griffiths, M.D., 2015. Mindfulness in mental health: a critical reflection. Journal of Psychology, Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Brain Stimulation, 1(1).
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