What Is Addiction And How Does One Overcome It?

Addiction is considered to be a chronic dysfunction in the brain that causes an individual to become dependent on a specific substance or activity. It involves reward, memory, and motivation and can cause compulsive behavior without worrying about the potential consequences.

Once an addiction develops, many people begin to have a lack of self-control and have a lack of emotional response. Addiction can make it easy to dismiss how the behavior may be causing problems. It can also be easy to start making the addiction the main priority in life, which can cause other parts of an individual’s life to suffer. Although addiction is extremely prevalent, there are a few ways to overcome it.

Choose to Change

No one can choose to stop your addiction unless you have the willingness and are tired of the cycle of the addiction. Choosing to change is a key part of overcoming addiction and requires having a plan in place due to how complicated the process can be. Determine if you plan to enroll in an addiction treatment facility or quit cold turkey.

Consult with a medical professional to ensure you overcome your addiction in a way that is healthy and reduces the risk of complications. Many people that don’t withdraw correctly end up putting their lives at risk. You also need to understand why you want to change. You may be ready to regain control of your life and be happy again. You may want to heal the relationships with your loved ones. Understanding your motivation for overcoming addiction is one of the most powerful tools you can have to remain focused and reduce the risk of relapse after achieving sobriety.

Obtain Social Support

It can be difficult to have the support you need to overcome your addiction if any of your friends also have addictions. Start by setting boundaries with the people in your life who are only enabling the behavior. Consider the people in your life who are a positive influence and are willing to help you.

Seeking social support can help you to feel motivated and empowered to make the necessary changes. This will also prevent you from feeling lonely when you’re going through the recovery process. You can feel more uplifted and hopeful for the future if you have the right support system and don’t attempt to break free of your addiction when you’re alone and isolated.

Rind the Right Healthcare Providers

Seek the help of your healthcare providers to ensure you can have the right guidance and access to the most effective resources. You may need medical assistance while quitting drugs or alcohol. Many different medications are available that can make the detox process easier and can reduce the risk of relapsing.

When you decide to detox, it’s important to avoid doing it alone and detox in a facility where you’re under medical supervision. This will ensure your health is closely monitored and can reduce the risk of complications that occur. If you currently suffer from a mental health issue like depression or anxiety, the withdrawal phase can become more severe. Healthcare professionals can offer guidance and help you to navigate the challenges.

Look for a Treatment Program

Drug or alcohol addiction treatment programs have a high success rate because of the resources that are available. Look for an in-patient treatment program that requires living at the facilities and obtaining support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You’ll be connected to addiction specialists and therapists who help you get to the underlying cause of your addiction and help you recognize your triggers.

You’ll also be connected with a support group and sponsor once you complete the program and transition back to the real world. Out-patient treatment programs are also available in the local area to ensure you can continue going to work and managing your responsibilities.

This will require attending group therapy sessions and participating in one-on-one therapy sessions with a professional to work through the underlying issues that have caused you to develop an addiction. Research the different options that are available to determine the most effective option based on your history of addiction. Give us a call today at 833-610-1174 to seek treatment for addiction.