Rehabilitation from crack cocaine addiction may feel like a journey that is just for you. However, that is not the case. Multiple families in Pakistan are going through the same ordeal. Help is accessible. Support and therapy are the means for your rehabilitation. This blog will guide you through it. It is an exercise in distress and healing.
Crack Cocaine Addiction
Crack cocaine addiction is one of the most serious of all health problems. It is an uncontrolled phenomenon. It takes over one central and fundamental part of the body and alters the state of normalcy of that part forever. That is the brain. Crack cocaine generates an extreme and instantaneous pleasure that will last for a very short time. When that pleasure goes away, the person is thirsty again. That vicious cycle will repeat, again and again, without an end.
Crack cocaine addiction is an equal opportunity affliction. Addiction is NOT a weakness. In fact, it is a medical condition that requires care. In Pakistan, talking about an addiction problem can be complicated. And the reason is the societal and familial pressures. However, the problem will not go away by remaining silent. Seeking help is a courageous step.
The First Step: Deciding to Get Help
The hardest part about starting the recovery process is deciding to get assistance for the first time. This step is not easy at all because it entails recognizing the fact that there is a problem present that is too complicated to be sorted out independently.
Many family members or loved ones at first will be supportive and will try to overcome the problem without being judgmental. They can gently suggest that the person talk to a professional. Within the family/cultural context, the presence of a supportive family member can be the catalyst to initiate the long-overdue process of healing.
After choosing to do so, the next step is to select a program. Because there are many crack cocaine addiction resources. Select the one that suits your needs.
Medical Detox: Safely Managing Withdrawal
Your body will go through withdrawal. This stage is a bit risky, especially if you do not have assistance, as the discomfort can be unbearable. You may feel sad, mentally unstable, or overly agitated. You may also be experiencing strong cravings for the drug.
A medical detox program offers a secure placement for going through withdrawal. The medical nursing team oversees you 24 hours. They can help you with medication to help make things easier. Having medical detox supervision is crucial for starting the recovery process safely.
Detoxing is the first step of the process. However, it is not the entire thing. After detox, the real aspects of rehabbing begin, where therapy and counseling take the stage.
Therapy: The Core of Crack Cocaine Addiction Treatment
Answering the ‘why’ of the addiction is therapy’s goal. It also provides the means to address the problem without resorting to substance abuse. A hallmark of good therapy is to keep communication and expression of feelings and experiences free and encouraged. It may be easier to find one of the many therapists in Pakistan than that one.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is also among the major successful therapies in the case of abuse of crack cocaine. CBT specifically addresses the thought patterns and actions that cause one to abuse drugs. An example of that would be the thought that crack would make one feel better.
CBT also teaches one to combat such thoughts. Having a therapist is of extreme importance to be able to identify and adopt a better means of relieving the pressure than resorting to abusing crack, including relaxation and problem-solving. Reacting to tough situations is a major aspect of CBT, and therefore, its importance in the prevention of relapsing and in aiding the process of recovery is massive.
- Family Therapy
Often, addiction is seen as a family disease because it affects the entire family unit and everyone involved. Family therapy is a process that incorporates family dynamics and the treatment process. This is particularly important in family systems that have close family ties.
Family therapists teach the family as a unit what addiction is. They also teach family systems how to communicate and support the family positively. This also helps to mend the damage and distrust that addiction ultimately causes. The family unit that is healing together will definitely have a great chance to become the best support unit for that family member who is in the recovery process.
Finding Support in the Community
The process of recovery is not a one-time act. It is not something that is done and finished. It is an ongoing process that continues for the rest of a person’s life. The person needs to have support in order to receive and stay sober. Dr. Johnson says, “The difference between a person who is sober and a person who is not is a one-to-one connection.” Johnson advocates connection with other people who have a similar problem.
Support Groups
A support group like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) provides a support system that consists of people who are also trying to improve their lives. In these meetings, participants can talk about their backgrounds in a setting that keeps their stories confidential, so there is no fear of being ridiculed.
With these support groups, you always have a support system you can turn to at any time to show you that you are capable of changing your life. These people reinforce the hope that life can be rewarding and fulfilling without the assistance of drugs.
Building a New Life
We can also say that spending time away from a substance in and of itself is a success. We can also look at it philosophically and say that success is achieved in the further advancement of human life. Getting help for a crack cocaine addiction can enable you to establish new interests and hobbies, mend your interpersonal relationships, and improve your chances of being employed and even going back to school.
You should develop a new, healthy daily rhythm that may also be a new, healthy daily routine, based on the support and the proposed new objectives, to make sure that your level of focus remains on the right and to free it from the former.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the crack cocaine addiction treatment time frame?
Each individual is different. Time frames can be anywhere from 30 days to more than a year.
2. Can I get treatment for addiction in Pakistan?
Yes, therapy and rehab facilities that help with addiction are accessible in Pakistan.
3. What is the first step to treatment?
The first step is to get help. The first step is to be in contact with a therapist, physician, or treatment clinic.
