Making the decision to attend a trusted drug rehabilitation center is something that should be commended and celebrated. However, it’s important to realize that recovery is not all fun and games. Detoxing from drugs can have a massive impact on your physical and mental health, and it can lead to a variety of different symptoms and side effects that may make it tricky to remain committed and focused.
One occurrence that you may encounter during your experiences of drug rehabilitation is aggression, and this can present itself in many different forms.
Aggression & Drug Rehabilitation
Aggression is a natural trait every individual will feel at some point. Lots of things can cause this anger to swell up and boil over.
Many things can lead to an excess of aggression. Dealing with many different emotions that are whizzing around your mind can lead to anger, as it can become hard to find peace and balance and this will of course make you feel upset and stressed. Not having access to your usual coping mechanisms can also lead to increased aggression, as you’re unsure of how to proactively approach your problems without the addition of your chosen substance. When you’re detoxing from a drug, your impulse control is also likely to take a hit, meaning you are more likely to act on instinct rather than thinking your actions and words through beforehand. All of these features can come together to create a whirlwind of intense emotion and instability, so it’s no surprise that those who are committed to drug rehabilitation might experience increased anger during and potentially after their treatment.
Fortunately, the benefits of drug rehabilitation massively outweigh the chances of experiencing an excess of anger. Regaining your independence and freedom so that you can live on your own without the need for substance abuse will transform the way that you feel, and make it far easier for you to tackle the more negative emotions with a refreshed sense of control and self-preservation.
Overcoming Aggression During Rehabilitation
Overcoming aggression during drug rehabilitation doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might expect, as choosing the most suitable care plan or program for your unique needs will have a huge impact. Having access to the right staff and materials in an environment in which you feel comfortable will reduce your chances of falling victim to anger and frustration, so find the best match for you.
You can choose between partial hospitalization, which provides an opportunity for those seeking addiction treatment to receive intensive treatment without requiring an overnight stay at an addiction treatment facility. You can expect to benefit from behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy, as well as individual, group, and family counseling.
Additionally, you can explore intensive outpatient care, which for some is the next step up after completing a partial hospitalization program. At an intensive outpatient program, patients will have more freedom to resume daily life while progressing through their addiction treatment.
The last option is outpatient care, and this is suitable for those who are new to recovery and need support to maintain a sober lifestyle or people who have lots of other commitments that stop them from attending their rehabilitation center more frequently.