People aren’t hesitant to create new year’s resolutions (though most of them are broken after merely a few weeks). It’s estimated that one-fourth of Americans make resolutions every January. So, why can’t you make a resolution that matters this year? Surveys from 2015 show that 10% of US citizens fight drug abuse at some point. It means millions of Americans are battling an addiction today. Since the calendar just turned a fresh leaf, you should resolve to battle your cravings and overcome the obsession with drugs/alcohol for regaining sobriety. Many addicts believe defeating addiction isn’t easy (or even worth the effort) for them. However, we shall discuss some brilliant strategies for dealing with your cravings efficiently.
Getting over addiction
It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact reason why someone becomes addicted to a particular activity. But we can describe addiction as a pattern of compulsive behaviors with negative consequences. How can you learn you’re addicted? Addicts can’t stop consuming a particular substance, suffer from mood swings, and continue using despite the harmful outcomes of that stuff. Also, they lose interest in other activities and often engage in illegal actions to satisfy their appetite. These reasons are enough to motivate a person to overcome addiction. If you’re unsure about how to defeat addiction, we have compiled some simple suggestions to help you out. Here are eight ways of getting over your addiction and becoming sober:
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Seek professional assistance
The first step to recovery is contacting a reliable network of rehab centers. Thus, you should contact Serenity at Summit for their services, including medical detox and SUD treatment. Addiction recovery involves several procedures such as group/family therapy and MAT (medically-assisted treatment). These procedures enable addicts to quit their cravings. Hence, contact recovery specialists to reshape your life today.
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Admit your addiction
Admitting you have a problem constitutes the most challenging fraction of your journey to recovery. It’s common for addicts to stay in denial about their problem since the brain looks for excuses while trying to justify the obsession. When you admit you have a problem, you’re showing some courage before your addiction and attempting to break free. Take some time to reflect on your habits and how they’ve negatively influenced you. You should also start writing a journal to contemplate properly.
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Identify triggers
Triggers compel you to undergo addiction relapse when you’re driven by your previous experiences to use that substance again. What are some possible triggers? Well, stress, isolation, emotions, and even a physical illness can force you to start using again. Moreover, emotional indications can make a person resume addiction. That’s why you should alter your environment and remove all sorts of triggers from your surroundings. Once you identify triggers, you’ll learn how to cope with them.
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Change your environment
Are there any reminders of your addiction around you? You must remove anything that reminds you of your cravings from your dwelling and workplace. For instance, gambling addicts are asked to get rid of poker chips and scratch tickets. Similarly, alcoholics are advised to remove wine glasses and bottle openers from their surroundings. Change your environment and separate yourself from all memories of your addiction. That’s how you learn to get over your cravings and maintain sobriety.
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Exercise regularly
Experts have estimated that almost one-third of people suffering from SUD are also depressed. So, you should exercise more often to ward off mental health issues and maintain sobriety. Exercise will stimulate the release of endorphins in your brain. These chemicals are associated with feelings of happiness. So, a regular workout enables addicts to improve sleep, reduce cravings, and boost their self-esteem. Exercise can restore healthy brain functioning, thereby allowing you to regain self-control.
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Find distractions
Distract yourself from anything that forces you to relapse. Find drugless pastimes that motivate you to maintain sobriety and stay away from temptations. For instance, you can adopt running, jogging, or gardening as pastimes. These activities help you focus on activities that don’t involve substance abuse. These distractions can gradually convince you to shun your addiction for good too.
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Appreciate sobriety
You can’t fully realize the harms of addiction without appreciating the benefits of sobriety. So, what are the benefits of staying sober? Well, overcoming your addiction enables you to regain self-control and self-esteem. When you’re not spending money to purchase drugs, you become financially stable. You can establish healthier relationships with friends/family. Moreover, your physical appearance improves when you’re sober. These are just a few perks of giving up drugs forever.
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Create a support network
You must establish a support network involving your friends/family to help you overcome addiction. Their encouragement can allow you to quit this obsession and get over your cravings quickly. Experts have suggested telling your drug dealer that you won’t conduct business with them in the future. Break all connections with your drug-addicted past. Cease every association that used to prompt you to abuse a substance. Create a support network for yourself to keep yourself sober.
Conclusion
Addiction isn’t an unfamiliar concept in our country. It’s estimated that every eighth American adult was battling drug and alcohol addictions at the same time in 2017. Now, you can overcome addiction by using some simple solutions. Make up your mind about quitting and find distractions. Also, we suggest you change your environment and create a support network for yourself. Remember to seek professional assistance for your addiction and learn about the benefits of sobriety. We believe you must identify the triggers and stay away from people/situations that encourage your addiction. These tactics can help addicts overcome their cravings and regain self-control over a nomadic and delusional mind.
