Developing a Process Oriented Mindset in Meth Addiction Treatment
You have certainly heard the saying patience is a virtue. It’s a bit of a cliche, but the idea that every person who wants to achieve something meaningful will need a bit of patience doesn’t seem out of line. It seems completely logical. Sure, contemporary Americans like speedy results. But, there are situation in which this focus on instant gratification is harmful.
People in meth addiction treatment must have patience because they will have to spend a great deal of both effort and time before they reclaim control of their lives. If you are one of these people, expecting quick results from treatment for meth addiction will undermine your progress. Further, research demonstrates that patience benefits the people who have it as well as those around them in a variety of ways, including increased mental health.
What Is Patience?
A patient person will endure discomfort and face obstacles without complaint. They generally have realistic expectations about the results of their actions and this allows them to relax and avoid acting rashly. They can often delay their gratification in favor of a future reward. These are all traits that are the opposite of those seen in meth users. It makes sense that moving toward the side of patience would be helpful in batting a drug addiction.
What Are the Benefits of Patience?
People who can be patient:
- Understand that the best things in life (like meth addiction treatment) take effort and time, and they are willing to put in the work
- Know that things that do not come easily are the most valuable, and they get increased satisfaction from working hard and waiting
- Tend to maintain their emotions, and this makes them more enjoyable to be around and to befriend
How Can I Be More Patient During and After Treatment for Meth Addiction?
Patience rarely comes naturally to meth users. But, it is possible to cultivate patience by:
- Practicing mindfulness meditation
- Adopting hobbies that require perseverance
- Setting achievable goals
- Avoiding shortcuts and quick fixes
- Treatment for Meth Addiction Isn’t the Time to Remain Isolated; Staying
Connected in Meth Addiction Treatment
Meth addiction feeds on isolation. Those social connections that aren’t centered on shared meth use all threaten the continuation of drug use, so the addiction makes people cut ties. It takes over all of their free time. It makes them neglect to follow through with social, occupational, and familial responsibilities. Before long they are living a lonely life in the shadow of their former self.
If you are one of these people, you know that meth addiction treatment provides the ideal time to challenge your isolation. Rather than continuing the process that you began in addiction, recovery is a great time to strike back and work your way back to the connections you used to have.
Why Do People Grow Isolated in Addiction?
You probably became isolated because you were confronted by shame and guilt. You wanted to avoid doing the work required by treatment for meth addiction, so you protected yourself from the places, people, and things that you felt were a threat.
Why Do People Remain Isolated in Recovery?
When you enter meth addiction treatment, the following reasons might make you wish to remain isolated:
- Attachment to old ideas: When you are using, you feel low, you doubt your own worth. Falling back into negative habits can make you withdraw from others.
- Resentment: As you work your way into sobriety, your old emotion will rush back and they will be overwhelming. You may be faced with a lot of negative emotion that will separate you from your peers.
How Can You Benefit from Connecting in Treatment for Meth Addiction?
To truly recover, you have to let go of your pride and reach out for help. But, the benefits of doing so are enormous; they include:
- Witnessing positive recovery progress
- Having a sounding board
- Being challenged
- Being held accountable
- Receiving necessary nudges in the right direction
Above all, rehab may be the first place you feel like you are not alone. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 5.6 percent of treatment admissions were for meth addiction. Treatment may literally be the first place you encounter another meth user working to turn their life around.
Deciding Between Inpatient Meth Addiction Treatment and Outpatient Treatment for Meth Addiction; Picking the Option That Gives You the Best Chance at Positive Recovery Outcomes
There isn’t a single form of meth addiction treatment that works for every single person. What’s right for someone you know or read about may not be effective for you. This is why it is so important that you spend some time evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of your options. A little careful consideration increases the chances that you will make a wise decision about the meth addiction treatment center that you choose to attend.
One of the first decisions you must make is whether to go to inpatient or to outpatient treatment. Both have benefits, but in most cases, only one of them will provide the care you truly need. Consider the following questions.
Do You Have Daily Responsibilities You Cannot Take Leave From?
Inpatient meth addiction treatment will require you to live at the facility for the duration of your program. This means that any familial, occupational, or social obligations will not get fulfilled. If you can be absent from your life for a month or more, this is no problem.
If, however, you have children you care for or a job or schooling that cannot be missed, you should look into outpatient treatment for meth addiction, which only requires you to attend scheduled sessions at the facility. The rest of your time is yours to do with as you see fit.
Do You Have a Stable Living Situation?
If you are homeless or couch surfing, an inpatient program might provide you with the stability that you need to succeed. When you aren’t worrying about where your meals are coming from or where you are going to sleep, you can better focus on the treatment.
Can You Remain Sober with Access to Drugs and Alcohol?
If you enter outpatient treatment for meth addiction, you will be out in the world and you will be able to access alcohol and drugs if you want to. In fact, depending upon your living situation and social ties, you may be confronted with both while you are trying to abstain. If you know that you are incapable of resisting this temptation do early in your recovery, think about attending inpatient meth addiction treatment, where you will be sequestered in a drug and alcohol free environment, thus eliminating the need to face enticement. Visit our main website to learn more about the treatments.