Addiction is a chronic disease with many layers to deal with in order to maintain sobriety. Luckily, there are many strategies that can be used to help you get there.
Drug Addiction: How it Affects Us
Addiction can be applied to more than just drug abuse and alcohol abuse. One can display addictive behaviors towards commonplace actions, such as eating sweets, shopping, watching television, or being on one’s cellphone. Addiction often arises from the need to escape distressing situations or from the need to feel a rush or to feel high. However, one can learn to manage their addiction, and there are many strategies offered to help one achieve sobriety.
How to Manage Addiction
Surround yourself with supportive people, especially those who are also aiming to better themselves. It is vital to our well-being to feel like we are not alone. Many accessible groups, like Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous, are constructed as judgement-free spaces. There, members are celebrated for their efforts to be sober and better their lives.
Regular exercise has been proven to aid in recovery from drug addiction. Exercise promotes physical and mental health and strength. It is an effective way for one to de-stress and to keep busy, hindering one from reverting to their addictive habits. Exercise can take many forms as well. Activities like cardio, weights, yoga, etc. can all be helpful on the road to recovery.
Find a way to manage negative emotions, such as anxiety, anger, and sadness, which can encourage the engagement in addictive behaviors. Meditation is a method that has been helpful to many people. Or simply setting aside time to relax and patiently think through your emotions can help you learn to better react to stressors in future circumstances. Other activities can also help you achieve a better sense of peace. For example, gardening, creating art, caring for a pet, or playing music can all be ways to manage negative emotions.
Unhealthy behaviors, including drugs or alcohol abuse as well as lack of rest and an unbalanced diet, can decrease proper function in organs such as the liver. Decreased physical health also results in diminished mental health, such as in the form of irritability and mood swings. Essential vitamin and mineral supplements are recommended until one can achieve sobriety, a balanced diet, and adequate rest.
Holistic treatments, such as teas, massages, and aromatherapy, are natural options that can help in recovering from drug addiction. Specific herbs can be used to decrease cravings and withdrawal symptoms, reduce anxiety and stress, and promote relaxation and adequate sleep.
To read more about natural ways to beat drug addiction, check out the source article at The Doctor Weighs In website.
Recovering from Drug Addiction: The Next Steps
On a final note, addiction should not be viewed a personal choice or as a symptom of poor morals. Addiction is a chronic disease, one that is treatable. Rather than blame, the road to recovery should be focused on support and healing. That’s why at Hayver we emphasize our unique Circle of Support, which connects those in recovery with the people who support them the most. To learn more, contact Hayver today at info(at)hayver.com.