We have all known somebody who was or is a victim of addiction. It is rather upsetting to see the way addiction impacts the mental health of a person and how it transforms them into a different human being. Addiction, without doubt, is a challenging condition which no one wishes to have to experience. However, sometimes things and life happen altogether, and people fall victim to addiction. But there is always a way out and with the right support and resources, addiction is curable, and recovery is possible.
But what is considered an addiction? Humans can develop an addiction to almost everything and it can be the simplest things such as playing video games or tennis betting matches, but also more serious conditions where both the physical and mental health is affected, such as alcohol or drug addiction. We could say that these are all activities which are harmless if done moderately. However, once you abuse them, there are consequences because everything that is consumed more than it should is damaging, including oxygen.
Now, the journey to recovery and healing is a tedious one but there are a few recommended techniques that have proved successful in helping individuals overcome addiction. On today’s article, we will discuss these strategies which aim at achieving lasting recovery for those who might be addicted and are looking for a way out.
Being aware of the addiction
Recognizing and accepting the fact that you are addicted to something is the first step into the healing journey. Once our mind is convinced that something is causing problems within and outside us, then it is easier to seek help and to know how to treat the problem. In often cases, people are in denial about their addiction because they feel some type of shame or guilt and consequently, refuse to discuss the issue or ask for support. Now since addiction has proved to contribute towards the development of other mental illnesses, the earlier we are aware of it, the better and easier it is to overcome it. So, one does not have to feel any negative emotions about seeking help because accepting and opening your arms towards help is one of the most courageous things a human being can do.
Developing a treatment plan
A treatment plan comes second in the healing journey and right after one accepts and is aware of the addiction. This is basically a way of planning out what you need to do and when, and setting goals to measure how well you’re doing. One option of the treatment plan could be to see and consult with a professional therapist. This can allow an individual to understand the situation they are in even better and raising his or her awareness on the root problem that is causing the addiction. There are several types of therapy that are common in treating addiction, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing (MI) being the most prominent ones.
Change of lifestyle
Another way of how one can tackle their addiction problems is by changing the lifestyle that they have at the moment. You can switch up your diet into eating healthier, for instance, or start exercising on a daily basis. However, if this sounds overwhelming, then you can start from simple things such as making your bed in the morning and having that feeling of accomplishment. You should also consider in incorporating more and more things that you like doing on your daily routine, because this will keep your mind busy and hence, you will not have as much time for the addiction. In addition to that, you can for example take a vacation, as it has proved to improve one’s mental health and will as a result, allow you to see things clearer and more reasonably.
Using the right medication
Medication has also proved to help ease the situation for those who are addicted since addiction is basically a craving of the mind for something. Hence, medications which are issued to treat addiction target these brain cells specifically which crave the addiction. Apart from that, taking medications has also proved successful in managing symptoms but also triggers that might come along the way. According to scientific papers conducted on this issue, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in most cases has been effective in treating patients with addiction problems.
The journey to overcoming addiction is not always easy, and there may be setbacks and challenges along the way. However, with the right support and resources, it is possible to achieve lasting recovery and find healing. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, it is important to seek professional help and start the journey towards recovery and healing. But don’t forget that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel, and you are never alone in walking towards that light!
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