When it comes to addiction, Edmonton has seen a significant rise in drug poisoning deaths. In fact, in 2020, 456 Edmontonians lost their lives to overdose. This number is almost double that of 2019.
The cycle of addiction can affect anyone at any time. So while it’s thought that one only needs to use a drug once to become addicted to drugs, that’s not altogether true. The truth is that it’s more intricate than that.
Every addict goes through an addiction cycle. Knowing the cycle and how to help can potentially change the life of a loved one battling addiction. Keep reading to understand more about the addiction cycle.
Types of Addictions
Addiction can take many forms, and new addictions are being identified and researched daily.
You can have an addiction to, among others:
- Alcohol
- Drugs
- Gambling
- Sex and Love
- Food
- Shopping
- Gaming and Social Media
- Tobacco
Each requires specialized treatment to have the best chance at recovery. Some addictions are grouped under titles like “process (or behavioral) addictions,” which include compulsive addictions like sex, gambling, shopping, gaming, etc.
Addiction Cycle Phases
Addiction isn’t guaranteed from using an illicit drug once; it’s a more complex process. There are stages that the addiction evolves through:
- Initial use
- Abuse
- Tolerance
- Dependence
- Addiction
- Relapse
While using once or twice doesn’t make you an addict, continued use can lead to the other stages of addiction before the user realizes how deep into the addiction they are. Seeking treatment is the first step to breaking the addiction cycle.
Addiction Recovery Process
Recovery is not an easy journey for many and requires complete dedication from the recovering addict. There is always the chance of relapse, and some go through several before finally remaining sober.
Treatments for Addictions
Fortunately, there are several treatment options available to addicts. Let’s discuss this below.
- Inpatient treatment
- Outpatient treatment
- Detox treatment
- Therapy
With Inpatient treatment, you reside at a recovery facility for between 21 and 28 days for Primary Treatment and additional days if you continue to Secondary and Tertiary Treatment. During this time, you learn about the disease of addiction, attend meetings, and attend counseling, among other things.
Outpatient gives the recovering addict more flexibility but still requires them to attend meetings, counseling, etc.
Detox treatment is for addicts dependent on drugs to such an extent that medical detox is required before they move on to Primary Treatment.
Therapy can include many different forms, each with its benefits. Some popular ones are:
- Individual, Group, & Family Therapy Sessions
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
It’s noteworthy that EMDR has been particularly gaining popularity since its inception in 1987. Due to its success, the Canadian Psychological Association has even approved it as an empirically effective treatment for PTSD and other trauma conditions.
There have been over 30 studies that have documented the effectiveness of EMDR therapy in several problems, including addiction.
Start Your Addiction Recovery Today
Recovery is a very personal journey. No one can tell you when to begin; you must want it yourself. Perhaps you’ve hit rock bottom and are looking to break the cycle of addiction.
If you’re looking for addiction therapy in Edmonton, get in touch with us today to begin your road to recovery.
