If you or someone you love is addicted to drugs or alcohol and have just realised that you need help, congratulations. You have now made the most important and correct decision in your life.
In this article, we will provide you with some basic steps to overcoming addiction and what can be done to help.
1. Find Out Why You Became Addicted
The first step to take is to get to the root cause of the problem: why did you become addicted in the first place? It could have been due to stress at work, at home and even financial problems.
It might be hard to admit to having a problem, but acknowledging that there is one plays a big part in overcoming addiction. Sorting out the issue will allow addicts to put the past behind them and look forward to recovery.
2. Stop Denial and Start Thinking Sensibly
Denial is one of the key components of addiction and is one of the major reasons why addicts avoid getting addiction treatment.
Now is the time to open up and to start thinking sensibly. Allow your family and friends to assist in helping you beat your addiction as believe it or not, you may have hurt them through your drug or alcohol usage, but they’ll always be there for you in your time of need.
3. Replace the Bad Habits
By stopping all the bad habits and replacing them with good ones, it can motivate addicts to focus on recovery.
Look for ways to reduce stress and anxiety, find a new hobby, get a pet or even start travelling if you are able to. These are all good ways distract you away from the addiction cravings and helps in preventing relapses.
4. Find Out When and Where You Are Most Likely to Suffer Cravings
Finding out when and where you could possibly be enticed into using drugs or alcohol plays a big part in remaining clean and sober.
It could mean staying away from parties where people might use drugs or alcohol and even making new friends with people who don’t use these substances.
By avoiding these times, places and people, you minimise the risk of using drugs or alcohol. Also, if possible, use these times to focus on the good habits mentioned above.
5. Make Changes to the Way You Live
Some people think that overcoming an addiction is all about willpower. While it requires some, it’s not always necessary. In some cases, simple lifestyle changes can do the trick.
These lifestyle changes include doing easy things such as getting rid of any alcohol or drugs you might have in your house and avoiding carrying cash on you but rather in your bank account. It may be small changes, but in the long run, they can be effective.
6. Get Support from Someone You Trust
Getting the support of a family member or friend you trust will not only help the recovering addict in their time of need, but will also help keep them on the straight and narrow.
This person will need to be able to motivate the person when times are tough and keep them focused when things are going well.
7. Give Credit
Beating an addiction is no easy task and every progress made shouldn’t go unnoticed. This will help in encouraging the person to achieve the next step, no matter how small it is.
Still, the best way to beat an addiction is by getting treatment in an addiction rehabilitation centre.
In rehab, patients will receive 24 hour medical assistance as well as various counselling and therapy methods that will teach the person about their addiction and equip them with skills to avoid using drugs or alcohol in the future.
We offer access to the best drug and alcohol rehab clinics all over South Africa. Call us now and one of our accredited addiction counsellors will help find the best treatment available.
