Addiction has a variety of forms. Sure, there’s the ones we think of normally like drugs and alcohol, but there’s all addiction to technology, gambling, and even shopping. So what exactly is addiction?
Addiction is a disorder where someone pursues a compulsive and harmful behavior despite the negative consequences. There are intense cravings and a loss of control that make it extremely difficult to overcome. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t hope. There are many stories from people who have overcome addiction to live the lives they really want to live. And if you’re struggling with addiction, you can achieve that too.
And you don’t have to figure it out alone. Here are three things you can do to start to overcome your addiction and build a sober lifestyle.
Build a Strong Support Network
You will become more like the people you surround yourself with. It’s why one of the first things rehab programs do is to separate you from people who may be a bad influence. And yes that is a good step, but it’s not enough to remove bad influences. You NEED good influences. Whether it’s family or friends, find the people who care about you most and incorporate them into your support system. If they aren’t available or aren’t interested in sobriety, you can often find support groups in your community that will support you through your sobriety journey.
Engage in Healthy Activity
Old habits die hard.
Part of the reason is that it’s hard to fill the hole that was left behind by your addiction. One of the problems with addiction is that they turn normal behaviors into destructive ones. Some people who have trouble with cigarettes turn to chewing gum because it is a similar activity that doesn’t have the same negative effects. Others turn from drinking a shot of alcohol to drinking plain juice. Others find that working out is a good distraction from the mental struggle of their addiction. Whatever activity you find that is healthy and helps you overcome your addiction is a good thing.
Seek Professional Counseling
Working through your recovery on your own is a lot harder than you might think. But that’s where a good counselor can help you. We can’t do the work for you, but we can help you understand the work better and make your work more effective.
Working with a therapist can provide you valuable tools and strategies for maintaining your sobriety, address underlying issues and triggers, and help you develop healthier coping mechanisms.
In Conclusion
Overcoming addiction doesn’t happen at the snap of your fingers. It would be nice if it did, but that’s just not the way it is. But it is doable. You don’t even have to hold the hope for overcoming it yourself. We can hope for you until you are able to do it for yourself. If you are ready to begin your recovery, come sit at our fireplace and share your story. We’d love to help you discover your path to living a good life again!
