Is Social Recovery Right for you?
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, treatment for drug addiction is not a simple matter. Scientists and doctors have been studying drug addiction since addiction was first noticed. One of the newer theories on treating addiction is known as social recovery. Before deciding on social recovery as a treatment method, it is important that you understand what it is and how it works.
The History of Social Recovery
In the 1960s when drug addiction was a popular topic of study, scientists began using what was known as a skinner box for testing the addictive properties of different drugs. Skinner boxes kept the rats enclosed and isolated from other rats. Rats are extremely social creatures. In the 1970s several scientists realized that the original skinner box studies were flawed in that they did not take into account social isolation, depression, and what the conditions did to the rats they tested. Rats were placed alone in a box and offered the choice between drugged water and normal water.
The Rat Park experiment involved finding out whether rats would become drug addicts when they were in a less isolated and more comfortable environment or not. The rats were given stimulating activities, company of other rats, and a good comfortable environment. The rats in the Rat Park for the most part did not become drug addicts. Only a small percentage of them continued to return to the drugged water bottle.
What is Social Recovery?
Social recovery is the theory based on the Rat Park experiments. Although many do not realize it, social recovery was in practice long before the Rat Park experiments. It is a more holistic approach to recovery. Social recovery is the practice of treating the addict’s whole life rather than just the addiction. It is not enough for someone to just stop using drugs, you have to discover and treat the cause of the addiction as well.
Drug addicts usually are:
- Socially isolated
- Stressed beyond normal tolerances
- Suffering from a mental illness or mood disorder such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder
- Under extreme conditions
- Suffering from an untreated physical illness
If these conditions are corrected, the drug addiction and chance of relapse is dramatically reduced.
How Does Social Recovery Help Addicts Recover?
Social recovery helps addicts recover by correcting the conditions in which they became addicts in the first place. A happy well adjusted person may try drugs, but does not become addicted. A person that is suffering is much more likely to become addicted to a substance that makes them feel better. The drug does not correct what is wrong but makes them feel better for even a short time.
A person that is suffering will take any relief that they get even if it is through damaging drugs. By correcting the reason they are suffering, they no longer need the drugs. The drugs stop being important because the change in situation causes the body to produce chemicals that stop the need for drugs.
To find out more about social and holistic recovery or to find a treatment center that uses the social recovery method and holistic recovery method, call 1-800-683-3270 (Who Answers?) .