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People with addictive behavior generally find it difficult to recover from their addictions. They may believe that buzz about addiction is a hoax and that they are able to quit at any time, or that they are a rare exception to the rule. Also possible with behavioral addictions like food, sex, shopping, gambling, and exercise.
People with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) or substance use disorder (SUD), or behavioral addiction should learn how to overcome their addiction.
But how to break an addiction cycle? Realizing that there is a problem and understanding more about the process of quitting drugs forever are crucial initial steps in the process of breaking addictions of all sorts. Admitting that you need assistance for your addiction is a significant step. Eventually, you are deciding to reclaim ownership of your life, and for that, you should be proud.
You may do a variety of things on your own to help you stay abstinent, in addition to seeking expert addiction assistance to ensure you remain on track.
The Process Of Stopping An Addiction
A variety of services are offered to individuals who are battling addiction. Prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery assistance programs are the popular approaches to kicking addictions.
Prevention
Prevention is the initial step in overcoming an addiction. Prevention programs try to prevent individuals from getting addictions. Prevention programs educate children on how to reject peer pressure, cope with stress, and make healthy decisions.
Early Intervention
Early intervention is the second stage in addiction management. Early intervention programs offer help to individuals who are at risk for or who have already begun substance abuse. Early intervention programs provide drug education, counseling, and support services to assist individuals in quitting the use of alcohol or drugs.
Treatment
Treatment is the third step on the list of solutions to addiction. Treatment programs offer treatment to individuals who are addicted to alcohol or drugs. Treatment programs provide drug education, counseling, and support services to assist individuals in quitting alcohol or drug use.
Recovery
The fourth step in overcoming an addiction is recovery. Recovery programs offer services to individuals who have abstained from using alcohol or drugs. Programs for recovery provide counseling, drug abuse awareness, and support services to help individuals remain sober.
Important aspects of addiction care include prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery. If you or somebody you love is battling addiction, please get professional assistance. You have access to several resources, including drug rehabilitation institutions and support organizations such as Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous.
Addiction is a treatable but frequently incurable condition. You have access to several resources, including drug rehabilitation institutions and support organizations such as Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous. If you or someone you love is battling addiction, please get professional assistance.
How To Stop Addiction
Once you have decided to recover, it is time to investigate your therapy options to get over an addiction and/or quit drugs forever. Despite the fact that addiction therapy might vary based on whether it’s a behavioral addiction, like gambling, involving addictive sexual behavior, or the substance being abused like alcohol or illicit drugs, a successful program typically involves the following:
Behavioral counseling
Individual or family therapy can assist you in identifying the underlying causes of your addiction, rebuilding your relationships, and developing healthy coping skills.
Detoxification
Detoxification is the initial stage of the treatment program for drug addiction. Detoxification of the body is done to treat symptoms of withdrawal.
Therapies
Behavioral therapies and other forms of psychotherapy can assist individuals in enhancing their coping abilities, forming new behavioral patterns, and altering the underlying thoughts that frequently contribute to addiction. Among the several methods of therapy that may be beneficial:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a method that focuses on understanding and altering the thoughts and actions that contribute to addictions. It has been demonstrated to be highly helpful in assisting individuals to overcome all types of addictions. 8 However, CBT is not for everybody. Those who have difficulty examining their ideas, feelings, and behaviors may benefit more from alternative ways.
Mindfulness treatment: For many individuals, mindfulness-based techniques such as mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) are more relatable. As with CBT, mindfulness is beneficial for persons with mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
Motivational enhancement treatment (MET): MET is a method that helps individuals become more adaptable. It can aid in enhancing commitment and drive to initiate and continue therapy.
Family counseling: Approaches to family therapy can be beneficial, particularly with adolescents and young adults. This form of treatment can assist families to learn more about how to support their loved one’s recovery and improve family functioning as a whole.
Long-term monitoring can aid in preventing relapse and sustaining sobriety. This may entail regular attendance at in-person support groups or online sessions in order to maintain your recovery.
Medications
Medication may be used to control withdrawal symptoms, avoid relapse, or manage any co-occurring mental illness like anxiety or depression.
Types Of Addiction Treatment Programs
Residential Rehab
Residential treatment is staying in an institution away from work, friends, family, school, and addiction triggers while receiving comprehensive treatment. Residential treatment can range in duration from days to months. Luxury rehab is a subtype of residential rehab that provides upscale inpatient rehab with high-end treatments. The luxury facilities and elite amenities are specifically designed for the comfort of high-profile executives, celebrities, and athletes.
Day treatment/Partial hospitalization
Partial hospitalization is for individuals who require continued medical supervision but wish to continue living at home in a supportive environment. These programs often meet for seven to eight hours at a care facility during the day, then participants return home at night. Executive rehabs can also adopt the day treatment hospitalization protocols.
Outpatient treatment
These outpatient programs are not residential and can be organized around work and school. You receive treatment throughout the day or evening, but you do not spend the night. The primary emphasis is on relapse prevention.
Sober living communities
Living in a sober house typically follows an extensive treatment program, like residential treatment. You reside alongside other people in recovery in a drug-free, safe, and supportive environment. If you have nowhere else to go or are scared that going back home too soon will result in relapse, sober living facilities can be helpful.
How Do Long-Term Solutions To Addiction Work
Keep in mind that no treatment is effective for everyone. All of us have different needs. Regardless of whether you have an issue with behavioral addiction, illegal drugs, or prescribed drugs, your addiction treatment should be tailored to your specific circumstances. It is essential to choose a program that feels appropriate.
Your treatment should focus on far more than just your specific behavioral addiction or drug dependence. Addiction impacts many aspects of your life, especially your relationships, employment, health, and mental well-being. The success of treatment relies on adopting a new lifestyle and addressing the underlying causes of drug abuse. For instance, your drug addiction may have resulted from a need to control pain or cope with stress; in this case, you will need to find healthy ways to manage both stress and pain.
Commitment and persistence are essential. Treatment for addiction is not a fast or simple process. In general, the lengthier and more serious the drug abuse, the longer and more intensive the required treatment. And in every instance, long-term follow-up care is essential for recovery.
Explore your resources for assistance. There are numerous sources of assistance. Not everyone needs detox under medical supervision or prolonged rehabilitation. Your treatment requirements depend on a number of factors, notably your age, physical or mental health concerns, and drug use history. In addition to physicians and psychologists, numerous social workers, church members, and counselors provide assistance for addiction therapy.
Seek professional help for any mental health issues concurrently. In addition to receiving treatment for your drug addiction, you must also address any physical or psychological concerns you may be facing. Getting addiction and mental health care from the same medical professional or team increases your likelihood of recovery.
Tips For Overcoming A Behavioral Addiction
So how to stop addictive behavior? Everyone has a unique experience with quitting a behavioral addiction. Some find it to be empowering. Others find it uncomfortable, challenging, and irritating, requiring multiple attempts before reaching their objective. Still, others uncover new aspects of themselves during the process of quitting (for instance, an enhanced capacity for love, affection, and compassion).
There is no “appropriate” way to experience quitting behavioral addictions. However, you must seek treatment and assistance if you are feeling depressed or if you find yourself frequently wanting to go back to the addictive habit.
Avoid Replacement Addictive Behavior
Similar psychological and neurological processes and gratifying feelings and sensations are shared by addictive behaviors, therefore replacement addictions are widespread among persons attempting to break an addiction. Concentrate on identifying beneficial, healthful ways that will facilitate your long-term healing.
Discover Appropriate Distractions
Consider activities that will keep you occupied and distract you from your behavioral addictions. Even simple activities such as conversing with a friend, enjoying a television program, reading a book, or going for a stroll can be sufficient distractions while you wait for a need to pass.
Treat Concurrent Mental Health Disorders
To avoid replacement addictions, it is also essential to deal with any underlying mental illnesses. Substance abuse is frequently accompanied by other mental health disorders.
According to research, 37.9 percent of the 20.3 million American individuals with substance use problems also have another sort of mental disease.
Substance dependence might mask past trauma or deeper feelings of emptiness, grief, or fear. In addition to drugs, psychological therapy can provide long-term help for these difficulties, which addictions tend to exacerbate over time.
FAQs
Does Addiction Have a Cure?
There is no permanent fix or cure for addictive behaviors, although numerous effective therapies are available. Typically, treatment consists of therapy, medication, and support groups.
How Can I Avoid Relapse?
Prevention of relapse is an essential component of addiction treatment. You can prevent relapse through regular therapy sessions, engaging in support groups, and limiting triggers, among other things.
Resource References:
1. How to overcome an addiction, Verywell Mind. Available at: https://www.verywellmind.com/overcoming-addiction-4157285
2. Overcoming addiction: Is it possible? Foundations Wellness Center. Available at: https://www.foundationswellness.net/addiction-recovery/overcoming-addiction-do-you-ever-get-over-an-addiction.
3. How to overcome addictive behavior, Westwind Recovery. Available at: https://westwindrecovery.com/recovery-blog/how-to-overcome-addictive-behavior
