You might be wondering how you will feel after addiction treatment, but you probably assume that you are instantly going to feel great. While you are likely to feel good about yourself and the fact that you are no longer abusing alcohol or drugs, you should be aware that a full recovery will take time. Even if you have completed your detox and rehabilitation programme, there may be some lingering symptoms that you will have to contend with.
Don’t forget that your body has been through quite an ordeal during your addiction and it will need time to get back to normal. This may mean that far from being a picture of health as you might expect, you will be left dealing with a number of common health issues. Although many of these will be related to your addiction, some may be caused by other conditions which you may not have noticed because the substance you were abusing masked the symptoms.
Nevertheless, how will you feel after addiction treatment? It is impossible to know for sure. However, it is important to be attuned to your body and should you experience any symptoms that persist or even get worse, it is best to speak to a doctor. Below we have listed a few examples of the more common symptoms that can occur during addiction recovery.
Stomach Problems
If you are experiencing stomach problems such as soreness or pain, it might have a lot to do with the substance you were abusing. If you were addicted to alcohol, your stomach lining will have been damaged. If the pain is mild, and it is indeed related to the substance you were abusing, it is likely to go away with time. Nonetheless, if the pain is being caused by internal bleeding, which can be caused by torn stomach lining, then you probably should see a doctor.
Cocaine abuse can often lead to problems such as cramping, bloating and gas, but these problems tend to pass by themselves and usually within the first few weeks. If you are suffering from soreness below your right rib cage, it could be the result of pancreatitis or liver damage. This should also heal up, but it would be wise to pay a visit to your doctor to be sure.
Breathing Problems
Breathlessness can be the result of smoking certain drugs such as cannabis or cocaine, and this can linger for many months. It can also be the result of damage to the heart caused by alcohol or drugs such as heroin. It can have an impact on your ability to exercise as well, so it should be monitored to ensure it does not worsen. For most people though, it will subside with time.
Bronchitis can also be a problem for some recovering addicts and is associated with the smoking of drugs. Bronchitis can be acute and last a short period or it can be chronic and continue for more than a few weeks.
Fatigue
As your body works overtime in a bid to get back to normal, you are likely to feel quite tired. Some recovering addicts complain of being tired most of the time, but in some cases, it can be the result of a vitamin deficiency.
A healthy diet is important in recovery and is something that you probably neglected while you were abusing alcohol or drugs. It is vital that you are now getting the nutrients that your body requires to function properly and your diet is the best place to source the vitamins and minerals that you need. Speak to your doctor as you could benefit from taking vitamin supplements.
Flashbacks
You might experience the sensation of having used a mood-altering chemical even though you are sober; this is known as a flashback. Flashbacks can happen unexpectedly and without warning, regardless of the substance, you were abusing.
You might be reliving an experience where you were under the influence of alcohol or drugs and which might include feelings, visions, and physical symptoms.
Headaches
Headaches are common, particularly in early recovery. They are one of the first signs of withdrawal and can continue once a detox is finished. You might experience tension headaches, vascular headaches, or migraines which can all continue on and off for many months, depending on the substance you were abusing.
It is important to seek medical advice if your headaches persist or if they are accompanied by other symptoms such as double vision, vomiting, poor coordination, nausea, or weakness.
Oral Problems
Your oral hygiene was probably not high up on your list of priorities while you were addicted to alcohol or drugs. This means you could now begin noticing the effects on your teeth and gums. Poor nutrition may also contribute to gum problems and damage to the mouth and you may experience soreness and bleeding.
Your mouth problems could also be the result of frequent vomiting, particularly if you were an alcoholic and were vomiting up acid from the stomach. It is a good idea to visit a dentist and get some treatment. You will be glad to know that many of these problems will clear up provided you stay sober and get proper treatment.
Light at the End of the Tunnel
You might be disheartened to be experiencing these ailments after going through the process of detox and withdrawal, particularly if you were expecting to feel great. The good news is that you will feel better. Provided you are patient and committed to your recovery, you can expect to feel much better within a few months.
You need to remember that addiction treatment is not a quick fix. Your mind and body have been through quite a lot and it will take some time before you are fully recovered. Take each day as it comes and know that as each day passes, you will be that much closer to a full recovery.
Getting Your Life Back on Track
The question of how will you feel after addiction treatment is one you may have been wondering about. Your physical and mental health may take a bit longer than expected to get back on track, but you can look forward to so much if you commit to a programme of recovery.
You will regain a sense of freedom to make good decisions, which is probably something that has alluded you for a long time. You will have the opportunity to rebuild bridges with the people in your life and can make a whole new set of friends from the recovery community.
Your prospects and future will look so much brighter when you are no longer a slave to your addiction. You can find pleasure again in music, work, art, nature, and hobbies, and you can start to love yourself once more.
In addition to the above, you can work on getting your finances in order. Funding your addiction almost certainly caused your finances to take a hit. Now that you are no longer abusing alcohol or drugs, you will have the chance to earn a good wage and save money to put towards important things in your life.
If you are ready to say goodbye to substance abuse, please call us here at Oasis Bradford today. We will work with you to assess your situation, giving you a clearer picture of exactly what you are dealing with and the type of programme that you might need.
We offer detox and rehabilitation programmes to treat all types of addiction and our record of success speaks for itself. We are regulated by the Care Quality Commission and adhere to all standards in terms of medical and clinical excellence. Please call us for more information about our programmes and how these might help you to get your life back on track.