Psychological Dependence is the Hardest Part of Addiction

The fear of withdrawal symptoms might be keeping you from entering rehab. But did you know that detox is the fastest and easiest part of recovery? Make no mistake, it can be intense for individuals depending on the substance they abuse and the duration of their addiction. Yet the process is relatively short when compared to the next stage of recovery, treatment for addiction. During this stage, individuals confront not just their physical addiction or dependence but also their psychological dependence. Because psychological dependence takes a little longer to overcome, it can be the most challenging stage of recovery.

However, with the right set of treatments, you can most certainly do so in the long term. This makes recovery that much more of an accomplishment. Sante Center has the programs and treatments individuals need to address their physical and psychological dependence. We focus on healing and making your sober life vibrant and lasting.

Understanding the Difference between Physiological and Psychological Dependence

Physiological addiction refers to your body’s belief that it needs a drug to survive. Because chemicals in the drugs rewrite your brain chemistry, neurotransmitter release becomes dependent on them. When you don’t take the next fix, your body responds with withdrawal symptoms. Typically, it takes between four and seven days to detox from a drug or alcohol. Of course, this will vary from individual to individual based on a number of factors such as duration of use, type of substance, and dosage. Sante Center can provide physical detox for many substances such as:

Psychological dependence refers to the emotional and mental part of the addiction. You feel like you should be doing something but you’re not quite sure what it is. Maybe you struggle with depression or anxiety now that you’ve quit using. You yearn for the feelings of satisfaction and energy that a high used to give you.

Behavioral Therapy Treats Psychological Dependence

It takes longer than a medical detox to overcome this part of the dependency. Addiction specialists use targeted modalities such as cognitive-behavioral or dialectical behavior therapies to assist you. These treatments help you to understand the stress that triggers thoughts of using. They also let you pinpoint dysfunctional patterns that you can change to prevent future drug abuse.

One of the most important decisions you can make is the selection of the right treatment delivery system. Examples include:

  • Residential treatment that allows you to live at the facility for up to 65 days to overcome addiction
  • Extended inpatient stays of up to – or more than – 100 days to give you the time you need to heal and readjust
  • Availability of intensive therapeutic coursework that benefits a broad range of individuals and needs
  • Intensive outpatient treatment that helps some clients who graduate from inpatient settings
  • Transitional living, which eases the move from the residential environment to home or another independent living situation

What Happens if You Do Nothing?

If you continue to abuse drugs or alcohol, your health will suffer. You may lose relationships that are important to you. You may try quitting here and there, but as soon as the withdrawal symptoms hit, you go back to using. In the process, you get depressed, which leads to even more urgency to continue using drugs.

You don’t have to stay in this vicious cycle of drug abuse. Caring therapists routinely work with people just like you who want to quit drugs or alcohol. At Santé Center for Healing, you undergo customized addiction recovery that focuses on long-term sobriety. You receive the care you need to overcome both types of dependency.

Don’t delay any longer. Call Santé Center for Healing at 866.238.3154 today for immediate access to an addiction treatment specialist.

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