The Ultimate Guide To Breaking The Cycle Of Addiction

According to UNODC's World Drug Report 2021, millions of people around the globe struggle with addiction, whether it's alcohol or drugs. Sadly, most often feel trapped and unable to end the cycle. They shouldn't give up, though, because many facilities and support groups are ready to assist and guide them through recovery.

Individuals who face issues with alcohol or drug abuse go through a continuous cycle of addiction. In most cases, a person will stop using the substance after some time, usually a week or even months. However, certain life circumstances that cause stress, anxiety, or emotional suffering can restart the cycle.

Remember that there's always a trigger event that initiates the addiction cycle. Even a bad day at work or a fight with a loved one could be triggering. Social settings or being around companions who drink or use drugs can also be triggers.

It might be time to adopt a proactive stance if you want to end the cycle of addiction. Dealing with a substance abuse disorder can be challenging. Still, with the right support, such as from Jackson House Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers and similar addiction support facilities, you can make it happen by taking one step at a time.

A Close Look At The Cycle Of Addiction

Knowing about the addiction process and its role in your life is vital to ensure you stay on the right path to recovery. Although the cycle tends to vary for each person, it generally follows a pattern:

• Emotional distress is brought on by triggers like emotional pain, stress, and anxiety.
• Unfortunately, because of the overwhelming and intense symptoms of this state of distress, many people turn to addictive substances or behaviors as a coping mechanism.
• If it's a substance like alcohol or drugs, using or consuming it will give them immediate relief, but it won't last long.
• A person ends up in a pattern of repeated and unrestrained substance use that becomes a priority above anything else.
  

In most cases, the person may decide to stop using the substance due to feelings of shame or guilt. However, withdrawal symptoms and other potential triggers can urge the person to resort to them again.

The cycle of addiction continues to revolve, making it hard for a person to stop using substances. Generally, addiction begins as a way to cope with pain. Most individuals dealing with this issue didn't intend to develop substance dependency. It was simply a way to cope with a difficult situation in life. Luckily, addiction is now manageable.

Ways To Help Break The Cycle Of Addiction

Although most find it challenging to deal with addiction, it's crucial to remember that there are support facilities to make the process manageable. Aside from the therapy and supportive care a person receives from facilities, here are several valuable ways to help manage addiction:

1. Remove Any Possible Triggers

Avoiding the potential triggers is one of the considerations to keep in mind to prevent restarting the addiction cycle. It can be difficult, though, if a person's marriage or place of employment is likely to contain triggers.

When a stressful marriage is the root of substance abuse, consider counseling to pinpoint problems that would otherwise lead back to addiction. In another scenario involving your workplace as a potential trigger, it may be time to consider looking for a different job. If it's impossible, think about taking a break from time to time to meditate or do some light exercise. Doing so will help minimize the stress that triggers the urge to use drugs or consume alcohol.

It's also best to avoid scenarios or individuals that may persuade you into substance abuse. Remember that having friends who are drug or alcohol users won't help you stop your addiction.

2. Consider Shifting To Positive Actions

Another approach worth considering that may help break the addiction cycle is substituting behaviors for the triggers that can push you back into addiction. Some of the behavioral suggestions include the following:

• Incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Physical activity is highly beneficial for both the mind and body. You can exercise for 30 minutes at home or go for a daily jog around the block.
• Maintain a healthy diet. It all starts by including nutritious food in all your meals. A balanced diet containing vitamins and minerals that may supplement the loss of nutrition from addiction is crucial.
• Practice mindfulness to lower stress levels. Techniques such as yoga and meditation can help you connect with your feelings and thoughts and organize them better.
• Start a hobby you love or revisit your old passion. If you've longed to try photography or gardening, it's worth giving them a try. On the other hand, you may revisit your old talents or hobbies you stopped when you were having a hard time. Doing so allows you to focus your attention on a creative pursuit.
• Establish a network of supportive family members and friends. Having them by your side can help you maintain a substance-free life.

However, it's crucial to remember that once addiction takes complete control, it can be hard to stop without professional guidance. If you want a good start, consider attending counseling sessions or detoxification programs to help you stay on the right track.

3. Prioritize Things You Can Control

A person struggling with addiction might feel resentful partly because they think addiction is unresolvable or is another's fault. However, if you're feeling the same, it may be time to get out of that mindset.

If you continue to wallow in such thoughts and focus on factors you cannot control, you'll be unable to achieve anything. Constantly lingering on negative and self-defeating thoughts can harm your state of mind and mood, lowering your chances for full recovery from addiction.

Consider focusing on things or elements you can control, such as facing your current problem or taking steps to undergo addiction treatment.

4. Accept The Reality That You Have An Addiction Problem

Over the years, denial has been the typical symptom of addiction. Depending on your circumstances, you may deny that you have an issue with drugs or alcohol to your loved ones or friends. Even as your health steadily declines due to the ill effects of substance abuse.

Remember that you cannot jump-start the recovery process until you fully admit that you have a problem with drugs, alcohol, or prescription medications. You'll only end up in the continuous cycle of addiction that can take a toll on your health at some point. So, take responsibility and start taking control of your life.

5. Determine The Reason To Stop Using Drugs Or Alcohol

Even if you push yourself to admit your addiction problem, breaking the unpleasant habits that predispose you to addiction will take effort to eliminate from your life.

Before moving into that phase, you must ask yourself why you want to stop using the substances. Some typical explanations for choosing to receive treatment are listed below:

• The desire to switch back to a healthy lifestyle
• Reestablish and maintain relationships with family or friends
• Facing issues at work, such as poor performance or to avoid possible termination
• Avoid the potential dangers substance use brings
• Going through legal and financial issues

Write down these reasons on a post-it or poster and put it on your wall to remind yourself why you started your journey to recovery.

6. Establish A Community Of Support

Many individuals who have struggled with addiction can maintain control over their lives and are eager to assist others in achieving the same. It might be time to look for local support groups and treatment centers so that you can get help from people who have experience with addiction. Flagler Healing is one such resource that can provide invaluable support on your journey toward recovery. By connecting with support groups and treatment centers, you can access the guidance, empathy, and knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of addiction and achieve lasting recovery.

Identifying family or friends whom you can be open with about your addiction behaviors and who will be there for you if you need assistance along the way is also important. In addition, avoid or keep your distance from people who support your addictive behavior. When you have family members or friends you can trust and turn to if you find it hard to cope, it will be easier to prevent relapsing.

7. Choose Your Objectives And Carry Them Out

Setting goals is a great way to ensure you continue on the path to recovery. However, if you merely create one intending to improve, it may not be motivating enough. If you want to get it right, consider setting specific goals with a time frame. Most people tend to create goals that are too general. You can set short- and long-term goals when creating your objectives to get better outcomes.

For example, one goal you can list is to attend counseling three times a day or stay sober for a week. Setting worthwhile and attainable goals can act as a motivator to get you ready to take on new challenges.

Aside from the short-term goals, you should also note down long-term goals. An example is staying sober for a year. In the long run, you can benefit from both short-term and long-term goals when you combine them. In contrast to the fleeting sensation of caving into your addiction, doing this can give you a sense of fulfillment.

Final Thoughts

Many people all over the globe are struggling with addiction. Over the years, the cycle of addiction has become an issue of concern since it can affect individuals in all age groups. The struggle can be comparable to climbing a hill; once a big rock hits you on the way, you end up stumbling back to your starting point. Luckily, seeking professional aid from reputable treatment or support facilities and keeping in mind these valuable insights can ensure you stay on the right path in fighting addiction.