At Chapters Capistrano, we believe that addiction recovery should be a comprehensive experience—it should be an opportunity for those struggling with substance use disorder, as well as mental health issues, to break free and establish healthy solutions to live confidently in sobriety.

Addiction recovery often begins with detoxifying the body of one substance—such as alcohol, painkillers or heroin— but that is just the start of the journey. Through our flexible treatment programs, our guests discover ways to find new strength in both physical and mental health. The goal is to help individuals understand their addiction, why it developed and how to lead a life in recovery.

However, many may misinterpret the goal of becoming “clean” from one substance as a reason to use another. For instance, an individual could believe that he or she was only addicted to alcohol, could enter recovery, and in just a few short months could begin using another substance that they feel does not present the risk of addiction.

But Isn’t Addiction Just a Chemical Dependency?

It is true that addiction often leaves a strong impact on the human body; detox helps the body recover from this dependency. However, recovery also means addressing instances of dual diagnosis—situations in which addiction co-occurs with a mental health issue—and learning how to handle life’s pressures without turning to illicit substances.

If one has “given up the bottle” for good and leaves recovery, it is important to realize the dangers other substances present. Even if that individual never touches alcohol again, experimenting or abusing any other substance can be considered relapse in addiction.

To illustrate the dangers of trading addictions, here is one observation from Harvard Medical School researcher and author Dr. Lance Dodes:

“It’s been well known for a very long time that A.A. meetings used to be filled with smoke because people shifted their focus from drinking to cigarettes…Alcoholism isn’t about alcohol any more than compulsive gambling is about playing roulette—or winning money. Addiction is a solution to an emotional need. If you deprive someone of one solution to their emotional problems, it’s not surprising that they’ll find another one instead.”

If You Abuse Many Drugs, You Still Need to Consider Addiction Recovery

One common misperception that prevents many from seeking recovery is that substance use disorder may not present the need for addiction rehabilitation. For instance, if an individual abuses multiple drugs, but is not necessarily “dependent” on one in particular, he or she may feel that it is not necessary to seek addiction recovery.

Trading or revolving substances is not only incredibly dangerous to the body, but it presents a severe capacity to develop a fatal addiction as well. As such, it is important for anyone experiencing a false sense of security in his or her drug use to seek professional help as soon as possible.

What Can You Trade Addiction For?

Through addiction recovery, many may feel a major gap in their lives—one that used to be filled by substance use disorder and the rituals that surrounded the practice. Through comprehensive, flexible treatment, individuals can take the time they need to explore what life will be like without the presence of addiction.

It is important that individuals find healthy ways to fill this “gap”—such as through fitness, diet, mental wellness or creativity. It can be a challenge to take on these new initiatives, but they can be of great comfort to those who want to make a commitment to leading a healthier life.

While some may become nostalgic for substance use disorder, many will welcome strong support systems as an alternative to addiction. With access to supportive individuals during recovery, individuals will not only find more comfort in leaving their addiction behind, but also have a resource in place to prevent potential relapses in the future.

If you’re ready to trade your addiction for a healthier chapter in life, Chapters Capistrano offers flexible treatment, flexible lengths of stay, superior counseling and many wellness programs. We aim to transform our guests’ lives, not just rid them of chemical dependency. Take a strong stand against addiction and contact us today at 1-888-334-7509.