If you are in the early stages of recovery from substance abuse, you may feel “in a fog.” Chronic drug abuse profoundly affects your brain, how your brain functions, and how you think, move, and react. As you progress in your recovery, you may wonder if you will ever regain mental clarity. The biggest question you’ve asked is if you can reverse the effects of substances in your brain and return to normal functioning.
In this article, you will learn how to repair your brain after drug use. You will also learn what drugs do to the brain and learn ways to heal your brain from drugs. If you are struggling with addiction, undergoing professional drug treatment is critical in helping your brain and body heal. Find Luxury Rehabs can help you find the rehab suited to your needs. Our vast network of top-tier rehabs offers evidence-based programming and compassionate care that helps you break free from addiction for a lifetime. Call us today to find luxury drug and alcohol rehabs near you.
What Do Drugs Do To the Brain?
In simple terms, drugs interfere with how neurons send, receive, and process messages throughout the brain. There are some substances, such as marijuana, whose chemical structures mimic naturally occurring neurotransmitters present in the brain. Other substances like methamphetamine and cocaine release tremendous amounts of natural neurotransmitters that interfere with or prevent the natural neurotransmitter recycling process.
Continuous drug use impacts areas of the brain that are vital for daily functioning and creates compulsive behavior to continue drug use. One brain region directly affected by substances is the prefrontal cortex, which manages motivation, reward, and pleasure. Another brain region affected by continued drug use is the amygdala, which regulates emotions and anxiety. Ultimately, substances change brain chemistry and require treatment and other interventions to return to normal functioning.
How to Repair Your Brain After Drug Use
Learning how to repair your brain after drug use takes time and patience. Years of drug use have altered your brain and the way it processes information. While it can be a very frustrating process, learning how to heal your brain from drugs is made easier if you do the following:
Undergo Medical Detoxification
Medical detoxification is the first and most crucial step in helping your brain heal from drugs. During medical detox, experienced medical staff will administer medications to reduce the pain and discomfort associated with withdrawal. Additionally, medical detox programs offer supplementary programs such as nutritional therapy, exercise therapy, and individual counseling.
The Power of Mindful Meditation
An effective way to help sharpen the mind in recovery is using mindful meditation techniques such as focused breathing. Mindful meditation helps you stay grounded in the present and not only helps your brain regain normal cognitive functioning but also helps reduce cravings and the risk of relapse.
Get Restful Sleep
In recovery—especially early recovery—getting adequate sleep is very difficult. When you don’t get the sleep you need each night, your brain can’t “reset” itself. When you can get consistent and restful sleep each night. Your brain can help remove toxins from your body, and you can regain optimal functioning.
Physical Exercise
Getting exercise every day does wonders for your brain. Exercise releases dopamine throughout the brain, which is the brain’s “feel good” neurotransmitter. Regular exercise also increases blood flow in the brain, which helps restore those areas impacted by drug use. Additionally, exercise also helps increase plasticity in the brain.
Eating a Balanced Diet
An important way to repair the brain after drug use is to eat a balanced diet. It is important to have a diet that is low in saturated fats and sugars and high in proteins, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Eating small portions several times daily will help you keep your energy up and will thoroughly nourish both the body and brain.
Call Find Luxury Rehabs Today And Start Your Journey Towards Lifelong Recovery
The key to finding lifelong recovery is to successfully undergo drug treatment. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction and need help, you may feel overwhelmed by the types of drug rehab that are available to you.
Fortunately, the help and support you need is just a phone call away.
The dedicated professionals at Find Luxury Rehabs will work with you to find a rehab facility perfectly suited to your needs. We work with a vast network of top-tier rehabs that feature evidence-based treatment programs, state-of-the-art amenities, and multiple levels of care. Don’t wait another day to address your addiction; call Find Luxury Rehabs and start a new and exciting chapter in your life. As you progress in your recovery, you may wonder if you will ever regain mental clarity.
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