Trying to quit an addiction can be challenging for many reasons. One of the biggest problems, especially at first, is the faulty learning that has taken place while using (or engaging in addictive behavior). For this reason, finding a long term residential addiction treatment option is ideal for people with severe and long addiction problems. And yet, for many, this solution is simply impractical.
If you can’t remove yourself from your everyday life for long enough to change your now addictive patterns, make sure to enlist the help of others around you.
Be honest with people who are close to you and are not using (at least not abusively) and ask them if they’d be willing to act as de-facto chaperons (or sober buddies). I’ve talked about it on here before, but if you’re anything like me, your addiction permeates your life. Make sure that you have planned activities that fill up your free time with those who are willing to help you. Read my treatment-related posts for specific ideas on things to fill up your time with (exercise, reading, gardening, etc.).
While you may have forgotten what going to the movies when not stoned feels like, trust me, it all comes back in time. Just make sure you have someone there to help you along the way in the beginning…
Like so much else, the biggest first step is asking for that help. Once that’s done, so much of the rest gets easier!
One response to “Don’t walk this road alone – Tips for those still struggling”
Altho this seems so simple, I feel it is one of the most important key parts for those interested in getting better. That faulty wiring, especially when we are not sober, (we don’t notice what we’re learning) is part of what keeps us entrenched. I recently started working with a program, that has done extensive research in how our wiring and unwiring takes place. Awareness of our states of mind is most important in self-regulation, and if we have learned a way that is ineffective, we can unlearn the faulty wiring and re-wire with more effective wiring. Just knowing that is a relief. It does take practice, and un-learning is the work, as well as establishing more effective patterns. It can be done. Don’t give up, if it seems difficult at first. I liked what was shared about the community we choose for this process. Our friends and those that care can be of great help, in fact in most cases, very necessary.