Addiction recovery, also known as addiction rehabilitation, is the process in which an individual learns different methods and mechanisms of coping with their addiction and its effects, including withdrawing from the substance and maintaining this throughout their recovery journey.
Addictions recovery generally has three stages: detoxification, therapy/treatment, and aftercare.
Each stage covers a different aspect of recovery, ranging from stabilizing an individual’s physical health through a detox session, treating their mental health through therapy, and then helping this to be maintained in the long-term through a strong aftercare program.
This web page will discuss how addiction recovery can be benefitted by a digital detox i.e., reducing/stopping an individual’s digital presence and time online in order to benefit their future in drug/behavioral addiction rehabilitation.
The importance of addiction recovery
Addiction (also referred to as a substance use disorder) is not a condition that ‘gets better’ on its own, neither is it a condition that can be ignored. In fact, if an individual is struggling with addiction or knows someone else who may be struggling with this condition, then they should seek support as soon as possible.
This is because the impacts of addiction often rapidly worsen over time if an individual is not receiving treatment or if they are continuing their addictive behaviors.
Rehabilitation is the best way for an individual to focus their attention on recovery and overcoming the effects of this – including both physical and mental health effects.
Though most studies suggest that residential rehabilitation is the most effective method of recovery when a full program is carried out (1), this may not always be the most suitable in every unique case and additional suggestions can be considered.
Primary factors for driving positive changes in addiction recovery
As well as completing a full treatment program during an individual’s time in rehabilitation, it is also vital that several other factors are maintained during this time.
These include the following:
- Positive attitude – by maintaining a strong mental attitude toward recovery and an individual’s experience of rehabilitation, most individuals will see much more effective progress being made, as well as gaining additional benefits from their care by applying themselves more wholly.
- Motivation – by remaining committed and motivated to the program (fully completing the program but also showing full dedication to what has been taught and learned) an individual will have a far greater experience of rehabilitation, as well as often spending less time in care than those who do not show full commitment to their recovery and long-term sobriety.
- Lack of distraction – residential rehabilitation is often the best form of rehab as it allows an individual to escape from environments and situations in which they may have been exposed to factors which worsen/encourage their addictive behaviors. Presence on the internet and digital distractions are becoming an increasingly concerning issue in the field of addiction and recovery.
What is a digital detox?
A digital detox refers to the process in which (like the detoxification stage of drug rehabilitation) an individual begins to reduce their digital footprint.
This includes presence and interaction on social media, mobile phone usage, ‘doom-scrolling’, keeping up to date with digital phenomena, as well as any other interactions that an individual may partake in over the internet.
Too much time online can greatly reduce an individual’s mental wellbeing due to things that they may see, the pressures that they may feel being part of an online community, and the prediction of harmful comments and interactions with posts they make themselves.
By committing to a digital detox, individuals often have more time for other activities, or they may be able to more fully focus on other important areas of their life – such as rehabilitation.
The dangers of the digital world in addiction recovery
When an individual attempts to participate in addiction recovery, then there are many new changes and activities that individuals will be encouraged to take part in and follow.
Any additional activities on top of this may cause distraction, leading to a need for a longer addiction recovery process, as well as a less efficient overall process.
The following two points will outline the two main forms of rehabilitation – inpatient and outpatient rehab – as well as suggesting how a digital detox may be achieved or encouraged in relation to these two different styles of addiction recovery journey.
1 – Inpatient rehabilitation and digital detox
Firstly, an inpatient addiction recovery program refers to a rehab journey that takes place within one specific rehabilitation center. This can be local to an individual but may also require travel to attend a rehab center that is most suitable for the specific individual and their needs.
Most inpatient rehab centers do not allow personal digital devices on site due to their distracting qualities, meaning that most individuals do not have to worry about this.
However, in centers where personal device use is allowed, individuals may be monitored or limited on what they can access, meaning that they have a reduced risk of accessing harmful content and other digital distractions that may cause an impact in their overall recovery process.
2 – Outpatient rehabilitation and digital detox
On the other hand, an outpatient rehabilitation program may make it more difficult for an individual’s digital presence to be monitored.
Outpatient rehab refers to the participation in a rehab program while continuing to live at home, attending rehab programs and treatments on a part-time basis and without access to around the clock care.
Though individuals may be told about limiting their digital presence during addiction recovery, this is almost impossible to track while the individual is not partaking in the entirety of their treatment in one place.
This could lead to the individuals recovering at home accessing harmful online content that may impede their recovery progress and the effects of their addiction.
Freedom from digital distractions – a long-term addiction recovery journey
In the modern world, finding time away from screens and online interaction is becoming increasingly more difficult, perhaps due to the pressures of others (i.e., feelings of ‘missing out’ if not online), but also due to the increasing communication channels that digital media offers the average individual.
For individuals who are able to break away from the digital media cycle and use the internet for beneficial and meaningful research and support, this is something that is to be commended and can greatly boost an individual’s experience of addiction recovery.
Starting your addiction recovery journey today
To start your addiction recovery journey today, individuals can gain free and confidential advice from specialized addiction referral services, as well as by contacting their local health services and advice bureaus.
For example, many community centers often have support for addiction and its effects, meaning that an individual is never as far away from getting further support and help as they may feel.
In emergencies, always contact a medical professional and never attempt to withdraw from substances unsupervised.
References
[1] Keen, J., Oliver, P., Rowse, G. and Mathers, N., 2001. Residential rehabilitation for drug users: a review of 13 months’ intake to a therapeutic community. Family Practice, 18(5), pp.545-548.