The stigma surrounding substance abuse makes it very difficult to talk about recovery. Drug addiction is not a sign of weakness or poor decisions; it’s simply an escape for individuals who suffer trauma. When a person suffers in silence, they’re likely to be drawn to substances that alter their state of mind and make it easier to cope with traumatic experiences.
No matter how badly a situation has spiraled, recovery is never out of reach. Sobriety is not a one-time decision; it’s a commitment. Here’s how to end dependence on harmful substances.
Admit You Have a Problem
As long as you’re in denial about your addiction to a substance, you will never be able to recover fully. The first step to treating addiction of any kind is becoming self-aware that your lifestyle and habits are making your life more difficult. If you’re an alcoholic, look at how dependent you’ve become on drinks to endure your day. The most significant sign of addiction is when one needs a substance just to function. If this is the case, you need to consider either reaching out to your loved ones or seeking professional help.
Go to Rehab
Walking into a rehab facility yourself can be a tough decision, but it’s sometimes the only answer, especially when you’re in too deep. Further, an addiction treatment center has plenty of plans for you to explore. Everything from drug detox, medicating, behavioral counseling, and follow-up is offered to help you succeed on your journey to recovery. Ideally, you should opt for residential treatment, seeing as you’ll be surrounded by an entire community who’s going through the same thing you are. Although many people view rehab as a dark phase, it’s quite the opposite, and it’s where you can meet and make new friends.
Be Emotionally Prepared
Recovery from addiction is never easy; it’s both emotionally and physically taxing, and it requires intense willpower. Depending on the substance you’re addicted to, relapse can be tempting even after months of sobriety, so make sure you speak with your medical professional about how you can keep yourself motivated. No matter how determined you are now, you should make sure to seek emotional support even when everything is seemingly better for you.
Identify and Avoid Triggers
Addiction can pretty much change the way your brain responds to certain situations even years after recovery; these are known more simply as triggers, and they ease off with time. During and after treatment, those triggers should be avoided at all times. If you’re an alcoholic and parties, tempt you to drink, avoid them at all costs.
Similarly, if you associate a person or a situation with a particular substance, make sure you avoid them. This is why you need to make new friends after your recovery. If your social circle frequently uses a substance that you’ve become addicted to, it would be challenging to spend time with them without getting triggered into relapsing.
The process of ending substance abuse requires strong determination and plenty of emotional support. If you or a loved one have spiraled into addiction, make sure to reach out to your loved ones. The key to recovery is first admitting you have a problem. It’s almost always necessary to be admitted to a rehabilitation center, where you can be taken care of and provided with the medications, support, and counseling you need.
