How to overcome an addiction: 5 tips and steps to follow

It is true that as societies advance and new technologies emerge, new ways of developing an addiction also appear. Fortunately, it is also true that in recent decades the degree of sensitivity towards this type of problem has increased, and there are more and more they wonder how to overcome an addiction, instead of just suffering from it for the rest of their lives.

Because no, the addictive disorder is not one of those diseases that is impossible to stop and for which there is no cure; today there are ways to turn the page and stop being an addicted person. Although yes, in some cases it is a very complex process, and it is always recommended to do it with professional help.

In this sense, let's see how to get out of that vicious circle of withdrawal and relapses.

Tips to overcome an addiction effectively and safely

These are the key guidelines and ideas to know if you are suffering from an addictive disorder and are determined to end it quickly.

1. Assume that you must learn to manage anxiety

There is no completely comfortable and easy way to overcome an addiction: you will have to go through withdrawal and deal with unpleasant sensations to a greater or lesser extent.

Being clear about this from the beginning is very important so as not to get frustrated and not fall for apparent "therapies" that are a scam. And, on the other hand, knowing this reality is a good start to prepare the ground: since you will go through a few weeks in which you will face a challenge, it is good that you make things easier for yourself and you place yourself in a context that does not expose you to unnecessary sources of stress and anguish; although yes, set a clear deadline to prevent this from becoming an excuse for never taking the step and postponing it indefinitely.

For example, if you usually go to a place where drugs are consumed without any type of supervision sanitary, start by nipping this routine at the root and, immediately after, apply the following advice.

2. go to therapy

It is always advisable to seek the services of health professionals when overcoming an addiction; and in the case of illegal hard drugs and alcohol, it is imperative.

Also, remember that some drug addictions are especially dangerous because abruptly stopping the consumption of these substances generates very intense health problems and there is even a risk of cardiorespiratory arrest, such as case the benzodiazepines and the barbiturates. This means that trying to stop taking them without medical supervision is life-threatening. Fortunately, in the context of therapy, this risk can be controlled.

3. Modify your habits after the detox stage

In the case of drug addiction, the process of overcoming the addictive disorder does not end when the body has eliminated the last remnants of the substance that remained in the body; we must reorganize our habits to get as far away as possible from the risk of relapse.

If you are counting on the help of professionals at an addiction center, they themselves will help you discover the type of activities that will help you reconnect with a healthy lifestyle and with hobbies far from the world of addiction; If you do it on your own, you should invest time and effort to get to know yourself better and explore ways to fill your day with Motivating activities that help develop the ability to get involved in stimulating, exciting projects, and healthy.

• You may be interested in: "10 psychologically healthy daily habits, and how to apply them to your life"

4. Discuss your progress with your loved ones

If you express how you feel during the process of overcoming addiction and normalize conversations about it with friends and family, you will have more elements that will motivate you to keep going (see how others are encouraged to see you better) and at the same time you will strengthen those ties.

For example, it has been seen that the fact of feel less alone and be able to talk about what is happening to them makes patients suffering from addiction more likely to complete treatment. Even badly damaged relationships can be repaired by showing commitment and real interest in beating the addictive disorder. Instead, the more taboo there is around this topic, the more complicated it is to move forward.

5. Do not punish yourself: take care

Some addicted people make the mistake of trying to overcome the addiction by punishing themselves for the lifestyle they have led, that is, through suffering. This is totally counterproductive, since it is a way of preparing the person himself to relapse. and blame herself for what happened, maintaining that role of person who deserves the discomfort that suffers.

The solution is in the opposite direction: taking care of yourself physically and mentally makes the individual better prepared for coping with the discomfort of keeping the temptation to relapse at bayAmong other things, because you will be less vulnerable to stress and anxiety and you will feel more motivated not to waste the progress achieved in terms of your appearance, your well-being, etc. Therefore, sleeping enough hours, eating well and exercising regularly is necessary.

• Related article: "Self-sabotage: causes, characteristics and types"

The importance of seeking treatment as soon as possible

Addictions are part of the most harmful pathologies because they not only wear down the person's physical and mental health, but also They contribute to damaging their social relationships and to limiting their day-to-day life to the drug or to the action towards which they have developed a dependence. After all, those who suffer from an addictive disorder are increasingly linked to the need to satisfy that need that has arisen through the routines of dependency; the more months pass, the more the disease will consolidate and the higher priority will be to manage withdrawal.

The latter makes many addicted people feel that they have lost control of their lives and that they can only limit themselves to trying not to feel too bad in the short term, which which implies neglecting their health and their self-care tasks, damaging their family and friendship ties in order to have enough money to maintain the addiction, etc.

In other words, the individual sees himself in a state of worse health, greater loneliness, and fewer resources to try to take back the reins of his life. And due to the phenomenon of tolerance, you will need those relapse experiences to be more and more intense (for example, consuming more drugs to feel the same effect) and more frequent.

On the other hand, we must bear in mind the danger that drug use can have for those around the addicted person. In addition, the one with the highest degree of risk for third parties is one of the most widespread and standardized: the alcohol, which is associated with traffic accidents, a greater probability of facilitating episodes of domestic violence, and further.

In short, it is essential to set the goal of overcoming the addiction that is suffering as soon as possible, and give it all the importance it deserves, without giving in to the “leave it for another day” trap. If you are in this situation and want to start a detoxification and psychotherapy treatment as soon as possible to avoid relapses, contact our team.

At Clínicas CITA we specialize in this kind of pathology and we will be able to help you both from the outpatient care service as well as income-based treatment in our module residential.