Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. ~Marie Curie
The following is a guest post by Art Coburn.
It is not impossible to overcome addictions. Many people have done so, and moved on to happy, healthy lives. However, putting an addiction behind you is not a fast, simple process. There are a number of things you must do to succeed. A life of sobriety can be yours.
It Is Necessary To Acknowledge The Problem
If you want to overcome addictions, you need to realize they exist. While this may sound logical, you may be surprised at how many people cannot recognize they have an addiction even when it is very clear. For true recovery to begin, start by acknowledging that you have lost control over your drug or alcohol use. This is an essential step in getting substances out of your life.
Recovery Requires Complete Abstinence
If recovery is your goal, you need to abstain from drinking and using drugs. You cannot use smaller amounts, or switch to a different substance. Your mind and body must be completely free of all substances if you wish to recover. If your doctor has given you any prescription medication, ask him to recommend one that is not addictive, or a different form of treatment altogether.
There Is No One Method That Works Equally Well For Everyone
There are many different resources available to help addicts and alcoholics recover from addictions. Some of the most popular are inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation centers, and 12-Step programs. The method that is right for you is the one that works for you. If you are not certain of which resource to choose, you can ask your physician for advice.
One of the most popular choices people use when choosing a rehab would be the conventional drug and alcohol treatment center. In this type of rehab setting the patient can be detoxed medically if necessary. They will also be monitored by trained staff members around the clock every day some of which are recovering addicts themselves. The clients will be required to attend 12 step meetings, group, lectures, and individual substance counseling sessions.
The most important thing one can do while they are in rehab is to keep an open mind and pay attention to the lectures and when you are in your counseling session be absolutely honest. I good rule of thumb is to talk about the things you will not talk to anyone else about and share from your heart.
Overcoming Addictions Means Many Changes
There is much more to recovery than getting and staying clean. While this is the first step, there is more you need to do to reach your goal of a sober life. The attitudes and behaviors you have had while drinking or using drugs must change. The people you associate with, and the places where you spend your free time, may also need to be changed. In addition to not associating with people who drink and use, you have to learn how to get along with individuals who have never had these issues. You may also have relationships, work, or other issues that require your attention. When full recovery is your goal, there are many changes you must make in your life.
Take Care to Not Develop New Addictions
When you have alcohol and drugs out of your life, you could be tempted to take on other habits. Whether it is sleeping all day, going overboard with exercise, or putting an unreasonable amount of time into a hobby, behaviors can become addictions. Some can even cause a chemical change in your brain. It is important to stay alert to any behavior that is claiming large amounts of your time. Your family members and friends can be greatly helpful with this aspect of your recovery process. If a certain behavior is obsessive and compulsive, you should take steps to break the habit. If you need assistance in doing so, ask for help.
Key Takeaways
- When you want to overcome addictions, you must start by acknowledging a true problem exists.
- Realize that you cannot recover without complete abstinence. You cannot substitute one drug for another if sobriety is the goal.
- Whether you have tried to give up alcohol or drugs in the past, or only recently noticed the need to quit, reaching out for help is the way to succeed. Very few alcoholics and addicts are reaching their goals alone. You can give yourself the best start by asking for help today.
This is a terrific post, Art! It is so important people understand there is no one or “right” way to get treatment and maintain recovery. Your point, “Overcoming Addiction Means Many Changes,” is very important because this is a relapsing disease. It can also help a great deal if the family members and close friends get their own help — namely a better understanding of the disease, how it happens, what happens to them as a result of coping with it without understanding it…. Thank you for sharing your insights!!
Thank you for sharing Lisa
I agree that family members and friends of the addicted person should seek help too because the disease of addiction pretty much affects everyone who has a close relationship with them; furthermore, by finding out as much as they can about addiction will more than likely keep them from making mistakes when helping their loved ones. Often time’s family members and friends want to help them so much that sometimes they may unintentionally do more harm than good if they are not well informed about addiction.
What a great post! It is so true that the person with the problem has to acknowledge it for themselves. It doesn’t matter how much others point it out to them, until they want to give up themselves the chances of recovery are slim. It took me 20 years of denial and refusal to admit I was an alcoholic, but when I did finally accept it, the relief was immense. I could then allow myself to be helped and 13 years on I live a wonderful sober life. As you say, it isn’t easy or simple but with the right method, a life of sobriety can be yours.
@ Carolyn – Yeah I went through a long period of denial as well. Glad I finally hit bottom and was able to turn my life around. Take care and thanks for your comment!
Working as a felony probation/parole officer for 23 years I saw most of my offenders struggling with addiction. Imagine a world without the pain of addiction. For every person who recovers – imagine the life gained, the generations to follow. A great post.
@ Jane Robinson thank you for your comment. I have often said that if we can help just one person to overcome their addiction maybe they will in turn help another who will do the same and before you know it there would be a lot of addicts helping each other to get and stay clean and sober.
Hi Art and Cathy,
Very nice post. Addictions can be dealt with first being aware of the problem. I agree with you recognizing the issue is crucial. Then, the sufferes can follow some steps like creating a new habit. Working on their beliefs and mentality is crucial as well. Thanks for sharing, great post 😉
@ Dia yes creating new habits as well as revisiting beliefs are a must. I have also found that a balanced lifestyle is extremely important and most recovering addicts need to learn how to have fun again without using mind altering substances. One great way a person can do this would be to start doing some hobbies that they used to enjoy before addiction took over their life.
Art…
Although I have never had to deal directly with addiction, thanks to Cathy I am becoming more aware of how it can be treated….and effects everyone who is close to the person with an addiction. The bottom line seems to be that the individual needs to face the fact that she has an addiction and then carefully along with guidance select a program that seems best suited for her. It’s then a life time of work to stay clean.
Creating new habits, addiction or not, is the only way that any of us can make long term changes. Your point about returning to hobbies that you loved prior to being consumed with addiction is a great idea. Thanks for informative post Art. And Cathy thanks for hosting! Fran
@ Fran Sorin Hi thank you for sharing Wow’ I think you are getting a great understanding of addiction. I would have difficult time coming up with a better example than you just shared with us. Yes recovery is a lifetime of work but I have found that its well worth the effort because we get back what we put into our recovery and sometimes more.
This is a timely post! Getting out of Addiction is a challenge.It’s physical , mental and emotional however if you overcome these challenges you will be freed from the slavery of vice. Medical Rehabilitation are costly but they are rewarding, the addict must also be motivated and determined to change his lifestyle. Sessions, Lectures and even Bible sharing are great tools for recovery not only for the physical. mental , emotional but most of all spiritual.
@ Lyka Ricks Hi thank you for your comment. I agree with you rehabs are expensive and one must be motivated to change. My sponsor likes to tell people that are new to recovery that we only have to change one thing and that’s “every thing.” Another important factor that many overlook or do not consider is that when a person leaves rehab the real journey begins so it would be my suggestion them that they remain vigilant and take action if they wish to stay drug free.
Hi Art,
Powerful information here. Substituting one addiction for another is no road to recovery. It takes creating positive habits that sharpen our sensitivity to life’s countless combinations of opportunities for balance and harmony. We all yearn to express the Authentic Self that is motivated to exult in life with no inhibitions.
@ Rob White Hi thanks for sharing with us. I would just like to add that you may be surprised at how many people trade one addiction for another; for example, addicts may quit drinking and start buying things online. To me this is just another way of trying to make themselves feel better. They would be much better off getting to get to the bottom of their issues.
Hi Art,
Nice to meet you on Cathy’s blog. You certainly know your stuff.
Addiction can be a part of your personality, so I’m glad you mentioned the advice to be careful of taking up new addictions.
Otherwise you could be in for a vicious cycle.
Great work,
Bryce
@ Bryce Hi there thank you so much for your comment. Yes these substitute addictions can be almost as bad as an alcohol or drug addiction. Maybe they will not kill you but for instance, a gambling addiction can destroy your entire family and deplete your life savings in a hurry.
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Thanks for sharing it is always good to look for what may cause a person to have any particular problem they may have or as you say the root cause . I like to listen to people share whats actually going on with so I can get a better idea how I may be able to help them.
Well It was remarkable information and useful for people who want to recover from any kind of addiction. According to me, people must remember this type of useful information. Definitely addiction is a major cause of health problems. Keep sharing such more valuable information.
Hi Nicholas,
Overcoming an addiction is a challenge for anyone. The more we know and understand about the disease, and how it affects our health, the better that we do. Thanks for your comment.