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Mental Health Is Essential for Recovery From Addiction

Addiction is a severe problem that destroys lives, families, and relationships. As many as 20 million Americans struggle with substance abuse disorder (SUD) and addiction is the Number One cause of death for those aged 15-29 in the United States. While quitting drugs and alcohol is never easy, the physical detox greatly pales in relevance when compared to holistic wellbeing and mental health in achieving long-term recovery. To be successful in addiction recovery, it is essential for individuals to prioritize their mental health to make a sustainable, long-term recovery.

Mental health often takes a backseat when treating addiction, but its importance in addiction recovery is absolutely paramount. Indeed, many addicted individuals are impaired in their cognitive skills, memory, judgement, and communication due to their chronic substance abuse. It is imperative to address the individual’s underlying mental health issues, whether they are post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety, in order to effectively reach recovery.

Mental health treatment for addiction recovery can take many forms, including psychotherapy sessions and cognitive behavioral therapy. Psychotherapeutic interventions are often helpful in addressing the core mental health issues and re-establishing effective coping strategies for healthier habits. Cognitive behavioral therapy, on the other hand, is useful in helping addicts recognize patterns of addiction behavior, reframe negative thoughts and create healthy strategies to deal with life’s inevitable challenges.

In addition, addiction recovery often requires extensive life changes, and having a counsellor or therapist to coach addicts through these changes is invaluable. Developing a network of social support groups can also provide invaluable assistance and encouragement to an addict in recovery, as well as keep them accountable.

Though managing mental health and addiction recovery can appear to be a daunting task, there are a vast array of therapeutic interventions and treatment options that can help an individual navigate the often turbulent journey from addiction to recovery. Rehabilitation centers, physical health practitioners, mental health practitioners, as well as support groups are all valuable resources that can provide patients with essential support and guidance on the road to recovery and lasting sobriety. Eliminating addiction, and the resulting mental health issues, must be seen as a combined holistic effort.

Prioritizing one’s mental health is essential for recovery from addiction. Therapeutic intervention, social support, and rehabilitative services are just a few of the resources that all addicts should consider to ensure their recovery is holistic and lasting. Recovery from addiction is an incredibly challenging and rewarding journey, and it is important to remember that recovery is possible—by focusing on mental health, individuals can rebuild their lives and become a new version of themselves.

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