Overcoming substance abuse takes work. It’s not something that happens overnight and it may not be something you can do alone. But, it can be done. If you’re ready to quit drinking or using substances, now’s the best time to start.
Use the following strategies to give yourself the best chance at recovery – and to start seeing how successful you can be when you know what to do and how to do it.
Look Into Available Treatment Options
When you’re dealing with substance abuse issues, it can be hard for you to quit on your own. Help is available so you don’t have to try to do it alone. Look into the available treatment options to find out what’s going to be the best choice.
If you need to get away and focus on yourself, an in-patient program may be advisable. If you still need to work or stay home with the kids, it may be better to try an outpatient program. There are also partial hospitalization programs and other options that can help.
Think About What Didn’t Work Last Time
Chances are, you’ve tried to quit before but ended up right back where you started. Why? Ask yourself what went wrong and why you started to turn to substances again. Was there anything that went right? If you’re struggling, it may be beneficial to speak with a therapist about your issues.
They can help you get to the bottom of why you turn to substances or what caused you to start using substances in the first place, and this can be crucial in helping you determine what to do to quit.
Change Your Environment to Help Reduce Stress or Triggers
It may be a good idea to change your environment. If you’re around other people who use, those who end up triggering you, or in an environment where it’s all too easy to obtain substances, it might be time for a change.
Moving, cutting off friends that are not healthy for you, and signing up for an inpatient treatment program can all help you change your environment and give you a better chance of recovering from your addiction.
Distract Yourself From Giving In
Triggers can be challenging to avoid, so have a plan in place for how to handle them. That might include distracting yourself until the urge to use goes away or you feel better and aren’t as stressed. Try picking up a new hobby to keep yourself busy while you’re working on recovery. Try a variety of options to find something you might be good at, that can help you express yourself, and that can help keep you distracted.
Create a Support Network So You Have Help
Don’t forget to ask for help if you need it. Create a support network to surround yourself with friends who are willing to help you when you need it, but that won’t enable you if you end up relapsing. Having the right group of friends and family can be the difference in how easy it is for you to take that first step toward recovery or start working on improving yourself once you have quit.
If you’re ready to overcome substance abuse, there is a lot you can do to improve your chances of success. Take the time to learn more about what you can do and what options are available to help you. With the right start, you can overcome the addiction and start on the path to a better future.
