When you struggle with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, it can be easy to feel trapped and bound by your substance abuse. Many people have failed attempts at sobriety and experience the triggers on a consistent basis. This can make it challenging to have hope for the future and maintain your sobriety. Some people have difficulty remembering a time when they didn’t have an addiction. This can make it challenging to think about the future and if they’ll ever experience true freedom. You may be wondering if you’ll have to deal with your addiction for the rest of your life.
Addictive Personalities are a Myth
Unfortunately, many people believe they’ll have to struggle with addiction for the rest of their life because they assume they have an addictive personality and can’t change who they are made to be. Although some people may quit drugs but start smoking cigarettes, you don’t have to have an addictive personality if you choose the right form of treatment. Instead, realize that routines and addictions can be substituted as a way to satisfy the neurotransmitters in the brain that are looking to be rewarded.
Long-Term Treatment Options That are Effective
Fortunately, obtaining the right treatment makes it possible to recover from addiction and avoid dealing with it for the rest of your life. Withdrawing from the substance and going through the detox process is not the main form of treatment you need. It’s actually the first step of the process of obtaining sobriety to ensure you can get clean and deal with some of the withdrawal symptoms. Once you detox, most of your discomfort will be mental as you’re tempted to return to the drugs or alcohol.
Many people are intimidated by detoxing and can assume it’s a lot harder to get through. It’s important to realize that the most difficult part of overcoming addiction is getting to the root of the issue and dealing with the pain or trauma that triggered the substance abuse. Gaining support and undergoing therapy is key to uncovering the cause of the addiction and working through your feelings to ensure you have a new perspective the next time you’re tempted to use drugs or alcohol.
There’s No Quick Fix
Patience is an integral part of removing from addiction to avoid dealing with it the rest of your life. There is never a quick fix when it comes to changing your habits and breaking an addiction. Hurrying through the recovery process can lead to cutting corners and relapsing, making it necessary to go through each step of the process. It takes a lot of time to reverse your habits and mindsets to ensure you change for the better and gain the strength you need. You’ll need to learn new coping strategies that are healthy to avoid running back to substances when you’re stressed, in pain, or anxious. Professionals can help you to rebuild different parts of your life and help you create a plan for your triggers. Maintaining your recovery will be easier when you take the time to become equipped with knowledge.
Factors That Help You Stay Sober
There are multiple tools available that you can use throughout your life to stay clean and avoid relapsing. The tools can be used in different situations and seasons of life to ensure you’re prepared. Most professionals will tell you that it’s important to avoid environments that trigger addiction, which may include bars or parties. You may need to avoid returning to familiar settings where you frequently use drugs or alcohol. Managing your expectations can also help you to avoid disappointment as different parts of your life starts to fall into place. Social support is also critical to ensure you can remain strong and have the help you need from your loved ones.
There should be people in your life to who you’re accountable and can ask for help if you’re tempted to relapse. Ongoing spiritual support will also prove to be beneficial and will allow you to can change your perspective and mindset to ensure you have the mental strength to focus on the future and have hope. Additional factors that make it possible to remain sober include:
- Helping other people struggling with addiction
- Continued mental health treatment
- Surrounding yourself with clean and sober friends
If you want to learn more about if you have to deal with addiction the rest of your life, our counselors are available 24/7. Contact us today at 833-680-0165.