Recovery from an addiction can be extremely difficult and uncomfortable. A lack of hope and feeling of being trapped can feel overwhelming. It can be helpful to seek outside help from an addictions counselor to navigate the long and difficult road to recovery. Many addicts feel as though their substance has adversely affected other parts of their lives, physically, mentally and spiritually.
Physical Health
Substance abuse can negatively impact a person’s physical health. Depending on which substances were used and for how long and how often. Getting a handle on abstinence can greatly increase longevity and overall physical health.
Mental Health
Those who suffer from a substance abuse disorder often have other mental health problems. People with a substance addiction often report using drugs as a coping mechanism to escape other symptoms. Those in need of help navigating the overwhelming feelings that come up after becoming abstinence can benefit from substance abuse counseling.
Social Health
A large number of people with substance abuse problems have withdrawn from family and friends. In some cases, they have withdrawn from society as a whole. A big part of addiction recovery is learning how to engage in social interactions without the use of drugs and alcohol. This can cause social anxiety and avoidance in those who might help learning how to enjoy spending time with people again. Substance abuse counseling can help foster a desire to maintain healthy relationships, willingness to discuss feelings and even help people become less argumentative and aggressive.