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Steps to Recovery From Drug Addiction

Steps to recovery from drug addiction, if followed faithfully, can assure a relatively smooth transition to the clean life. The main thrust of these steps is to create a new life, a new set of friends, new habits and new paths to happiness. At all costs, avoid irritability and depression as much as possible, even if medications are required to do it.

  1. Admission and Detox

    • Admit you have a problem. This is a cliche, but it exists for a reason. Once this breakthrough step is done, steel yourself for the process of detox. This is often painful and uncomfortable, so it is best to check, into a treatment center, so as to receive the medications necessary to safely pull away from the addictive substance. Fear lies at the root of all addiction--the fear that life is empty and joyless without drugs. Once you have made the decision to quit, make certain your goals for recovery are clear and reachable. Therefore, both the will and the goals must be clear and present.

    Rest and Exercise

    • Do all in your power to keep happy, relaxed and rested. Depression and irritability are your two new enemies. For a long time, the user is used to having a quick and easy getaway from life's problems. Now that is gone. Make certain that you sleep regularly, exercise and find new hobbies and other ways of taking up that excess energy. Physical exercise can take care of many problems in recovery. Join a gym. You will meet new friends and sleep better, and regular physical workouts will assist in mood control. Whatever you do, do not slide back to your old haunts and friends. The fact remains is that intense desire for your former drug will recur. You must have means for combating this.

    Counseling and/or Medication

    • Find a good counselor. Find a counselor whom you can trust, and build a long-term relationship with. Do not think that you can fight this alone. New friends and new techniques can help diffuse all risk situations that may send you back. What a counselor will do here is help you discover new cognitive techniques that can calm you down when angered, saddened or depressed. These techniques are essential for recovery. If you find yourself struggling with depression and fear a relapse, it may be the case that medication (such as an SSRI like Paxil) can help control moods and prevent relapse.

    Choice

    • Ultimately, the addiction to a drug once you have been through detox is a choice. Referring to it as a "disease" makes it seem like you have no choice over the issue. If you relapse, this is because you have not fully convinced yourself that life is possible without drugs. This cognitive understanding is absolutely central to recovery. Examine the motives behind the earlier addictive behavior. Addiction experts like Timothy Welch are convinced that addiction is "fear based" and that drinking or drugs are methods of self-protection. Understanding the motivation of the addict is important.

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