Addiction is a life-threatening disease that affects one’s mental and physical well-being. From relationship problems and financial trouble, those who suffer from addiction come to find that it impacts every aspect of their lives. It is often once they’ve reached rock bottom that they realize the urgency to kick their habit. Unfortunately, however, this doesn’t happen overnight.
Though it may seem like your life is in ruins. You may have even tried to quit on your own but failed. Before you give up, you should know that this is all normal. Recovering from addiction is an ongoing process that can take weeks, months or even years to conquer. Start by getting clean and then utilize other addiction recovery methods to stay that way.
Make a Commitment
The first step to getting clean and overcoming addiction is to make a commitment. This is going to be a difficult journey and you cannot expect to get any results if your mind isn’t in it. Finding inspiration or motivation in your life can make it easier for you to stick to the process. Write down a list of things that have prompted you to want to get clean. Are you tired of how it’s hurting your children? Did it cost you your job? Are you experiencing health problems? Be open and honest and then keep this list with you as you go through the next steps.
Go to a Detox Program
While some people are successful in getting clean on their own, others aren’t. This is especially true if you abuse harder substances like heroin. A blog post for a detox resource entitled, “How Long Does Heroine Stay in Your System” states that your body gets used to the drugs and can no longer function without it.
Going cold turkey can have some adverse effects you’re not prepared for. So, to get clean, it is recommended that you look into solutions like in or outpatient drug rehab. They have trained medical staff that can help gradually wean you off the drugs so that your body does not go through as many symptoms.
Attend Therapy Sessions
Getting clean of drugs and alcohol isn’t just a physical detox, it’s also mental. You have to work on discovering the core reasons for abusing substances so that you can essentially learn how to avoid such triggers and behaviors in the future. That’s what therapy is for. Addiction counselors are available to help you get to the root cause of your addiction. Whether you come from a family of addicts, went through a traumatic experience, or are suffering from an underlying mental illness, the therapist will utilize various cognitive therapy techniques to help you learn new methods of coping.
Diet and Nutrition
The substances you’ve been abusing through the years have wreaked havoc on your body. You will need to work extra hard at restoring your physical health to remain clean. This all starts with what you eat. In a rehab treatment program, participants are taught about proper diet and nutrition. Eating a well-balanced diet packed with protein, green leafy vegetables, fresh fruit, and whole grains aids the body in repairing itself from the damage caused by addiction.
Set Goals
To remain clean and sober it is necessary to start creating a “new” positive life for yourself. Going back to a chaotic atmosphere will inevitably result in you relapsing. So, think about things you want to accomplish now that you’re clean. Do you want to find a new place? Look for a new job? Rebuild family relationships? Write these goals down and keep them somewhere you can see them daily as this will be your inspiration to stay clean.
Addiction can take over your life - if you let it. Though the idea of getting clean and sober and turning over your life may seem impossible at the moment, it’s not. If you or a loved one is currently struggling with addiction, there is light at the end of the tunnel. All you have to do is commit to making the change, get detox support, and once you’re clean utilize strategies like therapy, diet and nutrition, and setting goals to remain sober.
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