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How to deal with drug addiction

deal with drug addiction

Nobody embraces drugs willingly. Some take illegal drugs just to be part of a certain crowd. For others, though, drug provides a good escape point from the miseries of life. Whatever the case, very few people actually start taking drugs with full knowledge of the consequences that appear later on. If you are caught in a similar jeopardy, then here are some suggestions that may prove helpful.

Detoxification

Detoxification refers to the method of cleaning drugs from the body. However, the process has time and again surfaced with a plethora of dangerous side effects triggered through the abrupt termination of drug usage. Additionally, it is also worth noting that detoxification does little to alter the social, behavioral and mental problems of drug addiction. Hence, you cannot expect the method to yield the desired behavioral changes essential for healing. Detoxification is generally applied by doctors in conjugation with a variety of other medicines. All said and done, detoxification is still considered the initial stage in the healing process as it helps to control the horrible and severe mental effects of drug withdrawal. There are several medicines available that help in reducing or stopping the use of tranquilizers, narcotics, tobacco, sedatives or alcohol. Hence, it is essential to follow detoxification with proper addiction curing procedures.

Residential treatment

For treating drug addictions in a non-hospital environment, the residential treatment process is one option worth considering. The therapeutic community, where the addict is required to stay for a period of one year, is among the most effective residential treatments available. The therapeutic communities are primarily focused on getting the individual to re-socialize. Apart from offering round the clock care, these communities also make optimum use of different resources like staff, residents etc. as active components in the treatment process.

The residential treatment therapy views addiction through the prism of an individual’s mental and social deficiencies. Hence, the treatment stresses on improving the addict’s responsibility towards issues such as family and society. The therapy aims to help the individual rectify his thought processes and behavior, thereby acquiring constructive and newer methods of communicating with others. A majority of the therapeutic community services also provide support services and employment training. Additionally, the therapy is sometimes enhanced to include individuals with special cases like unemployed people, juveniles and victims of domestic violence.

 

 

 

Support group

There is hardly any dearth of support groups for drug addicts today. Hence, you can start looking for such groups in your locality and get registered with them. The best part about joining a support group is that you get to meet people undergoing the same trials and tribulations in life as you. By interacting with people who had overcome addiction problems, you can discover a plethora of ways to help yourself deal with similar issues. Hence, you not only benefit from the interaction, but also get the necessary motivations to keep the treatment process going.

At support groups, there is little room for loneliness or isolation since you will find a myriad of compatriots around. Additionally, you can even consider sharing your problems with individuals who, through their common history in drugs and addiction, will be able to understand the tribulations better than anyone else. With time, these people will start empathizing with and guiding you, apart from providing the much needed encouragement.

 

Lead a healthy life

With time and effort, you may be able to get rid of addiction problems. However, the factors that triggered addiction in you are still there. In ensuring the success of the recovery program, it is essential to address the problems that caused the addiction. Depression, loneliness, feelings of inferiority, anxiety or rage the causes may vary from one individual to another. What remains unchanged or stable is their presence in your life. You can still make things work to your advantage by following a healthy routine. Through a healthy lifestyle, you will able to sort the problems out more effectively.

In a majority of cases, drug addiction results from misguided attempts to deal with stress and depression. There are countless people who try to run away from the painful and heartbreaking memories by taking refuge in drugs. However, there are still a plethora of alternative ways to cope with such memories and thoughts. Yoga, exercise, meditation are only a few among them. Confidence or an improved self-image is practically all it takes to escape those ugly situations.

 

Ignore the triggers and cravings

The decision to withdraw drugs is usually the beginning of the healing process. Your system will need some time before it can get back to the original state. All through the period, the desire for drug remains intense. Hence, addicts should make it a point not to go socializing with people or visit places that trigger drug stimulation in them.

If possible, reduce your meeting with acquaintances or friends who continue to remain addicted. Socializing with such people will only prompt you to give drugs a try again. Instead, try and increase your interactions with friends who support the withdrawal and offer you the requisite emotional support.

On the same note, it would be equally advisable to stop visiting places such as dance clubs or pubs. These places generally serve as breeding grounds for addiction. Therefore, now that you have decided to quit drugs, learn to tick off certain areas from your social list forever.

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