Substance abuse can make living your life exceptionally difficult. Drug and alcohol addiction can interfere with your social, work, and private life. Those under the thumb of addiction tend more often than not to live lives of depression and anxiety, in constant search of their next fix.
While it is true that overcoming substance abuse is the hardest thing a person can do that does not for a second mean that it is impossible. In fact, with the right attitude and some support, you can kick your addiction to the curb.
Here is a step-by-step guide for you to follow:
Signing Up for Rehab
Rehab is the best place you can go if you are fighting an addiction. According to the specialists from behavioralhealth-centers.com/programs/php-rehab/, rehab will give you the ability to discuss your problems with people who know what you are going through. Trying to explain addiction to people who have only ever lived clean lives can be extremely difficult. It is common for such individuals to lose patience and tell their loved ones to “just get over their addictions,” which is of course not possible.
Setting A ‘Quit Date’
A large number of addicts find that setting themselves formal ‘quit dates’ is one of the most effective ways of setting the process of getting clean into motion. Many of these people have blowout parties the night before their fixed quit date. It is not advised to do this, however, as if you wake up after a long night of partying there is a strong chance you will crave more drugs. If you do plan on getting drunk or high the night before your planned quit date, go easy.
Distracting Yourself
The day of and the days following your quit date will be hard, unfortunately. Nothing you do will make things easier for you. This is especially true if you are heavily addicted to drugs or alcohol as you will likely then suffer from intense withdrawal symptoms. Once you have gotten past the initial withdrawal symptoms you then need to find a way to distract yourself. Distracting yourself will make moving forwards with your life a lot easier. Take up sports, video gaming, or anything that you think will effectively keep you sober.
Positive Influences
Surround yourself with positive people. People who use drugs or alcohol can be detrimental to your recovery so you need to get as far away from them as you can. An addict’s life is usually filled with people who share their addictions. It is common for addicts to alienate their families and friendship groups in pursuit of drugs or alcohol. If you do not have positive relationships with your loved ones then you should get in touch and explain to them that you are trying to get clean and need their support more than ever. As long as you have not done anything particularly nasty to them they should be more than happy to give you the support you need.
Finding Stable Employment
Addicts are known for being out of work. As one, it is your duty to integrate back into normal society, which of course means finding employment. It is certainly true that employers discriminate against addicts, however, you are under no legal obligation to tell potential employers about your addiction or recovery. The most important thing you can do is make yourself look presentable and take steps to hide signs of your drug use, like wearing a shirt if you have track marks on your arms.
Asking for Help from Loved Ones
It is sadly very common for addicts to intentionally estrange themselves from their families. More often than not this happens because of lies, deceptions, and thefts. In order to rebuild your relationships with your loved ones you need to reach out to them and explain that you are trying to get clean. As long as you have not done anything particularly nasty to them they should be more than willing to help you. You may have to prove to your loved ones that you are clean before asking for financial support though.
Building A Support Network
You will need a support network if you are going to successfully get over your addiction. If you do not have loved ones then you can build a support network by surrounding yourself with other recovering addicts. There are community groups in most major towns and cities that offer addicts support and advice. You can usually join these groups for free. The only requirement for joining these groups is group participation, i.e., you will be expected to attend meetings with other recovering addicts and participate in group work.
Improving Your Diet
To effectively fight an addiction you need to be strong, mentally and physically. Unless you are making a proactive effort to improve your condition it is unlikely you will be able to overcome your addiction. Drugs and alcohol can have a devastating effect on the human body. Depending on what you were using you could be in poor health. A healthy diet and regular exercise will help you to reverse the damage that drugs and alcohol have done to you. Callisthenic exercise is a good type for individuals who are not confident going to the gym or exercising in public.
Being Transparent and Open
Transparency and openness are qualities that addicts in recovery need to cultivate within themselves. Addicts tend to have to deal with severe internal conflicts. If they are not open with the people around them then moving forwards from their addiction can be extremely challenging, if not impossible. Learn to be more open if you are a naturally closed-off person. Talk to your family and support network whenever you are feeling down, so they can take steps to help you. Internalising your problems will probably lead to a relapse. Relapsing is a normal part of recovery but is best avoided.
Drug and alcohol addiction plagues the lives of millions of Americans and hundreds of millions more around the world. Tackling it can be very difficult, especially for individuals not fortunate enough to have friends and family. No matter what your situation is, however, you can overcome addiction, just take this post’s advice.
