People who struggle with drug use disorders often discover that resolving their condition is more difficult than they had anticipated.
They can believe that addiction is fiction and that they can stop using it whenever they want to, or that they are an outlier compared to other people who struggle with addiction. This is also a possibility with behavioral addictions, which may include behaviors like overeating, sexual activity, gambling, shopping, or even physical activity.
Everyone struggling with a substance use disorder (SUD), alcohol use disorder (AUD), or behavioral addiction should make it a priority to acquire the skills necessary to break free from their addiction. Recognizing that there is a problem and gaining knowledge about the procedures involved in quitting are essential initial steps on the path to recovery; nonetheless, doing so may be difficult.
This article provides advice that may be useful in overcoming addiction and describes the steps that need to be taken before success can be achieved. In addition to this, it discusses the withdrawal symptoms that you can encounter as well as some of the treatments that are available that are known to be helpful. To know more in detail, click here.
Get Ready for Some Change
Even when you have a crystal-clear idea of what you want to accomplish, you may still need to be flexible. To be ready, you should get rid of any addictive drugs that are lying around your house and get rid of everything in your life that can act as a trigger and cause you to use addictive substances again.
In most cases, this involves getting rid of any paraphernalia or other objects in your environment that can rekindle your urge to take an addictive drug or participate in risky activity.
Altering your daily schedule so that you spend less time in situations or with individuals who are known to stimulate food cravings may also prove to be important for you. You may also get ready by making a strategy for how you will overcome your addiction and gathering the tools you will need to be successful in this endeavor.
These are two examples of other methods to be ready.
For instance, a person who is attempting to kick the habit of smoking might begin by determining whether they would quit smoking all at once or slowly cut down on the amount of nicotine they take in over time.
The next step would be for them to acquire the resources necessary to successfully quit smoking, such as joining a support group, purchasing nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products, or consulting a healthcare provider about the possibility of receiving a prescription for smoking cessation medication.
Decide to Change
One of the most crucial stages in recovering from an addiction is making the choice to alter one’s behavior. You have shown an awareness of the issue as well as a motivation to find a solution to it by recognizing that there is a need for change in the situation.
The process of choosing to change and determining how that change will manifest itself is one that often requires a significant amount of time. This stage is called “contemplation” because it entails thinking about whether or not to change and how to do so.
However, ambitions that are too ambitious may sometimes be counterproductive. It is preferable to intend to stop “cold turkey” and end up relapsing, which may be more harmful than just continuing as normal without making any changes, so setting a goal that you will really reach is preferable in this situation.
It is especially beneficial at this point to speak with a physician, an addiction counselor, or a psychologist since these professionals can help you understand the dangers and the things that may help relieve them.
Seek the Support of Others
It’s possible that the preparations involving social ties will be the most difficult. Some of the relationships that individuals who are recovering from addictions have may center on the addictive activities that they engage in.
In circumstances like these, establishing boundaries within those relationships and joining a self-help organization like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and also the center for Addiction Treatment In Lancaster CA, may be beneficial in that they provide a group of individuals who understand what the individual is going through and can provide support.
HP Thoughts: It is not enough to know the types of support systems available at your disposal. You should also know the signs that you already need professional intevention — Help With Your Addiction.
