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Break Free From Drugs: Who Else Wants To Live An Addiction Free Life?

Written by Seth Fletcher on January 13, 2015
Last update: February 26, 2024
Beating a drug or alcohol addiction is not an easy road. In fact, it can be a long and winding process, rive with setbacks. While setbacks are common, you can break free from drugs. Try these three simple tips to break free from drugs today, and get started on the road to recovery. Today is as good a day as any.

1. Alter Your Behaviors and Make Positive Changes

 Did you know that, very often, bad behaviors are often “paired”? That means that one bad behavior is usually a bedfellow of another. For example, you may have a drinking problem, but you may also be an overeater. Smoking or caffeine consumption may go hand-in-hand with drug addictions. Experts suggest it is best to identify these bad behaviors and stop them as well. Many people find that when they have a cigarette, they also want to have a drink or a cup of coffee. Cutting out both behaviors can help you succeed in your quest to break free from drugs.It is advisable to also make positive changes to your life. For example, if you are an overeater, try to clean up your diet, or try your hand at physical exercise. This can help you redirect your energy, and curb bad behaviors.

2. Find Your Triggers

 Addiction isn’t something that simply crops up, normally, addictions are triggered by something, and continued use of drugs or alcohol also contain triggers. One way to break free from drugs, suggest experts, is to pinpoint those triggers than eliminate them from your life. Without the trigger for consumption, the addict, is less likely to consume their chosen substance, whether that is marijuana, cocaine or alcohol. Triggers may include
  • Social situations, like going to bars or to parties
  • Specific friends or acquaintances who also use the same substance
  • Anxiety
  • Boredom
  • Loneliness
By eliminating these triggers from your life, you’ll be more likely to utilize your energy to beat the addiction, rather than feed into it. Experts suggest getting help for depression or anxiety from a qualified, healthcare professional. To kick boredom, consider taking up a healthy hobby, you’ll also meet new people who are not related to the addiction you are suffering from.

3. Find a Support System

 People, in general, require social interactions to survive. Loneliness can feel crippling to many people, especially those who are suffering from addictions. While it is necessary to cut out bad influences from your life, you don’t need to live in solitude. In fact, that can make the addiction worse. If you have a problem with drugs or alcohol, it is imperative to find a good support system. Relatives may be one option, but experts suggest addicts do well when they find other people who have succeeded in overcoming their own addictions.
Certified Addiction Counsellor

Seth brings many years of professional experience working the front lines of addiction in both the government and privatized sectors.

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