Anyone who has dealt with addiction knows that it ruins lives, tears apart families, and hurts the people we love. However, there is hope for recovery. Each individual is different, so it is important to find the right treatment plan for your unique situation. If you (or a loved one) are currently in the throes of addiction, self-improvement specialist Christiana Acha presents some proven tips for overcoming substance abuse.
Seeking Support
If reading this article is any indication, you’ve already taken an important step: admitting you need help ending your addiction. You don’t have to go it alone in your journey to sobriety. Some ways you can find help overcoming your addiction include:
Twelve Step Programs
Attend a few Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings to find a specific group where you feel supported. Eventually, you can find a sponsor who has worked the program themselves and can provide one-on-one support in your journey to recovery.
Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Reality Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) are just a few talk therapy methods that are proven effective in treating addiction. Therapy helps resolve past and present issues that make one more vulnerable to addiction. You can attend sessions individually, with a group (for instance, with others in recovery), or with your family.
Rehabilitation Centers
Rehabilitation centers offer structured environments for getting clean and sober. Their evidence-based behavioral treatments heal addiction through talk therapy, motivation, and tangible rewards for staying clean and sober.
You can find local drug rehab options in your area online. Look for facilities that offer the services and the therapy styles that you feel will work best for you. There are many different options, from inpatient residential treatment to outpatient counseling and detoxification services. Don’t choose the first option. Find the facility that feels like it will be the best fit for you and your recovery process.
Religion and Spirituality
Research has shown that the more religious a person is, the less likely they are to give in to addiction. Multiple studies have provided evidence that faith can be helpful in addiction recovery, and can also provide a support system to the individual.
Incorporating Healthy Habits
It probably comes as no surprise that healthier daily routines may assist with recovery. For instance, holistic health practices empower you to better manage your triggers and cravings. Mindful practices such as tai chi, qi gong, yoga, and meditation reduce stress, manage negative emotions, and help curb cravings.
Spirituality can play a role in healing from addiction, so it’s worthwhile to consider church. Use prayer and spirituality to connect to God or a Higher Power, reaching out to your local priest, pastor, or religious leader for assistance and support.
Avoiding Temptation
There are many reasons why someone might feel the urge to use drugs or drink. Sometimes, people are experiencing difficult emotions or trying to regain a sense of control over their lives. Other times, they’re stressed or overwhelmed by a difficult or traumatic situation. During these times, several techniques can help you stay on track.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness techniques such as yoga or meditation help regulate moods while providing a sense of control over your life that helps you cope with painful emotions and situations.
Neurofeedback and Biofeedback
Addiction affects the brain on a physical and psychological level. Neurofeedback and biofeedback can be helpful in reducing the impulsive urges to self-medicate. Additionally, they can fight insomnia, anxiety, and can even treat Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Positive Environment
It’s also important to maintain a healthy, positive living environment. This includes surrounding yourself with positive people who are clean, sober, and 100% supportive of your decision to get clean. Be willing to move into a new home or relocate to the right neighborhood if it will help you avoid the temptation of using.
Your decision to get clean and sober may also mean you have to decline invitations from people who are still using. It doesn’t mean you don’t care about those people; it just means you care enough about yourself to make your own recovery a priority.
Supportive Work Environment
A positive work environment is just as important as a positive home environment in developing healthy sobriety. If you feel comfortable doing so, speak with your supervisor and your Human Resources department about any accommodations that may help you when you return to work. For instance, it might be helpful to adjust your schedule in order to make it to meetings with your sponsor or support group.
If you feel your current job doesn’t support your sobriety, you may want to consider going into business for yourself. There are lots of startup ideas for businesses that can be run from the comforts of home on your schedule, which allows you to put your sobriety first. It’s important to start slowly to keep yourself from getting overwhelmed, but working for yourself can give you a much-needed sense of accomplishment as you work to overcome your substance abuse issues.
Self-Help
From books to recovery groups, self-help has also been shown as useful in achieving long-term recovery from addiction.
Stay Focused on Recovery
Recovery from addiction and substance abuse is a lifelong process. Stay determined and don’t give up on yourself, even if you relapse. By overcoming your struggle with substance abuse, you can empower yourself to live the life you want to live.
Christiana Acha helps people find ways to improve themselves and grow. Visit me online for great resources to help in your own process of self discovery!
