How Free Drug Recovery Programs Challenge the Addictive Mindset

Addiction changes the way people act – and also how they think. This “addictive mindset” is a combination of magical thinking, denial and irrationality that protects substance abusers from seeing the consequences of their addiction and also prevents them from getting the help they need to recover. Challenging the addictive mindset is a key goal in drug rehab programs of all kinds – and free drug recovery programs make it possible for anyone to get the help they need.

What is the Addictive Mindset?

Addiction to drugs and alcohol creates major changes in the brain and the body, and those changes are reflected in the long list of harmful behaviors that go along with substance abuse. But because substance abusers become physically and psychologically dependent on a drug or alcohol, they need to find ways to rationalize and excuse those behaviors and the damage they do in all areas of their lives.

The thinking patterns that accompany addiction are so common that they can be described as a mindset. This addictive mindset includes: beliefs that:

• Alcohol or drugs can provide the only way to cope with problems.
• Problems are caused not by substance abuse, but by bad luck and malicious people.
• The problem isn’t with an addict’s behavior, but with other people who won’t leave them alone.
• People who stop using substances are in for a boring, deprived life.
• Counselors and other recovery workers are just charlatans out for money.
• Warnings about the risks of substance abuse are exaggerated.

In drug and alcohol rehab programs, counseling and a variety of therapeutic approaches are used to challenge this mindset and replace it with healthier thinking that brings about positive changes.

No Cost Programs Support Recovery

Free recovery programs teach you healthy coping skills to replace drug abuse.

Because denial is a major part of the addictive mindset, many people who are addicted to alcohol or drugs don’t seek help because they don’t believe they need it – the problem is really with other people who think they do. But when an addict does decide to seek help, the high cost of inpatient and even many outpatient rehab programs can create an obstacle that seems almost impossible to overcome.

To make it easier for people with limited finances to get the help they want, free government funded drug recovery programs are available throughout the country. These programs offer standard addiction recovery services that can include:

• Detox and withdrawal
• Counseling
• Group and family therapy
• Medication management

Free inpatient drug recovery programs can have a lengthy waiting list, but many provide no-cost outpatient services to support recovery during the wait. In all forms, these programs include counseling and other kinds of therapeutic approaches for developing new coping skills and healthful behaviors.

Challenging the Addictive Mindset in Recovery

Counseling is a cornerstone of addiction recovery in both free and private rehabs. In individual and group sessions, substance abusers learn to reflect on their addiction and its harmful effects on all aspects of their lives. Therapeutic approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can encourage them to take responsibility for their behavior and replace harmful habits with new ones.

Many rehab programs also include family therapy, which helps family members to understand the family dynamics that can contribute to addiction – and that are affected by it as well. This kind of therapy can also help family members understand addiction and develop their own strategies for challenging their loved one’s addictive mindset.

Addiction affects all aspects of a person’s life and gives rise to thinking patterns that protect the addict from the consequences of that addiction. Challenging – and changing – the patterns that make up the addictive mindset is a key part of recovery, and free drug recovery programs put help for addictions within the reach of anyone.

Are you looking for help to stop an addiction that’s harming your life? We’re here to help. Call us at 800-430-1407Who Answers? for the solutions you need right now.

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