People suffering from substance use disorder usually find that overcoming the problem is more challenging than expected. They might feel that addiction is just a myth, and they may quit anytime.
This may as well happen with behavioral addictions that involve activities like exercise, shopping, gambling, eating, and sex.
Learning how to effectively overcome any addiction is vital for everyone experiencing AUD (alcohol use disorder), behavioral addiction, or SUD (substance use disorder).
If you are suffering from either of these addictions, there are several ways to overcome them. Some of these ways include:
- Use Ayahuasca Treatment
This treatment is becoming more popular so much that ayahuasca San Jose retreats are becoming commonplace in many countries.
Ayahuasca appeal to people who have tried mainstream methods of treating relapse and addiction. Stories of resetting the brain and curing trauma can appeal to everyone suffering from substance addiction.
- Consider Reflecting on Your Life
You may enjoy your life without having to take drugs, waste your cash, or watch TV shows every day. Every human is wired to feel great. However, the mass media and societal norms are encouraging unhealthy ways of getting pleasure.
Because of social engineering, most people believe that sexual relationships, material items, drugs, and technological gadgets are perfect ways to get pleasure.
As time goes by, your brain receptors will start building tolerance to stimulants, such as drugs or alcohol, because they are overwhelmed. This results in a reduction in the levels of dopamine.
In order to avoid all these, you will need to sit for a while and reflect on your life. Consider finding out the reason you started indulging in your bad behavior or using a harmful substance.
- Acknowledge That You Have a Problem
The greatest part of recovering from your addiction is acknowledging the fact that you have a problem. SUD can affect your brain, making it look for justifications and excuses so as to keep using.
Admitting to the problem is an indication that you already have the courage to face and deal with your addiction. You might turn for help in a few places, like your family and colleagues in the office.
- Know Healthy and Effective Ways to Cope with Your Stress
After you address your problems with the addiction and start getting treatment, you will need to face the issue, which results in drug or alcohol abuse. If you started using substances or alcohol to unwind after a hectic day, forget all your problems, or calm yourself after having an argument, then know that the negative feelings will resurface once you are sober.
Knowing that you haven’t resolved the issue yet, you may experience hopelessness, anxiety, shame, anger, frustration, loneliness, and stress. All these feelings are part of life.
So looking for effective and healthy ways to address those feelings will be an integral component of your recovery as well as treatment.
There are many ways that may help to keep stress levels in check. These may include eating healthy stress-relieving food and exercising.
- Look for New Passions or Rediscover Old Ones
Every time you want to be sober, you might have a hard time filling up chunks of time you used to spend on abusing drugs.
Many hours of unfilled free time might feel more triggering or challenging for most individuals. Though if you have newfound freedom to return to your old abandoned favorite pastime or start a new one, the challenge will definitely become an opportunity.
All the pastimes you like are a perfect option. Though if you need more inspiration, you might try looking for ways to express yourself or exercise.
- Commit to the Change
Committing yourself to change may include stages of contemplation and pre-contemplation where an individual considers quitting addictive behaviors, cutting down, changing, or moderating.
Afterward, committing yourself to those changes will be more achievable when you work with an expert, especially when coming up with specific plans to change, revising goals, or following through with effective plans.
- Have Enough Space to Achieve All Your Goals
Get rid of all your temptations, making you feed your addiction to drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. Keeping all the triggers accessible may only make things a little difficult.
So you might want to consider surrounding yourself with individuals who are giving support throughout the journey and avoid everyone who negatively speaks about you as well as your addiction.
Allowing toxic friends in your life can contribute a lot to more stress, which might affect your health significantly. Alternatively, having individuals work on similar goals will make your course even lighter and easier.
To Wrap-Up!
Looking for ways to overcome your addiction is no small feat. You need to be proud of the recovery journey to start. Not every individual wants to know how to overcome their addiction and accepting that you have the problems takes courage.