Changing a lifestyle is complex, and getting over an addiction is one example. People with an addiction often don’t want to get over addiction which is not a healthy approach to a stable life. Most people can believe that addiction is something that they can overcome at any time.
However, addiction is a much bigger issue than you think. However, that doesn’t mean it is impossible to recover from addiction. With the proper treatment from medical professionals and the support of your family and friends, you can overcome any addiction.
Key Takeaways
Addiction is the obsession with using a substance or performing an action repeatedly. Addiction in any form can be harmful to your health. A timely addiction treatment decision is the best way forward for a healthy and addiction-free life.
- Admission of the addiction problem is the first step to overcoming addiction, which helps you to make a proper plan and seek professional treatment.
- Psychotherapy for addiction treatment includes cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, and family therapy.
- Addiction treatment services include residential treatment, a partial hospitalization program, and standard outpatient care.
- The other significant steps to get over addiction might be loving yourself, managing triggers, changing your environment, creating alternative activities, and making a support group.
If you struggle to overcome addiction, seek medical assistance from The Haven Detox. Get in touch! (561) 328-8627
Admit the Addiction Problem and Get Ready for a Change
The first major step in recovering from an addiction is admitting the problem and deciding to change. Admission to the addiction problem shows that you know the issue and aim to resolve it. Changing and figuring out how to do it may require time.
Once your aim is visible and apparent, you might still need to prepare for change. Making preparations involves removing factors that can tempt you to use addictive substances once more and removing those substances from your home and workplace.
Understanding the Symptoms of an Addiction
Signs and symptoms of addiction can vary from person to person. Family history and personal experiences can all affect the symptoms of addiction. Numerous psychological, physical, and social consequences of addiction can significantly lower your quality of life.
Psychological Symptoms
Physical symptoms of addiction may include:
- A failure to stop using (a particular action)
- Abuse of substance continue despite potential problems
- Obsession with an activity
- Taking risks for getting substance
- Taking a large dose at the beginning
Physical Symptoms
- Withdrawal signs and symptoms
- Sudden Changes in appetite
- Disease from using a substance
- Sleeping problems
- A change in physical look
- Growing tolerance for substance use
Psychotherapy for Addiction Treatment
You can get support from various medical and psychological therapies to help you overcome an addiction. Although there is no one “correct” style of addiction therapy, some methods have more substantial scientific backing.
People with addiction can create new behavioral patterns, improve their coping mechanisms, and change the primary ideas that frequently cause addiction with the support of behavioral therapies and other forms of psychotherapy.
Various forms of therapy that could be beneficial include:
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is helpful for various problems, including anxiety disorders, depression, difficulties with alcohol and other drugs, and severe mental diseases. Many studies have concluded that CBT considerably improves working and quality of life.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) aims to recognize and alter the thoughts and actions contributing to addictions. CBT is quite a successful way of assisting individuals in overcoming all types of addictions. However, not everyone should use CBT. Other methods could be more appropriate for people who do not connect well to evaluating the feelings and behaviors of addiction.
Mindfulness Therapy
Talk therapy teaches people with addiction how to become more conscious of their thoughts, feelings, and emotions to reduce automatic reactions. Mindfulness therapy is delivered through chats in-person or electronically via video conferencing by psychologists and mental health specialists.
Many people may relate addiction treatment to mindfulness-based techniques like mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT). Like CBT, mindfulness benefits patients with underlying mental health issues like depression or anxiety.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)
Helping people overcome their resistance to behavior change is the main objective of MET. By enhancing awareness of an issue, modifying any self-defeating ideas about the situation, and boosting confidence in your capacity to change, MET aims to increase intrinsic motivation.
A doctor assists you in MET therapy by making self-motivating comments demonstrating clear awareness of the situation. The doctor aims for determination to change, rather than diagnosing a problem and telling that person what to do about it.
Family Therapy
A form of psychological counseling (psychotherapy), family therapy can help family members improve communication and resolve disputes. A psychologist, professional social worker, or certified therapist typically offers family therapy.
Family counseling can help you fix stressed bonds with your kids, spouse, or other family members. You can discuss subjects like marital or financial difficulties, parent-child conflict, or the effects of substance misuse or a mental disease on the whole family.
Approaches to family therapy may be beneficial, especially for adolescents and young adults. Family therapy treatment can help enhance general family functioning and teach families how to support the recovery of a loved one.
Outpatient Therapy
In contrast to inpatient treatment, an outpatient therapy program allows you to continue living at home while receiving care from specialists over several weeks or months.
Depending on the patient’s needs, outpatient therapy can take many different forms. Outpatient settings can offer many types of treatment, including individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, and couple’s therapy.
Depending on the needs of each patient, sessions can be weekly, twice weekly, every other week, or monthly. You don’t stay overnight; treatment occurs during the day or evening. The avoidance of relapse is the main priority in outpatient therapy.
Medications for Addiction Treatment
Medications can assist you in recovery and staying sober by easing the challenging aspects of the treatment process. Many people who are trying to quit using drugs or alcohol relapse because they are unable to handle the withdrawal symptoms.
Medications for addiction treatment are a part of an inpatient or outpatient rehab program. To maximize the chances of success for patients with substance use disorders (SUD), doctors may change dosages throughout treatment.
Addiction treatment frequently includes the use of medications. Treatment retention, relapse prevention, and the treatment of withdrawal symptoms can all be accomplished with the aid of medicines.
The kind of addiction being treated determines the medication a doctor recommends. For instance, various drugs can help treat alcohol, nicotine, and opiate addiction. Sometimes, remedies can be beneficial in the long and short run.
Consult a doctor to learn more about your medication options and which ones are best for you.
Addiction Treatment Programs
Residential Treatment
People with addiction can receive round-the-clock care while receiving counseling to address the challenges of substance misuse, addiction, and eating disorders in residential treatment. You can receive better care at residential treatment facilities than at family or group therapy alone.
Both children and adults can receive therapy in residential facilities, and durations can last anywhere from 28 days to as long as six months. Modern-day residential treatment facilities accept patients of all ages and offer care for various issues, such as trauma, substance abuse, and eating disorders.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
A partial hospitalization program (PHP), often known as a day hospital, is a highly structured day program that offers many therapy sessions and skill-building groups. While you engage in a PHP daily schedule, you will return home each night.
PHPs can last anywhere from one week to six months. Your treatment team will ensure you have all the necessary information, including significant phone numbers and prescription information. The treatment team will work with you to create a plan for your continued care.
The therapy programs in PHP often meet for 7 to 8 hours during the day at a treatment facility, after which you go home at night.
Standard Outpatient Care
Standard outpatient care is a broad term that covers a variety of rehabilitation initiatives like routine doctor visits, counseling, and therapy sessions, which allow you to stay at home while receiving treatment.
In standard outpatient care, the level of care is supportive and may entail going to therapy once a week to many times a week.
Manage Withdrawal Symptoms
Dealing with withdrawal symptoms can be challenging for drug and behavioral addictions. The physiological effects of withdrawal from substances can be painful, like having the flu.
You need to see a doctor about the best location and method for quitting an addiction. Most serious withdrawal symptoms do away within a week or two of quitting. However, some people with addiction who leave report that some withdrawal symptoms seem to last forever. Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS) is the term for it.
Additionally, your addiction can hide mental health problems like sadness, anxiety, and sleep issues. Consult a doctor if you’re feeling down or worried that the world seems strange or unsettling after you stop smoking or drinking. Effective treatments are available that may be helpful.
Other Steps to Get Over an Addiction
For many, this involves getting rid of the stuff or other objects that could make you want to use drugs or engage in risky behavior. You might also need to adjust your routine to spend less time in places or with individuals who make you crave certain foods.=
Two other preparation strategies are choosing your plan for quitting your addiction and gathering the tools you’ll need to succeed.
Love Yourself
Respecting and loving yourself is the key to breaking the bonds of your addiction. Resisting addiction or `want` is challenging and demanding. A strong mind and a deep love for yourself are essential in this situation.
It would help if you had enough self-love to restrain yourself from causing harm to your present and future. Both the results of your acts and their consequences are your responsibility.
You need to take control of the outcomes you already know the poor choices have caused. To achieve your aim of forming a new habit or breaking an existing one, keep your goal in mind and focus on taking one step at a time. Take charge of both your body and mind.
Make a Plan to Deal with Triggers
Everyone has specific situations or friends that make them want to involve in unhealthy habits, including addiction. If you’re hooked on gambling, you could find it difficult to pass a casino while driving. Awareness of your triggers will help you overcome them when you quit.
All types of addictions frequently start as a result of stress. Social gatherings may act as triggers in specific situations. The decision to decline invites to potentially upsetting occasions is up to you. Alternatively, you might ask a friend to help as your partner.
Some people can act as triggers, so you can choose to limit your interactions with them. You can modify your eating to restaurants without a liquor license because you may consume alcohol in a restaurant serving alcoholic beverages.
Change Your Environment
Your surroundings and workplace must be free from addiction, temptation, and relationships. Your house and office should be free of any reminders of your addiction. For instance, keep yourself away from the people who might urge you to interact with the addiction.
You must get rid of all alcohol, wine glasses, bottle openers, and corkscrews if you’re serious about quitting drinking. Remove any scratch tickets, playing cards, or poker chips if you’re trying to stop gambling. Don’t allow anyone to bring reminders of the substances associated with addiction into your home.
Create Alternatives
Resisting addiction might be a challenging task. However, creating alternative activities is a healthy approach to resisting addiction. It would help if you started substitute activities, such as going for a walk, contacting a friend or relative to talk, or keeping busy.
Follow the patterns of alternative activities and be ready to handle situations, such as being around people who use drugs, that cause you to crave certain foods. Strong alternatives can resist such conditions.
Create a Support Network
A support network of your family and friends is the strongest bond to resist addiction. Seek the support of your family and friends for a conversation. Ask them not to discuss your addiction habit in front of you if they do.
If you buy drugs, you should tell your dealer that you’re giving up. You can request that they stop calling and selling you drugs. Additionally, you might want to discuss the best way to stop drinking with your healthcare professional.
Be Committed
Always be committed to the outcome of your efforts. Becoming more confident in yourself may take time and effort, but don’t let that scare you. Start by getting in touch with supportive individuals, reading affirmations, and seeking out activities that are exciting for you or that you can enjoy healthily.
Stick to whatever you decide to do. Even if things seem difficult initially, a persistent effort can help your aspirations and goals come true. Keep in mind that consistency is the only other option for getting there besides starting.
Is It Possible to Stop an Addiction?
Addiction is curable, like other chronic, relapsing disorders like asthma or heart disease. Addiction can be successfully treated with the proper treatment.
Like other chronic conditions, addiction has a recurrence rate of about 40–60 percent. For instance, the relapse rate for asthma or high blood pressure is 50–70 percent. Relapse from addiction is viewed as a normal part of the healing process; it does not indicate that treatment was ineffective.
Relapse indicates that your treatment plan needs to be revised. Addiction treatment options consider your biological, psychological, and social factors for an effective outcome. A range of treatments that begins when you enter detox and focuses on treating withdrawal may be part of your strategy.
After completing detox, you’ll be prepared to move on to more therapy. Although treatment durations vary, research suggests that longer (at least three months) therapy periods produce better results.
When a formal treatment program concludes, you will transition to aftercare, intended to encourage lasting sobriety.
Numerous elements should be considered for the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) ‘s six pillars of addiction therapy. The possible ways include:
- Beginning treatment as soon as possible
- Choosing a setting that is appropriate for your needs
- Using medication and behavioral therapies when necessary
- Addressing other co-occurring mental disorders
- Continuously monitored to determine whether treatment needs to be modified
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I stop addiction being an addict?
Lifestyle change is challenging; therefore, it helps to have a guide when trying to overcome an addiction. The following actions can assist you in achieving your recovery objectives. If you follow the recommendations, your chances of success are highest.Choosing a significant date such as a birthday, anniversary, or special occasion may be beneficial as a motivation to achieve targets
Your house and place of employment should be free of any reminders of your addiction
Create substitute activities, such as taking a walk or calling a friend or family member to talk, rather than giving in to the impulse to substance use
Is it possible to stop being addicted?
Addiction is a “treatable, chronic medical disorder involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences,” according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine. Numerous options are available for addiction treatment.Quitting addiction becomes more complex due to brain alterations, impacting impulse control and judgment. However, addiction is curable, even though addiction rehabilitation is complex. You can overcome the physical and mental difficulties you encounter to recover with the help of therapy services and the appropriate treatment strategy.
Why is it so tough to get over an addiction?
Addiction is harmful not only to your mental and physical health. Your willpower to refrain from using drugs or alcohol is insufficient for effective results. A person with drug addiction experiences neurological alterations that lead to compulsive drug usage.Getting over an addiction is demanding and challenging because of several reasons:
Sudden lifestyle changes are hard
Nobody wants to reduce the pleasure level that addiction provides
Addiction treatment is a long-term process
Medications might be ineffective for some individuals
Not everybody can afford the expenses of addiction treatment
What are the five steps of addiction?
The five steps of addiction are:Pre-Contemplation Stage
People with addiction who are in the initial phases of addiction recovery are not yet ready for any addiction treatment program.
Contemplation Stage
Contemplative preparation symbolizes the stage. This shows that the individual is ready to accept change in the future, just not immediately.
Planning Stage
In the planning stage, people with addiction are increasing their sense of urgency about their desire for sobriety.
Action Phase
The person is dedicated to change and has made significant adjustments in life during the action stage. Long-term abstinence and a propensity to seek professional assistance are characteristics of the phase.
Continuity Phase
The individual puts a lot of energy into resisting relapse during the maintenance stage of addiction recovery. People with addiction continue to maintain the lifestyle adjustments they made.
Get Professional Medical Assistance to Resist Addiction
Addiction in any form disrupts your life. Social and financial pressures are the possible results of addiction. You need to seek addiction treatment as soon as possible. The Haven Detox-South Florida rehab facility assists you in your addiction treatment process.
The Haven Detox aims addiction-free life for everyone. We have a wide range of addiction treatment services for that purpose. Our top-notch services include alcohol addiction treatment in a residential setting. Heroin addiction and opiate addiction treatment are other services at The Haven Detox.
Take a bold move and start your journey toward an addiction-free life.
Contacts us at (561) 328-8627 to learn more.
