When you are new in recovery from opioid addiction, alcohol addiction, or other common addiction, sometimes what you need is a geographical cure. Obviously, there is no “cure” for addiction. Even those in long-term recovery have to maintain their recovery program not to relapse. A geographical cure refers to moving away from the people and places that were active parts of your addiction.
For many, it is difficult to get addiction treatment and stay clean and sober while still living and working around the people you formerly used with or bought drugs from. Drug addiction isn’t just about the physical addiction; it is the psychological addiction to chaos and routines. When you are in the habit of using drugs or drinking with your friends, and those friends are still using and drinking, it will be difficult to be around them and not remain sober.
Here are a few suggestions when you feel a geographical cure may help.
Treatment
Find drug treatment options or alcohol rehab that is not close to home. The Hope House, located in Arizona, is considered the best luxury rehab in the country. They offer a wide range of detoxification and addiction treatment programs and mental health treatment programs to help individuals with co-occurring diagnoses. They have a staff of counselors who are trained to help with substance abuse and mental health issues. It is an inpatient facility with private rooms and many amenities. Their staff have years of experience in substance abuse rehabilitation and mental health issues, so they can provide clients with the tools and resources they need to thrive in recovery.
Moving
Physically moving away from the people and places that enabled your addition can help give you personal space to focus on your recovery. However, moving can be stressful, and adding undue stress to your life in the early stages of recovery can be sabotaging. This often means ending communication with friends, family, and significant others struggling with addiction or who had a toxic influence on you.
To mitigate the stress of moving, get as much help as you can. Utilize a service like 495 Movers to do the actual moving. They can provide an initial quote based on your own amount of stuff and how far you are moving. You can utilize a storage unit for anything you aren’t ready to move or aren’t sure to keep yet.
Ongoing Help
Moving away from your problems is not going to make you clean or keep you clean. Moving away is merely a tool to help you on your road to recovery. Once in your new area, you need to find ongoing recovery help and supports. This may mean intensive outpatient therapy, addiction therapy, recovery support groups meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Smart Recovery, or All Recovery.
To thrive in recovery, you also need to address the underlying issues that led to your addiction. Childhood trauma is one of the leading factors to drug and alcohol abuse. Even if the people from your childhood are no longer in your life, the impact of a traumatic upbringing never goes away. You can address those issues through counseling, art therapy, adventure therapy, behavioral therapy, or group therapy, among other options. You have to find what works best for you regardless of what has worked or hasn’t worked for others.
Overcoming a substance use disorder is a long and difficult road, but it is possible, and recovery benefits are unlimited. Every aspect of your life will change for the better. You’ll have the opportunity to gain recovery capital in the form of stable housing, reuniting with family, becoming employable, as well as improvements in physical and mental health and your relationships.