Dealing with and learning how to overcome addiction can be one of the most challenging experiences in someone’s life. While the United States has documented drug abuse statistics for decades, the numbers can feel somewhat isolating.
Studies show that roughly one in 10 Americans suffers from drug or alcohol addiction. However, you should also know that addictions come in many forms, often undocumented. Almost every person in America deals with addictions in one form or another, such as food, pornography, sex, etc.
The point is – you’re not alone. However, when it comes to substance addictions, the consequences can be much more devastating.
How to Overcome Addiction
Learning how to overcome addiction requires time and dedication. Very few people in the world can quit an addiction cold turkey. To truly beat an addiction, you need to embrace the process.
Keep reading for a seven-step guide.
1. Acknowledge the Problem
It’s commonly said that the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. As cliche as it is, this advice isn’t wrong. Acknowledge your addiction and take an objective look at the problems it causes (or can cause) in your life.
Be brutally and unconditionally honest with yourself.
2. Take Responsibility for Your Actions
Part of being honest with yourself and learning how to overcome addiction means taking responsibility for your situation. If you blame others, you can’t begin to recover because, in your mind, it’s not your fault. Change must take place from within, and that can’t happen if you’re looking externally for blame.
3. Ask for Help
Next, realize that you don’t have to do this alone, nor should you. Approach the friends or family members you can trust to talk about your addiction. It may be embarrassing, shameful, and difficult, but it will significantly reduce the weight from your shoulders.
4. Research Treatment Options
With the help of your loved ones, start looking at prospective treatment programs to help you overcome addiction. Research the best practices for drug treatment and determine which will be best for you. You may choose to take a traditional approach or go a more spiritual or holistic route.
5. Commit to a Treatment Program
For any treatment program to work, you must commit to it mind, body, and soul. If you’re deciding to make a change, it will take all of your effort to get better and overcoming addiction.
Consistency is key. You wouldn’t expect someone to lose weight if they dieted every other week, would you?
6. Take Care of Yourself Physically
Next, you should also focus on your physical health while taking steps to overcome addiction. A proper diet and regular exercise can go a long way toward keeping your spirits high by lowering depression and anxiety.
7. Learn How to Avoid Relapse
Lastly, remember that addiction recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. One of the problems with people who quit addictions cold turkey is that the result rarely lasts. You need to take the proper steps.
This includes learning how to avoid relapse by understanding your triggers and changing hazardous behaviors. Most of which can only be accomplished through treatment.
Looking for More Advice?
If you’re looking for more help to overcome addiction, reach out to the proper sources. Remember, addiction is a disease and you have nothing to be ashamed of. There are people out there who want to help if you will let them.
And if you’re looking for any other advice or information, be sure to check out some of our other articles before you go.