Substance Abuse: What To Do Next

Nobody plans on abusing substances, and although you may have been aware of what you were taking – whether that be alcohol, illegal drugs, or even prescription drugs, you didn’t use the substance with intent on becoming addicted. It can happen to anyone, from any background, and if you’ve found yourself unable to tear yourself away from a substance that could be very damaging to your body, then you’re probably looking for the best advice to resolve your addiction.

Know when to get professional help

The good news is, you’ve already taken the first and hardest step which is acknowledging you’ve got yourself into a bad situation. While it’s completely possible to fight an addiction alone, there’s nothing wrong with seeking some professional help to ensure that your goal is achieved. Your first port of call should always be your Doctor. Explaining everything to them, from the moment you first tried it to where you are today will help them give you the best kind of treatment. You can also check yourself into a detox center for some professional help, and here you will have the support around the clock to help resolve your addiction.

Distract yourself

A method that works really well for many people is distraction. The moment you begin to think about the substance, do something different. This is a great way of keeping your mind active and as time goes on, you’ll begin to realize that you’re not thinking about it as much.

Change your routine

Sometimes your routine can be the sole source of the problem, and if you’re used to finishing work and opening a bottle of vodka, you’re automatically going to do that every day. Changing up your routine will help break the habit of reaching for the very thing you’re trying to stop. Try going for a walk, visiting family, or even changing what you do when you normally begin to think about that substance.

Know your triggers

Knowing what triggers you to think about taking the substance is a vital step to your recovery. For example, some people reach for junk food when they are stressed, whereas others light a cigarette. Knowing your triggers can help you avoid certain situations, even if that means finding a new job or cutting someone out of your life that isn’t doing you any good.

Seek comfort from those around you

It’s amazing what a good chat can do for the soul, and if you’ve got a support system of family and friends around you, then you should seek comfort from them! Talk about your problems, let them know how they can help you and you’ll find that the weight of your addiction isn’t quite as heavy as it was before.

Try hypnosis

Finally, hypnosis can work wonders for those trying to break habits and addictions, as it rewires the brain to help you see things differently. You can either speak to a psychiatrist about your habit, or find hypnosis tapes available to buy for personal use at home. Around 92% of those that try have complete success, so it’s worth a try!