Why Can’t I Stop Using Drugs and Alcohol on My Own?
Through continuous research and discussion on the subject, it’s been realized that substance abuse is a mental disease. Every time you use substances, your brain releases dopamine, which makes you happy. With constant use, you need more substance to feel happier, which leads to addiction. So, if you’ve been struggling to quit using drugs and alcohol, here’s what you should know.
What does it take to quit a substance?
- Acceptance
As with all kinds of changes, quitting substance also requires you to admit that you have a problem. Sure, you might go through denial first to get to acceptance. But once you do, hold on to it because that’s key to getting healthier.
- Identification of triggers
What’s causing you to take drugs? You can only identify the cause by internalizing the issue. Besides, if you’ve tried quitting and failed, try understanding what caused it. It becomes easier to devise a plan when you know your triggers. s
- Goal-oriented approach
Overcoming addiction requires you to determine a final goal along with a set of smaller milestones to achieve it. So, instead of saying you’ll quit alcohol by next year, make it a point to reduce your consumption to a single peg within the next 3-6 months. Once you achieve that, quitting will seem easy because you’ll have more control over your temptation.
- Support
Drug abuse is one of those battles that you can’t fight alone. You need your loved ones to encourage you throughout the process. If you don’t have that, you’ll continue to find quitting difficult.
- Willpower
Along with motivation, you also need the willpower to make it happen. No matter how much people motivate you, you can’t quit substance if you aren’t resolute enough.
Making a pros and cons list
It isn’t uncommon among addicts to find that their list of cons is longer than that of the pros. Sometimes, that’s exactly what they need to know how far they’ve taken their small yet life-altering habit.
Lists are good. If you can’t quit it, maybe your mind needs to see some proof before you can become more resolute. So, when you can’t make a decision, make a list.
- Things I like about substance abuse
In this section, you can include things that make you want to do drugs more along with the sensations that the activity induces in you.
- Things I don’t like about substance abuse
You can use this section to describe the way substance makes you feel about yourself. Also, write about the things that you don’t like about taking drugs. For example, drug abuse is often accompanied by lying to your close ones about it. If that’s something that you don’t like, put it on the paper.
Maintaining sobriety
Countless professionals agree that it’s more difficult to keep up with a clean life than recovering from addiction is.
Recovery is not the end of the road. It’s only the beginning. For instance, losing weight is easier than keeping it off is.
Having said that, it doesn’t mean that you have to spend your life trying to control your urges. Just like an eating disorder, it’s more important to recover the right way, so you never have to go back to the old ways.
So, if you’ve tried getting sober and failed at it, it’s probably because you aren’t doing it correctly. Perhaps the resources that you’re taking help from to stay clean aren’t suitable for your condition. Perhaps seeking help from professionals who can tailor recovery programs for you as per your history and requirements might work for you.
Types of addiction treatment
The most common types of treatment that generally work for people can be narrowed down into two categories; inpatient and outpatient.
- Inpatient treatment
Within an inpatient program, you’re required to detach from the outside world and become part of the in-house rehab facility. To provide you with significant improvements, you’re looked after by therapists and support groups. The environment of the recovery center is also designed to assist you in overcoming your drug and alcohol problems. While inpatient treatment is more expensive than its counterpart, it offers quicker results because you’re provided with constant support.
- Outpatient treatment
Outpatient treatment is more flexible than an inpatient recovery program. It allows you to manage your recovery without losing touch with the outside world. The program is designed to help you overcome addiction without disturbing your existing routine. Such treatment is perfectly suitable for those who can’t afford to participate in an in-house program due to its high cost.
That said, you can’t use insurance to pay for outpatient treatment. You have to fund the entire program from your own pocket.
Why opt for professional addiction help?
There are several reasons for relapse. Overcoming drug and alcohol addiction is similar to walking on eggshells. One bad decision can make things take a wrong turn for you.
Since anything from lack of willpower or control, cravings, or toxic and unsupportive environment can trigger substance use, it’s always wiser to work with a team of professionals who specialize in treating addiction.
Having an accountability partner can take you a long way in your progress. Sometimes, it’s not enough to have motivation. You need someone who can ask you how far along you’ve come and keep a check on your improvement.
Besides, professional addiction therapists can also offer you the much-needed support that you may otherwise lack from your family or social groups.
Additionally, they can provide you with detailed and step-by-step instructions to overcoming your drug abuse problem. Their tried and tested approach can also guarantee a higher success rate for recovery than working alone will.
The team at Scottsdale Detox offers a holistic treatment program for adolescents struggling with drugs and alcohol abuse. From taking care of your dietary needs to getting you equipped with the right resources to get clean, we help you work towards building a better future for yourself.
If you or someone you know needs help with addiction or is ready for detox, contact 1-602-346-9143 or email [email protected] to get the help you need.