The Road To Recovery And Overcoming Substance Abuse
Substance abuse is not a sign of weakness. It’s an overwhelming mental and physical adversity that can happen to anyone. There are no specific reasons that addiction can be caused. And, a common misconception by society is that someone “chooses” to become addicted.
If you’re struggling with substance abuse, it’ll take more than just willpower to help you overcome it. The road to recovery is long, but with the right treatment plan, safety net, and therapeutic help you can learn to live a sober, healthy life. Here are a few general tips for how you can start the road to recovery.
Start taking inventory
Pay attention to how much and how often you’re using substances. Make a list of the pros and cons of continuing to use versus getting sober. Ask yourself: have you ever tried to quit before? If so, what didn’t work for you? Write down specific goals for yourself, including a time frame for your sobriety. When you get big concepts like this down on paper, you commit them to memory and can approach them in a more manageable way. You can also return to these written goals and reasons for changing as you’re getting sober. They can be useful mantras that bring strength when things get difficult.
Enlist help
Once you’ve decided to begin your sobriety journey, make sure your friends and family know what you plan to do. It’s possible your loved ones have heard promises like this from you before. But you’ll need to be ready to admit that you need their help and show them you mean what you say. Talk about strategies you can all work on for holding you accountable, including setting hard boundaries on what happens if you relapse.
Get inpatient care
Don’t try to detox from drugs or alcohol alone—the process can be life-threatening. Medical professionals will help you manage your withdrawal symptoms safely during this dangerous stage. They may prescribe medications to continue treating your symptoms depending on your situation. After detox, your care will shift primarily to behavioral therapy and substance abuse treatment. If you’re able to stay in a care facility for up to three months, you’ll be under supervision every day. You might also attend group therapy sessions with others struggling with substance abuse. Some people choose an outpatient center after detox, so they continue living at home. Your doctor and loved ones can help you determine what’s best for you.
Develop a long-term plan
Eventually, you’ll need to transition to living outside a treatment facility and getting your life back on track. Work with your doctor to find an approach that will work with your needs and lifestyle. You have many options when it comes to psychotherapy that ranges from individual sessions to family therapy. You should also consider whether sobriety groups like Alcoholics Anonymous would be helpful to you on your sobriety journey. Part of overcoming your substance abuse involves creating a new community safety network, and groups that meet and follow up on your sobriety can be invaluable. As you readjust to life outside again, you should dedicate some of your newly-found time to pursuing passion projects to keep your mind occupied and learning.
Get started with therapy
Overcoming substance abuse is a process that will require outside resources to help guide you. Even before you begin your inpatient treatment, an addiction-focused psychotherapist can help you navigate your changing relationships, your internal motivations, and what your world will look like in sobriety. A therapist will also help you recognize the signs of relapse so you can be prepared and avoid it. Substance abuse destroys lives every day and is challenging to overcome. However, it is possible to start the road to recovery. The best time to get help is now.
To learn more about how substance abuse counseling can help, please reach out to us.
