Developing drug addiction is easy but overcoming addiction is one of the hardest mountains to climb. To an outsider quitting drugs may seem like getting up and deciding one day to say no, but that is not true.
For starters, it requires choosing a life filled with challenges and strength to face them.
It is never too late to say no to drugs, no matter how far along you are. Most drug addicts do not consider that saying no to drugs means choosing your mental well-being, prioritizing your health, and improving every aspect of your life over this bad habit.
For addicts, it does seem like nothing is better unless they are under the influence of drugs; however, once recovered, quitting drugs is the best decision any addict can make.
If you are among those having trouble saying no to drugs, the first thing you need to do is find ways to help you quit drugs.
The withdrawal process is not an easy journey that one can finish without facing challenges but finding the reason to quit makes it somewhat less difficult.
Standard interventions will help the body adjust without drugs but quitting drugs for good requires sheer willpower and determination.
Some effective ways of steering clear from seeking drugs are 12 step programs and long-term strategies to enable a recovering addict to make informed decisions without the help of drugs.
Let’s look at a few steps to help you say no to drugs if you want to overcome addiction.
- Acknowledge the Problem
Addressing the problem is the first step in treating the problem. Acknowledging that you have a drug addiction problem will relieve more than half of the burden on your shoulders.
To help with the process, it is always easy to ask yourself a few questions like Do you lie about how much you use? Are you experiencing problems with relationships? And have you sold valuable possessions to pay for your addiction?
If answered with a yes, you are likely suffering from drug addiction and need help. Courage is the key factor in admitting that you have a problem because nobody likes to admit it.
Denial in the face of addiction is easy, yet it is likely to prevent you from receiving proper care. Undoubtedly it isn’t easy but popping the self-deception bubble is one of the powerful steps in saying goodbye to drugs.
- Reflect on your life after addiction
After admitting you have a problem, the next step is analyzing how your addiction influenced every aspect of your life, from your job to relationships. Doing this might bring a surge of shame or guilt, but it’s never too late to start afresh.
To help with the process, picture your life after quitting and living sober. Talking with a professional or close friend can make you feel less lonely.
However, if you are not ready to do that, keeping a daily journal is a great form of therapy to help you make sense of things and proceed carefully.
You can make a list of triggers and set a goal to give you a perspective on how to avoid them in the future.
Having a list of solid reasons in front of you will serve as a motivator to say no to drugs forever. It is crucial to note that your reasons should be stronger than your will to continue the addictive habits.
- Seek Professional Help
Once you are committed to leaving behind the road to addiction, you will not stop. While most drug addicts attempt to quit drugs on their own, the inability to cope with side effects jeopardizes life.
Seeking professional help in such circumstances is safer to avoid any dire consequences.
Professional help means either visiting a doctor or a rehab facility that offers various treatment options and services round the clock. Different types of rehab facilities are available depending on individual needs.
Additionally, drug addiction telephone services are also available to direct you to your region’s drug information service.
These services provide information, support, and counseling to clueless individuals wanting to begin their recovery.
The benefit of having support is that it provides judgment-free guidance to patients along the road to recovery. Since quitting drugs is not an easy choice, it is up to counselors to create a trustworthy bond with the patient.
- Identify Triggers
Triggers are primarily the reasons that initiate a reaction based on experience. Similarly, multiple triggers contribute to addicts returning to their old habits. As someone who wants to quit drugs, identifying triggers is essential to avoid using drugs.
It is easier said than done, but you can take it one step at a time by making conscious efforts. It includes avoiding places where drugs are available, finding healthy alternative activities to cope with stress, adopting habits like regularly exercising or reading, and focusing on family or friendships.
Keeping track of triggers is also essential for relapse prevention. Knowing what triggers them, a recovering addict is better positioned to stay sober.
It is normal to feel triggered even after full recovery because overcoming addiction is no easy feat.
- Exercise
Verbally saying no to drugs seems effortless; however, it is entirely a different story regarding the body.
Addiction changes your body’s chemistry, so once drugs are no longer in the system, you are left feeling anxious or stressed even from a minor inconvenience.
Physical activity in such circumstances can help get rid of negative emotions and produce better results. Stress is among the common leading cause of relapse if not appropriately managed.
One of the ways to relieve stress is through an exercise that releases endorphins improving the brain’s chemical activity.
One of the most rewarding benefits of exercise is it helps prevent relapse along with reducing the risk factors associated with drug use.
Recovering individuals experience severe mood swings, but exercise helps the body adjust to its new circumstances by producing endorphins that improve the mood overall.
Conclusion
One treatment doesn’t need to be likely to work for everyone. Drugs impact every individual differently, and every addict has different needs that require specific intervention accordingly.
Treatment options are available, from counseling to hospital care, depending on the type of drug used and the extent of addiction.
Quitting drugs is never easy; it requires effort and strength to say goodbye. Saying no means when you have finally decided there is no room for returning. Seeking professional help along with self-determination will surely help you succeed.
