Did you know that more Americans suffer from drug addiction than heart disease, diabetes and cancer? In fact, 21 million people in the country meet the criteria for drug abuse involving alcohol or other drugs. Despite this statistic, addiction remains a largely neglected disease as only one in 10 people ever receive treatment. Here are some tips from Complete Testing Solutions that can help you, or someone you know, overcome substance abuse and get on the right track toward long-term health.
Find the Right Motivation
Arguably, the most important part of addiction recovery is finding the drive to get clean in the first place. An addict must be personally motivated by their own desire to quit rather than quitting to satisfy the demands of friends and family. One way to find your own motivation is to complete a Cost-Benefit Analysis. This is a method of weighing the risks and rewards of your decision to either get clean or continue down the path of addiction. It involves evaluating how you’ll benefit and what you’ll lose if you stop using drugs. This can help to identify personal values that are being disrupted by substance abuse and seeing it all on paper may motivate you to quit.
Start a Business
Sometimes, what we need most is a fresh challenge. Starting your own business might be just the motivation you need! If you aren’t sure how to start your own business from home, you have plenty of options to choose from – including landscaping, painting, blogging, arts and crafts, dog-walking, tutoring, freelance writing, and more! The trick is to find something you have a passion for so the work won’t actually feel like work.
Maintain a Clean Home
Reducing your stress levels can go a long way to helping you stay sober – and one of the best ways to accomplish that is by maintaining a clean home. Try to clean a little every day to reduce the burden. There are also tricks you can use to speed up cleaning – especially when it comes to your children’s bedrooms.
Learn About Treatment Options
There are many different treatment paths available for people who want to get clean. These include behavioral counseling, medication, treatment for co-occurring mental health issues such as depression, and long-term follow up care. Many people also seek holistic therapy as a way to combine addiction treatment with all-around general health and wellness. This includes treatments including yoga, acupuncture, nutritional support and meditation.
Inpatient rehab is quite beneficial to people who need extra structure and support in their lives. At treatment centers, you’ll be able to find a wide-range of approaches, from gender-specific treatment programs, specialized treatment for professionals and executives, to religious or holistic-based programs. Whatever you choose, make sure your treatment plan is a good fit and aligns with your personal values.
Cut Out Temptation in Your Daily Routine
Preventing relapse is a vital part of successfully overcoming addiction. According to the Hazeldon Betty Ford Foundation, between 40-60% of people will experience at least one relapse. But once you reach five years of abstinence, your chance of relapse is significantly reduced. It’s important that you rely on more than simple willpower to prevent relapse. Instead, make sure to avoid anything that reminds you of alcohol or drugs, such as bars or neighborhoods where you have previously used.
Try to add healthy habits such as regular exercise and drinking more water into your daily routine. You can also try mindfulness practices like yoga and guided breath to keep yourself away from relying on substances to calm your mind. These practices can help your brain reset from the damages of substance use and may provide mood-boosting effects that can be helpful in preventing relapse.
Being out in nature is another great strategy you can use to focus your mind and boot your mental well-being. You can go hiking or camping, but even something as simple as a walk in your neighborhood or park can have the same effects. So whether you choose a weekend hike or a walk to your local cafe for your morning latte, take advantage of the health benefits of walking in nature.
Know How to Best Support Loved Ones Facing Addiction
It’s natural to worry if someone you love is experiencing a substance abuse problem. However, reaching out to them may be met with defensiveness, denial or refusal to change. Some people actually encourage their loved one’s drug use without knowing it.
Allow the addict to experience the consequences of their behavior. Patience is key. Never give up on them or make them feel like they can’t beat their addiction. If they aren’t ready to seek help, you can still provide support by letting them know you are concerned. Once they’re ready to change, let them know what kinds of treatment are available and help them avoid common relapse triggers.
Find the Support You Need Throughout Your Recovery
As is the case with any major lifestyle change, overcoming substance abuse will involve hard work and patience. You’ll need to practice self-compassion and learn to treat yourself with understanding rather than beat yourself up for every disruption or setback you experience. Remember that relapse doesn’t mean failure. Instead, use instances of relapse to learn and identify what went wrong so you can avoid it in the future.
Complete Testing Solutions is here to help with your personalized screening. Call 480-568-8222.