Fighting Addiction

The first steps for treating your drug addiction

Sometimes, it’s easy to recognize that you have an addiction. Your cravings become impossible to ignore, and you find yourself taking major risks just to consume more of the addictive substance. However, in other situations, especially with socially acceptable substances such as alcohol, it can be a little harder to notice and believe that you have an addiction.

It May Be Time for Help

If you are beginning to wonder if you have an addiction, there are a few signs you can look for. These include an inability to say no to the substance and changing your plans to get more of it. You may also ignore risk factors, making dangerous choices just to get more of the drug. Then, of course, there are the physical effects: you might find yourself consuming more of the substance just to get the same effect or experiencing pain or discomfort when you don’t consume it.

It can be difficult to accept that you have an addiction. When you began using this substance, you probably believed that you would never get hooked, that you could use it casually and walk away. It’s important to remember that it is not your fault that you became addicted. These substances are chemically designed to hook you and to make it extremely difficult to quit using them. The first thing you need to do is accept that you are an addict and that you are ready to heal.

If you believe you have an addiction, there is help available. Addiction can feel all-consuming and impossible to overcome, but that is not the case. Reach out to your non-addicted friends and family for support, and then find a professional that can help you get the care that you need to get sober.

A Treatment Center Can Give You Your Life Back

Quitting an addictive substance can feel impossible, both mentally and physically. Your body has become hooked on this substance, plus you have developed strong psychological triggers. That’s why working with a professional rehab facilityis vital.

It won’t be easy. The first step is withdrawal. During the first few days without the substance, your body will react severely. It might feel something like terrible flu, and you will ache for the substance. That’s why you need a qualified medical professional to guide you through this step of the process and make sure that you make it through the first 48 hours. Once you can do that, the majority of the addiction becomes psychological.

However, the psychological aspects of addiction are, in many ways, the more difficult part to overcome. That is why rehab centers offer extensive counseling, both individual and group based. They will help you understand your personal triggers and make plans for healthier ways to handle your cravings. You will get to know other addicts and create coping strategies that will help you stay clean long after you finish rehab. Treatment has been proven to work. Even if you have tried and failed to get clean before, there is still hope. You just need to choose the best therapy for you.

Choosing the best therapy

When you are choosing a rehab center, there are several factors to consider. You need to decide if inpatient (live-in) treatment or outpatient (where you live at home and continue to work) treatment is right for you. Inpatient is generally more expensive and intense but has a higher success rate. You also need to determine if you need help with other issues, such as mental health struggles, at the same time as treating your addiction. You want to make sure you understand the success rate of the facilities you are considering, and how they measure that success. You should also ask what is expected of you during and after the initial rehab process, and how they will help you if you relapse either during the program or after.

There are many great rehab programs out there, but they are not all the same. Do your research - or ask a loved one to help - so that you can identify the program that fits you and your situation best.

Making the first steps

That first phone call to enroll in a treatment facility can be overwhelming. You might feel like a failure for not being able to overcome the addiction on your own. You might be nervous about taking the time away from your job and daily life if you choose an inpatient program. You may be scared about the physical experience of withdrawal. Perhaps you are uncertain about attending therapy. These are all reasonable concerns. However, you should be confident that rehab facilities have dealt with all kinds of people and all kinds of struggles - the only thing you need to do is reach out and call for help.