Battling addiction can feel like an endless cycle of relapse after relapse. In order to truly escape addiction, you must have a clear understanding of what recovery entails and be well equipped with tools that can aid you in your journey.
In the thick of your addiction, recovery seems unreachable and the valuable tools that stand before you may be invisible. Seeking out help is the first step. Admitting that addiction is taking control of your life will open your eyes to the prospect of recovery.
Consider the following tools to help you overcome your addiction.
Join a Recovery Center
One of the most effective ways to beat addiction is to have a strong support system. Joining a recovery center can have transformative effects by immersing you in a community of like-minded individuals.
Being around other addicts who share the common goal of recovery will make the process much easier for you. A community setting will help minimize feelings of worthlessness and aloneness so you can focus on managing your addiction.
If you are struggling with addiction, . They are dedicated to helping addicts overcome addiction by offering therapeutic services for a variety of mental illnesses that may be the root of those addictions.
Find the Value in Relapse
Sadly, a large part of the recovery process is relapse. Rarely do those who are trying to overcome addiction follow a clear-cut path. The unspoken truth about addiction is that relapse is very common.
Instead of feeling like a failure when you relapse, realize that it is a part of your journey. Every time you relapse, you have a deeper understanding of what triggers you. Over time, you won’t be so susceptible to those triggers.
Understanding your triggers will also help you avoid situations where you know those triggers exist. While you may experience several relapses before lasting improvement is made, it does not mean that you are hopeless.
Avoid Replacement Behavior
The reason addicts struggle with addiction is because their of choice becomes their only method of coping. Instead of engaging in healthy copybehaviors after quitting whatever they are addicted to, they will cope using other behaviors like eating or smoking.
If you are replacing addictive behavior with other unhealthy habits, you’re not really overcoming addiction. Instead, you’re switching gears to another harmful behavior that also creates the reward response you receive from drugs.
Normal behavior crosses into addiction territory when you begin enjoying things in excess. Rather than develop these types of replacement behaviors, try and find a healthy amount of enjoyment in common things like exercise.
Realize Everyone is Different
There are popular treatments for addiction that people most commonly seek out. While the effectiveness of these treatments is proven, they do not come with guarantees. If you are battling addiction, it’s important to remember that every person recovers in a different way.
You may want to accept defeat if popular treatments aren’t working for you because it feels like you’re exhausting all of your options. It’s important to persist even if none your chosen treatments prove to be effective. What works for you may be different than what works for the majority.
Be Accountable
Don’t feel embarrassed about seeking help for your addiction. Having a strong support system is not only helpful because it minimizes that feeling of being alone, but it also ensures you are held accountable.
Sharing your journey with those close to you will make you feel more motivated. If someone is holding you accountable for your actions, you are less likely to succumb to triggers that result in relapse.
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