Management of Drug Abuse

Drug addiction is never easy to live with. While it usually starts out as simply dabbling with your friends, it can soon spiral out of control and cause irreparable damage to yourself and to your family.The good news is that if you are reading this article, then you have already made the most important step: recognizing your addiction.

Make a List

Write down the harmful effects of your addiction. What is it that is affected most by your habit? Some of the most common areas of people’s lives that are damaged by addiction include physical and mental health, money, and personal relationships.Next, make a list of improvements you want to see happen in your life. What could you do with your time if you’re not spending needless hours searching for or doing drugs? How will you feel about yourself when you finally overcome your addiction?

Develop Healthy Habits

Now that you know what you’re fighting for, you need tools to help combat this addiction. You will never break addiction but you can replace it with a healthy habit. Exercise can be an important component in this struggle and if you do it regularly, you will find that it too will be habit forming but instead of destroying your life, it will improve it.

Identify Triggers

Everybody has certain triggers that motivate them to abuse narcotics. Think about all of the times that you use. What are the people or circumstances that cause you get high? Some common causes are:

• Stress. When people are under pressure, it can take its toll on them emotionally. This may drive some to escape with drugs.
• Social Situations. Parties or gatherings where drug use in common can make it easy to give in, especially if your friends are pressuring you to engage in harmful activities.
• People. Many people in your life encourage drug use regardless of the damage it causes. It can be a way for them to feel better about themselves, but they ignore how it affects you personally.

Prepare to Make Hard Decisions

One of the hardest aspects is giving up not only the drugs, but the life you have grown accustomed to. You may have friends that scoff and resist your desire for sobriety. These people are not your friends. Identify the people around you who encourage your addiction or criticize your failures and remove them, as they will only hold you back. Once you put some space between you and your drug circle, you will begin to feel a sense of freedom.

Get Help

You may not realize it, but you have friends and family who want you to get better and will help you if you reach out. Your support group should consist only of people who will encourage you and help you get back up when you fall. Above all, seek professional help. A substance abuse counselor is vital because they typically are people who have struggled with addiction themselves. It is important to understand that no one can do this alone.

Prepare for Setbacks

Be prepared to have a relapse. You may have even tried to quit before and fallen back into the cycle of drug use. The important thing to understand is that like you, most addicts try and fail several times before getting their addiction under control. Do not give up on yourself. Like everyone else, you will stumble, encounter setbacks, and have moments of weakness. Most importantly, know that you are not alone.If you want to know more about how to effectively manage your drug abuse, call 1-877-394-6596, or click here to speak to a councilor.