5 Ways to Prepare for Sobriety illustration
Overcoming addiction to drugs or alcohol may feel like an uphill battle at times. However, due to the increasing toxicity in today’s black market drug supply, there has never been a better time to get sober. If you’re sick and tired of feeling sick and tired from the cycle of drug abuse, Ohio addiction treatment can assist you in overcoming addiction.
Addiction rates are seeing record numbers in post-pandemic Ohio. Sadly, drug overdoses soared in Ohio and the United States at large as inpatients succumbed to the stressors brought on by the Coronavirus. The result is a population conditioned to drug and alcohol use to relieve stress. Unfortunately, while you’re in the heart of addiction, your brain is wired to keep using. However, evidence-based processes that are proven to help you quit using drugs are available through addiction treatment. And with a bit of planning, you can set yourself up for a life without substance abuse.
If you need emergency treatment, enrolling in addiction treatment immediately is warranted. However, if you have enough time to plan ahead, consider the following steps to overcoming addiction.
While this step may seem obvious, there is a difference between wanting to stop drinking or drug use and making the decision to quit. Mentally preparing yourself for working through the detox process and committing to addiction treatment requires intention, and making the decision to stop is the initial step.
In a similar fashion, you can prepare your environment for overcoming addiction by reducing environmental triggers. For example, removing any alcohol, drugs, or drug paraphernalia from your reach is a great start. In this way, you will put an obstacle in your path in case a craving strikes. Ideally, this hindrance will buy you enough time to let the urge pass.
Confidence in yourself and your reasons for quitting can be intensely powerful. Writing down your reasons for wanting to quit drinking or drug use can come in handy when you’re overcoming addiction. Each person’s “why’s” are personal, but can include things like:
Whatever your reasons are for sobriety, by embracing them and referring to them often you solidify your conviction in staying sober.
While quitting cold turkey at home may sound tempting, this method can be far more challenging than committing to addiction treatment in a drug rehab facility. This is because when you quit drugs at home, you are largely on your own to tackle the hurdles that come with quitting substance use. Obstacles to getting sober include detox and withdrawal symptoms, drug cravings, and triggers. Without preparing for these occurrences, the road ahead can be unnecessarily challenging.
In contrast, addiction treatment incorporates a whole person approach to addiction. This means that not only will you cleanse your body of drug-related toxins, but you will also dive deep into the root of the addiction. In this way, you can assess why you were compelled to use in the first place. In addition, your relationships and environment will be taken into consideration to ensure all angles are considered.
Perhaps most importantly, addiction treatment will give you the tools to get through the first few weeks, months, and years of sobriety. It is during this time that relapse is most frequently experienced.
Committing to a life without substance use requires some rearranging. For example, you may have to avoid situations that are going to deliver temptation. In fact, you may come to realize that many of your friends were people that you didn’t have anything in common with outside of drug use. Therefore, seeking out new relationships that don’t center around substance use may be necessary.
Embarking on new hobbies is a good way to stay busy and away from old patterns. Exercising, volunteering, or following your spiritual path are all ways to stay busy as you adjust to filling your time without using substances.
In a perfect world, when you decide to quit drinking or drug use you simply quit and move on with your life. However, in reality, addiction is tricky. Just when you think you have gotten the hang of sobriety, a trigger can come along and result in a relapse. Rest assured that this is normal and expected. The best thing to do in the face of relapse is to use it as a learning experience and to move forward with sobriety. It does not mean that you failed, and it should not be used as a reason to through your hard-earned sobriety out the window. The path to sobriety is rarely linear.
Overcoming addiction can be difficult. However, even the most persistent addictions can be broken. At Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital, our treatment center offers a multitude of addiction programs best suit your individual needs. A few of the programs offered at Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital include:
The best addiction treatment program for you will depend on your individual circumstances. Regardless of which program is chosen, Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital can see you through overcoming addiction and help secure a future without drug use.
The key steps to prepare for sobriety include acknowledging the problem, seeking professional help, building a support system, developing healthy habits, and planning for triggers and cravings.
Acknowledging the problem is the first crucial step in overcoming addiction. It involves recognizing the negative impact of addiction on one’s life and accepting the need for change, which sets the foundation for recovery.
Building a support system is vital because it provides emotional support, encouragement, and accountability. Support from family, friends, and support groups can significantly increase the chances of successful recovery.
Developing healthy habits, such as regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate sleep, helps improve overall well-being and reduces the risk of relapse. Healthy habits also provide constructive ways to cope with stress and triggers.
Planning for triggers and cravings involves identifying potential triggers, creating strategies to avoid or cope with them, and having a relapse prevention plan in place. This proactive approach helps individuals manage cravings and maintain their sobriety.
More than anything, patients need to know that they will receive the best possible care. It’s important to remember that the care you need today may be different from the care you need tomorrow. There are many types of therapy available at Ridgeview Behavioral Hospital, so reach out if you need assistance in the Middle Point, Ohio area.
Call (419) 949-8590 to speak with one of our treatment specialists and learn more about our programs. Take our 😍 Mental Health Assessment or our 🧐 Addiction Test.
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