How to Stop an Addiction

The term addiction is derived from a Latin word meaning enslaved or bound to something. Addiction is a lack of control over whatever you are doing, taking, or using to the point where it may be dangerous.

Addiction to drugs or alcohol is a chronic mental illness marked by an inability to manage your control. Alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine are examples of substances that are regarded as drugs.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 19.7 million Americans aged 12 and older experienced a substance use disorder in 2017.

Continue reading to learn addiction signs and symptoms, ways to overcome addiction and treatment options that can help you to achieve sobriety and long-term recovery.

Key Takeaways

Addiction is harmful to your physical and mental health as well, and it can result in negative consequences. This article contains the following findings:

• Addiction is a lack of control over whatever you are doing, taking, or using to the point where it may be dangerous.
• To overcome an addiction, the first step is to recognize the problem.
• There are various treatment options, such as detox, residential, outpatient, and psychotherapy programs, to help you stay sober.

Get professional help from Indiana Center for Recovery at affordable prices. Call us at (844) 650-0064 to learn more about our treatment programs.

Why Addictions are Hard to Quit

Drug addiction, also known as substance use disorder, is an illness that affects a person’s brain, causing them to lose control over whether or not they take drugs, regardless of the consequences.

Drug abuse can begin with the occasional recreational drug usage that some people engage in social settings before developing a drug addiction. Others experience drug addiction when they take prescribed medications, especially when it comes to opioids.

Each substance has a different level of addiction danger and speed of addiction development.

Opioid medicines, for example, have a higher risk and develop addiction more quickly than other pharmaceuticals.

If you are hooked, you might use the drug even when it is harmful.

Symptoms of Addiction

Alcohol or Drug addiction symptoms or behaviors include:

• Having strong impulses to take the drug that overpower all other thoughts.
• Feeling compelled to use the substance frequently, such as every day or multiple times a day.
• Over time, higher doses are required to get the same effect.
• Using more of the substance than you intended to and for a more extended period.
• Ensuring you keep a supply of the drug on hand.
• Spending money on the drug despite not being able to afford it.
• Due to drug use, one may neglect commitments and responsibilities at work or reduce social and recreational activities.
• Continuing to consume the substance despite being aware that doing so harms your health or your mental or physical well-being.
• Stealing or engaging in other actions you wouldn’t ordinarily undertake to obtain the substance.
• Spending a lot of time acquiring the substance, utilizing it, or dealing with its repercussions.
• Attempting to stop using the substance but failing when you experience withdrawal symptoms.

Helpful Ways to Overcome an Addiction

The following steps can help you to overcome substance abuse.

Recognize the Problem

Admitting you have a problem with addiction is the first step in recovery. The brain is affected by substance use disorders, leading it to search for reasons and justifications to continue using.

Having the strength to tackle your addiction and its underlying causes is demonstrated by your admission of a problem.

Many resources are available; your treatment strategy must include a strong support network. If you aren’t ready to ask for help from friends or family, think about speaking with a therapist, physician, or treatment center.

Consider Your Environment

Remove anything that could serve as a reminder of your addiction or a source of powerful cravings. You could realize that there are times when you need to adjust your routines, such as avoiding drinking establishments like pubs or restaurants. 

You may also avoid previous social patterns, such as not hanging out with people you used to drink or use drugs with.

Maintaining a busy schedule might be an effective strategy for avoiding cravings and relapse temptations. Consider what you can do in advance of a craving. Take a walk, read a book, watch a television show, or plan a meeting with your loved one.

Manage Distractions

Keeping yourself active and occupied mentally is another strategy for overcoming addiction. You may be able to forget your addiction by doing this.

You can stay occupied all day by playing sports with friends, volunteering, or starting projects. You can bring simple workouts into your routine to promote health and confidence.

Identify Your Triggers

You can develop a strategy to avoid triggers and reduce your likelihood of using drugs or alcohol by being aware of the specific problems, situations, people, emotions, and other circumstances that make you want to use them. Once you understand your triggers, managing them becomes easy.

Get Social Support

Ask for help by explaining your goals to those close to you. Knowing that people are willing to support you and help you get through it can give you additional motivation when you have difficulty quitting.

Exercise and Eat Healthy

Exercise plays an essential role in keeping people healthy and strong. Medical professionals frequently recommend exercise as one of the best ways to stop addictions. Furthermore, healthy foods containing vitamins, carbohydrates, and protein can also help you feel active.

Seek Professional Help

It is recommended to seek medical advice to get rid of addiction. Residential treatment programs offer a peaceful, structured environment to begin drug and alcohol recovery.

Indiana Center for Recovery’s 24-hour staff is trained in various treatment options to provide the most individualized, effective treatment program for each resident. 

Residential treatment options include:

• Individual Therapy
• Group Therapy
• Family Therapy
• Peer Support Groups
• Chemical Dependency Counseling
• Detox and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

If you are looking for help for yourself or your family members, you can get it from Indiana Center for Recovery. Indiana Center for Recovery is one of the most reliable treatment providers in the US.

We offer a comprehensive range of addiction treatment programs, including residential treatment, medical detox, outpatient treatment, and family programs, to help people return to a healthy lifestyle.

Furthermore, our medical professionals are highly qualified from prestigious institutes and trained yearly to assist our clients and make them feel safe and comfortable.

We offer treatment in a supportive and friendly environment so that people can quickly gain health facilities.

Attend a Peer-Support Group

A peer support group can include non-12-step associations like SMART Recovery or 12-step organizations like Narcotics Anonymous. The mutual support offered by those in recovery who understand what it’s like to be in your position can help you stay sober.

Treatment Options to Overcome an Addiction

There are a variety of therapies, including medical and psychological ones, that can support you as you work to overcome an addiction. Although there isn’t a single “correct” technique for treating addiction, some methods have stronger scientific backing.

Detox

Detox is the first stage to eliminate narcotics from your body and treat withdrawal symptoms. The process of ridding one’s body of drugs or alcohol consumption is known as detox. When someone stops using drugs or alcohol, detox is meant to treat withdrawal symptoms safely.

Everyone’s experience with detox is unique.

Residential Treatment

Living at a facility and avoiding stressors like work, school, family, and friends while receiving intensive therapy are also components of residential treatment. Residential treatment can last a few days to several months.

Partial Hospitalization Treatment

People who need constant medical monitoring but still want to remain at home and have a stable living environment can consider partial hospitalization. These therapy programs often meet for 7 to 8 hours during the day at a treatment facility, after which you go home at night.

Outpatient treatment

Outpatient programs are offered around work or school because they are not live-in treatment programs. You don’t stay overnight; treatment occurs during the day or evening. The avoidance of relapse is the main priority.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy can help people improve their coping skills, develop new behavioral patterns, and change the underlying thoughts that often contribute to addiction. 

Different types of therapy that may help include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) aims to recognize and alter the thoughts and actions contributing to addictions. It has been proven to assist individuals successfully in overcoming all types of addictions. But not everyone should use CBT. Other ways could be more appropriate for those who do not connect well to evaluating their ideas, feelings, and behaviors.

Mindfulness Therapy 

Many people may find it simpler to relate 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) 

MET is a strategy that aids in boosting people’s openness to change. Enhancing commitment and drive to begin and complete therapy can be beneficial.

Family Therapy 

Family counseling techniques can be beneficial, especially for teens and young adults. This kind of treatment can enhance family functioning by teaching families new ways to support the recovery of a loved one.

Medications

Medication can relieve withdrawal symptoms, support patients in continuing treatment, and avoid relapse. A doctor will prescribe a specific medication depending on the type of addiction being treated. 

For instance, several drugs are available to treat alcohol, nicotine, and opiate Addiction. Sometimes, both the immediate and long-term effects of medications might be beneficial. Discuss your options with a doctor to see which ones are best for you.

Medication and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) may differ based on the substance(s) you utilize. For instance, naltrexone, buprenorphine, or methadone may be used to treat opioid addiction, whereas naltrexone, disulfiram, or acamprosate may be used to treat alcohol addiction. 

A medication-assisted treatment strategy frequently includes the use of medication.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

Achieve Long-Term Sobriety from Indiana Center for Recovery

Addiction is quite dangerous if ignored and can cause a person’s death. If you are looking for help, let Indiana Center for Recovery support you.

We offer effective treatment programs, including integrated care treatment programs, medical detox treatment programs, residential treatment programs, outpatient treatment programs, and family programs to help people get back to life.

Furthermore, our customer support is around the clock available for you. They are ready to listen to your queries and guide you in admission-taking. 

Contact us at (844) 650-0064 to speak with them and get registered.

Click here to learn more about our treatment programs and service charges.