The Challenge of Recovery
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Most men who are addicted to drugs have the addiction for quite some time before they are able to realize or accept that they have a problem. Traditional addiction treatment expects the addict to overcome the physical aspects of their addiction and learn new habits to prevent drug use in only 28 days.
Recent studies show this to be far too short. In some cases, it can take weeks for the physical detox to be complete and allow the addict to fully focus on the process of learning new behaviors and life skills to replace the negative habits he must now leave behind. The Mark Houston Recovery Treatment Center uses a 90-day program to allow the addict adequate time to move past the detox phase and have time to not only learn new life skills, but to practice them as well.
These longer stays are especially important when a man is dealing with crack cocaine recovery. Crack cocaine can leave residues in the liver, kidneys and brain that take considerably longer than other drugs to completely exit the body.
A crack addict can often go for a long stretch without using the drug and then will go on a binge, using as much as possible until the money runs out. A 28-day recovery program would put the crack addict back on the street right when he is most vulnerable to use again.
The 90-day program at the Mark Houston center will allow true crack cocaine recovery. The man will have adequate time to detox the drug from his system and then begin to focus on the process of learning new, healthy habits and strategies for avoiding drug use in the future.
Learning New Behaviors
The setting at Mark Houston Recovery is very homelike. Rather than feeling like he is in a hospital or worse, a prison, the man can learn and practice his new drug free behaviors in a realistic setting which will make these behaviors feel more natural when he arrives back home.
He will learn to take real control over his life so that he will no longer need the illusion of control that the drugs provided. Learning skills such as financial management, proper nutrition, exercise and spiritual well-being will help him create a better sense of self-esteem and prepare him for dealing with life rather than trying to escape it.
Most often a person begins using drugs because their life is out of balance. At Mark Houston Recovery, they treat the whole person mind, body and spirit so that balance is restored (or discovered for the first time). A person who is in balance no longer has a need for drugs or alcohol. The man will also learn important skills and thought patterns to recognize triggers that might entice him to use again and how to avoid and deal with those triggers.
“Just say no†is a nice thought, but in reality becoming drug free for life requires more than simple sayings. Negative behaviors and patterns cannot just be “stopped†they need to be replaced with new positive behaviors and thought patterns.
A New Beginning
Because Mark Houston is a place just for men to recover from drug and alcohol addiction they avoid many of the distractions of coed facilities. A man is welcome there at any point in his journey, whether he has just completed a 28 day program and needs more practice and support before returning to “real life†or even if he is still using or just relapsed.
A man can really start a new drug free life with the help of Mark Houston Recovery. His mind, body and spirit can be brought into balance and he will develop the skills to continue that pattern. Any man who is ready to leave the endless cycle of drug use, depression and guilt is welcomed to Mark Houston.
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