Admitting you have a substance abuse problem isn’t easy. No one likes to admit they have become reliant on drugs or alcohol to help them cope with life. However, according to a 2023 study from NSDUH, over 45 million Americans struggled with a substance abuse disorder in the previous 12 months.
There are many reasons why you might have ended up here in the first place; no two stories are the same, and each has its own underlying issues that need to be dealt with to support future sobriety.
Understanding Your Addiction
Empower yourself by understanding your addiction. To break the chain and rewire your brain, you need to comprehend your addiction and its impact on your body fully. This ‘rewiring’ process means changing the way your brain responds to certain triggers or cravings. The substance of choice will have changed the brain’s dopamine rewards system, and as such, your brain function will change over time.
Acknowledging this and understanding that it’s not just as easy to stop using your substance of choice because of these changes is part of the battle. Take your time to learn about the changes in your brain and what you are dealing with so you can give yourself an increased chance of success moving forward.
In addition, you need to take a deep look into why and when you use it. Are you drinking to unwind after a busy day at work or to overcome grief? Or are pain meds becoming a problem to let you battle increased chronic pain each day? Knowing the why behind your decisions can also facilitate your sobriety journey, as it helps you understand why you’re making these decisions and what led you here in the first place.
Admit You Have A Problem
Rip the band-aid off and admit you have a problem. You cannot make progress if you’re convincing yourself you have a handle on your usage and can stop whenever you want. Because if you could stop, it’s likely you would have already done so before now. Addiction isn’t a choice, and knowing this is where you are and admitting it is the starting block you need to help you make changes to move forward.
Identify Support
Remember, you’re not alone in this. Knowing the support and care available is vital to getting the help you need. There are many different resources, and finding the right one for you can make a world of difference. Seeking support can provide reassurance and a sense of community during recovery.
It could be that you can rely on the help of family and friends to help you move forward, make better changes to your life, and remove the reliance on drugs or alcohol to get sober. Alternatively, you might find that the 12-step program, a widely recognized approach to addiction recovery, and frequent AA or NA meetings could be the guidance you need. The 12-step program is a structured approach that involves admitting powerlessness over the addiction, seeking help from a higher power, and making amends for past wrongs. It provides a supportive community and a roadmap for recovery.
However, looking into rehab programs can yield the best success, especially for those with moderate to severe substance abuse disorders that require more intensive therapy and treatment options. You might find that an outpatient treatment program is best for regular twice or three-times-a-week meetings or support to help you stay away from your substance of choice. Looking at the cost of partial hospitalization for a more intense program can help you choose the right treatment options. You can also look into inpatient rehab options where you reside at the treatment facility for a prolonged period and remove yourself from the outside world to focus on your issues and get the help you need.
Outside of this, behavioral treatments such as CBT can be an option, as can therapy either on an individual, couple, or family basis and medications to help you manage withdrawal symptoms, prevent relapse, or treat any health conditions you might have to offer you additional support.
Coping Mechanisms
Once you have completed your treatment program, you must engage in coping mechanisms to help you maintain your sobriety. Coping mechanisms are behaviors or techniques you put into place that help you manage cravings and occupy your time to remove the temptation to fall back into old habits. Effective coping mechanisms can boost your chances of successful prolonged solitary and forging a new life.
You might need to remove yourself from a friendship circle. Avoid meeting in places that can trip you up or take up a new hobby to fill your time so you’re not bored.
At this point, creating a sober network can be a valuable resource. Others on the path are more likely to understand the highs and lows you will be experiencing and the struggles you face. While others can empathize with you, not everyone can understand the complexities of becoming sober and making better decisions. So, those who understand or can offer support can be a great asset now and in the future, providing you with a sense of community and understanding that can be crucial in your recovery journey.
Some good tips often utilized by others include
- Talking through cravings—explaining to those around you when you get a craving and how it makes you feel not only helps you process it but also shares with them what exactly happens when you experience this so they can be aware and adjust their behaviors accordingly to support you.
- Get a hobby — A hobby can be a great way to distract yourself from cravings and give you something else to focus on during difficult times.
- Exercise can be highly effective in your sobriety journey. It allows you to focus on becoming fitter and healthier in a positive and beneficial way. Plus, the endorphins you get from a good workout can help you boost your mental health, reduce stress, and improve your overall well-being, making it a valuable tool in your recovery arsenal.
- Volunteer—Volunteering at a local charitable organisation can be exactly what you need to keep busy and build up skills to reintegrate yourself back into the world. Whether it’s working with others experiencing addiction issues, the homeless, animals, or anything else, taking on a volunteer role could be the key to your ongoing success.
Achieving sobriety isn’t easy, and you’ll likely need a lot of support during this time. These tips can help you move in the right direction, regain control of your life, and start your new sobriety path.
