It is neither a character fault nor a sign of weakness to get addicted to drugs, and it requires more than resolution to overcome the problem. Abuse of illicit or some prescribed drugs can alter the brain, resulting in intense cravings and an urge to use that makes abstinence seem unattainable. But rehabilitation is always possible, regardless of how terrible your condition appears or how many times you have tried and failed in the past. Change is always possible with the correct therapy and support.
For many individuals battling with addiction, the most difficult step on the road to recovery is the first: admitting you have a problem and resolving to make a change. It is common to question if you are prepared to begin recovery and whether you have the willpower to quit. If you are addicted to prescription medication, you may be anxious about finding an alternative treatment for a medical issue. It’s acceptable to be conflicted. Committing to sobriety requires several adjustments, including:
How you cope with stress, who you let into your life, what you do in your leisure time, how you feel about yourself, and the prescription and over-the-counter drugs you take are all factors that influence your health.
Even if you know that your drug of choice is causing difficulties in your life, it’s common to feel torn about giving it up. You may conquer your addiction and restore control of your life by committing to change.
Consider A Change
- Keep note of your drug usage, including frequency and quantity. This will provide you with a greater understanding of the role addiction plays in your life.
- List the advantages and disadvantages of quitting, as well as the costs and advantages of continuing to take drugs.
- Consider the things that are essential to you, such as your significant other, children, pets, profession, and health. What effect does your drug use have on these factors?
- Ask a trusted individual for their opinion on your drug use.
- Consider whether anything is blocking you from changing. What may aid your transition?
Preparing For Change: Five keys to recovery from addiction
- Remind yourself of the motivations for your desired transformation.
- Consider previous attempts at rehabilitation, if any. What succeeded? What didn’t?
- Establish definite, quantifiable objectives, such as a start date or restrictions on your drug use.
- Remove any references to your addiction from your home, office, and other frequented locations.
- Inform your loved ones of your commitment to recovery, and ask for their help.
Explore Your Treatment Options For Addiction
Once you have decided to recover, it is time to investigate your therapy options. Despite the fact that addiction therapy might vary depending on the substance being abused, a good program often involves the following:
- Detoxification. Typically, the initial stage is to detoxify the body and treat withdrawal symptoms.
- Counseling on behavior Individual, group, and/or family therapy can assist you in identifying the underlying causes of your substance abuse, repairing your relationships, and developing healthy coping skills.
- Medication may be used to control withdrawal symptoms, prevent relapse, or treat any co-occurring mental health disorder, such as sadness or anxiety.
- Long-term monitoring can aid in preventing relapse and sustaining recovery. This may entail frequent attendance at in-person support groups or online sessions in order to maintain your recovery.
Explore Your Treatment Options For Addiction
Once you have decided to recover, it is time to investigate your therapy options. Despite the fact that addiction therapy might vary depending on the substance being abused, a good program often involves the following:
- Detoxification. Typically, the initial stage is to detoxify the body and treat withdrawal symptoms.
- Counseling on behavior Individual, group, and/or family therapy can assist you in identifying the underlying causes of your substance abuse, repairing your relationships, and developing healthy coping skills.
- Medication may be used to control withdrawal symptoms, prevent relapse, or treat any co-occurring mental health disorder, such as sadness or anxiety.
- Long-term monitoring can aid in preventing relapse and sustaining recovery. This may entail frequent attendance at in-person support groups or online sessions in order to maintain your recovery.
Drug Treatment Program Types
- Residential therapy entails abstinence from employment, school, family, friends, and addiction triggers while receiving comprehensive treatment. Residential therapy can range in duration from days to months.
- Day treatment/Partial hospitalization – Partial hospitalization is for those who require continued medical supervision but desire to continue living at home in a stable setting. These programs often meet for 7 to 8 hours at a treatment center during the day, then participants return home at night.
- Outpatient therapy – These programs may be planned around work and school, as they are not residential. You receive treatment throughout the day or evening, but you do not spend the night. The primary emphasis is on relapse prevention.
- Communities for sober living — Living in a sober house typically follows an extensive treatment program, such as residential therapy. You reside alongside other recovering addicts in a drug-free, safe, and supportive environment. If you have nowhere else to go or are scared that going home too soon would lead to relapse, sober living facilities might be helpful.
Tips For Finding The Best Drug Addiction Treatment For You
Keep in mind that no therapy is effective for everyone. Everyone has various needs. Regardless of whether you have a problem with illicit or prescription drugs, your addiction therapy should be tailored to your specific circumstances. It is essential to choose a program that feels natural.
Your treatment should focus on more than simply your substance misuse. Addiction impacts many aspects of your life, including your relationships, employment, health, and mental health. The effectiveness of treatment depends on adopting a new lifestyle and treating the underlying causes of drug abuse. For instance, your drug addiction may have resulted from a need to control pain or cope with stress; in this case, you will need to learn healthy ways to manage pain and stress.
Commitment and persistence are essential. Treatment for drug addiction is not a quick or simple procedure. In general, the lengthier and more serious the drug abuse, the lengthier and more intensive the necessary treatment. And in every instance, long-term follow-up treatment is essential for recovery.
There are several sources of assistance. Not everyone requires medically supervised detox or prolonged rehabilitation. Your care relies on a number of factors, including your age, drug use history, and physical or mental health concerns. In addition to physicians and psychologists, several church members, social workers, and counselors provide assistance for addiction therapy.
Seek therapy for any mental health issues concurrently. In addition to receiving treatment for your drug addiction, you must also address any physical or psychological concerns you may be facing. Obtaining mental health and addiction therapy from the same treatment provider or team increases your likelihood of recovery.
Find Support For Your Addiction Recovery
Do not attempt to go it alone; get assistance. Regardless of the therapy method chosen, good influences and a strong support system are vital. The more individuals to whom you may turn for support, advice, and an ear to listen, the greater your chances of recovery.
- Lean on close relatives and friends. In rehabilitation, having the support of friends and family is a tremendous advantage. If you’re hesitant to reach out to your loved ones because you’ve disappointed them in the past, you may try attending relationship counseling or family therapy.
- Create a sober social circle. If your former social life centered around drug use, you may need to establish new relationships. It is essential to have friends who are sober and who support your recovery. Consider enrolling in a class, joining a church or community group, volunteering, or visiting local events.
- Consider relocating to a sober living facility. Sober living houses offer a secure and supportive environment for those suffering from drug addiction. If you do not have a stable household or a drug-free living environment, they are a viable choice.
- Make appointments a priority. Regularly attend meetings of a 12-step recovery support organization such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA). Spending time with others who know precisely what you are going through may be quite therapeutic. You can also benefit from the group members’ shared experiences and learn what others have done to remain clean.
Learn Healthy Ways To Cope With Stress
- After addressing your current addiction problems and beginning treatment, you will still need to confront the issues that led to your drug consumption. Did you begin using it in order to numb painful feelings, relax after a quarrel, unwind after a rough day, or forget about your problems?
- When you are no longer under the influence of drugs, your unpleasant emotions will return. For treatment to be effective, you must first address the underlying causes.
- You will continue to suffer stress, loneliness, frustration, wrath, embarrassment, worry, and hopelessness after resolving your fundamental issues. These feelings are normal components of existence. Finding strategies to manage these emotions as they emerge is a crucial aspect of treatment and recovery.
- There are healthier methods to maintain a healthy stress level. You can learn to deal with your issues without resorting to your addiction. When you have confidence in your abilities to de-stress rapidly, addressing intense emotions is less daunting and overpowering.
Rapidly Alleviate Stress Without Medication
- Various rapid stress alleviation solutions are more effective for certain individuals than others. The trick is to determine which one works best for you.
- Movement. A walk around the block can be sufficient to alleviate tension. Yoga and meditation are also good methods for combating stress and achieving equilibrium.
- Step outside and enjoy the sun’s warmth and the crisp air. Appreciate a breathtaking vista or scenery.
- Engage your dog or cat in play. Appreciate the soothing sensation of your pet’s fur.
- Investigate your sense of smell. Inhale the aroma of fresh flowers, coffee beans, or a perfume that reminds you of a memorable vacation, such as sunscreen or a seashell.
- Close your eyes and visualize a tranquil location. Consider a sandy beach or a pleasant memory, such as your child’s first steps or time with pals.
- Treat yourself well. Make yourself a warm cup of tea and massage your neck and shoulders. Soak in a hot shower or bath.
Keep Drug Triggers And Cravings In Check
Your healing does not conclude with sobriety. Your brain still requires time to recuperate and re-establish connections that were altered during your addiction. Throughout this reconstruction, drug cravings might be powerful. You may maintain your sobriety by avoiding individuals, places, and circumstances that stimulate your want to use:
- Step away from your drug-using buddies. Do not associate with pals who continue to use drugs. Surround yourself with individuals who encourage your sobriety rather than those who entice you to revert to old, destructive behaviors.
- Avoid clubs and bars. Even if you do not have a drinking problem, alcohol reduces inhibitions and affects judgment, which can easily lead to relapse. Substances are frequently accessible, and the urge to use them can be overwhelming. Additionally, avoid any other settings and situations associated with drug use.
- Be truthful about your drug usage history while seeking medical care. If you require a medical or dental operation, be forthright and locate a practitioner that will work with you to prescribe alternatives or the very minimal amount of medicine required. You should never feel ashamed or humiliated about prior drug use, nor should you be denied pain medicine; if this occurs, you should find a new practitioner.
- Use caution when using prescription medications. If you were hooked on a prescription substance, such as an opioid painkiller, you may need to discuss alternative pain management strategies with your doctor. Regardless of the substance that caused you issues, it is crucial to avoid prescription drugs with abuse potential or to use them only when required and with extreme caution. Medications having a high potential for abuse include analgesics, sedatives, and anti-anxiety drugs.
Managing Drug Urges
Sometimes it is impossible to prevent cravings, thus it is vital to find a method to cope:
- Engage in a diversionary activity. Read, spend time with friends, watch a movie, pursue a hobby, hike, or exercise. Once you get engaged in anything else, you will notice that your cravings disappear.
- Discuss it thoroughly. Discuss cravings with friends or family members when they occur. Conversation can be of great use in identifying the root of the urge. In addition, discussing cravings frequently helps to release and alleviate the emotion, as well as rebuild trust in your relationship. There is no reason to feel terrible about craving.
- Change and challenge your thinking. When experiencing a need, many individuals have a propensity to recall only the pleasant aspects of the substance and to ignore its negative effects. Therefore, you may find it beneficial to remind yourself that using will not make you feel better and that you stand to lose a great deal. Sometimes it is beneficial to have a tiny card with these repercussions listed on it.
- Urge surf. Many individuals attempt to overcome their cravings by resisting them. However, certain desires are impossible to ignore. When this occurs, it may be beneficial to resist the temptation until it passes. This method is known as urge surfing. Imagine that you are a surfer who will ride the wave of your drug need until it crests, breaks, and transforms into weaker, frothy surf. When you endure a hunger without fighting, judging, or ignoring it, you’ll discover that it fades more swiftly than you’d expect.
The Three Basic Steps Of Urge Surfing:
- Observe your sensation of the craving. Place your feet flat on the floor and your hands in a relaxed position while seated in a comfortable chair. Take several deep breaths and concentrate on your body. Observe where in your body you sense the yearning or drive, as well as how the feelings feel. Express what you are experiencing verbally. For instance, you can tell yourself, “My want is in my mouth, nose, and stomach.”
- Concentrate on one area in which you are having cravings. What sensations do you feel in that area? Describe them within. For instance, do you experience heat, cold, tingling, or numbness? Maybe your muscles are tense? What size is the region involved? Observe whether the feelings alter as you concentrate on them. My mouth feels parched. My lips have become numb. When I swallow, I can imagine how it would feel to use.”
- Concentrate on each portion of your body that is experiencing the need. Describe to yourself how the feelings shift and how the desire fluctuates. After a few minutes of desire surfing, the yearning disappears for many individuals. The objective of this practice is not to eliminate the desire, but rather to experience it in a different manner. You will grow more comfortable with your desires and find it easier to ride them out until they subside on their own if you consistently engage in urge surfing.
Build A Meaningful Drug-free Life
You may assist your drug treatment and prevent relapse by engaging in hobbies and interests that give your life purpose. It is crucial to participate in activities that you like, that make you feel wanted, and that give your life significance. Your addiction will lose its attraction when your life is filled with fulfilling activities and a feeling of purpose.
- Pick up an old pastime or try something new. Try something you’ve always wanted to that will stretch your creativity and inspire your imagination. Learn an instrument, a language, or a new sport.
- Adopt a pet. Yes, pets are a duty, but animal care makes one feel cherished and appreciated. Additionally, pets might motivate you to get outside for exercise.
- Spend time outside. Take a picturesque walk, go fishing or camping, or take frequent strolls around a park.
- Admire the arts. Take an art lesson, visit a museum, attend a concert or play, or write a memoir.
- Participate in your community. Replace your addiction with clubs and activities that are drug-free. Volunteer, become engaged in your church or religious community, or join a local club or community organization.
- Set relevant objectives. Having goals to aim for and something to look forward to can be effective drug addiction treatments. It is irrelevant what the goals are as long as they are significant to you.
- Take care of your health. Regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and healthy eating habits assist maintain energy levels and reducing stress. The greater your ability to maintain health and feel good, the simpler it will be to remain sober.
Don’t Let Relapse Keep You Down
Relapse is a regular occurrence throughout drug addiction rehabilitation. While relapse is disappointing and depressing, it may be viewed as a chance to learn from past errors, uncover more triggers, and adjust the treatment plan.
Why Do Patients Relapse?
Various “triggers” might put you at risk of relapsing into past substance use practises. While particular causes of relapse vary from person to person, the following are frequent triggers:
- Negative psychological conditions (such as stress, sadness, anger, or trauma)
- Positive emotional state (feeling happy and wanting to feel even better, such as having a good time with friends)
- Physical distress (such as pain or withdrawal symptoms)
- Attempting to test your personal willpower (“I’ll just use once” or “I’ll only take one pill”).
- Strong desire or compulsion (craving to use)
- Confrontation (such as an argument with your spouse or partner)
- Social pressure (being in a situation where it seems everyone else is using)
Important to understand is that recurrence does not indicate a failed drug treatment program. Do not surrender. Call your sponsor, speak with your therapist, attend a meeting, or make an appointment with your physician. Examine what caused the relapse, what went wrong, and what you might have done differently once you are no longer at risk. You can decide to return to the path of recovery and utilize the experience to reinforce your resolve.
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