If you are struggling with an addiction and have decided it is time to attempt serious recovery, you likely thought about using this prospect as your New Year’s resolutions this year. Addiction recovery requires several aspects, including:
- Stopping drug or alcohol use completely
- Taking time for yourself rather than catering to others
- Recognizing the potential for a setback
- Knowing the signs of withdrawal and coping with them
- Focusing upon a network for help when it is needed
Here is more information about each of these new years resolutions to put into play if you decide you are ready to stop using drugs or alcohol at the beginning of January. Making a plan for recovery ensures you have the right to start toward success.
Know That All Use Needs To Cease
If you use drugs or alcohol, and your New Year’s resolution is to stop using your substance of choice, you need to cease use completely. You are not able to have just a little to get you through. All drug or alcohol use has to stop. This means not dropping alcohol and not a single puff, snort, jab, or swallow of a drug. If you think you can still use your addictive substance at all, you are not engaging in addiction recovery at all, either. If you have any remnants of a drug or alcohol in your possession, remove them from your property before the new year arrives. If you keep an addictive substance within reach, the temptation to use it may be too great for a successful recovery.
Make Sure You Put Yourself First
When you are on the road to addiction recovery, your efforts need to be placed upon yourself before anyone else. You are the one who needs to do the job of stopping drug or alcohol use. Because of this, it is wise to avoid engaging in activities or situations where you are likely to become stressed, depressed, or anxious. Take time and provide pampering for yourself as you start and continue the recovery process. Setting goals for yourself and giving yourself small rewards when you meet them helps keep your motivation going.
Recognize The Signs Of A Setback
As you go about your New Year’s resolutions, it is important to be aware of relapse potential. If you know of triggers that caused you to partake in addictive behavior in the past, it is best to avoid them as you are in recovery. Avoid being around people who encourage drug or alcohol use, as well.
Be Aware Of Withdrawal Symptoms
As you go through the beginning stages of an addiction recovery process, you need to deal with withdrawal symptoms if you had used a drug or had alcohol in the days before you decided to start these New Year’s resolutions. This can be quite intense, depending upon how much of the substance you had used in the past. It is best to alert someone about your desire to stop addictive behavior. If you decide to tell someone close to you, have them be on the lookout for withdrawal symptoms so you can obtain medical treatment if needed. An alternate route is to seek assistance from an addiction recovery center.
Consider Having Others There To Help Stop Addiction
Enlisting yourself in a rehabilitation program may make a huge impact on whether you succeed at stopping addictive behavior. Before you start the process of finding a reputable recovery center, jot down some of your recovery goals. These are helpful to share with potential addiction treatment program hosts at the time of recovery processes. Rehabilitation services include medical treatment for withdrawal symptoms, learning about addiction and coping mechanisms to break your habit, and therapy sessions alone and in group settings.
