Addiction is one of the most common diseases in society, and it’s becoming more and more prevalent. However, it’s also one of the most common diseases that isn’t seen it addressed.
Many people living with alcohol problems, for example, don’t realise they have an issue or are in denial about the situation. In fact, at many rehab centres, such as Banbury Lodge, one of the top alcohol and drug rehabilitation centres in Oxford, therapists’ first jobs are to help patients establish the root cause of the addiction and understand why they have developed it. And the earlier that can happen, the better.
Counsellors and therapists, not just at Banbury Lodge, but across all respected rehabs, are unified in their belief that early intervention is so important to the success of recovery for those living with addiction. And that’s for several reasons.
So, if you’re worried you may be drinking too much or your relationship with substances is getting heavier, or perhaps you believe that may be the case for a loved one, here’s why addressing that early can make all the difference…
Prevents Severe Health Complications
One of the most significant advantages of early intervention is the prevention of serious health complications. Substance abuse takes a heavy toll on the body, affecting organs such as the liver, heart, and brain. Chronic addiction can lead to irreversible damage, including liver cirrhosis, cardiovascular disease, and neurological impairment.
Early intervention can help minimise the health risks and provide more time for the body to heal over time as you get your life back on track. Ultimately, you’re limiting the damage done by alcohol and that alone is enough to seek help.
Enhances Treatment Success Rates
Actually, many experts believe, as well as studies showing, that the earlier addiction is addressed, the higher the chance of success and long-term recovery is. That’s because as addiction progresses, it becomes more and more ingrained in our brain’s neural pathways, which makes it more difficult to break from the compulsive behaviours.
The longer you leave getting help, the more extensive and intensive the rehab programme will have to be, while the withdrawal symptoms will be more severe, making it much more likely you’ll succumb to cravings or give up on the process.
Reduces Emotional and Psychological Harm
Addiction and mental health disorders tend to live arm in arm and the longer that addiction persists, the more intertwined and severe they become. This can have a huge impact on the likes of mental health, as well as emotional distress, trauma, and strained relationships, which can become harder to unravel the longer you’re struggling.
The deeper a mental health condition is rooted, the more therapy is needed and the more work that needs to be done, and that can be more draining and lessen the chance of success.
Minimises Social and Financial Consequences
Addiction can wreak havoc on an individual’s personal and professional life. As dependency escalates, relationships with family and friends often deteriorate, employment stability is threatened, and financial difficulties arise. Many individuals struggling with long-term addiction face legal troubles, job loss, and homelessness, something that could probably be avoided by nipping the problem in the bud early.
Reduces the Risk of Relapse
Individuals who seek treatment in the early stages of addiction generally experience lower relapse rates compared to those who wait until the condition is severe. The longer an individual struggles with addiction, the more entrenched their behavioural patterns become, making it harder to achieve sustained recovery.
Ultimately, you want to do what you can to reduce the risk of relapse, no matter what stage in which you get help. They say better late than never, and that’s true too, but you really can improve your chance of success by accepting that you have a problem and being proactive early in doing something about it. It will be life-changing.