Summer is always a great season to spend time with family and friends, perhaps with a few cookouts or reunions. Yet, for a person in active drug or alcohol addiction, summer events can be stressful. You may be criticized, told what to do, or ignored altogether. With summer coming to an end, now may be the time to take action for yourself.
Labor Day is often a day of gathering, an opportunity to step away from work and focus on relaxing. What if you make it the day you focus on your future?
Why Drug and Alcohol Addiction Treatment Is Necessary
Substance use disorder puts a person’s future at risk. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provides some addiction statistics that indicate just how prevalent this disease is. In a comprehensive study completed in 2019, the organization found that 20.4 million people had a substance use disorder in the previous year. Of them, 71.1 percent, or about 14.5 million people, were struggling with alcohol use disorder.
If you are one of those people and you’re ready to make a change, here are some of the benefits that come from getting drug and alcohol treatment:
- You get help dealing with the withdrawal symptoms you may have.
- You have access to medical care.
- Mental health support is available, including for those with co-occurring disorders.
- You gain the support of people who understand what you’re really facing because they have experience in treating substance use disorders.
- Your family can get some help too, through family therapy programs.
With a comprehensive program, you take the time to focus on you. That means that you can:
- No longer feel controlled by drugs and alcohol
- No longer feel like your life is nothing more than your next drink or hit
- Reclaim a future that fits your needs and goals
- Figure out a path forward even if you have no clue what it could be right now
- Save your life
If you’re facing substance use disorder and want some help right now, contact The Ranch at Dove Tree. Our team is available 24 hours a day to provide you with the hands-on support you need to get through your addiction and onto a future you can enjoy.
Already in Recovery but Struggling? Make Labor Day the Day of Change
Perhaps you’ve already gone through addiction treatment, but are struggling right now. Why not make Labor Day the day you get support so you can change? You may want to renew your commitment to attending recovery support meetings, or you may decide that outpatient treatment will help you get back on track. You can also decide to create a lifestyle that supports your drug and alcohol addiction recovery. Consider the following:
- Eat a healthy diet
Did you know that your diet can impact your addiction recovery success? Your body needs nutrients that support its healing. With a diet rich in nutrients, you’ll be meeting the very basic needs to support your health.
- Get help for stress
One of the core risks to those who are facing addiction recovery is stress. Stress management is important – without a method for truly minimizing stress, it can quickly spiral out of control and put you at risk for relapse. Managing stress isn’t about ignoring it or pretending it’s not there, though. Rather, you need a plan that gives you the support to deal with bad situations in the moment.
- Incorporate breaks into your routine
Labor Day is a time to recoup. Give yourself that time on a routine basis. You can take a break by watching a funny movie with friends, taking the day off to do nothing, spending time outdoors, or getting a massage. What’s most important is doing something that is appealing and beneficial to you, personally.
- Recognize and get help for your mental health needs
Mental health and substance use disorder go hand-in-hand. Depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, and many other disorders often lurk behind the scenes and put your health at risk. Recognize what’s happening and seek out professional treatment. Your life will improve with it.
- Spend time with friends who get it
How do you stay sober when your friends drink? Numerous strategies can help, but what’s most important is having friends who don’t put you at risk and instead provide you with the support you need to remain drug-free.
Know That This Labor Day, We’re Here for You
The Ranch at Dove Tree in Lubbock, TX, is committed to providing you with exceptional care and support for your future. No matter how stressful today seems or how impossible recovery may feel, we’re here right now to offer help. Call us today.
