Photo via Pexels
No matter how hopeless you may feel, overcoming substance abuse is possible. One of the hardest steps is already over once you’ve recognized that you have a problem and expressed a desire to change. However, it can be daunting to think about getting through life without the aid of substances. Kicking addiction for good involves caring for your mind and body like you never have before. You'll need patience, support, and motivation to change. But eventually, you'll be able to feel in control of your life again.
Adopt Healthy Lifestyle Habits
How you treat your physical body plays a very important role in how you feel emotionally. If you’re prone to stress, anxiety, or depression, you may benefit from making some key lifestyle changes. Eating well and exercising regularly can helpbalance your moodand provide a motivating energy boost. For example, getting active results in a release of endorphins in your body, reducing your perceptions of pain in a similar way to opiates. This is why professionals often recommend that people in addiction recovery engage in regular physical activity. Getting enough sleep can also help settle problems with anxiety and promote healing in your brain. Try to stick to a regular sleep schedule and adopt goodsleep hygiene habits.
Seek Appropriate Treatment
Many people try one type of addiction treatment and give up when it doesn’t appear to be helping them. However, there are a huge variety of substance abuse treatments available. It's important that you find one that works for you, even if it means going through a couple ofdifferent treatmentsand facing disappointment.
For example, if you also suffer from mental health problems like anxiety and depression, you may benefit from treatments focused on mental therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) ordialectical behavior therapy(DBT) are effective in treating these mental disorders.
Other options for substance abuse treatment include group therapy sessions, holistic therapy, religious programs, gender-specific programs, and programs catered specifically to professionals and executives. These treatments can better meet the needs of individuals in different situations, such as professionals who need to remain discreet about their treatment. Similarly,holistic therapiesmay better suit people who value spirituality and whole-body healing. Inpatient rehabsare also valuable to people who need additional structure and support. This is a great way to completely remove yourself from temptation and triggering environments.
Stop Relying on Willpower Alone
Stopping addiction and changing bad habits is almost impossible with simple willpower. In fact, according toPsychology Today, addiction is caused by chemical changes in the brain, not simply a weakness of the mind. Although willpower can help you make the initial leap of discarding your abused substances and declaring your intentions to quit, it might not hold up well to withdrawal symptoms and cravings later on. A strong support network can help you when your own motivations fall short. Find friends, family, and peers who can be there to keep you on track throughout your treatment. On top of this, you'll need to make some lifestyle changes and develop new coping systems to avoid relapse.
Be Kind to Yourself
No matter what kind of difficult addiction recovery you’re facing, you can make it easier by being nicer to yourself.The Fix explains how important it is that recovering addicts learn to love themselves so they can stop self-destructive behaviors. You must find ways to stop thinking hateful, abusive thoughts about yourself. Instead, try toacknowledge your emotionswithout judgment. When you have negative thoughts, call a friend or therapist and talk to them about it. This can help you stay positive and avoid reaching for substances to numb your feelings.
Importantly, patience is a key aspect of substance abuse recovery. Not only for the ex-addict but for their support network as well. Friends and families need to have patience and understand that sobriety can take a long time to achieve. In the end, full and long-term treatment will lead to the most successful recovery results.
