Addiction is not an easy thing to face. However, it must be done if recovery is a goal you’d like to accomplish. You have to accept that you have a problem before you can truly receive help. Denial only blocks your ability to recover. The road to sobriety may be difficult. However, the journey of 1000 miles begins with one step.
Facing the Man or Woman in the Mirror
It’s hard to look at yourself when you are struggling with some form of addiction. You avoid facing yourself for fear of observing the person you’ve become, which can also cause you to suffer from depression. As hard as it may be to face the road you’ve chosen, nothing can be done until you do. Take a good hard look at yourself. Forgive yourself first and foremost. After that, take inventory of your life and estimate the damage that must be repaired in order to find your way back. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Recovery wasn’t built in a day either. Be prepared to be patient with your journey back to sobriety.
The specifics
If you are struggling with a drug addiction, there will be specific recovery programs and options that you may want to consider. Your situation may cause you to think about all the other people struggling with the same addiction. You may also wonder how many of those struggling will win their battle. Your search to find the right program may trigger many thoughts and questions. You may ponder questions like, “can-suboxone-help-stop-opiate-epidemic?” Or even which treatment options for opiod detox would work the best for you. However, one of the most difficult steps has already been taken. You have admitted that you have a problem by seeking help. Instead of denying your struggle you have enlisted the help of professionals to assist you with overcoming the addiction. Give yourself credit for getting help from professionals who know what they’re doing.
Say No to Temptation
Once you’ve decided to walk away from an unhealthy lifestyle, follow through with it. This means avoiding people, places, and things that encouraged or supported your unhealthy way of life. Although it may be difficult it is a necessary sacrifice. You will need to separate yourself from anything and everything that helped you to create and practice the addiction. However, the less you stimulate the temptations that led you astray, the better. As time passes, it will get easier. Time has a graceful way of fading things and giving you back the strength you lost. Let time work for you as you journey back to a healthy way of living.
Practice Makes Better
Once you begin to practice sober living you will be amazed at how much pride you feel toward your progress. The more you practice healthy habits the stronger your sober muscles will become. What once created pain, anxiety, and angst will fill you with pride and joy. This is what the process of overcoming looks like. Winning is a process, not a destination. The more you practice winning by taking advantage of healthy habits, the lighter the addiction load will begin to feel. Your new lifestyle can be compared to exercising. When you first begin every repetition is difficult and tiring. However, as you continue, the reps get easier and the weight feels lighter. Continue to exercise the sobriety lifestyle. The reps will become easier and the weight will become lighter.
Turning Shame into Pride
Anything you practice improves. The same is true when it comes to sobriety. A sober lifestyle will chase away the shame and embarrassment you once felt. That shame will be replaced with joy and pride. You have nothing to lose. Bet on yourself. Do everything in your power to create a life of freedom. You will be glad you did.
Addiction is difficult for anyone. The shame and embarrassment can be overwhelming. However, the hardest part of facing your addiction is admitting that you have a problem. However, that’s the first step in getting help. Recovery doesn’t start until you admit you have a problem and seek the proper help. Denial will sustain your addiction. Step out of the darkness and into the light by admitting that you have an obstacle and you need help. Weigh your options and follow through with a plan of action. Once you’ve started the journey to sobriety don’t look back. Avoid the people, places, and things that were a part of your unhealthy former lifestyle.
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