One of the toughest steps for most people struggling with an alcohol or drug addiction is deciding to make a change and seek drug treatment help. Most feel conflicted because they are giving up something they felt they could control, and might have at one point, even when they know it’s creating havoc in their life.
A commitment to sobriety changes many things, and change is never easy. You’ll need to find way to cope with stress, who you allow in your life, what you do with your free time, and how you feel about yourself. You may start to wonder if you are even ready for a change that will be so drastic, but only you really know the answer to that question. Being torn between sobriety and continuing to use is typical because the process is long and it requires a great deal of time and commitment. You’ll also need a great deal of support and motivation as you contemplate if an alcohol and drug treatment facility is right for you.
Thinking about change
- Keep track of your drug use, including when and how much you use. This will give you a better sense of the role the addiction is playing in your life.
- List the pros and cons of quitting, as well as the costs and benefits of continuing your drug abuse.
- Consider the things that are important to you, such as your partner, your kids, your career, or your health. How does your drug use affect those things?
- Talk it over with someone you trust.
- Ask the person how he or she feels about your drug use. Ask yourself if there’s anything preventing you from changing. What are some things that could help you make the change?
Preparing for change: 5 key steps to addiction recovery
- Remind yourself of the reasons you want to change.
- Think about your past attempts at quitting, if any.What worked? What didn’t?
- Set specific, measurable goals, such as a quit date or limits on your drug use.
- Remove reminders of your addiction from your home and workplace.
- Tell friends and family that you’re quitting and ask for their support.
Recovery Rob BIO
Recovery Rob is a 48-year-old man who has more than twenty years of sobriety, whose drugs of choice at one time were alcohol and drugs, and he has worked in and around the field of addiction for more than 20 years. Having just recently launched his own website, www.askrecoveryrob.com, he hopes to reach out and continue to help others who work through their process of addiction and recovery. Recovery Rob is a professional writer who has published two novels and is currently working on his third. He has been writing and working as Pat Moore Foundation’s premiere blogger and content writer, which helps keeps Pat Moore Foundation’s addiction and recovery blog top-rated.