Overcoming Addiction: Steps to Recovery and Maintaining Sobriety
How to overcome addiction in the next few weeks and months.
16th September 2024
GaryTheExpert
How to overcome addiction is a quality question, and let’s uncover some idea’s on how to do that. First of all do you believe overcoming addiction is possible?
If you don’t, then you’re not going to take actions to fix it. Even with countless failures, we can soon overcome it, now or soon in the future. You’ve got to keep trying until it’s done!
My Experience of Addiction.
I personally struggled with addictions of Porn, Gambling, and Drug use. Maybe alcohol, but mostly drugs when it comes to alcohol.
I started young with addictions of porn at 16. It was terrible on reflection, it was low self-esteem, it was fear of talking to women, it was a fear of being rejected, so I used and abused online behavior as my escape.
I started drinking alcohol at 18, a responsible age. I gambled slightly around 16/17 and kicked off at 18.
I also started drug use of cocaine being my first drug at 18. And soon got addicted.
Here is a video of me talking about my addictions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQhBsENBY2w Like, and Subscribe over there too, thanks in advance.
How I changed and helped others change.
Stage 1; Acknowledge the Problem.
It all starts with awareness. You literally can’t change something without noticing its effects.
I eventually realized I was depressed, my world was crumbling, my friends were growing further apart, and losing family connections was enough of a burden on its own. Let alone take drugs whilst working! Eventually, I saw it.
Stage 2; Explore Treatment Options.
I then found it hard to ask for help, but when I did, I got it… It makes no sense to listen to that whisper of ‘don’t get help’ or ‘nobody can help you’ That stuff’s crap! Explore help and get it.
Here are some examples of that;
1. Rehab Program: Structured process of recovering. Mostly used for severe addictions.
2. Outpatient programs: something like AA which can be attended in free time then committing to something like rehab as it’s isolated away.
3. Therapy and Counselling: Individual, family, or group therapy can address underlying issues associated with trauma and addiction and provide coping strategies.
4. Medication: Reduce cravings, and cope with withdrawal symptoms, and should be used with therapy for best results.
I took it upon myself to use therapy, and gratefully that’s all I needed. I spent quality time working on myself and pushing myself, even if I failed, which I did once. I relapsed on taking drugs about 5 months after I quit. I took the remaining pill I had and found… That failure was the start of something great.
Stage 3: Building a Positive Network
I played Xbox a lot, I gamed with people that were not good for me. I played football and spent time with people who were not good for me. I literally spent all the time in the world with people bringing me down.
I changed my friend group, I needed to. I got new Xbox friends, I got new in-person friends, due to going to events, seminars, or Facebook groups.
I burned quality good friends through my addiction. And I brought negative friends in. I burnt both and had to rebuild.
Importantly, I grew family relationships right back up!
Stage 4: Develop Positive Coping Strategies
Good habits is better than bad… Drugs is a bad habit, porn is a bad habit, and gambling is a bad habit.
Spend time creating exercise as a habit. Spend time making sure quality time with yourself is in there too. You will be with you for the rest of your life, ENJOY YOU!
New hobbies, like jiu jitsu, or others like chess can develop thoughtful, and important skills for great strength and discipline.
Stage 5: Growth Away
Listen, learning not to take drugs like cocaine is simple, don’t do it… But how can we get into a mindset of not doing it! Well, we have something that is way more important than doing it. Do something worthwhile rather than something like doing your addiction.
Becoming more valuable, you won’t value drugs, and realizing how your addiction poisons your life you will stay away.
Importantly, know your “triggers” If you go to the pub, you’ll likely get a drink, if you go to the library you’ll pick up a book. If you go to a porn site, you will do the obvious. It’s not rocket science but we fall sometimes. Get back up, day one, or one day.
Consistently develop positive skills, knowledge, and positivity, and you will stay away from addictions.
Conclusion
Overcoming addiction isn’t easy… It can take a couple months of to stop initially. Getting help is a positive, not a weakness. Working on yourself and the relationship with yourself is critical over the journey of life, not just addiction.
If you go back to those people who do such things you will fall prey, read that again, you prey to the addiction. You open doors and realms that trick you.
If you are struggling with addiction or depression, you can book a call here
Speak soon,
Gary