According to healthcare professionals in addiction recovery, the healing journey cannot start if substance abuser doesn’t want it. Motivation is the first step and also an essential part of recovery. Furthermore, it is crucial at the beginning but also has to be present during the whole process of quitting alcohol or drugs. How to find the stimulation to start and keep the willpower alive throughout the difficult time is what people in the free rehab centers underline as one of, if not the most important question.
In order to fully comprehend its importance and how to choose the right way to motivate yourself or others to stop drinking alcohol or taking drugs, some knowledge should be gathered first. The word “addiction” (from the Latin addicere) has been used since the 15th century to describe the state of high devotion to something that can eventually lead to compulsive behavior.
Modern science defines it as a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory, and related circuitry with characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. Substance abuse can negatively affect a person’s quality of life and damage not only health but completely destroy the biological balance of the human body. The social and financial part of the problem can ruin substance user as well as the entire family, creating unexpected and unforeseen difficulties for each member.
Family is often the reason why addicted people decide to start the recovery and if well prepared and informed about how to treat the situation during therapy, which is a part of drug addiction treatment,they become the biggest and closest supporters.
Although motivation is a powerful trigger to start the battle with addiction there is research which examines the possibility that it also could be a reason for addictive behavior in the first place. If taken into consideration that addiction actually can be described as a type of motivated behavior in general, then similarities between substance use and motivated behavior might help explaining how and why abuse starts, continues and how it can be controlled.
Based on these findings, an alternative approach has been offered that includes conscious control and self-regulation as steps to quit drinking. The idea is to use the tools already successfully developed by the user, motivation to use and self-regulation to fulfill the desires.
The treatment is based on a few steps where the first one would be when the addict consciously decides to stop fulfilling the desire and then self-regulate to quit. It is of great importance to follow the list of standards, during this process, such as maintaining quitting motivation and self-efficacy, training willpower and minimize temptations, and by making drastic lifestyle changes.
Finding inspiration to exit the vicious circle of abuse can depend on a person and its life background. In the case of struggling with this problem, the first place that can provide ways to stop drinking and taking substances is drug rehabilitation center. In general, there are three kinds of motivation that can help the user to change its behavior.
Self-Motivation is applicable when addicts are aware of the situation and have something important and precious in life to care about, such as child and/or family, job, or personal values. This type of motivation should be energetically supported but any sign of pressure could be counter-productive. Leverage is a type of motivation created by others usually in the form of intervention.
The addict is forced to face the situation and to choose between addiction and getting help. In this case, it is important to back up the initial demand with the list of consequences (losing job or family support) that will otherwise follow. The help-seeking process should be monitored, as an addict could promise to do so just to avoid the pressure.
The third kind of motivation is applicable in cases when an addict is closely connected to a person (sibling, friend or partner) and do not want to lose it. In this case, the substance user is faced with “information” that if things don’t change that person will be forced to back away. It’s important to make this statement calmly and to add that the minute things change the support and help will be restored.
These types of motivation have one thing in common, psychology. Once an addict is determined to start the recovery, the real struggle begins. The seriousness of the problem with keeping the motivation active during the recovery process could be well explained through Yerkes-Dodson Law.
This law describes how performance increases with physiological or mental encouragement, but only up to a certain point. Simplified, the key is to find the perfect ratio between boredom and stress. If recovery slips into a routine that does not change for a certain period of time, the potential danger of relapse can occur. Therefore it is of great importance to search for the challenges in order to find the peak moment, which is different for each person.
The peak moment is actually a process of finding and engaging in activities that best reflect a person’s abilities at the time, which directly increases the motivation. However, too much challenging, such as unrealistic expectations, or refusing help can produce stress, followed by the disappointment and in some cases relapse.
Staying motivated during the rehab process is a crucial factor and a priority. First and most important is to seek and find professional help and build a support network. For some people, the traditional way that includes family and friends is more suitable while others prefer free drug and alcohol classes. Facing emotions and not being afraid to deal with them are the most valuable moments during and after the recovery.
This and any other achievement, no matter how small, should be a reason for celebration. Taking one day at a time, creating a solid life structure, building confidence and keeping a positive attitude are also good ways to stay focused and inspired.
Life after rehabilitation can be intimidating and full of uncertainty. Making long-term plans, overcoming alcoholism without AA, staying on the right path and substance-free will help addicts to feel strong enough to organize new life and face the world with confidence.
Shift Frequency © 2019 – Are you motivated to beat the addiction?