Addiction is one of those topics that are often visited by medical professionals and anyone with an opinion. It’s a very real difficulty for some people, and addiction doesn’t just cover drugs or alcohol. Gambling, sex and even food can all be the subject of addiction, and once you’re in it, getting out of it is hard. The most difficult part of addiction is the ‘after’. After you’ve admitted to yourself there is a problem. After you have sought out help. After you have been released from a rehab program.
Getting back to the ‘normal’ routines you had before you sought help is hard. Integrating back into the world after time away from it isn’t easy, and this is because of how easy it can be to slip back into old routines and habits. Addicts have to work hard every single day to keep their heads above water and not slip back under. Addiction is a chronic disease, because of the fact it is long lasting. True addicts spend their whole lives battling to stay one step ahead of their addiction and their addiction can change the physiology of their brains, making it hard to change. Most addicts don’t realize how large of a role Mental health plays in their addiction. There is a great Dual Diagnosis treatment center in Seattle, Washington that specializes in these types of cases.
You can check coverage here for the best insurance that gives you access to the best rehab and treatment facilities, but you can still relapse and be triggered by your addiction. Being around things that can trigger those cravings is a no-go for most recovering addicts, but it takes time to work out what your personal triggers are. A key way to limit relapse is to limit the exposure to triggers and cravings and we have some tips to keeping those at bay:
- Recognize: It may take some time, as triggers really can be anything at all. However, you need to look at your addiction and figure out what the possible triggers could be. Alcoholics are likely to stay away from places that serve alcohol in the initial days of recovery. Learning to recognize the triggers early can help you plan your day without harm.
- Acceptance: Addiction is a very hard fight, but accepting that you have an addiction and that there will be times your cravings hit is crucial. Don’t fight the cravings you get, but accept them for what they are and ride them out. Most cravings dissipate after 15 minutes, and if they don’t, it’s time to remove yourself from the place that has triggered the craving. Life is full of discomforts that addicts have always avoided, but accepting those discomforts is how to work through them.
- Distraction: Putting yourself somewhere else, keeping your hands busy and by actively making a list of healthy distractions, you can move out of a potentially dangerous situation easily.
- Meetings: Addicts need to attend meetings for life to be able to keep themselves on the wagon. You could have been in recovery for twenty years, but that doesn’t mean a sniff of your old favorite rum won’t transport you somewhere you don’t want to be. Go to meetings, support others and support yourself.