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Is addiction a disease? -

Contrary to what some may still believe, substance addiction has long been considered a legitimate disorder. SUD, or substance use disorder, causes chemical changes in the brain that can lead to seemingly irresistible compulsions. It is a condition that is, and must be, taken seriously by those affected by it and by society at large.

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How can addiction affect your life? -

Addiction has a way of sneaking into every aspect of your life. It can alienate people from their friends, affect their work performance, and, of course, take away from their own happiness and well-being.

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How can one overcome addiction? -

When you're in the grips of addiction, it is easy to feel like there's no way out. It is often said that the only places substance abuse can lead you is jail, institutions, or the grave. Thankfully, there is much to be done to climb out of the hole of addiction, and although the road is long, it is doable.

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Admit you have an addiction -

The first step, even half of the battle, according to some, is admitting to yourself that you have a problem with substance abuse that has grown out of your control. Without this awareness, nothing else can be done to help you on your road to recovery.

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Face your addiction and come to terms with it -

Even once you have admitted to yourself that you have a problem, it can be hard to come to terms with. These are usually the moments when your addiction feels overwhelming, and like you are powerless to overcome it. Working through these emotions is key, and once you are able to accept that you have succumbed to addiction and strayed off of your intended path, recovery can begin.

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Acknowledge your addiction with a loved one -

It is essential to not only admit your addiction to yourself, but to someone you trust as well, be it a friend or a family member. Chances are they've already noticed signs of substance abuse in your behavior, and will be relieved to hear that you've become aware of it and are ready to make some changes.

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Seek professional support -

The journey through recovery is, above all else, an inward journey, but that doesn't mean you have to walk it alone. Especially in the early days of recovery, while nasty withdrawal symptoms run their course, it is important to seek the help of professionals. They will help you decide whether residential rehab might be necessary to keep you safe through your initial withdrawals, or if partial hospitalization or simply weekly therapy is sufficient.

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Join a support group -

There is an abundance of support to be found outside of clinics and rehabilitation centers as well. It is almost universally recommended that recovering addicts attend meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. These groups are organized by and for fellow addicts to share their experiences, worries, and support, with and for one another. Anonymous meetings, for many people, can be the most organic and therapeutic approach to recovery.

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The 12-step program -

Anonymous groups also work and teach what is called the 12-step program. The 12 steps are strategically laid out in a manner that helps people in recovery work through the long-term, big-picture process of healing. The steps include making amends, learning to love yourself, and recognizing all of the ways in which addiction has affected your life.

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Get a sponsor -

Another important aspect of Anonymous meetings is getting yourself a sponsor. A sponsor is someone who has been in recovery for a long time, is stable in their life, and agrees by their own free will to be a phone call away whenever you feel the urge to use. Being able to call or meet up with your sponsor when you would otherwise use or relapse has been the difference between life and death for countless addicts around the world.

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Identify your triggers -

Being in recovery doesn't mean you never have to go out in the real world again. And unfortunately, especially if your substance of choice is something socially accepted, like alcohol, triggers can appear all over the place. It's important to identify your triggers, avoid them if you can, and if you can't, pay extra close attention to yourself and be ready to call your sponsor if you need to. For example, it's probably best to stay away from bars, clubs, and any other locations or sensations that you associate with your past abuse.

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Change your environment -

Most therapists and addiction experts recommend you change three core things in your life to help ensure you don't fall back into old habits. The first is your environment. Usually, the years we spent in the grips of addiction are spent in the same homes, the same parking lots, the same bars, the same towns, etc. It's important to change your surroundings so that you can free yourself of constant reminders of your old way of life.

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Change your company -

The second core aspect is to change the company you keep. This one can be difficult, as it can feel like abandoning friends, but more often than not the people you are used to surrounding yourself with are the people you fell into addiction with. It's not that it's necessarily anyone's fault, but it is essential that you not put yourself in situations where you might be enabled to fall back on your old habits.

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Change your routine -

The third core aspect may be the most difficult, but in some ways will also come the most natural. When your days aren't centered around tracking down your next fix, you'll be forced to find other ways to fill up your time. It's important, however, that you fight any despondency you might feel and not spend your days in bed. Forming a new lifestyle, and staying active both physically and mentally, is essential to recovery.

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Exercise -

Something that can be a huge help in recovery is taking up exercising. Exercise is the only activity clinically and neurologically proven to fight depression, and it is almost guaranteed that depression has played a part in your journey with substance abuse and recovery.

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Discover, or rediscover, your hobbies -

It is common, when engulfed in the blurry purgatory of addiction, to forget the things that used to interest you and make you happy. Drugs and alcohol have a way of replacing all of that. In recovery, it is immensely important that you rediscover, or maybe discover for the first time, the things in life that you are passionate about and the activities that make you happy.

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Don't be disheartened by relapse -

It would be naïve to say that the road to recovery was smooth and only went in one direction. Relapse isn't inevitable, but it is common, and it is important not to be discouraged if you fall off the wagon. In recovery, things are taken one day at a time, so even if today you fall off, you will have the chance to get back on the right path tomorrow.

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Remember that any progress is progress -

If you relapse, it's natural to think that you've regressed back to square one, but that is never the case. All of the progress you've made, all of the lessons you've learned, and all of the strength you have gained is still there with you. A lapse in judgment, a moment of weakness, doesn't take any of that away from you.

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Take a moral inventory of your life -

Something taught in 12-step programs and in clinical therapy alike is the importance of taking a "moral inventory" of your life. What have you done in your life that you're proud of? What makes you feel ashamed? Addressing and writing all of these things down helps rationalize and demystify the long, confusing journey you've been on up to this point.

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Make amends with yourself -

Once your moral inventory is complete, the next step is to forgive yourself for everything on that list that you're not proud of or that you regret. This may be difficult, as we can all do awful things while buried beneath the darkness of addiction, but recovery is impossible if you don't learn to love and accept yourself, and recognize that you are on a path to becoming a better person than you were.

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Make amends with those you might have hurt -

But, of course, it's rare that you're the only person you need to make amends with. Surely many events in your moral inventory involve other people, and it's important to reach out to them and apologize and explain your situation from a genuine place in your heart. If, of course, they're willing to accept it. Some people might not be ready for or willing to accept an apology, and that is a possibility you must accept as well. This is why making amends with yourself comes before making amends with others.

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Embrace and enjoy the freedom of sobriety -

Recovery is a lifelong journey, but it does get easier. Eventually, sobriety will start feeling less like a punishment and more like a blessing. Waking up feeling fresh, experiencing the world through clear eyes and a clear mind, etc., these are aspects of true freedom that never would have been possible had you not sought recovery.

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Practice presentness -

But, of course, no amount of good experiences and progress can erase your past. You may have moments where it all comes rushing back, not only the bad memories, but the desires, too. In times like these, it is imperative that you are able to stay in the present, take a deep breath, and remember just how far you've come.

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Don't let your past hold you back -

It's easy to make recovery your whole identity, and while your past has undoubtedly had a hand in making you the person you are today, it doesn't restrict the person you can be tomorrow.

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Form goals for the future -

Of course, the main goal of overcoming drug addiction, besides avoiding death, institutions, or jail, is to get on with your life. It may be the case that you were stuck in addiction for so long that you may not know what exactly it is you want to "get on" with. Don't allow that to get you down. You have the rest of your new life ahead of you, and you can lead it in whatever direction you choose.

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Keep open communication with your family and loved ones -

As we know, recovery is a lifelong journey, and like any journey, it has its ups and downs, its highs and lows. If you start feeling low or vulnerable, or the urge to use rears its ugly head, remember your system of support that has been there since the beginning. It doesn't matter if it's been 15 years since your last craving—speak with those you trust when you're feeling down so they can remind you of how strong you really are and how far you've come.

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"Keep comin' back" -

A common mantra repeated within the walls of Anonymous meetings is calls to "keep comin' back." While you may not want to go to daily Anonymous meetings for your whole life, it's important that you remember they're there for you whenever you need them, whether that be next week, next year, or a decade from now.

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Share your experiences with others who might need help -

As you continue down your path of recovery, many epiphanies and moments of clarity will light your way. Eventually, especially in support groups, you might find someone who is going through the same initial, terrifying steps of sobriety that you too went through. It can be mutually beneficial to sit with people who have just started their journey, share your wisdom, and remind them and yourself that no one is alone in this.

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Take it one day at a time -

"One day at a time." This phrase is the foundation of recovery. Looking forward, towards the rest of your life, thinking about the prospect of never making another mistake in your life is overwhelming and unfair to yourself. Every single person who has led a fulfilling life of sobriety after addiction has done it the exact same way: one day at a time.

Sources: (Olympia House) (Verywell Mind)

See also: How to reduce the risk of relapse

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