When we hear the word “addiction,” our minds can jump to some pretty dark places. We think of someone hopelessly lost, unable to function in society or even maintain a job.Â
But addiction isn’t just about these things — it’s also about finding the right treatment options for yourself (or your loved ones) so that you can get better and live a happy life again!Â
Thankfully, there are many ways you can overcome this stigma around addiction and treatment:
1. Create a Support System
Find someone to talk to, someone who will listen without judgment and help you through treatment and recovery. This can be your family, friends, or even just an anonymous person online who has had similar experiences as you.
You don’t have to do this alone!Â
There are many people out there who understand what you are going through because they’ve been there themselves or know someone else who has gone through similar struggles with addiction or mental illness.
Support groups are a great way to meet people who understand what you’re going through and help lift each other up. But to get the most out of your group experience, it’s important to choose one that fits your personality and needs.
2. Keep a Recovery Routine
I know it can feel like a lot to take on, but this is an important part of your recovery.Â
You’ll have to do a lot of work to change how you see your addiction and treatment, and even though it might not seem like it now, those small steps will help you eventually get where you want to go.
This article explains really well how routine and structure help those struggling with an addiction.Â
3. Educate Yourself on Addiction and Treatment Options
Many different types of treatment can help you overcome your addiction. There is no one-size-fits-all solution; it’s best to understand all the options so that you can find what works best for your situation and needs.
Many approaches to treating substance use disorders (SUDs) include medication-assisted therapies like methadone maintenance and buprenorphine/naloxone therapy (opioid substitution therapy).Â
Other forms include behavioral therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or motivational enhancement therapy, 12-step support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and self-help books.
A popular option for many is to stay in a residential treatment center like Hollywood Hills Recovery for an all-encompassing treatment.
4. Seek Counseling and Treatment
This might seem like an obvious step, but many people don’t realize there are other types of treatment apart from the traditional 12-step model.Â
The stigma around addiction is so strong that many people think they have no other options than going to meetings or attending some sort of group therapy session where everyone talks about their problems in front of each other–and this isn’t always helpful or even healthy!Â
Therapy offers a more private setting where you can talk about what’s going on in your life without worrying about judgmental eyes being cast upon you.
It may be hard at first, but opening up about your struggles with others can help make things easier over time–especially if those people are trained professionals.
These professionals understand what it means when someone says “I’m addicted” versus someone who just hears words without knowing anything else behind them.Â
In many cases, seeing an addictions counselor will be enough to get you on the right track.Â
5. Be Kind and Patient with Yourself
It’s important to be patient and kind to yourself. You can’t expect to be perfect all the time.Â
It’s important to be aware of what triggers are and how they can affect you. A trigger is an emotional response to a situation, person, or object that reminds you of your addiction.
You might not even realize what your triggers are until they happen–but once they do occur, try not to act on them!
The recovery process is long, and it will take time for you to learn how best to manage your cravings, triggers, and temptations to stay sober.
You might make mistakes along the way — that’s okay! It’s part of learning how to manage your addiction better so that you don’t fall back into old habits or behaviors again in the future.
Conclusion
The stigma around addiction and treatment is real and can be difficult to overcome.Â
But if you take the time to learn more about addiction and recovery, as well as how to support those who are in recovery, then you’ll be on your way toward breaking down those barriers for good!
