Fighting the Mental and Physical Urges of Addiction
Addiction can be like being enslaved. It is a chronic disease that many feel is impossible to overcome, but there are ways to help you or loved ones avoid the cold grasp of addiction. Having a strong, steady support system, and seeking well rounded treatments can help you find the fight you have been looking for to crush addiction into the dust.
According to CASA, addiction is a disease, and just like any disease, you need treatment.
Family and Friends
Having a group of people that are supportive and non-judgmental can be some of the most help a person with addiction can have. Moving on from friends and family that help fuel the habit of addiction is essential.
Keeping yourself busy with activities you enjoy will distract you from any urges of addiction.
Having people weighing you down and impeding on your progress isn’t going to help you get anywhere. It will be hard enough to move on from addiction without having real life devils on your shoulder, tempting you to keep indulging in the addiction you want to eradicate.
Having friends and family that want to be there for you and help you quit your addiction will just keep influencing you to do better yourself. It is much easier to fight when you have your own crowd of personal supporters cheering you on. It is also important to surround yourself with like-minded people, such as those who are on recovery as well.
Treatment
Getting a treatment is one of the best ways to fight your addiction. Talking to a professional to help you find a scientifically supported treatment is essential. You don’t want to invest yourself in a treatment that doesn’t work well.
One thing to look for when you are investing into a treatment is to make sure this treatment helps you build skills for you to help yourself. There is no magic button you can push or pill you can take that will stop your addiction.
You are going to need to commit to yourself and be willing to work hard. Having a treatment that helps you build these skills means you will be able to stay out of relapsing when your treatment is over. Another thing to look for in your treatment is that it addresses way to replace drug use with other constructive activities.
NIH specifies that you should have an activity that will replace the time, energy, and pleasure, you originally had from your drug addiction. It gives you something to turn to and do when you are craving your drug.
If you are occupied with something else you enjoy, it will make it easier to not go back to your drug. Your treatment should also heavily focus on why you wanted to quit. Make sure it uses your reasons to motivate you to change.
If you need help getting clean or if you are having trouble maintaining your sobriety, call SubstanceAbuse.org at 800-487-1890 (Who Answers?) if you feel as though your need help with your addiction. You have the ability to fight your drug addiction, simply finding help can help you go a long way. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance.
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