“Why can’t I stop using?” is a heavy question, but with the right steps, you can work toward recovery.
“Why can’t I stop using?” is a heavy question, but with the right steps, you can work toward recovery.
“Why can’t I quit?”
This question comes in moments of mixed clarity, regret, and desperation.
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been addicted or how many times you’ve tried to quit. A life without drugs is still a very attainable path. Countless individuals from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life have successfully traversed this path.
However, acknowledging that this journey won’t be empty of challenges is vital. It will demand mental, physical, and emotional exertion, and may even necessitate professional intervention.
Yet, we firmly believe in your capacity to reclaim your life. Armed with the appropriate tools and a support network, you can uncover a happier and healthier existence.
Commend yourself for merely being present in this moment. Engaging with advice on quitting drug use and contemplating a life without substances signifies a positive momentum. Let’s take strides further in propelling you towards renewed hope and embracing sobriety—one step, one objective at a time.
Remember, your identity transcends your struggle with substance use disorder. You merit the opportunity to unearth your true self, liberated from the clutches of drugs. Below are eight actions you can initiate today, marking your initial courageous strides toward progress.
Reach out to a doctor
Particularly in the context of painkillers and other opioids, the dread of experiencing withdrawal symptoms can act as a deterrent for individuals seeking assistance for their drug-related issues.
Should this be a worry for you, it’s advisable to have a confidential conversation with a physician regarding your drug usage, your aspiration to quit, and the intricacies of withdrawal and detoxification.
The abrupt absence of substances from your system could trigger withdrawal, leading to a range of symptoms—some of which might pose risks without proper medical intervention.
A medical professional possesses the expertise to evaluate your situation, offer insights into the withdrawal journey, and converse about medical supervision and aid meant to ensure a safe and comfortable detoxification process.
Ask Yourself “Why”
What is the underlying reason driving you to quit using drugs? If you were to commit to abstaining from addictive substances, what would you consider as the most significant factor motivating you to both initiate and maintain your drug-free journey?
Please take your time to reflect upon this question. Your response holds immense value and will serve as a cornerstone of insight throughout your recovery process. As the challenges of withdrawal become more intense or the urge to use resurfaces, your touchstone will be this response – commonly referred to as your “why.”
Your “why” can encompass anything that holds deep meaning for you. Some individuals center their focus on cherished relationships, such as partners, parents, children, and other loved ones. Others find motivation in reclaiming their career, health, and the ambitions that drug use may have hindered. For many, a combination of factors propels them towards embracing sobriety.
Remember, your “why” is entirely personal and should be free from judgment.
Document it extensively – make it a visible presence in your life. Set daily reminders on your phone to prompt you during vulnerable moments. Place photographs in strategic locations in your home, car, or as wallpapers on your devices, ensuring a constant reminder of the profound reasons behind your commitment to this new life of sobriety.
Set Small Goals
Your overarching aspiration is crystal clear: to never fall back into old habits. We understand the importance of this overarching goal, at least in theory. Regrettably, the exclusive fixation on this singular, monumental objective is often the root cause of individuals’ struggles in quitting or their early relapses during their journey to recovery.
Instead, channel your energy into establishing smaller, more achievable milestones that pave the way toward that significant accomplishment:
- Attend a support group such as NA (Narcotics Anonymous) or AA (Alcoholics Anonymous).
- Refrain from frequenting places that trigger your cravings.
- Seek solace in the support of your loved ones who stand by your commitment to sobriety.
- Develop a well-thought-out strategy for those moments when detox or maintaining sobriety becomes overwhelming.
- Discover healthier methods for unwinding and relieving stress.
Remove Access to Drugs/Alcohol
The utmost priority, particularly during the initial stages of your sobriety journey, lies in eliminating access to drugs and alcohol. It’s important to recognize that certain temptations may arise beyond your control, so concentrate on what you can manage.
Take the following steps to fortify your commitment:
- Clear your home of all drugs, drug-related items, and alcohol.
- If you live with individuals who use or consume alcohol, engage in a discussion about a plan to keep these substances away from your living space, or at the very least, out of your immediate surroundings.
- Steer clear of locations where you previously had easy access to drugs and alcohol or frequented for substance use.
Find Your Triggers
Your choice to quit substance use is profoundly influential. Acknowledging the factors in your life that ignite your cravings will amplify and bolster this decision. These triggers can encompass both physical and mental elements, such as:
- Negative emotions, like fear, anger, anxiety, guilt, shame, and more.
- Certain individuals you associate with.
- Stress stemming from work or home life.
Evaluate what aspects of your life you can modify to diminish the potency or occurrence of these triggers.
Surround Yourself with Supportive People
Active addiction can be an incredibly isolating experience. The decision to quit using can intensify feelings of loneliness and fear. You might wonder whether people will judge you for having a drug problem and if it’s safe to open up about your struggles.
We recognize your apprehensions, but regardless of the weight they carry right now, it’s crucial to understand that there are many individuals who will stand by you throughout this journey.
Every person’s support system varies, and you can construct yours with those you choose: family members, friends, significant others, or mentors. Positive support figures are those who respect your aspirations and provide unwavering encouragement as you strive to achieve them. They are the people with whom you feel comfortable being vulnerable, and you trust them to hold you accountable during challenging moments.
If you currently lack individuals in your life who can assist you in your journey toward sobriety, remember that you are not alone. There are compassionate individuals eager and ready to support you, guide you, and love you through the highs and lows of overcoming drug use.
Support groups like NA (Narcotics Anonymous) and AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) are excellent places to connect with people who have your back outside of your existing network of family and friends. Those in NA and AA are either on the path to sobriety or are already in recovery, so they truly understand what you’re going through because they’ve walked that same road. They intimately comprehend the pain, challenges, and realities of addiction and recovery.
Consider that an inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment program can also be a place where you find your initial support network. From the detox process to ongoing recovery support, you’ll have peers who understand the meaning and requirements of quitting substance use.
Try Some New Hobbies
Addiction has a knack for infiltrating every facet of your existence, altering your social interactions and solitary moments alike.
One of the most exhilarating, albeit occasionally daunting, aspects of embarking on the path to sobriety is the opportunity to uncover your true self beyond the influence of drugs.
Seek out fresh avenues to invest your time. Reflect on hobbies that once brought you joy or explore new ones you’ve longed to experience. Identify self-care practices that imbue you with a sense of tranquility.
Regardless of the pursuits you select, they should instill a sense of pride, serenity, belonging, and holistic well-being—both mentally and physically.
Seek Help From a Therapist
Substance use disorder often intersects with other mental health conditions, including PTSD, depression, ADHD, anxiety, and trauma. It’s not uncommon for individuals entering treatment or therapy to realize that a mental health disorder has played a role in their addiction.
You might not have received a formal diagnosis for a mental health disorder, or you may not immediately see a direct link between such a disorder and your substance use. Nonetheless, therapy can be an immensely beneficial and constructive resource on your journey toward lasting recovery.
If you or a loved one is seeking sobriety, call Brooks Healing Center today to speak with one of our medical professionals.
