While we were using there was nothing else that could keep us from getting our next fix. All our time and money was spent on our addiction. We had no time for family, friends not even ourselves. Our lives had no direction, no future; the life we once wished for ourselves was lost with that one hit, that one shot and it seemed hard to believe we could ever get it back.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH):
ADDICTION IS A CHRONIC DISEASE CHARACTERIZED BY DRUG SEEKING AND USE THAT IS COMPULSIVE, OR DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, DESPITE HARMFUL CONSEQUENCES. THE INITIAL DECISION TO TAKE DRUGS IS VOLUNTARY FOR MOST PEOPLE, BUT REPEATED DRUG USE CAN LEAD TO BRAIN CHANGES THAT CHALLENGE AN ADDICTED PERSON’S SELF-CONTROL AND INTERFERE WITH THEIR ABILITY TO RESIST INTENSE URGES TO TAKE DRUGS. THESE BRAIN CHANGES CAN BE PERSISTENT, WHICH IS WHY DRUG ADDICTION IS CONSIDERED A “RELAPSING” DISEASE—PEOPLE IN RECOVERY FROM DRUG USE DISORDERS ARE AT INCREASED RISK FOR RETURNING TO DRUG USE EVEN AFTER YEARS OF NOT TAKING THE DRUG.
Addiction Recovery Institute of America has the easiest way for you or a loved one to stay sober. With our evidence-based and solution-focused addiction treatment, we have helped countless people not only become sober but stay it for years to come.
Taking That First Step Towards Recovery
When we decide that we have had enough, no matter how long it takes, and are tired of being sick and tired, we finally take that first step and ask for help. We either enter into a detox facility and/or treatment program or join a support group. Whatever the steps we take to end our addiction, we have made that choice that we are ready for a life of recovery.
The first couple of months in recovery are difficult, early recovery always is. It’s easy to follow rules and live in the bubble of treatment, but once you are faced with real life, it can be triggering, confusing, basically sensory overload without the drugs or alcohol to cope. We are so used to responding to our emotions, or any situation that we find uncomfortable, with drugs or alcohol, but now in this new life of recovery, we must find new healthy ways of coping, and through recovery, we learn these skills.
When The Going Gets Tough, Just Keep Going
When we were in our active addiction, we had no friends, no support to turn to when we needed help. We usually burned all our bridges and were living in a life of isolation. Now that we are free from all drugs and alcohol and have gained the support of our fellow addicts, there should be several individuals that we can call upon whenever we need help or advice or just someone to talk to. We now have friends again.
Our life of recovery has given us men and women that are going through the same thing we are, that will be there for us at a moment’s notice.
Now that we have gained a couple of years of sobriety, have a job, a place to live, helping other addicts gain sobriety, and are thriving in our recovery, we sometimes get the feeling of being stuck and wonder what else is there.
The Easiest Way To Stay Sober
There are going to be days, weeks sometimes that is going to feel mundane, boring. The routine is going to be just that and that’s ok. The easiest way to stay sober is by simply continuing to grow and learning ways to put your skills to use in everyday life situations.
Continuing to help out the next addict. Continuing to challenge yourself and your fears that have kept you from being the best you can be. Living for today and knowing that you can do nothing about the past and know you cannot predict the future. That worrying about things you cannot control will just paralyze you into not living. We only have today, make it count.
The Addiction Recovery Institute of American Can Help
We at Addiction Recovery Institute of America can help you get your life back. The most important thing you can expect from your ARIA experience is that you will emerge from it transformed, stable, and ready to begin a lifetime of recovery. Every second in active addiction makes it more difficult to reach out for help. Break the barrier of substance abuse and begin healing from the underlying causes of your addiction. Contact ARIA today.