Recovering from substance addiction is not an easy road. You will push yourself to break free from the hold of drugs and alcohol, work on having a better understanding of what led you to turn to substances in the first place, and form healthier habits that help you stay on your path of sobriety.
While these changes can be difficult in the first place, there are often several mistakes young adults make that can create a much more difficult road to recovery. Especially at the beginning of your recovery, avoiding these common mistakes can prevent additional challenges and help strengthen your confidence in yourself to have a successful journey toward sobriety.
What are Common Mistakes Young Adults Make During Addiction Recovery?
Trying to Quit Cold-Turkey
Some people think that they will be able to stop using drugs or alcohol altogether at a moment’s notice — but this is rarely a wise choice. There are two main issues with quitting substances cold-turkey.
First, doing so can be dangerous to your health. Since certain substances, such as heroin or meth, form such heavy dependencies within your body, suddenly cutting off that supply can cause severe withdrawal symptoms that can be life-threatening.
Another issue associated with quitting cold-turkey is that, since you are not addressing the root cause of your addiction, you may be more likely to relapse.
Trying to Beat Addiction Alone
This mistake can often be two-fold. For starters, some people think they are better off trying to get sober on their own. However, in doing so, you may not address the underlying causes of your addiction — meaning you may not have as successful of a recovery as you would if you attended a treatment program and received the help of medical doctors and therapists.
Additionally, once you leave your treatment program, you should try to find support in family members and friends who can keep you accountable and help you stay on the right path. They also can provide solace if you are going through a difficult time during recovery.
Setting Unrealistic Expectations
Addiction recovery is not a marathon, nor a sprint. Everyone recovers from substance abuse at their own pace, and there are no milestones that you should achieve by a certain timeframe. If you push yourself to meet unrealistic expectations, you are essentially setting yourself up for failure and diminishing your own confidence in yourself.
Some examples of unrealistic expectations can include thinking:
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Recovery to be an entirely uphill journey
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Recovery is a quick process that is complete after treatment
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You won’t experience triggers after treatment
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Life will be entirely normal after treatment
In reality, recovery will involve a lot of ups and downs, present you with challenges, and require constant effort on your part — but it will all be worth it as you live a healthier, happier life.
Not Addressing Co-Occurring Disorders
When you take the first step to address your addiction to drugs or alcohol, you should also take into consideration any co-occurring disorders that may have caused or been caused by your substance abuse.
Those who live with mental illness are twice as likely to develop a substance use disorder — and addressing both issues is very important to allow for a healthy, successful recovery. Some of the most common mental illness that co-occur with substance abuse include:
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Anxiety
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Depressive disorders
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder
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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
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Eating disorders
While you can address these issues separately, it’s often a good idea to choose an addiction treatment program that can offer dual diagnosis treatment and can address both issues to help you understand how they play into each other.
Not Choosing a Program that Suits Your Needs
Not all addiction programs are created equally. While it can be tempting to choose one close to home or that is less expensive in cost, the best course of action is to choose a program that specifically serves your unique needs; this will best set you up for a successful recovery.
The first thing to consider is if a treatment facility caters to a specific age group. While anyone can struggle with addiction, the reason people turn to alcohol often differs between age groups — not to mention people struggle with different stressors at different points in their lives. For example, if you are between the ages of 18 and 30, you should aim to find a program that caters to young adults.
Another aspect to consider is if you live with a more specialized issue that may be related to your addiction. For example, unresolved trauma can lead to addiction, and LGBTQIA+ individuals are often at a higher risk for substance abuse. By not choosing a program that offers treatments, such as trauma-informed care or LGBTQIA+-friendly treatment, you may not be setting yourself up for the best chance at a successful recovery.
Young Adult Substance Abuse Treatment in Pennsylvania
The team at Silvermist Recovery Center is committed to providing our clients with the best possible chance of long-lasting recovery through a highly individualized and progressive approach to substance abuse treatment.
Treatment plans include proven drug and alcohol counseling techniques along with medical interventions, holistic and experiential therapy, and even life skills training.
Designed for young adults and set in the stunning countryside of Pennsylvania, we offer beautiful accommodations both inside and out on our pristine 30-acre campus.
Contact us today to get the help you deserve.