Some people see getting sober as an end goal, but in reality, it is just the first step of a longer recovery journey. If you or someone you love has recently given up alcohol or other drugs, you may be wondering what happens next. At Safe Harbor Recovery Center, in Portsmouth, Virginia, we want to give you some idea of what to expect over the next year.
Withdrawal
Acute withdrawal occurs while the drugs or alcohol are leaving a person’s body. The specific symptoms a person experiences and the severity of their symptoms while in the acute withdrawal stage will depend on what drug(s) they have been using, how long and how much they used, and if there are medications available to help alleviate some of their symptoms. Some common withdrawal symptoms include:
- Upset stomach
- Sweating
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood swings
- Nightmares
If the person is in a medically supervised detox, there will be doctors and nurses available to monitor their symptoms and keep them safe. While not all people experience life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, they can occur. Some withdrawal symptoms that are dangerous and require medical attention are:
- Seizures
- Hallucinations
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
If you observe someone displaying these symptoms while withdrawing, you should get them immediate medical care.
Treatment
An assessment will need to be completed to determine what level of treatment a person needs. Some people only need outpatient treatment, while others need to be in a more intensive, inpatient setting, and there are also steps between these two options. During treatment, people often receive individual, group, and family counseling sessions. They may also receive experiential therapies, such as art therapy, recreational therapy, or music therapy.
Many people who struggle with addiction also have a co-occurring mental health disorder. If this is the case, Safe Harbor Recovery Center offers mental health treatment alongside chemical health treatment, so that the person can progress in their recovery from both conditions at the same time.
Celebrating 30 Days
Having a full month of sobriety under your belt is a big deal. Your symptoms start to become more manageable, and you’re developing more coping strategies to manage the struggles of your life in recovery. If you’ve been in inpatient treatment, you may now be stepping down to a lower level of care.
Walking on (Pink) Clouds
Pink Cloud “Syndrome” is not an official diagnosis or phase of recovery. Rather, it is a phenomenon that many people experience when they are new to sobriety and riding a wave of bliss that can fuel unrealistic expectations. While the happiness and hope that people feel during this stage can be wonderful motivators for change, it is also important to maintain balance by continuing to listen to treatment professionals and people with lived experience in recovery. A sponsor and other sober supports from recovery groups can be important resources during this time. Your faith community may also be a helpful tool in navigating this stage and the next one you are likely to experience.
Post-Acute Withdrawal
After the drugs or alcohol are out of a person’s body and their brain chemistry starts to return to normal levels, they may have different withdrawal symptoms, which can also be challenging. Post-acute withdrawal symptoms may last from six months to two years and can include:
- Memory and concentration issues
- Physical coordination challenges
- Difficulty managing emotions
- Sleep disruption
Structure and Routine
All of the carious groups and therapy sessions you attended in treatment weren’t just about learning new ways to cope, but also about building predictability and routine into your days. As you transition to lower and lower levels of care, you should consider ways you can replicate this in the “real world” setting where you now find yourself. Continuing to participate in therapy, alumni groups, 12-step meetings, giving back, doing step work, having a job, and spending time with sober friends and family can make it easier to keep putting one foot in front of the other and avoid falling back into old habits, spending time in dangerous places, and contacting people who aren’t supportive of your recovery.
Dodging the “13th Step.”
There is an inside joke in the recovery community that the 13th step involves starting a relationship with another person in recovery, for both of you are in the right place to be in an intimate relationship. The early stages of recovery can be lonely, so there is sometimes a temptation to find someone to date, but it is often better to focus on building your sober support system and work on your own recovery for the first year and worry about dating later, when you have had time to work on yourself and recognize that there may have been unhealthy relationship patterns in your past you don’t want to repeat.
Repairing Relationships
Rather than starting a new relationship, you might find it more helpful to work on repairing old ones and making amends. The process of restoring trust with friends and family can take a lot of time and energy, so not having the distraction of new love can be helpful.
Sober Hobbies
Many people find that they have a lot more time on their hands when they no longer spend it pursuing, using, and recovering from substance use. Embracing new and old hobbies can be a great way to make connections with other people, discover who you are without drugs or alcohol in your life, and find things that make you happy.
At Safe Harbor Recovery Center, we offer medically supervised detox, residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and an alumni program to meet our clients where they are and help them get to the next stage of their recovery.