“In like a lion and out like a lamb.”
That’s how we often describe the month of March. Weather-wise, the phrase is appropriate. In the beginning of the month, we’re often still facing fierce winter weather. By the end of the month, the weather is often milder, or at least milder weather’s on the horizon.
Could the phrase “In like a lion and out like a lamb” refer to more than just March? The phrase sounds like what occurs when someone finds recovery after abusing alcohol or drugs.
The lion and lamb could refer to the addiction itself. When people are in the throes of substance use disorder, their addictions are fierce. The addictions consume practically every part of their lives, since addiction could:
- endanger endanger physical health.
- endanger mental health.
- hurt relationships with family members and friends.
- harm careers or educations.
- damage finances and homes.
- drive people away from their hobbies and interests.
This, of course, is just a partial list of how fierce addictions can be, of the damage they could cause. Seeking recovery could reverse this damage and even prevent other damage from occurring in the first place.
But given that addiction is so fierce, treatment itself can be just as fierce. Even though detox removes toxins from the body, addicts’ bodies are accustomed to these toxins. These addicts might go through withdrawal because their bodies still crave the very things that can be hurting it.
Effective rehab centers recognize this paradox. They use medication and therapy to counter the effects of withdrawal. The centers can help make detox a little less physically and mentally painful. They monitor their clients to see if this detox is going according to plan. They make adjustments if it isn’t. They acknowledge the strength of addiction and take measures to ensure an even stronger recovery.
