Will I Ever Reach a Point of “Normal” after Narcotics Addiction?

Get Help Now 800-934-1582 Sponsored

Now that you have completed a detox and treatment program, you may wonder if you will ever reach a point of normalcy again. The answer is that you will. 

If you need help, call our toll-free treatment line at 800-934-1582(Sponsored) to speak with a caring advisor about your addiction and, more importantly, your recovery needs.

How Did Addiction Happen?

Addiction happens for many reasons. Factors such as genetics, mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, exposure to increased stress, peer influence and trauma and early experimentation with substance use put an individual at high risk for developing an addiction.

Additionally, when we do something pleasurable, such as using drugs or alcohol, gambling or even social media, our brain learns to associate it with reward. This feeling results from a surge in the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, dopamine. Over time, repeated exposure causes our brains to adapt, meaning we produce less natural dopamine and begin to expect the substance or behavior. After repeated use, tolerance develops. This means that it takes more of the substance to get the same effect. Here is where the cycle begins to spin out of control.

Once tolerance has developed, an individual has experienced major changes in brain chemistry. Here, they no longer “want” the substance but need it to function normally; this is called dependence. At this point, the part of the brain that is responsible for decision-making and self-control becomes less effective. So, although the individual typically knows that the substance use is harmful, it becomes too hard to stop. 

So What Happens AFTER Addiction?

Getting sober is one of the first steps toward re-establishing stability in your life. After detox and treatment, your focus shifts to building new routines, habits and relationships that will become an important part of your new normal. This new normal includes more stable moods, clearer thinking, more manageable emotions and a renewed ability to enjoy life. 

This happens because your brain is slowly rebalancing itself. During addiction, the brain is overstimulated. With recovery, as your brain begins to heal, you may find that laughter, connection, and small accomplishments become rewarding once again. Furthermore, emotional stability allows you to process your feelings in healthy ways instead of avoiding or numbing them with substance use. Over time, your emotions are less extreme and much more predictable. 

Establishing new routines is a tremendous step toward feeling normal. Through a regular schedule of eating, sleeping, work or school and interactions with people who support your recovery, your focus shifts forward to the future rather than engaging in obsessive thoughts or substance use. Building on this shift is the ability to find pleasure in everyday experiences once again. In recovery, you soon understand that these small moments are far more important and meaningful than chasing that next “high.” 

One of the biggest steps toward feeling normal is rediscovering who you are without alcohol or substance use. This can feel terrifying, but through healthier behaviors and relationships, you begin to find that life in sobriety offers a new sense of purpose.  It isn’t easy, but the work is worth it! 

If you are ready to establish a new normal, without the burden of substance abuse, call our helpline toll-free at 800-934-1582(Sponsored) to find out how you can get the supportive care you need for sobriety and healing. The call is free and confidential.

HOW Can I Feel Normal?

Exercise can help you recover both physically and mentally.

Psychological healing usually takes longer than physical healing in addiction. That’s because addiction changes the way you live and think over time. Undoing those patterns and helping your mind adjust to healthier ones can take a while. 

Here’s what you can do:

• Enjoy life – take part in outdoor activities, participate with friends and family and do your best to find something positive in every day.
• Seek interaction – socialize, be part of a group, and don’t be afraid to take part in a support group such as NA or a similar program.
• Exercise – it not only promotes a healthier lifestyle, but those natural endorphins can boost your mood too!
• Exercise the Senses – Sight, touch, sound and smell are all important. Listen to music, get a massage, light an aromatic candle or take a bath.  The point is to do something that you enjoy and be present and mindful in the moment.

Is Social Recovery the Answer to Addiction Problems?

Social recovery is one of many treatment options for those struggling with addiction. By addressing the person as a whole, and not just their addiction, it is believed that they’ll have a better chance at long-term abstinence.

Get Help Today

If you’re feeling discouraged or unsure whether you’ll ever feel “normal” again in recovery from addiction, you don’t have to keep feeling this way. Call our helpline toll-free at 800-934-1582(Sponsored) . We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you in finding and securing the best possible treatment program for your needs.

Don’t lose hope. Reach out to our helpline for support, encouragement and guidance as you work toward a lasting healthy recovery. Taking that first step may feel difficult, but it can also bring a sense of relief and reassurance that you are not facing this alone.