When you come to the realization that you have become addicted to a substance, it can seem as though reclaiming your life from this problem will be all but impossible. However, a couple of very simple tips may be able to help you give yourself a better chance of successfully overcoming your substance abuse problem.
Build A Support Network
Having a suitable support network can greatly improve your chances of success. During the early stages of the recovery process, individuals may find themselves struggling with temptation while also needing to rebuild their social network after cutting out those that are negative influences. By understanding that this may be a problem you will encounter, you can take aggressive steps to help ensure that you have a group of friends and family that will help you through this part of the recovery process. Due to the intense reliance that you may have on the members of this support group, you should be very mindful when you are choosing those to be a part of it.
Seek Professional Counseling
It is a reality that overcoming addiction can be one of the most difficult things that a person may be tasked with doing. However, there are a variety of professional counseling services that can help individuals to overcome their addictions. For example, these services may be able to provide individuals with access to counseling services from someone like Sharon O'Connell, MA and support groups. Furthermore, these services may be able to help individuals through the intense withdrawal symptoms that the patient may be able to expect to encounter. Depending on the substance in question, these symptoms may be potentially lethal, which can make professional supervision necessary.
Understand The Process Of Slipping Back Into Addiction
Individuals will often assume that it will be easy to completely avoid their preferred drugs or substances once they may it through the initial withdrawal phase. Yet, it is common for individuals to regularly be tempted by the urge to start using these substances again. As a result, individuals should be very vigilant in guarding against the temptation to resume these habits. Often, individuals will gradually slide into relapse by making bargains with themselves regarding the usage of these substances. To minimize this risk, you should avoid placing yourself in situations where you can access the substance that you are struggling to overcome. Also, you should make sure to regularly attend support group meetings as these can be an excellent source of emotional reinforcement in your battle against addiction.
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