Steps for Taking Responsibility for Your Life and Overcoming Addiction
When an addict takes responsibility for their lives and overcomes addiction, it can be the best decision he/she will ever make. When an individual makes the choice to take responsibility for their behavior, he/she is making the conscious choice to be held accountable for their addiction.
This responsibility allows the addict to accept the consequences and results that are associated with it. According to SAMHSA, the use of drugs in Americans aged 12 or older increased from 8.3% in 2002 to 10.2% in 2014, which equals 27 million people who were using illicit drugs.
There are few areas of addiction where the individual should take responsibility for their actions to begin the recovery process.
A Substance Dependency
A substance dependency creates a chronic medical condition that causes big chemical changes in the brain. Personality, cognitive ability, behavior, motor skills, and reasoning are all effected by this change and has a significant impact on a person’s health.
It can cause many severe consequences such as liver disease, hepatitis, heart disease, brain damage, infections, and injuries. Many addicts begin to neglect their personal obligations, show a lack of interest in their job or schooling, and have poor hygiene due to the use of their substance.
Some addicts when under the influence become violent, participate in dangerous activities and in worst-case scenarios, may become homeless. When an addict chooses to take responsibility for the results of his/her decisions, it can be one of the largest steps in the recovery process.
It is Not Just You
Taking responsibility involves accepting the consequences of your actions.
When an addiction begins, it is most commonly a decision that the individual chooses to engage in. What begins as an initial decision in the moment can develop into a repeated action that becomes more of an addiction and less of a choice.
It is a voluntary choice that many addicts made before they became addicts with the knowledge that the drug is addictive and harmful. Despite the environmental, social, behavioral, psychological, or genetic vulnerability, the person uses the occasion to use a substance with the full awareness of the consequences.
Assigning the Blame
Many addicts will find a way to blame others for their substance abuse to push the responsibility off themselves because it is the easier choice. This allows him or her to avoid their feelings of guilt and responsibility, as well as hold onto a list of excuses as to why they should continue with their addiction.
While this commonly draws pity and understanding from others, it does nothing to help the addict to overcome their addiction. It is important for the addict to accept that while they would not have caused the issues in their lives if they were not under the influence, they are responsible for their actions regardless.
When the addict takes responsibility for their own actions, it can allow them to begin their journey toward recovery and freedom from their addiction.
Accepting Responsibility
In order to begin the process toward recovery, the addict needs to acknowledge that he or she is solely responsible for the choices they made in their lives. Taking responsibility can also allow the individual to open communication with their loved ones to create a support system that will help them to overcome their addiction through treatment facilities that can cater to their specific needs.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, treatments for an addict can vary according to the type of substance abuse they have endured and their unique situations in order to help them reach success. This specialized treatment will help them to function productively with their family, co-workers, and friends.
It can be hard to accept the responsibility, but only the individual can decide where they want their lives to go and can only blame themselves when things go wrong. With the use of addictive substances, the addict needs to be willing to accept the consequences of their actions.
Whether it is an injury, illness, loss of employment, discrimination or broken relationships, it all began with the first decision to use an addictive substance with the knowledge of the costs.
Accepting responsibility can be a vital part in the recovery process, as it can help the addict make the decision to turn their lives around and seek professional help. If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction and needs help, call 800-487-1890 (Who Answers?) to speak with a caring specialist that can assist you.